We’re your neighbors who love gardening and want to pass that love along. Here you’ll find tested advice about gardening in the Coastal Bend area of South Texas. The lack of severe winters, heat and humidity, wind, unique soil, and lack of water – all conspire to form a unique and challenging environment for growing plants. Whether you’re a newcomer or an experienced pro, we’ve got the scoop on the latest and greatest in gardening for our area.
Who are the Master Gardeners? We are members of a non-profit program of Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service designed to increase horticultural knowledge in our area and around the state. Started at Washington State University in the early 1970s, the Master Gardeners program spread to Texas A&M University in 1978 and then to all 50 states and 4 Canadian provinces. Currently, the program has almost 100,000 members who volunteer 5 million hours of service per year to their communities. Master Gardeners is a federal and state non-profit program and depends totally on donations and fund-raising for its programs and activities. Locally, the program is led by Ginger Easton Smith, County Extension Agent for Aransas/San Patricio County. To join Master Gardeners, we offer a 3-month training course starting in August. Please contact the Extension Office, 892 Airport Road, Rockport, Texas, 78382, 361-790-0103, for more information. NOVEMBER GARDENING TOPICThe Best Growing SeasonGood gardeners know that spring planting is just the beginning. Summer, fall and winter, here in the subtropical coastal region, are planting seasons too. In some respects, this is the best time of year to sow seeds directly into the ground. Before discussing specific seeds to plant, let us first mention areas that are optimum for broadcasting seeds. At least a half-day sun is usually necessary for most flowering annuals. If you like an informal look and want to save a little money, mix seeds of chosen annuals with fine sand or soil, sprinkle the mixture over bare soil, rake lightly and water. It is preferable to not broadcast seeds in a heavily mulched bed as the seeds will frequently not ‘break through’ the heavy mulch. Many gardeners in this area do use mulch to prevent weeds from encroaching in the bedding areas. If this is your situation, you may opt to rake the mulch back to a spot to save it. Then rake the soil that is to be seeded, broadcast the seeds, water and wait for the seedlings to appear. Weeds are not usually quite as rampant at this time of the year and the mulch can be reapplied later in the season. Some annuals that can be planted this month include snapdragon, English daisy, calendula, alyssum, cornflower, wallflower, larkspur, forget-me-not, foxglove, sweet pea, linaria, stock, poppy, petunia, phlox, nasturtium, viola, and pansy. Some of these seeds may be available at local nurseries or feed stores. The internet provides a whole spectrum of seed sources. Gardeners may want to think ‘outside of the box’ and include some herbs in with their annuals. This is an excellent time to broadcast cilantro, dill, parsley, and even fennel seeds. All these herbs look lovely in a cutting garden area. Another thought would be to sow a variety of leaf lettuces – arugula, kale and a Swiss chard along the borders. To prolong the harvest make small sowings every week to 10 days particularly of the leaf lettuces and arugula. You say that your seeds aren’t germinating, in spite of all the tender loving care that you have given them? Fortunately, because seeds and seedlings’ needs are few, the sources of trouble are usually few and easy to cure. Did you get the basics right? Was the soil prepared well? Were the seeds fresh (purchased from a reliable source)? Seedlings fail to emerge; soil surface feels hard. – Do not plant when soil is wet. Cover seeds with fine soil or sand to deter crusting. Seedlings are severed at base. – Possibly cut ants or cut worms. Contact local extension office for chemical insecticide choices. Seedlings weak; leaves and buds stunted. – Possibly aphids. Spray with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. Leaves yellowing, dropping off; clouds of small white insects fly up when you brush plant. – Possibly whitefly. Spray with insecticidal soap. Seedlings’ leaves chewed; silvery trails on leaves and surrounding soil. – Slugs or snail. Leave lumber scraps nearby, scrape hiding slugs off every morning. Direct sowing of seeds is the simplest way to start seeds. Try it, you will like it. It is such a thrill to sow seeds and watch the seedlings break through. A few disappointments are probably inevitable, but the end result is worth it. Invest in a few packets of seeds. Watch the process of the seed shooting upward through the soil, unfurling, emerging to provide you and yours with its beauty. Soon, you too will be a “seedaholic”. Happy sowing! –By Sandy Stanley, Master Gardener, Aransas/San Patricio Master Gardeners
Instructions for Making and Planting Seed Balls 5 parts dry red terra cotta clay* 3 parts humus ** 2 parts seed Use the same container to measure all ingredients. Mix dry ingredients well first. Make a well in the center. Gradually add water (less than one cup) to mixture. Add enough water to allow the mixture to stick/bind together. Take a pinch of the finished mixture and roll into a ball, the size being a little bit bigger than a marble or about the size of a penny. Put on a tray and let dry in a warm dry place for a few days. Sow right away after drying or label and store in a paper bag or envelope. Do not store in plastic. When planting put them on the soil surface and do not bury them. Aim to scatter about 10 seed balls per square yard. Water regularly or wait for rain to allow seeds to germinate. Once you water you have to keep watering regularly. If you plant and wait for the rain, it takes about 4-5 inches of rain to “melt” the seed ball. If it gets dry after that you may need to add supplemental water. * You can find dry red terrra cotta clay in an art store or a store that caters to people who work in ceramics. Also search on the internet. ** Humus can be hard to find. Lowes or Home Depot sometimes carry it, or you can substitute cotton burr compost.
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ANNOUNCEMENTCoastal Oaks Garden, consisting of the Demonstration Gardens designed and maintained by the Master Gardeners, is now open to the public Wednesday and Thursday mornings, from 8:00 a.m – 10:00 a.m. (closed holidays). There will be Master Gardeners present to answer any questions you might have about what you see. NOVEMBER NEWS ARTICLES
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