The Compost Bin - Aggie Horticulture · 2017-06-05 · The Informed Gardener: Blooms Again By Lina...

A Publication of the Travis County Master Gardeners - A volunteer program of Texas AgriLife Extension

In this issue ...

In the Vegetable Garden

Fire Ants

Plant Drought Survival

New Books for Texas Gardeners

President’s Message

and More!

Roses:

‘Belinda’s Dream’ (top) & ‘Old Blush’ (bottom)

The Compost Bin

The Compost Bin September 2011

Inside this Issue....

• Sept.MeetingSpeaker-MikeShoup• ThePresident’sMessage• IntheVegetableGarden• NewBooksforTexasGardeners• PlantDroughtSurvival

• FireAnts• ComingEvents• TCMGAExecutive• Contributors

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OldGardenRosesandCompanionPerennials

“Oldgardenrosesaretheultimategardenplants!”proclaimsMike Shoup of The Antique Rose Emporium. “Old gardenrosesdeservethisprominencebecauseoftheirfragrance,his-tory,gardenvirtues,colorandnostalgia!”AttheSeptemberMGmeetingMikewilltalkaboutrosecultureandgardenusewithanemphasisonorganicapplications.Learnaboutwhichplantsare thebest companions to roses indifferentgardensettings.Mikewillshowwhyperennialsareoftenusedastheplantsofchoicetogrowwiththeroses.

G.Michael(Mike)Shouphasalwayshadaninterestinplants.HereceivedhisBachelorofArtsdegreeinBiologyfromTrinityUniversityandhisMaster’sdegreeinHorticulturefromTexasA&MUniversity.In1976,ayearaftergraduationhestartedContainerizedPlants,Inc.whichgrewandsoldwoodyplantsandhardy,old-fashionedperennials,Texasnativesandmostimportantly,neglectedoldgardenroses.

In 1984 he opened The Antique Rose Emporium whichspecialized in the re-introduction and distribution of thesehistoric roses. This venture developed into creating dis-playgarden/retail centers inhistoric IndependenceandSanAntonio,Texas.Theseuniqueretailcentersconsistoftheme

gardens showing the versatility of antique roses in gardensettings.HisworkhasbeenrecognizedintheSmithsonianandNational Geographic magazinesandinmanytradejournalsaswell.Hishopeisthatthebeautyseeninthesegardenswillcreatearesurgence in the preservation of these rare and beautifulroses.

Mike is a past president of the board of directors of theHeritage Rose Foundation, an organization dedicated to thepreservationofoldgardenroses.Hehasalsowrittenmanyarticles and supplied numerous photographs for trademag-azines and national periodicals on the subject of using oldgardenrosesintoday’sgardens.Hehaswrittentwobooks,Roses in the Southern Garden, published in 2000 andLandscaping with Antique Roses,co-authoredwithLizDruittandpublishedin1991.

The Guide to Antique RosesauthoredbyMikeShoupwillbeforsaleafterthemeeting.Thecostis$15.00,checksorcashonly.

MasterGardenerMeetinginformation:Wednesday,September7th,2011startingat7:00pm.

ZilkerBotanicalGarden

September Meeting Speaker — Mike Shoup


Hello Master Gardeners:A Message From Your President

Thissummerhasbeenoneforthehistorybooks—wehaveallsufferedfromtheheatandthelackofrain!Idon’tbelieveanyonewillbesadtoseethissummerfadeaway...and,ifwecouldwishit,nevertoreturn!Here’shopingforaswiftbringonthe“bers”wish!September,October,NovemberandDecember—withsweaterweatherthatiscoolandcrisp,openwindows,pumpkins,football,outdooractivities, blooming salvias, asters, and chrysanthemums.Thebronze,purple,redandyellowcolorsmixedwiththecoolair—justaskingyoutostepoutsideandenjoy!Whodoesn’tlove the taste of fall’s crisp, tart apples served at outdoorpicnics?Justthethoughtofbeingabletoenjoytheoutdoorsissomethingtocelebratewithfamilyandfriends.And,dareIhopefor...rainshowers!Certainlythishorridsummerhastaughtussomecruellessons.First,pamperedplantsarethefirsttowiltanddiewhenhotandhotterweatherarrives. Nativeandadaptedplantscanusuallyhandletheweatherthrownatthemand,sometimes,eventhrive.Ourlatestbook,“CreatingaDrought-ResistantGarden in Central Texas,” is certainly a well received andwelcome additional to gardening bookshelves in the area.Waterissomethingweshouldnevertakeforgranted!Whilelookingaroundmysadlittlegarden/yard,Iamhappyto say my dearly beloved roses have passed through thisheatandarestillwithme! Twothumbsup formy ‘MarthaGonzales’rosesthatborethefullsunofeachdayandneverevenhiccupped.Atruerosewinner!Otherwinners inmyowngardenare the old crapemyrtle,yauponholly,pomegranate,Americanbeautyberry,floweringsenna, copper canyon daisy, esperanza, lantana, variousherbs,andsalvias(sages).ThesearemyownsuperstarsandIamsureyouhavecometothesameconclusionwithmoregreatplantsfromyourowngarden.But,Ihavetosay,ifalittlerainwouldfall,Ithinkboththeplantsandmyselfwouldbedoingahollering,laughing,fallonthegroundcelebration.

Water(orthelackthereof)hascertainlytakenonnewmeaningas townsandcommunitiesstrugglewithdepletingsupplies.Weallmustcontinuetocomeupwithnewthoughtsonhowtoconservethispreciousresource.Weallmuststrivetosavemorewater.Mylastthoughtfortodayistogiveahuge thank you toourareafiredepartmentswhohavebattledgrassfiresallsummer.Mynearbyfiredepartmentisgettinghomebakedcookieswithaheartfeltnoteofgratitudeforahardjobwelldone.Thesemenandwomenareawesomewarriors!HappyFallGardening!

CarolynWilliams

Above:‘Penelope’HybridMuskRose(1924)PhotocourtesyofTheAntiqueRoseEmporium


AsIheadedoutforanearlymorningwalklastmonthIheardtheweathermansaythatthecurrenttemperaturewas80degreesandthehighwasgoingtobe104.Well,I’mlookingforwardtothosefalldayswhenthelowis55degreesanda24degreeincreasewillraisethetemperaturetoalovely79degreesoutside.There is hope! September in the vegetable garden is a month of transition,fromhotanddrytolesshotandhopefullyalittlelessdry.Eventhoughdaytimetemperaturesremainhot,ournighttimetemperatureswillgraduallydecrease,which is important forplantgrowthandpollination.Theshift in temperaturesandtheincreaseinrainchancescontributetowhatmanyconsidertobethebestseasoninthevegetablegarden.

Ifyoudon’tdelay—andifwegetagoodsoaking—thereisstilltimetoplantquick-growingcropslikebushbeans,summersquashandcucumbers.Checkseedpacketsforvarietiesthatreachmaturityin55-60days,whichmeansapossibleharvestfortheThanksgivingtable.Howeverifyourspaceislimiteditisbesttoconcentrateoncool-seasonvegetablesandherbsthatwillthriveevenbeyondthatfirstfrostthatusuallymakesitsappearanceinlateNovember.Broccoli,cauliflower,Brusselssproutsandcabbagetransplantscangointhismonth,aswellasherbslikecilantro,parsley,thyme,dillandoregano.Besuretoacclimatetransplantstoyourgardensunexposureandprovideshadeprotectionthefirstcoupleof

weekssotheydonotsufferfromtransplantshock.Fertilizeevery2-3weekswithawater-solublefertilizerandintheabsenceofraintrytowateratleast1-1½”perweek.Bewarnedthatstresscausedbywilting,lackofmoistureorinsectdamageearlyonwillslowthegrowthofbroccoliandcauliflowerandcausesmall,misshapenheads.

Beonthelookoutoutforcaterpillarsmunchingawayonyourcruciferouscropsastheycandoseriousdamageinonlyafewdays.Carefullychecktheundersideoftheleavesforthesmall,palegreenwormsandremovethembyhandordustthemwithBt.Ifyourgardenspaceallows,trytostaggeryourplantingsbyaweekorevenafewdayssothattheydonotallmatureatthesametime.Thesameadvicegoesforsuccession plantings of carrots, beets, kohlrabi and radishes.ContacttheMasterGardenerhelpdesk(512-854-9600)orconsultthe vegetable garden planting calendar (found at http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/travis/) for more specific planting dates.Remember that it is best to direct seed root crops like carrots,beetsandradishesastheydonottransplantverywell.Besuretomoistenthesoilwellbeforeplantinganyseeds.

In The Vegetable Garden

by Patty Leander

LeftTop:Whenplantingtinycarrotseed,mixitwithsandandshakeitoutofaspiceshaker.LeftBottom:Adecimatedbroccoliplantwithcabbagewormdamage.Right:Herbsinthefallgarden.PhotosbyBruceLeander.


PurchaseororderpeaseedsearlyinthemonthsoyouwillhavethemwhenplantingtimearrivesinmidtolateSeptember.Sugarsnappeas,snowpeasandgardenpeasareeasytogrowinthefallaslongasseedsareplantedbylateSeptembersothatpodsareproducedbeforeanyhardfrostarrives.Mostpeavarietiesgrowtoabout3feettallandwilldobestiftrainedonashortfence,tomatocageortrellis.‘SuperSugarSnap’isaviningediblepoddedpeathatgrowsto5-7feetandwillrequireastrongsupporttogrowon.Ediblepoddedpeascanbeeatenatanystageofdevelopment;theentirepodisediblewhenthepeasinsidearesmallandimmature,orthepeascanbeallowedtodevelopfullyandthentheycanbeshelledandeaten.Theimmaturepodscanbeservedwithdip,addedtostirfriesorslicedandaddedtosalads.Peasthatareallowedtomaturecanbepreparedlikeanygardenpea,bysimmeringinasmallpotofwaterjustuntiltender.

BesuretotrysomeoftheuniqueAsianvegetables,suchasbokchoy,Chinesecabbageortatsoiinyourfallgarden.Theyperformwellinourfallandwinterweatherandwilladdanutritiouscomponenttoyourwintermeals.CheckouttheKitazawaseedcatalog(www.kitazawaseeds.com)foranamazingselectionandinterestingvarietiestotry.

In The Vegetable Garden Continued...

Clockwise(lefttoright):Redandgreenpacchoi.Sugarsnappeas.Thebeautifulblossomsof‘DwarfGreySugar’snowpea.Aluciouspeapod.Bokchoy.PhotosbyBruceLeander.


The Informed Gardener: Blooms AgainByLinaChalker-Scott

The Informed Gardener Blooms Again picks up whereChalker-Scotts’firstbook,The Informed Gardenerleftoff,usingscientificliteraturetodebunkanewsetofcommongardening myths. Once again, Linda Chalker-Scottinvestigates the science behind each myth, remindingus that urban and suburban landscapes are ecosystemsrequiringtheirownparticularsetofmanagementpractices.The Informed Gardener Blooms Againprovidesanswerstoquestionssuchas:• Doesusingdrought-tolerantplantsreducewaterconsumption?• Isitmoreeffectivetosprayfertilizersontheleavesoftreesandshrubsthantoapplyittothesoil?• Willcedarwoodchipskilllandscapeplants?• ShouldIuseladybugsinmygardenasaformofpestcontrol?

• Doesaerobicallybrewedcompostteasuppressdisease?

The Informed Gardener: Blooms AgainBy Linda Chalker-ScottUniversity of Washington PressCopyright 2010Softcover, 241 pages, $18.95

New Books For Texas Gardeners

Reviewed by Anne Van Nest

What’sinthebook:TheMythofFolkloreGardeningTheMythofCompanionPlantingsTheMythofBiodynamicAgricultureTheMythofFoliarFeedingTheMythofNightLightTheMythofRedLeavesTheMythofDesignerTreesTheMythofUniformPlantPerformanceTheMythofWiltingLeavesTheMythofWinterWateringTheMythofCloroxedClippersTheMythofProtectivePreservativesTheMythofRootSnorkelsTheMythofVehicularVibrationTheMythofXeriscaping

TheMythofExtraordinaryEpsomSaltsTheMythofGypsumMagicTheMythofPermanentPeatlandsTheMythofWondrousWaterCrystalsTheMythofFish-FriendlySoilAmendmentsTheMythofAllelopathicWoodChipsTheMythofNitrogen-NabbingWoodChipsTheMythofPathogenicWoodChipsTheMythofRubberizedLandscapesTheMythofPhytotoxicYardWasteTheMythofAntitranspirantsTheMythofBubblyCompostTeaTheMythofCurativeKelpTheMythoftheMagicBulletTheMythofMilkandRosesTheMythofWeed-KillingGluten


EveryyearChalker-Scottreceiveshundredsofe-mailsfromaroundtheworldontheseandrelatedtopics.Heradvice,basedonmorethantwentyyearsofexperienceinthefieldofplantphysiology,hashelpedhomegardeners,landscapearchitects,andnurseryandlandscapeprofessionalstodevelopscientificallybasedsustainablelandscapingpractices.

AboutthemythofXeriscaping,“Useofdrought-tolerantplantsreducesresidentialwaterconsumption.”Thebottomline…Lindawrites,“Anynewlyinstalledtreeorshrub,droughttolerantorotherwise,requiresadequateirrigationtoestablishasufficientrootsystem.Established,drought-toleranttreesandshrubscansurvivewithlesswaterthanlesstolerantlandscape plants. Ifwater is available,many drought-tolerant species usemorewater than less tolerant landscape plants.Adrought-tolerant,water-conserving landscape isnotgoing togrowasquicklyorvigorouslyas thesame landscapeunderincreasedirrigation.“LindaChalker-ScottisanurbanhorticulturistandassociateprofessoratPuyallupResearchandExtensionCenter,WashingtonStateUniversity.SheistheauthorofThe Informed Gardener,winneroftheBestBookPrizefromtheGardenWritersAssociation.Sheistheeditorandco-authorofSustainable Landscapes and Gardens,theWashingtonStateeditorofMasterGardenermagazine,andauthoroftheonlinecolumn“HorticulturalMyths.”Shehasanewblogatwww.gardenprofessors.com.

The View from Great Dixter; Christopher Lloyd’s Garden LegacyFergus Garrett, long faithful Great Dixter gardener, writes inthePreface,“Thisbookiscenteredaroundoneincrediblemanandhiswayoflife.ChristopherLloydwasbornandlivedmostofhis lifeatGreatDixter.Hewasanextraordinarycharacter,akind,generous,intelligentmanwholovedpeoplebutatthesametimedidn’tsufferfoolsgladly.Hisgardenhasremainedaplaceofpilgrimageforadventurousgardenersthroughouttheworldandhisspiritandstylelivesonhereandinhiswriting.He was undoubtedly one of the greatest garden writers andgardenersofalltimeandhisinfluenceisimmense.Hiswordsinprintremainhislegacyandhisinfluenceisimmense.Hiswordsinprintremainhislegacyandhisinfluenceburnsbrightinallofushebreathedlifeinto.Hechangedourlivesandlongmayhismemorylast.”

RosemaryAlexanderwritesinthePreface,“ItisoftensaidthatChristopherLloydcollectedpeople,andafterhisdeathmanyofusinhis‘collection’recalledthehappyoccasionsandfruitfulfriendshipsweallenjoyedatGreatDixterasawayofcomingtotermswithourloss.Assomanyofushadsuchamazingmemoriesofplantadvice,practicaljokes,deliciousdinners,snatchesofconversationsincludinghisfamous(feared)‘putdowns’wedecided,atoneofourregularDixterDevelopmentCommitteemeetings,togatherthentogetherinabook.”GreatDixterwas,andcontinuestobe,ratherlikesomevastextendedfamily,witheveryonedrawntogetherbymutualinterestsandalovefortheplace.Manyoftoday’sgreatgardenerswhoworkedorspenttimeatDixterdescribehowthelessonsthey

New Books for Texas Gardeners Continued...

The View from Great Dixter; Christopher Lloyd’s Garden LegacyA compilation, edited by Fergus Garrett and Rosemary AlexanderTimber PressCopyright 2010Hardcover, 207 pages, $27.95


learnedtherecontinuetoinfluencetheirworktoday.Expansiveherbaceousborders,orchid-filledmeadowsenvelopedbyoldstone,precision-carvedtopiary,andanairofgentleeccentricitymakeGreatDixterthequintessentialEnglishcountrygarden.YettheimpactofChristopherLloyd’suniquecreationextendswaybeyondthegardeningworldandaffectsallwhopassthroughitinaveryparticularway.Inthisintimatecollectionofwrittenandphotographiccontributions,ChristopherLloyd’swidecircleoffamilyandfriendsdescribewhatGreatDixtermeanstothem.Food,poetry,musicandplantsfeaturelargewithoneguestrecountingthedelightofeatinganexquisitelycookedturbotandanotherhowabloomofmagnoliawasanalyzedwithbotanicalprecisionduringthecourseofdinner.Visitorsrememberthefeelofthecenturies-oldfloorboardsunderfoot,thethrillofwakingearlytopeeroutontopiaryenshroudedinfog,andmanydescribehow,inonewayoranother,GreatDixterchangedtheirlives.ThisvaluablerecordencapsulateswhatmakestimespentatGreatDixterinparticular,andtosomeextenttimespentinallgardens,soirreplaceable.ItaddsanimportantlayertoourunderstandingofChristopherLloyd’sachievementsandspursusontonewheightsinourowngardeningendeavors.“LifeatDixterwithChristopher,orasmuchasIhavesavoureditfromtimetotime,islikeaverylongandintricatelywordedsentence;asynthesisofperpetualentertainment,finecuisine,opulentplenitudesofScotchandChampagneandtheratchetybarksofardentlypampereddachshunds,allwrappedwithinanhistoricalhouseandpolymorphicgarden.”DanHinkley,authorofThe Explorer’s GardenAuthorRosemaryAlexanderhasdevotedherlifetogardendesign—runningagardendesignbusinessaswellastheEnglishGardeningSchool.Shebelievesthataspeoplerealizethetherapeuticnatureofgardening,gardendesignwillbecomeevenmorepopular.FergusGarrettjoinedGreatDixterasHeadGardenerin1992andworkedcloselywithChristopherLloydasgardenerandfriendduringanimportanttimeinthegarden’sdevelopment.Nowhecombineshisfull-time,hands-ongardeningroleatDixterwithlecturing,writingarticles,servingonRoyalHorticulturalSocietycommitteesand,asChiefExecutiveoftheGreatDixterCharitableTrust,movingthegardenforwardinevermoreexcitingdirections.

Monet’s Passion: Ideas, Inspiration & Insights from the Painter’s GardenByElizabethMurrayFromChapterOne,TheGardenMonetCreated“ThisiswhereClaudeMonetlives,inthisnever-endingfeastfortheeyes.Itisjusttheenvironmentonewouldhaveimaginedforthisextraordinarypoetoftenderlightandveiledshapes,forthismanwhohastouchedtheintangible,expressedtheinexpressible,andwhosespelloverourdreamsisthedreamthatnaturesomysteriouslyenfolds,thedreamthatsomysteriouslypermeatesthedivinelight.”OctaveMirbeau“ClaudeMonet,L’artdanslesdeuxmondes,”March7,1891ClaudeMonetcreatedhisfinestworkofartasa livingstudy in lightandcolor,aneverchangingcanvasthatusedhismostbelovedflowersashispaints.Eachplantthatgrewinthismagnificentpainter’sparadisewasthoughtfullyplaced,justasinanexquisiteflowerarrangementpreparedforapainter’sstilllife.Inturn,thegardensthat

New Books For Texas Gardeners Continued...

Monet’s PassionBy Elizabeth MurrayPomegranate CommunicationsCopyright 2010Hardcover, 127 pages, $35.00


Monetworkedonforoverfortyyearsbecametheinspirationforhispaintingsforthesecondhalfofhislife.ThegardensatGivernyconsistoftheClosNormandgarden,featuringnearlythreeacresofflowers,withitsGrandeAllée(theflowertunnelwithgreatarchesoframblingrosesabovethebroadwalkcarpetedwith creeping, round-leafed nasturtiums), and the two-acrewater lily gardenwith the arching greenbridgewovenwithwisteria.WeknowthesesubjectswellfromMonet’spaintings—brilliantImpressionistdepictionsofnature’smomentsoffullbloom,gloriouscolor,andlightpreservedoncanvasthroughthehandofthegreatmaster.AtthetimeMonetstartedpainting,mostpaintersbegantheirpracticewithstilllifesinthestudio—bowlsoffruitorbouquetsofflowers—and,whentheycouldaffordit,withamodel.Landscapepaintersoften

sketchedvariousviewsfromnatureandthencreatedthefinishedcompositionintheirstudiosundercontrolledconditions.ThepleinairImpressionistspaintedoutofdoors—directlyfromnature—anddedicatedthemselvestocapturingtheimpressionofafleetingmoment.Theycarriedtheirpaints(madepossiblebytherecentavailabilityofoilpaintsintubes),canvases,andeaselsthroughthemeadowsandorchardsandalongstreamsuntiltheycameuponaninspirationalview.Findingapleasingcomposition,perhapsacertaingroupoftreesbacklitwiththerisingsun,theysetaboutpaintingitasquicklyaspossibleinshort,surestrokesofpurecolor.Monetexpandedthisconceptbycomposingwithnatureashedesigned,planted,andcultivatedhisgardens.

Loversofplants,gardens,design,architecture,fineart,ImpressionismandClaudeMonet,themasterhimselfwillbeenthralledbythisbookwrittenbyanartistandgardenerwhohasimmersedherselfinthegloryofGivernytosuchanextentthatithasalmostbecomeasecondhome.AlmostbetterthansettingfootinGivernyinperson,thisbook,withitslavishphotographyandinterestinglayoverdrawings,showsthegardenthatinspiredtheartistduringthelastfortyyearsofhislife.


Monet designed this gracefully arched wooden bridge — a prominent feature of the water garden — to span a narrow part of his pond. The 18-foot structure was inspired by one of his Japanese woodblock prints.

In 1911, following the devastation of major storms and flooding, he repaired and enlarged his water garden, adding the iron arbor. He planted the white Chinese wisteria on the lower handrails and the long lavender Japanese wisteria on the arbor; when in bloom, they create a canopy of lace. The reflections of the bridge are magnificent in the pond below.


Aprofessionalgardenerandartist,ElizabethMurrayhelpedtorestoretheGivernygardensinthe1980sandhassinceenjoyedprivileged access to the site, which she visits annually to captureMonet’s passion at itsmost radiant and riotous. In thisredesigned,updatededition,MurraydiscussesthedevelopmentandhistoryofMonet’sGivernyestateandbringsnewinsighttoMonet’sapproachtogardeninganddesign.Emphasizinghiskeenunderstandingofcolorbalanceandhisgeniusformaximizingtheeffectsoflight,MurrayexploresthecolorcombinationsandtechniqueswithwhichMonetexperimentedinbothpaintingandgardening—eachpursuitinformingtheother.Murray’slushphotographschroniclethepresent-daygardens,andasectiontitled“BringingGivernyHome”providesdetailedGiverny-basedgardenplansthatcanbeexecutedanywhere.Full-colorillustrationsofthegardens,alistoftheplantsoriginallyusedbyMonet,andaplantcultivationsectionroundoutthisimmenselyhelpfulguidetocreatingyear-roundbeautyinone’sownbackyard.ElizabethMurrayreceivedherbachelor’sdegreesinfineart,environmentaleducation,andbotanyfromSonomaStateUniversity.She is theauthorofnumerousgardeningandartbooks, includingPainterly Photography: Awakening the Artist Within andCultivating Sacred Space: Gardening for the Soul. Her photography is housed in several museum and private collections,includingthedeYoungMuseumofSanFranciscoandtheNewOrleansMuseumofArt.MurrayresidesinMonterey,California,whereshedesignsgardensashealingspacesandteachescreativityclassesusingphotography,painting,andflowers.

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Year-Round GardeningBySelilahSmittleandSheriAnnRicherson

Everyseason isagrowingseason.You’reno idiot,ofcourse.Yourgardenisyourpassion,butlikeallgoodthingsitcomestoanend.Alltosoonyougofrombountifulharvesttocleaningoutthegardenbedsandlongingforplantingtimeagain.Itdoesn’thavetobethatway.DelilahSmittleandSheriAnnRichersonhavefilledThe Complete Idiot’s Guide to Year-Round Gardening with affordable tips and techniques to use to getyourgardengrowingearlyandkeep itproducingyear-round.Althoughthisbookwaswrittenforanationalaudience,sometipsarestillvaluableforTexasgardeners.Whetherit’sonionsinthesummer,lettuceinthewinter,ororchidsanytime,The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Year-Round Gardeningcoverseverystepoftheprocessofbothoutdoorandindoorgardening.From

seeds,soil,compost,equipment,andfertilizerstoalltypesofcoversandgreenhouses,andevengardeningandharvestinginrootcellarsduringwinter,thisguideisamust-haveforanydedicatedgardener.Includesinformationon…Therightsoilforeveryseason.Compostingandfertilizingyear-round.Seed-savingmethodsforflowersandvegetables.


The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Year-Round GardeningBy SelilahSmittleandSheriAnnRichersonAlphaCopyright 2010Softcover, 317 pages, $19.95


Indoorandoutdoorseedstarting.Maintainingoutdoorcoveredgardens.Year-roundgreenhousetechniquesforgrowingornamentalsandproduce.Thebestplantsforheatedandunheatedgreenhouses.DelilahSmittleisaneditorandwriterspecializingingardeningandhobbies.ShehaseditedandwrittenarticlesforFlower and Garden, Fine Gardening, Organic Gardening,andothermagazines.SheriAnnRichersonhasover20yearsexperienceinnewspaper,magazineandcreativewriting.ShewroteonaregularbasisforGardenSolutionsMagazine.ShehasalsowrittenforawidevarietyofmagazinesincludingFlorida Gardening, Growing Edge, ChicagoLand Gardening, The Herbalist, Pool & Spa Living, Pondkeeper, Hort Recources, Miss Kitty’s Journal, Biker Alley, Lawn & Garden Retailer, Home Cooking Magazine, Bird Talk, Ferrets, DogGone Newsletter, Imprints, Ft. Myers MagazineandPlantsMagazinetonamejustafew.Shehasalsoworkedastheeditorofalocalpaper,The Courier.ShewastheBellaOnlineWaterGardensEditor,BulbsEditor,SpaEditorplusLandscapingEditoraswellasacontributingwriterforSuite101.


Left:‘MariePavie’PolyanthaRose(1888)

PhotocourtesyofTheAntiqueRoseEmporium


Old Roses

TopLeft:‘MarchesaBoccella’HybridPerpetualRose(1842)BottomLeft:‘Belinda’sDream’EarthkindRose(1992)Right:‘DuchessedeBrabant’TeaRose(1857)

PhotoscourtesyofTheAntiqueRoseEmporium


Plant Drought Survival

by Bob Beyer

Whilewearehibernating inourairconditioned,climate-controlledhomeenvironmentwhendailytemperaturesexceed100degreesF.andoneofourworstdroughts is inprogress,canwehavea littlesympathy forouroutdoorplantswhodon’thavesuch luxury? Asgardener’sourbiggestconcernrightnowisforourplants—especiallywhentheforcesofnaturearebeingsocruel.Weallloveourplantsandwanttodoallthatwecantocareforthem,especiallyduringthesetryingtimes.So,isthereanythingthatwecandotobattlethisdroughtandheat?First,identifywhatischallengingplantssowecanreactaccordingly.Aplant’sgreateststressesduringdroughtandheatarelightintensityandexcessivetranspiration.BetweenJune1standJuly31st,aroundthesummerequinox,thelongerdaylightperiodsprovidemoreintenselightthanmostplantsare accustomed to having during the rest of the year— causingsomefoliagetowither,die,orturnpalerincolor.Plantsaffectedthiswaymayneedsometemporaryprotection—containerplantsmovedtoashadierareaorperhapsasunscreennettingplacedoverheadtoreducetheamountofdirectsunlighthittingthem.RememberthatfullsunincentralTexasismuchmoreintensethanfullsuninmorenorthern regions of the country. Also the light-colored limestonesoilsinHillCountryreflectlightonplantsaddingtoitsintensity.Themovementofmoistureupfromthegroundbyaplantandtranspiredintotheair isacceleratedby lowhumidity,hightemperaturesandwind.Plantsmayshowfoliarwiltingduringtheworstheatofthedaybutmayrecoverduringthecoolerperiodsbetweenduskanddawn.Butoncesoilmoisture runsout,plantsmayhavea realproblem.Transpirationalsoprovidescooling fortheplantaswater isdrawnthrough their system. This process is also a vital part of growth,photosynthesisandplantturgidity.Soalittlehelpismorethanlikelyneededformanyofyourplants.Most plants will need supplemental water during drought unlesstheyhavebuilt-inwaterconservingadaptations,suchaswithcacti,succulents,andmanydesertshrubsthathaveminimizefoliagesize,pubescent foliage,waxyouter layersor specializedcells forwaterretention to reduce transpiration and combat prolonged heat and

drought.Manydesertplantsputthemselvesintodormancyduringsummeraswellasduringwinter.Theseplantsneedtobekeptdry—soexcessivewateringcanbedamagingtothemwhileinadormantstate.Knowing your individual plants,where they are native to and theconditions they are adaptable for is essential to caring for themproperly during tough times. Placement of plants together withsimilar careneedsmakes iteasier tomaintain themallwell. Atthesame time,gardenersmustminimizeouruseofwaterduringrestrictionperiods.Soherearesometipsonconservingwateruse:1.Water less frequently but deeply and thoroughly. Handwateraround the drip line of the plant to concentrate water where thefeeder roots are located. Water once, then again after the firstwateringhashada chance to soften the soil andpenetrate. Thedeeperthewatering,thedeepertherootswillgrow—downtoplaceswherewaterretentionisthegreatest—atdepth.Sometimesithelpstouseasticktopokeafewholesaroundtheplantbeforewateringwhichwillallowwatertopenetratedeeper.2.Water before 9 a.m. or after 6 p.m. tominimize evaporation.Surfacesprinklersarenoteffectiveduetotheamountofwaterthatevaporates during their use. Soaker hoses work well, but handwatering gives you an opportunity to observe the general healthofyourplants tomakesureyourwateringplan iseffective. It ispossible tokillaplantbyoverwatering it insummeras toomuchwaterwillchokeoutsoilairspaceneededforgoodrootgrowthandoxygenuptake.3.Don’tpruneorfertilize,duringstressfulperiods.Thelastthingyouwanttodoisencouragetheplanttoproducenewgrowthwhenitisstrugglingjusttosurvive.Wiltingandcessationofgrowtharesurvivalmechanismsandnaturalways forplants to reduce stressduringdroughtandheat.Takeabreakfromyourgardeningtasksduringthesummerheatjustlikeyourplantsdo.


Plant Drought Survival Continued...

4.Don’tplantortransplantduringstressfulperiods.Plantscantakeuptoayeartoestablishthemselvesandadapttoanewenvironment,butonceestablished,theywillusuallyholdtheirown.Springandfallarethebesttimestoplantandtransplant(dependingontheplant).Drought-tolerantplantswillnotsurviveuntilgoodrootsystemsareestablishedsoextrawateringandcareduringthefirstyearofaplant’slifeisnecessary. 5.Perhapsthebestsolutionofallistoplantnative,droughtresistantandadaptiveplantstothe

greatestextentpossibleinyourornamentalgardens.Goodplantchoices—theounceofpreventionbeatsapoundofcureapproach—reducesstressonthegardeneraswellastheplantshavingtoendureit.Doyourhomeworkandresearchthebestplantselectionsfortheenvironmentwheretheywilllive.Rememberyouryardhasmicro-environmentswhichcanaffectplantchoices.Thetrickistofindtherightplantfortherightspot.Bycarefulselectionofplants,youwillnotonlyreduceyourstressandthatoftheplant,butsavemoneybynothavingtoreplaceplantsthatdon’tmakeit.HelpaboundsinAustinthroughmanyorganizations,publications,andindividualssuchastheMasterGardeners,theCityofAustin‘sGrowGreenprogram,theLadybirdJohnsonWildflowerCenter,justtonameafew.Italwayshelpstogetsecondopinionstoseeifthesourcesyouconsultareinagreement.

6.Whenpushcomestoshove,usescarcewaterresourcestohelpyourshrubsandyoungtreessurviveinsteadoftryingtomaintainorsaveyourlawn.Ifwechouldlearnonlessonduringthisdrought,itistheneedtobeginplanningtoreducelawnareaandreconstructouryardstobemorexeriphytic.Aftertheheatofsummer,fallisagreattimetobeginthatreconstructionsoyouwillbepreparedfornextyear,asthepredictionsareforacontinuationofthisweatheranddroughtpattern.Eventhemostdrought-tolerantplantsmayneedalittlehands-onhelpduringourprolongeddroughtand severeheat,whileweneed to conservevaluablewater resourcesat the same time.Someeffectivewaysforgardenerstorecycleandsavewaterincludekeepingabucketnearthesinkoranywatersourceandfillitwhilewaitingforthehotwatertoemergeandthenafteritcoolsuseittowatersomeplants,and/ordrawwaterfromyourrainbarrels(youdohaveoneormoreIhope)foruseonpottedplants.Trytominimizewaterthatwillgodownthedrainordownastormsewerandredirectittohelpyourlandscape.Onlywaterinaccordancewithyourlocalwaterrestrictions.

Handwaterasmuchaspossible.Ievenwashmycaronthelawnsorunoffwaterbenefitsthelawn!Oftenthebestapproachistodojustenoughtokeepourplantsalive,eventhoughtheymaynotaestheticallylookgood,knowingthatduringbettertimes,theywillrecoverandonceagainthrive—andohyes,keep praying for rain!UsedwithpermissionfromtheGardeningInCentralTexasblogwww.centraltexasgardening.wordpress.com


Fire Ants

by Wizzie Brown

In1998,thesecondfullweekofSeptemberwassignedintolawasFireAntAwarenessWeek.PeopleofcentralTexasaremostlikelyveryawareoffireants,butthepurposeofFireAntAwarenessWeekistoeducatepeopleaboutfireantbiologyandmanagement.

Redimportedfireantsliveinlargecoloniesandbuildlargedome-shapedmoundsthatcancontainover200,000ants(Figure1).Fireantmoundsaretypicallybuiltinopen,sunnyareassuchaslawns,pasturesandgardens,butcanoftenalsobefoundnexttotreetrunks,sidewalksandstructuralfoundations.Whenweatherbecomeshotanddry,fireantswilltunneldeepintothesoiltofindcoolertemperaturesandwater.Itseemsasiftheantsdisappear,butafterheavyrainmoundswillpopupinvariouslocations.

Fireantsareknowntoprotecttheirmoundinaveryaggressivemanner.Whenamoundisdisturbed,workersrushoutinlargenumbers,climbquicklyuptheinvadingobjectandbegintobiteandsting.Onceaworkerhasagoodgriponyourskinwithitsmandibles,itwillcontinuetostingyou,twistingitsbodyinacircularpattern.Formostpeople,asmallfluid-filledblisterwillformbythefollowingday(Figure2).

Iftheblisterisbrokenopen,thisoftenhappensfromscratching,itcanbecomeinfectedandleadtomoreseriousproblems.Somepeoplehavemoreseriousreactionstofireantstingsthatmayresultinredness,swellingoreventroublebreathing.

There are numerous ways that people try to manage fire ants; some methods kill the fire ants while others cause them to move to a different location. Some methods to cause fire ants to relocate their mound include continually disturbing a mound by kicking it, digging up the mound, mowing over the mound with a lawnmower or “home remedies” such as grits, sugar, citrus peels or other items on top of the mound (Figure 3).

Naturally derived products to treat individual fire ant mounds include active ingredients such as d-limonene (citrus oil extract), cedar oil and pyrethrins with or without diatomaceous earth (silicon dioxide). Synthetic mound treatments include active ingredients such as cyfluthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, permethrin, carbaryl and acephate. Baits (covered below) can also be used as individual mound treatments.

Figure1.Redimportedfireantmound(Left).Figure2.Blisterfromthestingofaredimportedfireant(Right).


Fire Ants Continued...

Individual mound treatments are used to treat one mound at a time. To assure that the proper amount of chemical is utilized, read and follow all label instructions. Make sure to water in the pesticide if the label instructs to do so. Failure to water in chemicals when recommended by the label does an inadequate job of killing the ants.

Bait-formulated insecticides are another method to manage fire ants. Many fire ant baits consist of defatted corn grit coated with soybean oil, which is the ingredient attractive to fire ants. The active ingredient (what kills the pest) is dissolved in the soybean oil. Worker ants collect bait and take it back to the colony to share with other ants. The bait is spread to other ants throughout the colony, including the queen. Some baits cause the queen to die while other baits make her unable to produce viable eggs, both which will lead to death of the colony. It usually takes a longer time to see results when using baits compared to individual mound treatments (dusts, drenches, granulars), but baiting may provide around 90% suppression for 6-18 months. Very little chemical is placed into the environment when using baits. Most baits are broadcast at a rate of 1-1 ½ pounds per acre and the majority of what you see is corn grit. When there are more than five fire ant mounds in a yard, broadcast baiting should be considered.

Community-wide fire ant management programs can be a beneficial way to overcome the constant battle between homeowners and fire ants. With help from Texas AgriLife Extension Service, homeowner associations can form a community-wide program that can be successful in reducing fire ant populations within neighborhoods.

Since most fire ant control methods are executed by individual landowners, there is often rapid reinfestation from nearby, untreated areas. With the organization of a community-wide program, reinfestation boundaries can be pushed further away, resulting in longer periods of time between reinvasion and treatment.

Figure3.(Above)Anindividualfireantmoundtreatedwithbakingsoda.


Fall Transplanting and Dividing Perennials

Saturday, September 10, 2011, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

ZilkerBotanicalGarden

2220BartonSpringsRoad,Austin,Texas78746

Fallisthebesttimetotransplantanddivideyourgardenperennials.Learnhowtoshareyourextraplantswithothersandre-locateperennialsthatmayhaveovergrowntheircurrentplaceinthelandscape.Getajumponspringbloomsbygivingthemachancetodevelopastrongrootsystem.JoinMasterGardenerVeliaSanchez-Ruizinproperplanningandexecutionoftheseessentialgardentasks.

Thisseminarisfreeandopentothepublic.ItispresentedbytheTravisCountyMasterGardeners,avolunteerarmoftheTexasAgriLifeExtensionServiceinTravisCounty.Formoreinformationseewww.tcmastergardeners.orgorcalltheMasterGardenerHelpDeskat(512)854-9600.

Home Fruit Production: Conventional Choices and

Sustainable OptionsSaturday, September 17, 2011,

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

AustinCommunityCollege,SouthCampus1820WestStasneyDr.,Room1130

Austin,Texas

Thisseminarforhomefruitgrowerswillcoverthebasicsoffruitproduction,sitese-lectionandpreparationandcoverthespe-cificneedsoffruitcrops.Inadditionitwillreviewtheimportanceofchoosingvarietiesandoptimizingtreehealthandproductivity.Muchofthefocuswillbeonunderstand-inghowfruitcropsrespondtoourever-changingweatherconditionsintheTex-asHillCountry.PresentedbyJimKamas,Asst.Professor&ExtensionSpecialistforTexasAgriLifeExtensiononhowtoenhancethesustainableproductionofconventionalcropssuchaspeachesandpearsaswellasexploringworkonnewlyemergingfruitchoicesthatcanbegrownwithminimalinputs.Questions?ContactRosalieRussell,gisathccs@aol.com.TCMGAmembersearn4hoursCEU.Spacelimitedto50people.Stillopenings!RegistrationclosesSept.15.Registrationand$25feepaidonlineat:https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu.KeywordSearch:Fruit.

Veggie Pests

Friday, September 23, 2011, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

TravisCountyExtensionOffice

1600-BSmithRoad,Austin,Texas78721

JoinWizzieBrown,TexasAgriLifeExtensionServiceExtenionProgramSpecialist-IPMforaclassonveggiepests.

ThisseminarisfreeandopentoMasterGardeners.ItispresentedbytheTexasAgriLifeExtensionServiceinTravisCoun-ty.FormoreinformationcallTravisCountyTexasAgriLifeExtensionServiceat(512)854-9600.

Coming Events


All About Spiders

Friday, October 7, 2011, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

TravisCountyExtensionOffice

1600-BSmithRoad,Austin,Texas78721

JoinWizzieBrown,TexasAgriLifeExtensionServiceExtenionProgramSpecialist-IPMforaclassonspiders.

ThisseminarisfreeandopentoMasterGardeners.ItispresentedbytheTexasAgriLifeExtensionServiceinTravisCoun-ty.FormoreinformationcallTravisCountyTexasAgriLifeExtensionServiceat(512)

854-9600.

Central Texas Trees and Oak Wilt (FAQ)

Saturday, October 22, 2011, 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

OldQuarryOaksPublicLibrary

7051VillageCenterDrive,Austin,Texas78731

Joinustolearnallabouthowtodorightbyyourtrees.LearnwhatvarietiestoselectforyourCentralTexaslandscapeandgainahigherlevelofsuccessbychoosingthosethatenjoyournativesoilsandtoughclimate.Learnhowtocareforandpruneyourtreeforlong-termhealthandduringtimesofstresssuchasconstructionordrought.MasterGardenerJerryNaiserwillsharehisexpertiseonallthingstrees!

Thisseminarisfreeandopentothepublic.ItispresentedbytheTravisCountyMasterGardeners,avolunteerarmoftheTexasAgriLifeExtensionServiceinTravisCounty.Formoreinformationseewww.tcmastergardeners.orgorcalltheMasterGardenerHelpDeskat(512)854-9600.

Coming Events Continued


CarolynWilliams,PresidentMandaRash,ImmediatePastPresidentRosalieRussell,VicePresidentforProgramsCherGroody,VicePresidentforEducationMargarineBeaman,VolunteerCoordinatorforProjectsRichardMoline,Co-VolunteerCoordinatorforTraineesPatMokry,Co-VolunteerCoordinatorforTraineesSusanJung,SecretaryMaryLouBell,Co-TreasurerFerneMizell,Co-TreasurerBarbPowell,MembershipDirectorDorothyAkin,GreenhouseManagerChrisGiaraffa,GreenhouseManagerVickiOlson,GreenhouseManagerJoePosern,AustinAreaGardenCouncilRepresentativeJackieJohnson,StateCouncilRepresentativeTommieClayton,StateCouncilRepresentativeVacant,DirectorofPublications

PastPresidents(Non-voting):

BillBaldwinBillBoytimSusanCashinTommieClaytonSusanDeckerDonFreemanMandaRashPeggyStewartBeckyWaakWillWalker

ExOfficioMemberoftheBoard(Non-voting):

TexasAgriLifeExtensionTravisCountyHorticultureAgentDaphneRichards1600-BSmithRoad,Austin,[email protected]

TRAVIS COuNTY MASTER GARDENER ASSOCIATION 2011 ExECuTIVE BOARD


ThisissueoftheCompostBinhasbeenpublishedthankstothecontributionsofthefollowingTravisCountyMasterGardenersandWizzieBrown—TexasAgriLifeExtension:

ContributingWriters:

© 2011 Travis County Master Gardeners Association 512-854-9600 Visit the websites: www.tcmastergardeners.org and http://travis-tx.tamu.edu

EditorandLayout:AnneVanNest

Webmaster:PaulaMiddleton

BobBeyerPattyLeanderRosalieRussellAnneVanNestCarolynWilliams

The End... Time for a rain dance!

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