Vegetable Demonstration Garden
This week’s harvest includes*:
Tomatoes— 0.99 pound
Okra—18.44 pounds
Hot peppers— 2.99 pounds
Sweet peppers—5.03 pounds
Eggplant—32.78 pounds
Crowder peas—2.76 pounds
Zephyr squash—4.28 pounds
Yard long beans—6.84 pounds
Mexican sour gherkins—7.16 pounds
Golden crispy melon—0.9 pound
Butternut squash—6.5 pounds
*The 9/4/2016 harvest is included in the above figures
A total of 88.67 pounds of produce was harvested this week, including the Friday, 9/4, harvest. These vegetables were donated to the Caring Place. To date, Williamson county master gardeners have donated a total of 3,187.365 pounds of demonstration garden produce to local charities.
Weekly rainfall: 0.7 inches of rainfall were measured the week ending 09/11/2016
Summary of garden activities
Pests and critters have been plaguing the garden this week! Zephyr and zucchini squash sustained damage from squash vine borers. They were treated with BT then covered with compost (left pic). Tomato plants in row 9 were trimmed (right pic).
Root knot nematodes (see description below) were discovered in two raised bed gardens. All plants were removed in those two beds and Elbon rye grass planted. Rat traps have been catching critters eating our veggies! And, we noticed a snake hole under one of the tomato plants in row 8!! It might be taking care of those rat trappings for us. Watch your step in row 8!! Mulch was pulled back from tomato plants in rows 8 and 9 then cottonseed meal, cornmeal, fertilizer and Epsom salts were mixed into the surrounding soil. Sea Tea was watered in afterwords. Cucumbers in row 5 were thinned (left pic). Okra plants continue to flower (right pic).
The irrigation system was tested. Two leaks were repaired in the raised bed area. The climbing rose vine over the arbor was trimmed back. Compost temperature measured 110 degrees F on Tuesday and Friday. New organic material was added to the pile. The herb garden (left pic) thrives in warm, dry weather. Colorful lantana enjoys it’s home in the drought tolerant garden (right pic).
Root-Knot Nematodes in the Garden
Earlier this week, master gardeners noticed root-knot growths while clearing spent veggies in their raised beds. 
Pathogenic nematodes are microscopic roundworms that live in the soil and plant roots. Nematodes use their needle-type mouth parts to feed on roots. Root-knot nematodes attack a variety of veggies including tomatoes, okra, lima beans and others. The above pic illustrates tomato plant roots with nematode damage. Diseased plants may wilt easily in hot weather and appear to have nutrient deficiencies. Under the soil, roots develop swollen areas called knots or galls. Large and small roots may have swellings on them and the root system may be shallow or rotted. Definitive diagnosis can be confirmed by physically examining the roots, as the gardeners did, or by laboratory testing.
Once pathogenic nematodes are identified in the garden, there are several remedies that can be undertaken. First, remove all diseased plants and their roots as soon as harvest is completed. Working the soil thoroughly and aerating the soil will help expose roundworms to the surface. Planting Elbon rye (cereal rye) in the fall months in those diseased areas will diminish nematode damage. Approximately ¾ to 1 pound of seed per 100 square feet of garden area will provide adequate coverage and growth. Once nematodes enter the Elbon rye roots, they become trapped and die. When cereal rye decomposes, organic acids are released stimulating healthy microorganisms to populate the soil. Rye can be mowed during the winter months then turned under 4-6 weeks before planting spring veggies. Some research has also shown that French dwarf-type marigolds planted in affected soils may also prevent nematodes from feeding on the roots of veggies. Marigolds should be solid plantings placed about 6 inches apart in the diseased areas. Nematodes will then snack on the marigold roots and leave the veggies alone! Of course, beneficial nematodes can also be applied to affected areas as described in our June 12, 2016 blog.
Other recommended treatments include moving the garden to a new location, rotating crops, removing all spent veggie plants immediately after harvest, and planting nematode-resistant plant varieties. This link will provide more information about pathogenic nematodes. http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/earthkind/ekgarden26.html
September Gardening in Central Texas
The Texas A&M Agrilife Extension vegetable garden planting guide suggests the following vegetables for late summer planting:
Artichoke transplants
Asian greens (seeds or transplants)
Beans, snap and lima
Beets
Broccoli (transplants)
Brussels sprouts (transplants)
Cabbage (transplants)
Collards (seeds or transplants)
Carrots
Cauliflower (transplants)
Swiss Chard (seeds or transplants)
Kohlrabi (seeds or transplants)
Kale (seeds or transplants)
Lettuce (seeds or transplants)
Onions (bunching/multiplying)
Mustard (seeds or transplants)
Spinach (seeds or transplants)
Shallots
Peas (English, snap, snow)
Radish
Turnip
Come and visit us!
Our demonstration garden is located beside the Williamson County Extension Office driveway at 3151 SE Inner Loop Road, Georgetown, Texas. Master gardeners are usually at work in the vegetable garden on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 8:30 AM to noon, weather permitting. Anyone is welcome to stop by to see the garden or to ask questions of the master gardeners!
Click here for location on Google Maps