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Fall is ideal time to plant cool-season annuals
By Dr. William Johnson
Contributor
Published October 28, 2009
Fall is one of our most pleasant and productive gardening seasons. In fact, the cooler temperatures of the fall season arrived a bit earlier than usual this year, and pleasantly moderate temperatures have prevailed since.
So enjoy the beautiful weather and the much-needed rains after an unusually hot and dry summer. While you’re at it, be sure to perform any needed activities in the home garden and landscape. They will definitely pay off later.
• This is an ideal time to plant cool-season annuals to provide color in the landscape.
There are many types of annual flowers that bloom only in cooler weather. Pansies are a favorite choice as they are on the list of Texas’ top-selling annual flowers.
Pansies are hardy and will bloom during a long season. The old-fashioned face varieties have been steadily improved for better garden performance, and many new varieties with solid or bi-colors without a face are now available.
• Other cool-season annuals to plant include alyssum, flowering cabbage and kale, petunias and snapdragons.
• Mustard, English peas, radishes, spinach and turnips can be planted now throughout November, while garlic cloves and carrot seeds should be planted by mid-November.
• Don’t get in a hurry to prune woody plants. Late December through February is usually the best time to prune them.
• Reduce the fertilization of indoor plants now to mid-March. An exception would be plants in an atrium or a well-lighted window.
• This is an excellent time for planting container-grown ground covers, shrubs and trees. Thanks to our mild winters, trees and shrubs planted now will have several relatively stress-free months to establish a good root system before hot, dry weather returns.
• If you plan to fertilize the lawn, plan to do so by mid-November. A recommended fertilizer is 15-5-10, which is available under a wide variety of brand names.
Dr. William Johnson is a horticulturist with the Galveston County Extension Office of Texas Cooperative Extension, Texas A&M University. Visit his Web site at http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston.
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Upcoming Programs
WHAT: Fall into Orchids Show
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 7 and noon to 5 p.m. Nov. 8
WHERE: Wings of Heritage Room at the Nessler Center, 2010 Fifth Ave. N., in Texas City
COST: Entrance to the show and parking are free
DETAILS: Vendors from across Texas and Louisiana will be available with orchids of all varieties on display and for sale. Raffles will be held hourly. The event is sponsored by the Galveston Orchid Society.
CALL: 281-326-2895 or 409-986-9419
WHAT: “H” is for Herbs
WHEN: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 7
WHERE: Galveston County Extension Office, 5115 state Highway 3, in Dickinson
DETAILS: Harris County Master Gardener Ginia Keen Mattern will give a presentation on growing herbs in the home landscape and their culinary uses
COST: There is no fee, but a reservation is required
INFORMATION: E-mail galv3(at)wt.net, or call 281-534-3413, Ext. 1, 2
WHAT: The ABCs for Composting
WHEN: 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 14
WHERE: Galveston County Extension Office, 5115 state Highway 3, in Dickinson
DETAILS: Fall is a good time to start a compost bin to create humus to spread on your plants the following spring. Learn how to make garden “gold” in your own backyard. Master Gardener Gloria Johnston will give a PowerPoint presentation.
COST: There is no fee, but a reservation is required
INFORMATION: E-mail galv3(at)wt.net, or call 281-534-3413, Ext. 1, 2
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