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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.
September
2004
Bulb Planting
Bulb Planting - Spring bulbs are as easy as 1-2-3!
1. Dig a hole to the required depth as stated on the package or on the
plant stake. (If no depth is stated, a good rule of thumb for Central
Texas is 2 times as deep as the height of the bulb.)
2. Add some bone meal and rock phosphate (or rabbit Hill Farm's Bulb
Food) to the hole and place bulb in, pointy side up.
3. Fill the hole up with soil and water well.
Plant small bulbs 2 inches apart, larger bulbs 5 inches apart - Bulbs
thrive in well drained soil, and benefit from adding compost or organic
material this will increase bloom size.
Remember to mark where you plant your bulbs so you don't disturb them
later when adding plants to your garden.
Bulbs are a "must have" for glorious spring color.
Brown Patch
For those who have Brown Patch, The Number One Recommendation is to
go organic! Preserving and increasing the beneficial life in the soil
is the best way to make any plant hardier and more resistant to diseases
and pests. Organic practices simply give the plant the most ideal conditions
in which to grow. The Number Two Recommendation for curing this unsightly,
although usually not fatal, fungal disease is to apply Actinovate. Matt,
from Natural Industries, gives us this description of Actinovate:
Actinovate For Lawn & Garden is a high concentration of the beneficial
organism Streptomyces lydicus strain WYEC 108. Once introduced into
the soil this unique and powerful microbe will grow on a root system
and form a synergistic relationship that benefits the host plant in
many ways. First, it forms a barrier around the roots themselves,
creating a shield that protects the plant against harmful environmental
conditions. Second, the Actinovate microorganism produces by-products
called siderophores that aid in the uptake of minerals and micronutrients,
allowing the plant to absorb them much easier. Finally, the microbe
helps produce much more robust root systems and larger top growth.
This in turn creates a more vigorous plant that can more easily survive
under stressful conditions. Use of Actinovate For Lawn & Garden
will enhance vitality on turf, garden and ornamental plants and will
reduce or eliminate the need to apply harmful chemicals.
Actinovate For Lawn & Garden is certified organic under the guidelines
of the USDA's National Organic Program (NOP) Certifier: Washington State
Department Of Agriculture
The bottom line is that Actinovate works! We have had feedback from
customers that after applying Actinovate, they had no more problems
with Brown Patch. The active ingredient in Actinovate has been shown
to control other such root diseases as Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Phytophthora,
Fusarium, Thelieviopsis, Sclerotinia and others. Results may vary, but
used in an overall organic program, and making sure any low spots in
the lawn are leveled out, Actinovate is the best remedy against Brown
Patch.
Actinovate can be applied anytime, but in advance of the fall Brown
Patch season is ideal. It is in a highly concentrated granular formulation
which can be applied at the rate of one pound per 1,000 square feet
for problem areas. If you are interested in simply improving the growing
conditions for any plant, including lawn, apply Actinovate at the rate
of one pound per 2500 square feet. Water it in, and your plants will
thank you.
Lawn Weed Control
Weed Control in your lawns. The first and best defense against weeds
in your lawn is a healthy lawn and soil. Thick healthy lawns will out-compete
almost any weed. Scientist (and many old-time farmers) can tell you
what is wrong with you soil by what weeds you have. Certain weeds can
indicate mineral or nutrient deficiencies while others will indicate
poor drainage and other soil structure problems.
Hand pulling is the best way (organic or not) to control weeds. Be
sure to have the area well watered and most weeds will be a snap to
pull out. This weekend should be an excellent one for weeding if you
have received these great rains that Austin has. Know what kind of weeds
you are pulling. Dandelions need to have a lot of the long tap root
pulled out, nut grass needs to have the nut removed (usually 2-6 inches
deep), while other weeds come out very easy. Mechanical devices such
as a Weed Popper can help weeding easier.
Other weed control can be applied as either a pre or post emergent.
Corn Gluten is a pre-emergent that should be put down soon here in Central
Texas. See the product of the week for more information. Green-Go, a
mixture of Vinegar and Orange Oil is a post emergent. Use the Green-Go
and other post emergents with care as most will kill what ever they
get on.
Fall Plant Fertilizing
It is time to do your fall plant fertilizing. Fertilizing your plant
now will help them prepare for the winter and provide you with a great
blast of color for fall and winter blooms. Fertilizers that can be used
include Lady Bug 8-2-4, Rabbit Hill Farms Rose Food or Buds & Bloom.
Also, remember when planting your fall bulbs to use bone meal, rock
phosphate or Rabbit Hill Farms Bulb Food.
2003
Record Keeping
It’s a new season so start a new tradition (or hopefully continue
an old) of keeping records of your garden. There are several types of
records you can keep.
- Seeds - information can include kind of seeds, company, amount,
seed starting mix, fertilizers added, feeding during growth, growth
rates, dates planted, pricked out, and transplanted, and any other
information that you find interesting, useful, or want to try next
time.
- Transplanting - information can include name, source, date put out,
soil amendments, fertilization, also include special information as
it arises i.e. you are experimenting by planting a sun loving plant
in a little more shade then it would like and what the result was.
- Plant Maintenance - information can include soil amendents, fertilizing
dates, pruning, results, and things that you think of doing at a later
date (make sure to also mark this on your calender.)
- Weather - information can include temperature, precipitation, wind,
and other information that helps describe and explain the weather’s
effect on your plants.
- Garden Visits - Write down notes on gardens you visit to remember
plants you want to try or ‘hardscaping’ projects that you
could use in your garden.
- Etc. - Paint a mail box and plant it in the garden for a great place
to keep your record books. Be sure to use water/weatherproof ink or
you may not be able to read this valuable information next year.
Corn Gluten
We are getting into the window of applying corn gluten meal (CGM) to
help prevent the fall weed seeds from germinating. Application is 10
pounds per 500 square feet.
The use of corn gluten came from Iowa State University researcher Nick
Christians by accident when he was trying to use CGM to grow a pathogen
found on golf course turf. The experiment did not work but he found
that the CGM could inhibit root growth. It is also a nitrogen source
of 10% making it a good "weed-n-feed." It will work best on
seeds that germinate on or near the surface of the soil. Weeds controlled
by CGM include crabgrass, dandelions, pigweed, purslane and others.
You do need to be conscientious of where you apply the CGM. Do not apply
it where you are going to plant a garden by seed or spread wildflower
seeds. The CGM does not know the difference between a beautiful wildflower
and a nasty weed (beauty is in the eye of the beholder.)
Corn gluten is applied late September/October for fall germinating
seeds and February/March for spring germinating.
Gardening in the Fall
Fall is a wonderful time to enjoy your garden in Central Texas. Planting
in the fall season is actually the best planting time for most plants,
especially larger landscaping transplants like trees and shrubs. It
is best if the plant has time to establish a good root system before
trying to put out new top growth and the shortening days and cooling
of fall will help promote that. Fall also gives the plants (hopefully)
a good supply of water from the rain, which promotes a healthy plant
so much better than city or well water. Do not forget to think about
moving plants that are not happy in their current location.
Many plants will give you a great flush of blooms during the fall.
There are many annuals that will bloom throughout the cool season including
pansies, snapdragons, calendula, nasturtiums, stock and others. You
can have as much color around your house in the fall as you do in the
spring.
One last benefit of planting in the fall - the weather. Beautiful crisp
days (they are coming, I promise) are just right for digging in the
earth. Instead of thinking of fall as football weather, think of it
as garden weather. At the very least get off the couch and go out and
dig a hole during half-time!
Container Veggies
You can still have your organic, home grown, veggies even if you don’t
have a yard. Many of the cool weather veggies grow wonderfully in pots
and are very attractive. Lettuces, kale, cabbage, broccoli, bok choy,
spinach, and others will do great. Find a beautiful pot (we have the
best selection that we have ever had) and add a good potting soil -
regular garden soil really won’t do as good a job - then plant
seeds or buy transplants. Herbs are also great; you can grow dill, cilantro,
parsley, oregano, thyme and many others - basil will not take any freezes
or even a cold wind. The pot can be protected with row/frost cover or
a blanket during deep freezes.
Come on in to the store and an experienced staff person can help you
create a yummy, nutritious and beautiful salad of plants.
See our September To-Do List
See our September Articles:
Reflections on Life and Organic Gardening
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8648
Old Bee Cave Road
