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July 2008
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September 2007 ArchivesFall is here -- time to go a plantin'
Fall is here, folks -- one of my favorite times of year. Sure, the weather isn't giving us much of a clue that autumn has arrived, but my inner gardener tells me it's time to start thinking about planting, especially those trees and woody ornamentals. The Texas Forest Service recommends planting a new tree from late fall to early spring. That's because they have a chance to put down their roots and become as established as possible before the summer heat arrives. It's also less stress on the tree. I usually see container-grown trees for sale in the nurseries I frequent, but some are also wrapped in burlap or sold bare-root (those are usually only sold in the winter or very early spring). Container-grown plants can be planted a little later because it tends to disturb their roots less. Choosing a tree can be tough. You have to think about its size, heat-tolerance, disease-tolerance. I recommend one of those handy (and free!) pamphlets from the City of Austin -- The Grow Green Guide -- when you consider your tree. I'll also try to address some excellent choices for Austin in a future blog entry. If you're one of the lucky folks who have been offered a free tree from TreeFolks, you're most likely faced with the task of planting the tree yourself. Sound daunting? No worries. There are a lot of things to consider when planting a tree or shrub, but it's not rocket science, and you really CAN do it. Continue reading "Fall is here -- time to go a plantin'" » Oak Wilt seminarI just got an email today about an oak wilt seminar in Williamson County, sponsored by the Williamson County extension office. Let's play 'What's that flower?'
The buzz in my neighborhood this week? The appearance of the Oxblood lily (Rhodophiala bifida). You may have driven through Austin wondering what that little red bloom is that seems to pop up all over the place. I wondered that, too, when I first saw them bloom in my yard. Oxblood lilies are not native to Texas. But they sure are pretty, aren't they? According to my research, they were introduced from Argentina to Texas by German immigrants. They bloom around September and they keep their green all winter long. Continue reading "Let's play 'What's that flower?'" » Veggie garden -- 1 week update
It's incredible -- just incredible. You'll recall I planted the bulk of the seeds and seedlings in the fall garden last weekend. Yesterday, when we pulled back the row covers to install the irrigation system, I was floored to find very nicely developed squash and radish plants. I was already getting excited when I saw chard, lettuce and spinach beginning to pop up, but when I saw the squash so large, I couldn't believe it. I think the key must have been the row cover. It lets light and water through, but I think it helps the mulch keep the bed moist and protects the young plants from the glaring sun. I made sure to cover the exposed beds in the front with more row covers, hoping to achieve the same results in those beds.
I'm not having much luck with seedlings this year, and I may try an experiment in the spring with the seeds and where and when I plant them -- just to compare. Stay tuned for that.
Continue reading "Veggie garden -- 1 week update" » Well, the seedlings have been planted
I'm a little nervous about the garden. As you can see in this picture, the beds are complete. We planted the seedlings -- which are TINY -- and some of the seeds. In order to protect the little guys from the sun, we're using floating row covers loosely over some of the beds. I've been assured by my partner in gardening -- my husband -- that they won't overheat and he read somewhere that it's appropriate for use in the summer. I'm going with it, because I'm not too confident about the seedlings anyhow. They're so tiny. I remember planting them and saying -- outloud -- "These are never going to make it... I'll be surprised if they grow at all." But I hate to throw any living thing away, and I can't bear to think that they won't even get the CHANCE to grow into big beautiful tomatoes, peppers and eggplants. We've come this far -- might as well give it a try, right? I think the best thing to come out of this garden, though, is the bonding with my family. That's sounds really cheesy, doesn't it? Continue reading "Well, the seedlings have been planted" » Attracting butterflies
I've discovered a new love in my garden... butterflies. Last spring, a friend gave me some Gregg's Blue Mist from her garden, which I promptly planted between the olive trees in my front yard. It was kind of scraggly at first, but the shot of rain we had through most of the first part of the summer really made it take off. (Not surprising because mistflower loves moist conditions.) Now, it calls butterflies and moths of all kinds. I've seen Swallowtails, but I've especially enjoyed watching the Monarch butterflies that whip around it. I've tried to take pictures of them, but so far they haven't let me get close enough before they take off and wait for me to leave before landing again. Continue reading "Attracting butterflies" » Update on the vegetable garden
Today (Labor Day) we're installing an irrigation system (which I will describe in a future post) and mixing the garden soil. We decided to mix our own soil instead of buying it because we wanted to make sure it has enough nutrients for the plants. We also wanted to save a little money. We're using top soil that was piled up when we built our patio in the back. We're lucky that it's nice and dark, but it's also more clay than loam, so we need to lighten it up a bit and make it easier for the vegetables to send out their tender roots. Continue reading "Update on the vegetable garden" » Endearing AgaveWant an agave but are baffled by the extraordinarily high price on the pots of those you see at garden centers?
Not too long after my agave discovery, my mother-in-law brought me two small Blue Agave, also know as Century plants. These beauties quickly established themselves, and have since been transplanted twice and sent out "pups" to the far reaches of my garden. As you can see from the photo on the right, at least one needs to be relocated to a more suitable position, that isn't squeezed between a Texas Sage and a Mountain Laurel. Continue reading "Endearing Agave" » |
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