By Mary Anne Steele, Somervell County Master Gardener Intern

The gardener and the herb patch – one of the most easy-going and rewarding relationships you will ever have.  Herbs make few demands:  average soil, a little mulch, and some sun.  Other than planting each year, annual herbs need little more.  Tender perennials even come inside with you for the winter, asking only for a place away from direct heat, some indirect light, and a little water.

An herb garden is a source of pleasure during all four seasons.  During spring and summer, herbs respond to stroking by releasing lovely fragrances.  Some add flavor to foods, others repel insects.  Some blooms are edible.  In late summer to fall, you get the pleasure of harvesting and preserving your herbs, and in winter you get to play with them.  It’s not necessary to use or make something from your herbs.  You can just grow and enjoy them right in your garden.

You can fix your bed in the fall and wait until spring to plant, or create it and plant right away.  If you set out purchased plants rather than grow all your herbs from seed, you can enjoy your new herb garden instantly, and you will have herbs to harvest more quickly.  An area roughly 4’ x 8’ won’t take a lot of ingredients, but will give you room to grow several different herbs.

After planting, herbs need only minimum care.  Mulch soon after planting and keep adding more mulch throughout the season as the organic matter breaks down.  If you choose to harvest some for cooking, do so around midday when any dew has dried off.  If you have a generous harvest you may want to dry some for winter use.  Put trimmings in a paper bag, then hang in a warm, airy place.  The bag draws the moisture out, speeds drying, and keeps them from getting dusty.  Freezing is another way to preserve many herbs.

Source:  Patricia Lantz, Lasagna Gardening

by Zachary A. Davis, Somervell County AgriLife Extension Agent

Glen Rose – Believe it or not!  Fall Gardening season is just around the corner. For some of us that procrastinated with a Spring Garden this is your chance to get your green thumb going again.

If your spring garden was productive, the same location should work. If this is your first garden remember plants need 8 hours of direct sunlight. While preparing a new garden kill all the grass in the area with roundup, remove the grass and shovel area to 10-12 inches deep, then till.

Fall crops generally do better when beginning from transplants versus seed. The idea when establishing transplants in late summer is giving them plenty of water. Check soil moisture by forming a ball, if you can do that you’re in good shape with moisture.

Planting at the proper time is an important aspect of fall gardening. Glen Rose, TX is in Texas Gardening zone III if you choose to do further research. Some plants you could plant soon include:

Vegetables	Some Texas Varieties	Plant Date
Eggplant	Black Beauty, California White, Early Long Purple	Jul 1
Pepper	Bell: Camelot, Jupiter Hot: Jalapeno	Jul 1
Tomato	Small: Cherry Grande, Gold Nugget Medium: Amelia, Better bush	Jul 1
Pumpkin	Medium: Bumpkin, Howden, Jack O’Lantern	Aug 1
Southern Peas	Texas Pink Eye, California #5, Mississippi Silver	Aug 1
Winter Squash	Butternut types, cushaw, Royal	Aug 10
Lima Bean	Henderson Bush, Jackson Wonder, King of the Garden	Aug 20
Sweet Corn	Kandy korn, silver queen	Aug 20
Broccoli	Green magic, packman, premium crop	Sept 1
Brussels Sprouts		Sept 1
Cabbage	Bravo, Market Prize, Rio Verde	Sept 1
Cauliflower	Snow Crown, Snowball Y Improved	Sept 1
Cucumber	Slicer: Dasher II Sweet Slice Pickling: Calypso	Sept 1
Potato	Norland, Purple Viking, Beauregard, Jewel	Sept 1

Table 1.  Planting dates are specific for Texas Gardening Zone III. Varieties are examples, but consider contacting your local master gardener for information specific to Glen Rose, TX

Garden Problems

Any garden can have many problems including diseases, poor yield, and sunscald can result from improper watering habits. Watering can be enjoyable but it is important to do it correctly. Water thoroughly, soaking soil to 6 inches in depth when needed. This will help root development of the plants.  In Texas water applied once or twice a week for depth of 1-2 inches should be enough for most gardens. When determining to water, examine the soil, not the plants to see where you are at. If soil is dry at a depth of 1 inch it is time to water.

Insect and disease problems usually arise in gardens. It is important to identify the cause and correct it. It is important to protect your plants ahead of these problems. Spraying a pesticide labeled for garden use can be beneficial. Be sure to read the label before you spray.

Nematodes can be a common garden problem. Symptoms of nematode damage cause plants to look wilted or stunted, have pale green leaves and produce less yield. Infected roots swell and form knots as well. In fall gardens, solarize and pasteurize the soil in July by tilling it well and watering until it is very moist, then cover with clear plastic. Seal the edges and leave it in place for at least a month. Do not use black plastic because it won’t get soil hot enough. This process will help control nematodes, fungi, and weeds.

Harvesting

 Harvesting at the optimum time will help your garden.  Harvest broccoli when they are 4-8 inches in diameter, cut  the stalk below the head, leaving 8-10 inches of stem and      leaves, chill immediately. For Brussel sprouts watch for  harvesting around 3 -3.5 months after transplant. The first  harvest should occur before the lower leaves begin to turn  yellow. Break off the leaf below the sprout and remove the sprout by breaking it from the stalk.  Harvest cabbage when the head becomes solid and the top and sides cannot be pressed in. Mature heads often split open, you can delay harvest by twisting the plant and breaking several roots to lower water intake.

Harvesting cauliflower is similar to broccoli with heads being between 4-8 inches in diameter. The yellow color of cauliflower is the exposure to sunlight. Cucumbers are harvested when they are bright, firm, and green, but not too large. 1 -2 in diameter is an ideal size. Do not store cucumbers in the refrigerator for more than two days. It is best to pickle them the same day they’re picked. Peppers can be harvested at 4-5 inches in length, wash and chill peppers immediately to keep them from drying out. Tomatoes can be harvested in pink stage and can be allowed to ripen in a warm area of the house. This can prevent damage from insects and birds.

For additional information on fall planting and harvesting, contact Zach Davis, AgriLife Extension agent in Somervell County 254.897.2809.

Educational programs of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating