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May 2009 Archives
5:16 PM Fri, May 29, 2009 | Permalink
Cindy Brummer
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It's getting hot out there here in Austin. Working out in the garden this weekend, my family was fried before 11 a.m. Now is the time of year to make sure to put on a hat and sunblock and strive to finish garden chores in the morning and evening hours.
It's time to check on the plants, too, and make sure they are weathering the heat. I always make sure to water in the morning before 10, that way the water has time to be absorbed before the sun can evaporate it.
And if you haven't already mulched those garden beds, hop to it! I have been a little lax, and I have not had a chance to put mulch down, but it's definitely time. A nice mulch, like shredded cedar, helps keep the soil cool, squelches weeds and keeps the water from quickly evaporating. As a bonus, it keeps mud from splashing up up on the veggies and keeps protects them from possible soil-borne diseases. It also breaks down nicely, adding more nutrients to your soil.
So what are we waiting for?
1:03 PM Fri, May 22, 2009 | Permalink
Cindy Brummer
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It's been crazy busy at my house the last few weeks, and as a result, I haven't had as much time to spend with my garden. I have to admit that I should not have skipped mowing last weekend, and my poor lawnmower will pay the price when it takes up the task over the Memorial Day weekend. And I will need to figure out how to change the string in my weedeater, because the edges are looking a little too tall.
But other than some straggliness, the garden is growing full steam ahead. Most of the tomatoes have green fruit on them, and they've doubled in size with the recent rains. The bean vines are growing up their trellis, and the corn has produced its little tallised top, despite the fact that it is only a foot high.
Ah, summer. The calender says it's not here, but forget the calendar. It's hot out there, and as far as my little vegetable garden is concerned, it's summer.
Of course, you would think that I would just be enjoying the garden and ready to reap the harvest, but now I'm thinking ahead. It's time to think about the fall garden. I need to start my fall tomatoes inside 8 weeks ahead of planting if I want to plant on time this year. Planting time is the end of July -- that means I've got to start... in a week!
A gardener's planning is never done. Happy growing!
12:37 PM Tue, May 19, 2009 | Permalink
Cindy Brummer
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 Aack! Attack of the squash borer!
This worm infected two of my squash plants, including the volunteer the came up next to the strawberries.
I have heard of using floating row covers to prevent the moth from laying eggs, but I have not been successful at keeping them out. I did an online search, and I found this post on the Dirt Doctor forum helpful:
To prevent the vine borer from laying eggs, many people recommend using a floating row cover. The moth that infests the plants finds them by brushing up against the spines on the stalks of the plant, the theory is if they are covered, they won't be as easy to detect. I have never tried it, but lots of people seem to think it works.
Some say that a late planting of squash will avert infestation, this has never worked for me. I have gardened in San Antonio and Dallas and I cannot seem to pinpoint the lifecycle of the borer well enough to completely miss either generation. Perhaps there is not as much of a distinction between the spring and late summer generatios as there are in some other parts of the country...
There are two basic approaches to fixing a borer problem that I have found to be effective. The first is to inject a Bt "liquid worm killer" (the one I use is made by greenlight) with a large hypodermic needle. The vascular system of the plant will only carry it so far, however, so you have to kind of estimate how far the worm has penetrated, and try squirting it in both directions from the point of entry. Along the same lines, I have used Dipel dust (a Bt product also made by greenlight) and sprinkled it on the base of the plant every few days.
Procedure #2 is a little more involved, but I chose to use this method today on about fifteen of my summer squash plants. Using a box cutter or sharp knife, slit the base of the stem vertically (not against the "grain" of the vascular system, or it won't heal and will just kill the plant) and digging the little boogers out manually. Crude but effective. You should then bury the wounded part of the plant under a mound of moist earth to promote healing and root growth. It works more often than not...
Sorry this was so long but the struggle against the squash vine borer has been a multigenerational conflict of epic proportions in my family
It's too late for my zuchinni, but maybe it will help you.
5:22 PM Mon, May 11, 2009 | Permalink
Cindy Brummer
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Hey folks, I know we all want our lawns and gardens to be lush and green, but mandatory watering restrictions are in effect in Austin now, and it's important we follow them.
I spotted two houses just on my block blatantly violating the watering restrictions today. For one thing, no one should be watering with a sprinkler between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Secondly -- single-family homes should not water on Monday at all.
We're trying to conserve water so we don't run out down the line. It's that simple.
Have a question? Go to the City of Austin's site for information about when to water. They also have an online reporting form for letting them know who's violating the rules.
4:31 PM Mon, May 04, 2009 | Permalink
Cindy Brummer
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