The Compost Bin - Aggie Horticulture...The Compost Bin August 2011 Page 5 Any sprouting seeds or...

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

In this issue ...

In the Vegetable Garden

Insecticidal Soaps

Proven Winners in My Garden

New Books for Texas Gardeners

President’s Message

and More!

The Compost Bin

The Compost Bin August 2011

Inside this Issue....

• AugustMeetingSpeaker-TrishaShirey• ThePresident’sMessage• IntheVegetableGarden• NewBooksforTexasGardeners• ProvenWinnersinMyGarden

• InsecticidalSoaps• ComingEvents• TCMGAExecutive• Contributors

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ColorthroughtheSeasonsatLakeAustinSpaResort

“As a very young child, I remember being amazed by thestunningzinniasthatcamefroma littlepacketofseeds. Itseemed like magic and I was hooked for life,” says TrishaShirey,DirectorofFloraandFaunaatLakeAustinSpaResort.TrishawilltakeusonastrollthroughLakeAustinSpaResortas ifweare spaguests, showing imagesof theannualandperennial flowers, trees and shrub displays — which bothdelight the guests and attract wildlife. She will share herpersonalfavoriteplantsforsunandshadeandhersecretsforgrowingthemorganically.

Garden Design magazine named Lake Austin Spa Resortoneofthe10bestspagardensintheworldin2010andthegardens have been featured inThe New York Times,Texas Gardenerandmanyotherpublications.Overthelast26yearsTrishahasworkedatLakeAustinSpaResortcreatingorganicherbandvegetablegardens,anorganicorchard,andawealthof flowers to enhance the grounds and brighten the deli-ciouslowfatdishesservedinthediningroom.Plantingsaredesigned to be Texas tough, but beautiful. Despite theforagingdeer,flowersareinevidenceyearround.Manyofthegardensaredesignedtodelightbutterfliesandhummingbirds,

whichareseeninabundance.

Gardeners feel like they know Trisha because she is aregular guest of both the PBSprogram “Central TexasGar-dener,” produced by KLRU Austin and guest host of thepopular “Gardening Naturally” radio show on KLBJ-AM. Ontheseprogramsshesharestipsandtechniquesonhermajorloves:gardening,crafts,aromatherapyandallthingsorganic.

Trisha has served three terms on the Board of Directors ofEco-FairTexas(mostrecentlyasPresident).Theorganizationwasformedtosupportorganicandsustainableagricultureforurbanandruralcommunities.Trishaauthoredthechapteronfertilizer and contributed to other chapters inGreat Garden Formulas,arecipebookforgardeners.

ComejoinusasTrishaleadsusthroughhergardenofdelight.You’ll gain concepts and knowledge you’ll want to instantlyimplementinyourgarden!

MasterGardenerMeetinginformation:Wednesday,August3rd,2011startingat7:00pm.

ZilkerBotanicalGarden

August Meeting Speaker — Trisha Shirey


Hello Master Gardeners:A Message From Your President

GardeningbytheFriend

Somethinghappenedtodayanditdidn’tinvolvetalkingaboutthehot,hotweather. Imetanewgardening friend,ReneeStudebaker,whoformerlywroteagardening/cookingcolumnfortheAustin American Statesman.ReneeandIhavebeenexchangingemailsforaboutayearanddecideditwastimetomeetface-to-face.Wearrangedalunch,followedbybrowsingthroughoneofourgoodlocalgardeningcenters,allthewhilesolvingmostoftheworld’sproblems...andbecamefriends.

We discovered we know loads of the same people, manyof themMG’s, and laughed at what a small community ofhardcoregardenerswereallyare.Itmademestopandthinkabout how fortunate I am to have such a fun, fascinating,intelligentgroupoffriendsthatIcallmygardeningfamily!Lucky am I to have joined into this organization of peoplewhothinkaboutthesamethingsIdo,talkaboutthesameplantsandgardeningproblemsthatweallfaceandenjoytherewardsofhavingourhandsalwaysinthesoil.

I lovehavingtheopportunitytohearourmonthlyspeakersasIalways learnnewideas,hearaboutnewvarieties,newsoilamendments,butIalsoloveseeingsomanyofyouandjusttalkingaboutourlatest/greatestgardeningquests.Isn’titspecialtoenjoyeachother’scompany.Ithinkitissuchapowerfulbondthatbringsustogether,thisgardeninggeneweshare.

Nowtotheweather...it’sdarnhotandit’sprobablygoingtogethotter.IwiltjustheadingoutsidetowatermypottedMeyer lemons,succulents,pottedroses,etc.But,beingtheoldTexasIam,IfindIcanstilldowhatittakestokeepthingsalive.

Iwaslisteningtoaradiod.j.whowasinterviewingLyle

Lovettrecently.Whenaskifhecouldtoleratethislongheatwave,hisreplywas“Look,weliveinTexas.It’shot.Getoverit.”

So,here’smyending statement. It’sAugust inTexas . . .whatdidyouexpect?!

Stay as cool as possible, watch the skies for gatheringthunderheads, thinkrainandtheupcomingfallmonthsandenjoygardeningwithfriends!

Happygardeningtoyouall,

CarolynWilliams

Above: The infinity pool is beautiful and enticingoverlookingWhiteRockLakeonahot,muggyAugustafternoonattheDallasArboretum.PhotobyAnneVanNest


Extremedroughtconditionshavehauntedusthissummer,butasagardenerIcan’thelpbutmarvelatthecolorthatIseearoundtownandinmyownbackyard:yellowbells,crapemyrtle,ruellia,birdofparadiseanddatura.ThesearejustafewoftheTexastoughplantsthat beautify our landscapes despite the water restrictions andrelentless heat. It is not so easy to keep vegetables going undertheseconditions,butItipmyhattookra,eggplant,sweetpotatoes,Southernpeas,hotpeppersandevenafewcucumbersthataretryingtheirdarndesttomakeittomydinnertable.Theymaywiltasthetemperaturesclimbtoward100°everyafternoon(whodoesn’t?)buttheyareresilientandaslongastheygetsufficientwaterandabreakfromthesunandheatatnighttheyareabletorecoverenoughtofaceanotherday.

Nutrientsandorganicmatteraddedinspringneedtobereplenishedbefore fall planting begins, and a soil test is good place to start.See http://soiltesting.tamu.edu/files/urbansoil.pdf for instructionsandtodownloadaform.Aroutineanalysis($10)willtestthemajornutrients andwill offer basic guidelines for fertilization. A generalrecommendation for fertilizer in a vegetable garden is to addapproximately½-1 cupof highnitrogen, lowphosphorus fertilizerper 25’ feet of row. A basic 15-5-10 lawn fertilizer is adequate,thoughdoubletheamountifusinganorganicformulationlike8-2-4sinceithasalowerpercentageofnutrients.A3-4”layerofmulchisextremelyimportantthistimeofyearasithelpsconservemoistureandmoderatesoil temperature,andovertime itbreaksdownandenrichesthesoil.MulchalsoprotectsdripandsoakerhosesfromUVrays.Ifyoudon’thaveastockpileofleavesfromspringforuseasamulchthentryusingdriedgrassclippings,alfalfahayorpinestraw.

MidtolateAugustisagoodtimetoplantseedsofcucumbers,squashandgreenbeanssothattheycanripeninthemilderdaysandcoolernightsoffall.Thesefastgrowingveggieswillproducein50-60dayssoyoucanenjoyaplentifulharvestbeforeourfirstfrost,whichusuallyarrivesinmid-November.Seedsshouldbeplanteddirectlyinthegardeninmoistsoil,sobesuretowateryourpreparedbedsadayortwobeforeplanting.Toplanttheseedjustpullthemulchback,planttheseed,thencoverlightlywithmulch.Ifyouuseatimerforsoakerhosesordripirrigationbesuretocheckandreplacethebatterieswhenthepowerislow.

In The Vegetable Garden

by Patty LeanderBelow(clockwise): Tecoma stans (Esper-anza)(top),Datura,OkraandCrapeMyrtleallarebeautifulplantsandshouldbetoughenoughtotakethisheatanddrought.PhotosbyBruceLeander.


Anysproutingseedsortransplantswillbenefitfromalittleprotectionfromthehotafternoonsunthistimeofyear.Shadecloth,oldwindowscreens,umbrellas, cardboard,burlap,evenoldsheetshungon thewestsideof theplantswillwork.Thissunprotectionisonlytemporaryuntilyourplantsgetestablished—ortheheatsubsides—whichevercomesfirst.BecauseoftheheatandlackofmoistureinthesoilI’mgoingtoholdoffonplantingcoolseasonvegetableslikebroccoli,cauliflower,turnips,carrotsandradishesuntilSeptember,andhopethatweareblessedbyrainbeforethen.Otherwiseittakestoomuchpreciouswatertogettheseplantsestablishedinthisheat.Mostlocalnurserieswillcarrytransplantsofbroccoli,cauliflowerandothercoolseasoncrops,butifyouliketogrowyourownseedlingsit’sbesttostartthemnow.

ManyAmericasareengagedintoomuch“recreationalsitting”infrontoftheTVorcomputer,butworkinginthegardencanbeaproductivemeansofphysicalexercise.IgotafungiftformybirthdayinJune—aniftypedometerthattrackstime,steps,milesperhourandcalorieexpenditure. It’s fun towear throughout thedayandwatchhowthosesteps,minutesandmilesaddup.Ireadrecentlythatweshouldstrivefor10,000stepsaday,andgardeningwillhelpusachievethatgoal(oratleastgetalittlecloser)whileincreasingourintakeofhealth-promotingvegetablesatthesametime.Bending,stretching,walking,lifting—everymovewemakeinthegardencontributestoourphysicalwell-being.It’satotalwin-win!

In The Vegetable Garden Continued...

Above:Patty’sbirthdaypedometer.Howmanystepsdoesshetakeinhergardenduringaday?Left:Anirrigationtimerisessentialinthevegetablegarden.Alsoourcurrentdroughtmeansplentyofextrahandwateringtorevivewilt-ingplants.PhotosbyBruceLeander.


The Conscientious Gardener: Cultivating a Garden EthicBySarahHaydenReichard

“Ibelievethatagardenethicreflectstheconscientiousnessofthosewhocareforlandbynurturinggardens”,authorSarahHaydenReichardwritesintheIntroductiontothisbook.Shecontinues,“Gardenersrevelinthebeautyofaflower,thewondersofpollinationturningthatflowerintoalovelyordeliciousfruit,thesnapofafreshpeapodpickedfromthevineandeatenonthespot.Theyareconnectedtotheirplotbya loveofthe living.Butthegardenethicalsoarisesfroman increasingawarenessthat,overtime,practicesandproductshavecreptintoourcraftthatdecreaseitslong-termsustainability.Aswehavemovedfromanagrariansocietytoonebasedinurbanandsuburbanlandscapes,wehavelostcontactwithhabitscommontoourancestors—suchasusingnaturallydecomposingmaterialsratherthansyntheticfertilizerstoimprovesoilfertilityornurturingpredatoryinsectsandbirds

insteadofdeployingthelatest,greatest,alsousuallysyntheticproductstocontrolpests.Agardenethicgivesustheinformationandstructuretoreturntothoselessharmfulprocedures,helpingustoviewthegarden,liketheland,asafullyfunctioningecosystem–andtoincorporatetheawarenessthatitsimpactsextendfarbeyonditsfootprint.Invasivespeciesthatescapeintowildlands,theminingandtransportationofmaterialssuchaspeatfromregionsthousandsofmilesaway,andtheuseof inefficientenginesingardenequipmentallcontributetothelossofbiologicaldiversitybeyondourgardengates.”Thisbookisdividedintoeightchaptersthatexploretopicsimportanttobothgardensandconservation.Fertile,poroussoil(TheSkinoftheEarth)andcleanwater,ourmostpreciousresource,arecriticaltoourexistence,butgardenpracticesaffecttheirhealthandsustainability;thesenaturalresourcesareexploredinthefirsttwochapters.Chapters3and4guideplantselection.Whatarenativeplants,andshouldyouusethem?Whenaretheyappropriate,andwhenisanonnativeabetterchoice?Howcanyoudeterminewhichnonnativespecieswillinvade,andwhyarepeoplesoconcernedaboutthemingardenswhentheproblemstheycauseoccurinwildlands?Theplantsyouselect,aswellasotheraspectsofyourgarden,suchas itsstructureandwater features,canattractdesirablewildlifeandrepelundesirableanimals,

topicsexploredinchapter5.However,gardensalsoinviteunwantedplant,insect,andotherspecies,andhowtosafelycontrolandevenpreventtheirpresenceisthesubjectofchapter6.Thefinaltwochapters,onglobalwarmingandreducingwaste,lookatthebigpictureasaspurtochange.Gardenerscanhelppreventclimatechangethroughsimplemeasuressuchasreducingsoiltillage,switchingtopushmowers,growingsomeofourownfood,andplantingtreestoshadethehouseinthesummer.Wecanalsohelpshrinklandfillsbycomposting,notbuyingoverpackagedgoods,andeitherreusingorfreecyclinggardenitems.Thebookendswithanappendixsummarizingmorethantwentyyearsoftheauthor’sresearchongardenplantsthatcanbecomeinvasive,withatableofthespeciesworldwide,theirimpacts,andwheretheyareknowntobeproblems.Sarahhassetalightheartedtonethroughoutandthankfullydoesn’tgetallpreachy,it’sengagingreadingandoftenquiteeasy

The Conscientious Gardener: Cultivating a Garden Ethic By Sarah Hayden ReichardUniversity of California PressCopyright 2011Hardcover, 254 pages, $27.50

New Books For Texas Gardeners

Reviewed by Anne Van Nest


toembracehersustainabilitymessages.ShehasaniftylistofconscientiouschoiceslistintheEpiloguethatisafullofexcellentsuggestionssuchas,“Iencouragegardencenterstopurchaseplantsgrownindecompostablepots,orIdonottradeplantswithothergardenersifIknowtheplantsareinvasive,orIslowthemovementofwatersoitisabsorbedintothesoilbyusingplantlayers,bioswales,raingardens,greenroofs,orothermethods.SarahHaydenReichardisProfessorofConservationBiologyandAdjunctProfessorofLandscapeArchitectureattheUniversityofWashington.SheisalsoCuratoroftheHydeHerbariumattheUniversityofWashingtonandheadstheRarePlantCareandConservationProgram,bothattheUniversityofWashingtonBotanicGardens.SheiscoeditorofInvasiveSpeciesinthePacificNorthwest.

Heirloom Bulbs for TodayByChrisWiesingerandCherieFosterColburn

For those tired of high-maintenance and short-lived plants, ChrisWiesinger, “TheBulbHunter”shareshisknowledgeofversatile,sustainable,and low-maintenancebulbs.Heirloom Bulbs for Today introducesthebestofthebulbworld,addressingcommonquestionsandexplainingthecharacteristics,historyandwaystouseeachbulb,whetherinthelandscapeorthehome.ChristeamsupwithlandscapedesignerCherieFosterColburntoofferaninnovativelookatold-fashionedflowerbulbs.Whilemostgardenguidessimplytellthecultureoftheplant,Heirloom Bulbs For Todayalso

tellsthecultureofthepeoplewhogrewtheplant,unearthingeachbulb’spastandthosewholovedit.Gorgeousbotanical illustrationsandvividphotographsbySouthAfricanartistsLoelaBarryandJohanKritzingeraddrichflavortothefeaturedbulbsfoundfloweringwithabandoninhistoricgardens,homes,andcemeteries,transportingreadersontheirownbulbhunt.WithundeniableSoutherncharm,Wiesingerdescribestheadventuresheencounterswhilecollectingtheseoldfavorites,dubbedthe“comfortfood”oftheplantworld.Heirloom Bulbs for Todaywilldelighteventhemostseasonedgardeners.Huntingbulbsishardwork,andChris’searchforthesehardyfavorites—thecomfortfoodoftheplantworld—takehimintoeverycorneroftheworldtofindthesetreasuresandthestoriesbehindeachone.DetailedbotanicalportraitsandChris’intimatesecretsofhowtoknowandgrowhis“ladies”givegardenerseverytooltheyneedtobesuccessful.Vividphotographsofthebulbsfloweringinhistoricgardens,homes,andcemeteriestransportreadersontheirownbulbhuntthroughoutthecountry.WithCherie’ssamplelandscapeplanusing these carefreeplants, Loela takes readers throughevery seasonof the year toseewhatthegardenwilllooklikeinbloom.Easytofollowinstructionsonforcingbulbsinsidearealsoincluded.

New Books for Texas Gardeners Continued...

Heirloom Bulbs for TodayBy Chris Wiesinger and Cherie Foster ColburnBright Sky PressCopyright 2010Hardcover, 180 pages, $34.95


Anexcerptfromthebook,ThatfirstrescuehunttookmetoalittleGermancommunitylessthananhourawayfromTexasA&M,whereIwenttoschool.I’dheardthisusedtobethethirdlargesttowninTexas,buttherewasn’tmuchthereanymore.Intheearly1900stheareawaslitteredwithcottonplantations.Thetown’ssuccessrodeonthebackoftheSouthernPacificraillinethathauledcottontotheEastcoast.ItwasknownforitsbeautifulVictorianhomesbuiltduringthecottonera.Eachfall,thecrimsonbloomsoftheoxbloodlily,Rhodophiala bifida,emergedaroundtheoaktreesandnexttothesestatelyhomes.WhenIbeganmysearchoftheoxbloodlily,alsocalledtheschoolhouselilybecauseofthetimingofitsbloomatthestartoftheschoolyear,mymentorandfriend,Dr.BillWelch,whohaddoneextensiveresearchontheheirloomplantsfoundinTexas,sharedhisknowledgewithme.AlthoughmanypeoplebelievetheoxbloodlilytobenativetoCentralTexas,itwasactuallyanintroducedplantfromArgentinabroughtbycolonistandGerman-bornbotanist/farmerPeterHeinrichOberwetter.UponOberwetter’sarrivaltoTexasinthelate1840s,hestartedacollectionofnativerainliliesandbegansendingthemouttofriendsallovertheworld.WhentheCivilWarbrokeout,hesidedwiththeUnion,probablybecausepoliticalupheavalhadsenthimpackingfromGermanyinthefirstplace.LikemanyotherGermancolonists,OberwetterfledtoMexicotoescapepersecution.MostlikelyinMexicohefirstsawaversionoftheoxbloodlilythatbecameoneofhispassions.ReturningtoTexasafterthewar,hebroughtwithhimanumberofdifferentbulbs,buttheoxbloodlilyistheplantmostcommonlyassociatedwithhislegacyasaplantsman.

Called“TheBulbHunter”byThe New York Times,ChrisWiesingerisknownforhisrelentlesspursuitofheirloombulbsandhisdesiretounderstandtheirhistory.ChrisearnedadegreeinhorticultureeducationatTexasA&MUniversityandisownerofTheSouthernBulbCompany.CherieFosterColburn,whoalsoattendedTexasA&MandTexasWoman’sUniversity, isanaward-winninggardenwriterandchildren’s book author (Our Shadow Garden, illustrated by children in treatment at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center). As aprofessionallandscapedesigner,certifiedMasterGardenerandownerofNature’sTapestry,Cheriespecializesinlow-maintenanceresidentialandcommercialplans.ArtistsLoelaBarryandJohanKritzinger,SouthAfricannatives,co-ownJoLoeArt.Loelaisdegreedinlandscapearchitectureandcertifiedinfloraldesign,bothfromTexasA&MUniversity.Johanisaregisteredprofessionalchemicalengineerandphotographer.BothLoelaandJohanareartistsinseveralmediums,includingtheirownuniqueversiontheycall“chemicalart.”

New Books For Texas Gardeners Continued...


SucculentContainerGardensByDebraLeeBaldwin

Withtheircolorfulleaves,sculpturalshapes,andsimplecare,succulentsarebeautifulyetforgivingplantsforpots.Ifgrownincontainers,thesedry-climatejewels—whichincludebutarenot limitedtocacti—canbebrought indoors inwinterandsocanthriveanywhereintheworld.

Inthisinspiringcompendium,thepopularauthorofDesigning with Succulentsprovideseverythingbeginnersandexperiencedgardenersneedtoknowtocreatestunningcontainerdisplaysofexceptionallywaterwiseplants.Theextensivepaletteincludesdelicatesedums,frillyecheverias,cascadingsenecios,edgyagaves,andfat-trunkedbeaucarneas,tonamejustafew.Easy-to-follow,experttipsexplainsoilmixes,overwintering,propagation,andmore.Defineyourindividualstyleasyoueffectivelycombinepatterns,colors,textures,andforms.Discoverhowtopdesignersinterpretthedramaticoptions,inideasrangingfromexquisiteplant-and-potcombinationstoextraordinarytopiariesandbonsai.Expandyourrepertoirewithplump-leavedplantsthatresemblepebbles,stars,andunderseacreatures.Shortonspace?Createverticalgardensandhangingbaskets,andusedaisylikerosettesinwalldisplays.Eachofthemorethan300photographsoffersaninspiringidea.A-to-Zdescriptionscover350ofthebestsucculents,pluscompanionplants.Whetheryourgoal isagorgeouspottedgardenforasunnywindowsilloroutdoorlivingarea—orsimplymakinggreatgifts—thisisacomprehensiveprimerforcreatingvibrant,livingworksofart.

Succulents,whichstorewaterinfleshyleavesandstemstosurviveperiodsofdrought,offerspectacularbloomsandfoliageofeverycolor—includingcherryred,skyblue,andpurple-black.Inherbooksandpresentations,Debraintroducesvarioustypesofsucculents,discussestheircare,describeswhatmakeseachinterestingandunique,andexplainshowtocreatelovely,low-watergardensandcontainers.WithDebra’sexpertguidance,you’llsoondiscoverhowtousetheseeasy-care,sculpturalplantstobeautifullyexpressyourpersonalstyle.

Anexcerptfromthebook,

Potting Mixes: What the Experts UseItseemseverysucculentcollectorornurseryownerhasapreferredpottingmix.Someexamples:AformerCSSApresidentinNewJerseycombinesthreepartscommercialpottingmixthatishighinbarkorhorticulturalcoirwithtwopartspumiceandonepartcalcinedclay.


Succulent Container GardensBy Debra Lee Baldwin Timber PressCopyright 2010Hardcover, 248 pages, $29.95


Aspecialistinsucculentbonsairecommendsamixofonepartcompost,onepartcoir,onepartloam,andfourpartspumiceorperlite.Adesignerof succulent topiariesandwreathsusesno soil but rather insertscuttingsintotightlypackedsphagnummoss.Akalanchoecollector’spreferredmix is50percentpumice,25percent loam,and25percentdecomposedgranitesand.Ahaworthiagrowermixesequalpartsgritorplastersand,pumice,andpeat-freecommercialpottingsoil.Acollectorwhoownsawiderangeofsucculentssaysitdoesnotmatterwhatbaseisused,solongasone-thirdtoone-halfofthefinalmixispumice.AnarticleintheCSSAnewsletterrecommendsthatatleasthalfthemixconsistof“anair-trappingsubstance”suchasperlite,pumice,orcalcinedclay.A lithopscollector’smix is “morewhite thanbrown”—one thirdcommercialpottingsoilwithtwigsremoved,andtwo-thirdsperliteorpumice.Healsomayadddecomposedgranite“tohelptoughentheplants.”Anurseryownerwhosellsatshowsprefersaneasy-to-rewetmixofhalf-and-halfcoirandperlite.AcactusandsucculentnurseryinNewMexicorecommendsthreepartssoillesspottingmix,onepartcoarsesand,andonepartvolcanicscoria,perlite,crushedgravel,orcrushedlimestone.AdesignerataDenvernurserymixeshalf-and-halfpottingsoilandpoultrygrit(crushedgranite).Acactusandsucculentshowjudge,emphasizingtheimportanceofoxygenforroots,recommendsnotaddingvermiculite,becauseitcompacts.

DebraLeeBaldwinisanaward-winningwriterandeditorbasedinSouthernCalifornia.Shehaswrittenhundredsoffeaturearticlesandcolumnsaboutarchitecture,homes,gardens, landscaping and interior design, and people who have made significantcontributions to our culture. An award-winning garden photojournalist, She wroteDesigning with SucculentsinadditiontoSucculent Container Gardens.SheisaregularcontributortotheLos Angeles Timesandmajorgardeningmagazines.Debra’sspecialtyis showing how top designers use these architectural, waterwise, low-maintenanceplantsinawidevarietyofcreative,eye-catchingapplications.


Above:Nigella damascena(Love-in-the-Mist)flowersandculinaryherbsondisplayatLakeAustinSpaResort.


Proven Winners in My Garden

by Bob BeyerThereisabrandnameforaplantcollectioninthegardencentertradecalledProvenWinners©buttometheonlytrue“provenwinners”arethoseplantswhichperformwell inmyowngardenconditionsandmicro-environmentsoverasustainedperiodcoveringallseasons.Somyadviceisdon’tbefooledbymarketingtitles,butbecomeyourownexpertonwhichplantsareprovenwinnersforyourspecificuseandgardenconditions.Forexample,inmyyard,Ihaveidentifiedseveralmicro-environments which require very different plants and planttypes.Thesedifferentgrowingconditionsvarybecauseofdrainage,amountof light,durationof light,soildepthandcomposition,andexposureduringourseverestseasonalclimateconditions. Somydefinition of a “proven winner” is based on plant performance inmyowngardenundertheconditionsthatexistthere.Therefore,aprovenwinnertomemaynotbeoneforothergardeners.Mycriteria forornamentalsare those thatareadaptable,durable,havehighornamentalvalue,andlowcarerequirements.Withthisinmind,Ihavechosenmy25highestrecommended“provenwinners”forAustingardens.ThesehaveproventhemselvesinmyNWAustingardenoverthepast5years.AlsoIchoseonlyplantsthatareknowntobeavailable fromCentral Texasnursery sources.Keep inmindthatthereisnosuchthingasaperfectplant.Crape Myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica) in all sizes and cultivars:Deciduous, summer blooming, fall color, attractive bark, droughtandcoldtolerant,requiringonlyminimalpruningwhenyoung.Onlydrawback is thattheysuckerat thebaseandfromrootssothoseneedtobetrimmedoccasionally.Lookforvarietiesthataremildewresistant.Texas Mountain Laurel (Sophora secundiflora): Evergreen,fragrantspringblooms,droughtandcoldtolerant,minimalpruningwhenyoung,canbemaintainedaslargeshruborsmalltree.Onlydrawbackisthattheyoftengetinfestedwithawebworminspringwhichchewsonnewgrowth,butthisisatemporaryproblemwhichdoesn’thurttheplant.Variegated Eleagnus (Elaeagnuscv.):colorfulevergreenfoliageyearround,droughtandcoldtolerant,variegatedvarietiesneedonlyminimaltrimming.Thisplanthasnoknowndiseaseproblems

Rose of Sharon(Hibiscus syriacus):Dediduous,summerblooming,drought and cold tolerant, blooms reminiscent of tropical hibiscusandshowy,easytopropagate.Japanese Yew(Podocarpus spp.)U n d e r - u t i l i z e dconifer, evergreenfor year-round color,minimal pruning,preferspartialshade,not tolerant ofalkalinesoils.Pineapple Guava(Acca sellowiana):Evergreen,smalltreeorlargeshrub,silveryfoliage underside,showy unusualblooms in spring,edible fruit in fall,ornamental bark,minimalpruning.Desert Willow(Chilopsis linearis):Small deciduous tree with willow-like foliage, loaded with exoticbloomsinsummer,droughtandcoldtolerant,requirestrimmingforshape.Yaupon Holly(Ilex vomitoria):Evergreensmalltreeorlargeshrub,comesinuprightorweepingforms,beautifulredberriesforwinterbirdfood,nottolerantofalkalinesoils.droughtandcoldtolerant.Mexican Bird of Paradise(Caesalpinia gilliesii):Deciduoussmalltree,droughtandcoldtolerant,beautifulandexoticyellowandredbloomsinspringandsummer,reblooms,fine-texturedfoliage,pruneforshape.

Above: Mexican Bird of Paradise(Caesalpiniagilliesii)PhotobyLuisFernandezGarcia


Proven Winners in My Garden Continued...

Double Red Knock Out Rose (Rosa‘Radtko’):Evergreen,droughtandcoldtolerant,verydiseaseresistant,maintainscompactshapewithminimalpruning,showydoubleredblooms,maroonishwinterfoliagecolor.Needle Palm(Rhapidophyllum hystrix):Themostcoldhardypalmintheworld,compactanddurable.Shinygreenfan-shapedleaves,toleratessunorshade.Meiwa Kumquat(Fortunella crassifolia):Adroughtandcoldtolerantcitrusplant,smallcompactsizewhichproducestastyfruitinabundanceinthefallinadditiontohavingfragrantcitrusblooms.Alittleprotectionfromnorthernwindswillhelpthisplantsurviveto20degrees.Hesperaloe(Hesperaloe parviflora):Evergreen,yucca-likeplantwiththread-likefilamentsisattractiveyear-roundinadditiontolatespringspikesofbloom,verydroughtandcoldtolerant,Sanolina spp.:Evergreen,greenformismorecoldtolerantthanthesilverform,butallformsareverydroughttolerant,compactfine-textured,scentedplantthatbloomsinspring.Gold Bar Zebra Grass(Miscanthus sinensis‘GoldBar’):Deciduous,dwarfformofzebragrassto2′tallwithbrilliantbandedvariegation,preferspartshadeandgoodsoil.Yucca spp.(mostspecies):Evergreen,verydrought,coldandsoiltolerant,comeinattractivevariegatedforms,andarecarefreeplants,agaveweevilisonlyknownpest.Fringe Flower(Loropetalum chinense):Evergreen,purplecultivarse.g.‘PlumDelight’aremostpopularbutcolorscanfadeintoomuchlight,springandoccasionalfallfringe-likeblooms,colorfulyear-roundfoliage.Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens): ‘Silverado/Bertstar Dwarf’, a dwarf compact cultivar isrecommended,year-roundsilvercolor,summersporadicblooms,verydroughtandcoldtolerant,minimaltrimmingneeded.Mexican Bush Sage(Salvia leucantha‘SantaBarbara’):Perennialthatbloomsthroughoutthesummer,compactsilveryornamentalfoliagetoboot,verydroughtandcoldtolerant.Thiscultivarisadwarfform.Blackfoot Daisy(Melampodium leucanthum):Asmallspreadingperennial,evergreen,bloomsallsummer,droughtandcoldtolerant.Century Plant(Agave lophantha):Verycompactagave,droughttolerant,pupsprolificallysoitwon’tbelostifhitbyhardfreeze,variegatedcultivar‘Quadricolor’isverycolorful.Threadleaf Arborvitae(Thujaoccidentalis‘Filiformis’):Evergreen,string-likefoliage,weepinghabit,droughtandcoldtolerant,arealeyecatcherwithtexturalappeal,maybedifficulttofindbutworththesearch.Glossy Abelia (Abelia grandiflora)(anyvariegatedcultivar):Evergreen,droughtandcoldtolerant,verycolorful foliageforyear-roundgardencolor,variegatedvarietiesslowergrowingandeasiertomaintain.

Above:FringeFlower(Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum)PhotobyDarrell.barrell


Proven Winners in My Garden Continued

Mexican Redbud(Cercis canadensisvar.mexicana):Deciduous,springbloom,attractivesmall,crinkledroundfoliage,smalltreethatisdroughtandcoldtolerant.Pygmy Water Lily(Nymphaeax‘Helvola’):Foryoursmallwatergarden,thiscoldhardywaterlilyisaminiaturethatbloomsyellowinperfusionallsummerlong.Formoreinformationabouttheseplants,querytheinternetusingtheirbotanicalnames.Mygardenisacontinuoustrialgardenwhere,ifspaceisavailable,Iwilltrynewplantsandplantvarietiesthatmyresearchindicatesaresuitableforourarea.Ihaveplantsgrowingcurrentlythathavepromiseforgettingmy“provenwinner”designationbutneedmoretimetoprovethemselvesinthegarden.Thislistiscertainlynotcompleteandpartofthefunofgardeningisthetrialandevaluationofdifferentplants.Often,aplantwon’tgrowwellinoneareabutwillthriveinanother;soknowingthecorrectlocationforitisafactorinwhetherisisawinnerornot.Gardeningisacontinuouslearningprocessjustasagardenisalwaysanongoingproject.Soshareyoursuccesseswithothergardeners.Wearebothteachersandstudentsatthesametime.Iamalwaysonthehuntforanotherprovenwinnertoaddtomylist.UsedwithpermissionfromtheGardeningInCentralTexasblogwww.centraltexasgardening.wordpress.com

Above:ThegardensandplantersatLakeAustinSpaResort.PhotoscourtesyofLakeAustinSpaResort.


Insecticidal Soaps

by Wizzie Brown

Insecticidalsoapscanbeusedasacontactinsecticidetocontrolsmall,soft-bodiedinsectssuchasaphids,leafhoppers,mealybugs,thripsandwhiteflies.Itisimportanttoproperlyidentifyandknowabitaboutthebiologyofthepestbeforetreatingwithinsecticidalsoapsothatamoretargetedtreatmentcanbeperformed.

Themostcommoninsecticidalsoapsaremadeofpotassiumsaltsoffattyacids.Thefattyacidsdisruptthepermeabilityandstructureofthecellmembranescausingcellcontentstoleakfromthecellleadingtoinsectdeath.Soapsworkonlyoncontactandhavenoresidualactivityoncetheyaredry.Thiscanbeadvantageous,categorizingsoapsasaless-toxicproduct.

Itisbesttoapplyinsecticidalsoapsintheearlymorningorearlyeveningwhentemperaturesareloweranditwilltakelongerfortheproducttodry.Thoroughcoverageisimportanttoobtaingoodcontrol.Itmustalsobenotedthatinsecticidalsoapsmaycausephytotoxicity,appearingasspottingonthefoliageorburnedtips.Readlabelforanyphytotoxicitystatements.

Left: Pea aphid nymphs born parthenogenetically and the motheraphid.PhotobyShipherWu,NationalTaiwanUniversityMiddle:Pinkhibiscusmealybug.PhotobyDavidHall,USDAARSRight:Whiteflies.Photoby:Gaucho


Fall Vegetable Gardening

Saturday, August 6, 2011, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.


2220BartonSpringsRoad,Austin,Texas78746

Attention:VegetableGardeners…coolerweathergivesyouanopportunitytogrowandenjoyfoodthatflourishesinthefallandwintermonths.Broccoli,lettuce,Swisschard,radishesandspinacharejustafewofthefavoritesthatgrowwellhere.JoinMasterGardenerPattyLeadertolearnaboutthesevarietiesandstrategiesforbringingabountifulfallharvesttoyourtable!

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

Fall Transplanting and Dividing Perennials

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



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


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.

Registrationand$25feepaidonlineat:https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu.KeywordSearch:Fruit.RegistrationclosesSept.15.

Coming Events


Central Texas Trees and Oak Wilt (FAQ)

Saturday, October 15, 2011, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.



Joinustolearnallabouthowtodorightbyyourtrees.LearnwhatvarietiestoselectforyourCentralTexaslandscapeandgainahigherlevelofsuccessbychoosingthosethatenjoyournativesoilsandtoughclimate.Learnhowtocareforandpruneyourtreeforlong-termhealthandduringtimesofstresssuchasconstructionordrought.MasterGardenerJerryNaiserwillsharehisexpertiseonallthingstrees!


Coming Events Continued

Right:AtranquilsceneatthedockoftheLakeAustinSpaResortonLakeAustin.PhotocourtesyofLakeAustinSpaResort


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 to get out and garden!

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