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Over the years from various sources, we have compiled a lot of helpful
information. Here are the weekly tips first found in our newsletters,
along with plants and products that we have spotlighted. We include
practices developed here at The Natural Gardener and by other gardening
experts.
August
2004
Safe gardening in the heat
This tip is worth repeating – gardening in Central Texas can be
very dangerous this time of year so it is time to remind everyone of
how to garden safely.
- DRINK WATER do not wait until you are thirsty, that is too late.
Drink plenty of water before, during and after working in the garden.
Athletes often start hydrating themselves the day before an event.
- EARLY OR LATE try to get your gardening done early in the morning
or after the sun starts setting (remember to protect yourself from
mosquitoes during these times.)
- SHADE if working during the heat of the day, try to do tasks when
they are in the shade.
- HAT always wear a hat that will help keep you cooler and protect
your skin from the sun.
- SUNSCREEN apply it as often as necessary.
Early signs of heat related illness include: dizziness; fatigue; irritability;
difficulty in concentrating; arm, leg or stomach cramps; and prickly
heat rashes. If you have any of these symptoms get inside, relax, and
drink plenty of water. Water should be cool, not cold, and be drunk
slowly, a cup or so every 15 minutes. Usually water is sufficient and
the best, but if you have cramps, a sports drink will help.
Advanced signs of heat related illness include the above plus: loss
of coordination; collapse; heavy sweating; cool; moist; pale skin; dry
mouth with thirst; fast pulse; and low temperature.
Heat stroke is life threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
Symptoms include: dizziness; confusion; headaches; irrational behavior;
coma; reduced or no sweating; fast pulse; rapid breathing; convulsions;
nausea; or vomiting.
Protecting deer resistant plants
Many "Deer Resistant" Plants will need extra protection when
first planted. We often hear at the nursery that newly planted deer
resistant (is anything deer proof?) plants are eaten by the deer. Our
theory is that as these plants are grown by our growers, they are carefully
nurtured and fed wonderful foods that make a plant that the deer are
not supposed to like, attractive to them. As the plants harden off to
garden conditions (less water, sun, etc.) the plant resumes its normal
unattractiveness to the deer. To protect the plants erect a small wire
cage or spray the plant with a product such as Liquid Fence or Deer
Off for the first month or so. Unfortunately for those of you who live
in Lakeway, you know that deer can't read the deer-resistant lists and
may like anything if they are hungry enough. Come and listen to Trisha
Shirey, Director of Flora and Fauna at Lake Austin Spa talk about gardening
with deer.
Ready for Fall Color
Get your plants & beds ready for fall color. Now is the time to
cut back and shape up plants that will put out fall blooms. It is also
a good time to feed the plants to get them ready to bloom. Lady Bug
8-2-4, Rabbit Hill Buds and Bloom and Rose food are all good products
to use. If you are going to plant flowers a little later for fall color
it is a good time to do bed preparation of digging in some compost and
amendments so they have time to mellow before you plant. It is also
a good time to plant Zinnias, Cosmos and other summer annuals and they
will put on a show for you in the fall.
Seed Starting
Seed Starting - we are starting to get in many of our 2005 fall/winter
seeds. Now is the beginning of the time to start broccoli, cabbage,
kale, lettuce and others for transplanting into the garden. Be sure
to start them in a cool place like dappled shade, morning sun or even
indoors under a grow light. If the plants start to get leggy that means
they are not getting enough sunlight. It is very important that the
seed trays stay moist and you will probably have to water or mist them
several times a day. The timing on the water will vary drastically depending
on the amount of sun and even wind conditions. Be sure to check the
little one regularly.
2003
Summer Plant Stress
Protect your potted plants from summer stress. Plants in pots need special
attention during the hot dry summer. Watering amounts will vary widely
based on a number of factors. Small pots require more frequent watering
then larger sizes. Terra Cotta pots will require more water then pots
that are glazed since the water evaporates through the sides as well
as the top. Different types plants require different amounts and frequencies
of watering. For example, a lavender plant will need less water than
a pot full of mint. Make sure that the plants are in a good potting
soil that will retain water and allow the roots to breath and function
as efficiently as possible. Check to see if the plant needs water by
sticking your finger in the soil, it may still be moist below the soil
surface. Saucers can be used to hold some additional water, but the
plant should not sit in water for more than 24 hours. Potted plants
will need more frequent feeding as the nutrients leach out faster due
to the frequent watering. Plants will benefit from a little more shade
in the afternoon than they would normally require. Just as mulching
your garden helps to retain moisture so does mulching your pots.
Summer Seeds
Seeds - I know that the heat of August does not really conjure up visions
of little seedlings, but it should. Now is the last chance to plant
summer crops and time to start, in flats, plants for fall planting.
Summer crop seeds that should be planted now include beans, cucumbers,
summer and winter squash and others that have a short time to maturity
as it freezes in mid November (i.e. look for the shortest time to maturity
varieties of melons.) These can all be started in the ground. Be sure
to give the seeds enough water for germination, probably every morning,
and continue more frequent waterings until the roots are established,
easing off the water as this happens. You can also provide a little
shade for the seedlings.
This is a great time to plant cosmos, zinnias, marigolds, and some
sunflowers. Many of these come in varieties that are wonderful colors
for the fall. We do not have the oranges, yellows, and reds of the northeast
trees in fall, but we can get those same colors in our gardens and homes
with flowers.
Some of the fall crops that can be started from seed in flats at this
time include broccoli, cauliflower, chard, collards, kale, lettuce and
mustard. These are best started inside or in bright shade during this
heat. Make sure when you transplant these later you give them time to
acclimate - do not put them in the hot sun immediately. Do not panic
if you do not feel like doing this now, but some people like to start
as early as possible. It is the very beginning of the season so you
will have plenty of time.
Summer Tree Stress
Trees - Be kind to your trees! Especially new or young trees. Summers
are the toughest season for them, but with only a little extra effort
they will provide you with shade for many years to come.
Compost around the dripline if you have not already. Most people do
this spring and/or fall. Be sure to keep compost and soil away from
the trunk of the tree by several inches.
Trees prefer deep, infrequent waterings - a slow trickling hose for
several hours or overnight about once a week to every 10 days for new
trees.
Please note that this is not a perfect/no fail formula for tree success.
Soils vary widely as do the requirements on your tree(s); make adjustments
according to their response. Liquid seaweed is also very helpful in
reducing heat related stresses and transplant shock. Stay cool.
Plan Fall Projects
Just like January is a great time to plan the spring garden, August
is the time to plan those projects for the fall. Figure out where you
want new beds, paths, and other "hard" projects so you are
ready to do them when the cool weather arrives. This is a great time
to solarize places with unwanted grass and weeds to make it ready to
work in the fall (the sun and heat help in the process.) First water
the area and cover with a good clear plastic (we have a six mil variety)
and anchor down sides with rocks. Let this sit for 2 weeks. Lift plastic
and till area. Replace plastic, anchoring sides, and leave it for another
two weeks. You may need to extend this process with tough grasses such
as Bermuda, tilling and covering until the grass no longer sprouts.
It should then be ready to work in compost and other amendments for
a great start to your bed. You will want to watch this bed closely and
jump on anything that sprouts up again.
Planting the Fall Garden
Planting for the fall garden is just around the corner. Now is the time
to add compost and amendments to the soil to allow them to sit and mellow
for a couple of weeks before you plant. Intense planting, summer heat,
drought, and watering all deplete some of the nutrients and organic
matter.
Compost is great to add to build organic matter. It is good to change
which type of compost you add each time. For example, repeated addition
of cow-manure compost can build up phosphorous and salt levels in your
soil. If you used cow-manure compost last season, use turkey or cotton
burr compost this season. We have the cow-manure, turkey and Revitalizer
compost all in bulk and bags. The cotton burr compost only comes pre-bagged
as Soil Mender Mulch. The cotton burr is slightly chunkier which helps
lighten up the soil and retain water therefore, making it possible to
use as compost or mulch. It is good to water your soil with a deep (or
several deep) waterings before you plant. Many soils can also use an
application of Terra Tonic to help move the extra phosphorous and salts
through the soil and help feed those microbes.
Nitrogen is a nutrient that is easily depleted in the soil. It is great
to add slow release nitrogen and let it sit in the soil before you plant.
Good sources of slow release nitrogen include cotton seed meal, fish
meal, blood meal, and Lady Bug 8-2-4. Again, water this in deeply before
planting.
Other good additions for your soil (depending on its’ condition)
include minerals plus, greensand, dispersul, decomposed granite and
other mineral amendments. These do not need to be added every year.
See our August To-Do List
See our August Articles:
Reflections on Life and Organic Gardening
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8648
Old Bee Cave Road
