GARDENING CALENDAR

TEXAS AGRILIFE EXTENSION SERVICE

BEXAR COUNTY  BY DAVID RODRIGUEZ

October 10, 2009

Applying one to two tablespoons of 19-5-9 slow-release nitrogen fertilizer once a week on developing vegetable plants in the garden will rapidly increase their size and yields.

The second and best planting of healthy cool weather vegetable transplants like ‘Cheers’ cabbage, Chinese cabbage, ‘Green Magic’ broccoli, ‘Snow Crown’ cauliflower, ‘Vates’ collards, and ‘Prince Marvel’ Brussels sprouts should be planted now to compliment and spread out the earlier September plantings.

We need to put turfgrass, shrubs, trees and flowerbeds happily to sleep for the winter with an ample food supply, which provides for a better spring green up. Fertilize with a 3-1-2 formulation such as an 18-6-12 or 15-5-10 analysis.

One of the best ways to minimize and control weeds in your turf grass is through proper lawn maintenance. You will be surprised that the mower is a great tool in weed control. But, only if it used and used often.

David Rodriguez is the County Extension Agent-Horticulture with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Bexar County. For more information, call the Master Gardener “Hotline” (210) 467-6575 or visit our County Extension website at http://bexar-tx.tamu.edu.