the compost bin - aggie horticulture...the compost bin august 2011 page 5 any sprouting seeds or...
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A Publication of the Travis County Master Gardeners - A volunteer program of Texas AgriLife Extension
In this issue ...
In the Vegetable Garden
Insecticidal Soaps
Proven Winners in My Garden
New Books for Texas Gardeners
President’s Message
and More!
The Compost Bin
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Inside this Issue....
• AugustMeetingSpeaker-TrishaShirey• ThePresident’sMessage• IntheVegetableGarden• NewBooksforTexasGardeners• ProvenWinnersinMyGarden
• InsecticidalSoaps• ComingEvents• TCMGAExecutive• Contributors
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ColorthroughtheSeasonsatLakeAustinSpaResort
“As a very young child, I remember being amazed by thestunningzinniasthatcamefroma littlepacketofseeds. Itseemed like magic and I was hooked for life,” says TrishaShirey,DirectorofFloraandFaunaatLakeAustinSpaResort.TrishawilltakeusonastrollthroughLakeAustinSpaResortas ifweare spaguests, showing imagesof theannualandperennial flowers, trees and shrub displays — which bothdelight the guests and attract wildlife. She will share herpersonalfavoriteplantsforsunandshadeandhersecretsforgrowingthemorganically.
Garden Design magazine named Lake Austin Spa Resortoneofthe10bestspagardensintheworldin2010andthegardens have been featured inThe New York Times,Texas Gardenerandmanyotherpublications.Overthelast26yearsTrishahasworkedatLakeAustinSpaResortcreatingorganicherbandvegetablegardens,anorganicorchard,andawealthof flowers to enhance the grounds and brighten the deli-ciouslowfatdishesservedinthediningroom.Plantingsaredesigned to be Texas tough, but beautiful. Despite theforagingdeer,flowersareinevidenceyearround.Manyofthegardensaredesignedtodelightbutterfliesandhummingbirds,
whichareseeninabundance.
Gardeners feel like they know Trisha because she is aregular guest of both the PBSprogram “Central TexasGar-dener,” produced by KLRU Austin and guest host of thepopular “Gardening Naturally” radio show on KLBJ-AM. Ontheseprogramsshesharestipsandtechniquesonhermajorloves:gardening,crafts,aromatherapyandallthingsorganic.
Trisha has served three terms on the Board of Directors ofEco-FairTexas(mostrecentlyasPresident).Theorganizationwasformedtosupportorganicandsustainableagricultureforurbanandruralcommunities.Trishaauthoredthechapteronfertilizer and contributed to other chapters inGreat Garden Formulas,arecipebookforgardeners.
ComejoinusasTrishaleadsusthroughhergardenofdelight.You’ll gain concepts and knowledge you’ll want to instantlyimplementinyourgarden!
MasterGardenerMeetinginformation:Wednesday,August3rd,2011startingat7:00pm.
ZilkerBotanicalGarden
August Meeting Speaker — Trisha Shirey
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Hello Master Gardeners:A Message From Your President
GardeningbytheFriend
Somethinghappenedtodayanditdidn’tinvolvetalkingaboutthehot,hotweather. Imetanewgardening friend,ReneeStudebaker,whoformerlywroteagardening/cookingcolumnfortheAustin American Statesman.ReneeandIhavebeenexchangingemailsforaboutayearanddecideditwastimetomeetface-to-face.Wearrangedalunch,followedbybrowsingthroughoneofourgoodlocalgardeningcenters,allthewhilesolvingmostoftheworld’sproblems...andbecamefriends.
We discovered we know loads of the same people, manyof themMG’s, and laughed at what a small community ofhardcoregardenerswereallyare.Itmademestopandthinkabout how fortunate I am to have such a fun, fascinating,intelligentgroupoffriendsthatIcallmygardeningfamily!Lucky am I to have joined into this organization of peoplewhothinkaboutthesamethingsIdo,talkaboutthesameplantsandgardeningproblemsthatweallfaceandenjoytherewardsofhavingourhandsalwaysinthesoil.
I lovehavingtheopportunitytohearourmonthlyspeakersasIalways learnnewideas,hearaboutnewvarieties,newsoilamendments,butIalsoloveseeingsomanyofyouandjusttalkingaboutourlatest/greatestgardeningquests.Isn’titspecialtoenjoyeachother’scompany.Ithinkitissuchapowerfulbondthatbringsustogether,thisgardeninggeneweshare.
Nowtotheweather...it’sdarnhotandit’sprobablygoingtogethotter.IwiltjustheadingoutsidetowatermypottedMeyer lemons,succulents,pottedroses,etc.But,beingtheoldTexasIam,IfindIcanstilldowhatittakestokeepthingsalive.
Iwaslisteningtoaradiod.j.whowasinterviewingLyle
Lovettrecently.Whenaskifhecouldtoleratethislongheatwave,hisreplywas“Look,weliveinTexas.It’shot.Getoverit.”
So,here’smyending statement. It’sAugust inTexas . . .whatdidyouexpect?!
Stay as cool as possible, watch the skies for gatheringthunderheads, thinkrainandtheupcomingfallmonthsandenjoygardeningwithfriends!
Happygardeningtoyouall,
CarolynWilliams
Above: The infinity pool is beautiful and enticingoverlookingWhiteRockLakeonahot,muggyAugustafternoonattheDallasArboretum.PhotobyAnneVanNest
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Extremedroughtconditionshavehauntedusthissummer,butasagardenerIcan’thelpbutmarvelatthecolorthatIseearoundtownandinmyownbackyard:yellowbells,crapemyrtle,ruellia,birdofparadiseanddatura.ThesearejustafewoftheTexastoughplantsthat beautify our landscapes despite the water restrictions andrelentless heat. It is not so easy to keep vegetables going undertheseconditions,butItipmyhattookra,eggplant,sweetpotatoes,Southernpeas,hotpeppersandevenafewcucumbersthataretryingtheirdarndesttomakeittomydinnertable.Theymaywiltasthetemperaturesclimbtoward100°everyafternoon(whodoesn’t?)buttheyareresilientandaslongastheygetsufficientwaterandabreakfromthesunandheatatnighttheyareabletorecoverenoughtofaceanotherday.
Nutrientsandorganicmatteraddedinspringneedtobereplenishedbefore fall planting begins, and a soil test is good place to start.See http://soiltesting.tamu.edu/files/urbansoil.pdf for instructionsandtodownloadaform.Aroutineanalysis($10)willtestthemajornutrients andwill offer basic guidelines for fertilization. A generalrecommendation for fertilizer in a vegetable garden is to addapproximately½-1 cupof highnitrogen, lowphosphorus fertilizerper 25’ feet of row. A basic 15-5-10 lawn fertilizer is adequate,thoughdoubletheamountifusinganorganicformulationlike8-2-4sinceithasalowerpercentageofnutrients.A3-4”layerofmulchisextremelyimportantthistimeofyearasithelpsconservemoistureandmoderatesoil temperature,andovertime itbreaksdownandenrichesthesoil.MulchalsoprotectsdripandsoakerhosesfromUVrays.Ifyoudon’thaveastockpileofleavesfromspringforuseasamulchthentryusingdriedgrassclippings,alfalfahayorpinestraw.
MidtolateAugustisagoodtimetoplantseedsofcucumbers,squashandgreenbeanssothattheycanripeninthemilderdaysandcoolernightsoffall.Thesefastgrowingveggieswillproducein50-60dayssoyoucanenjoyaplentifulharvestbeforeourfirstfrost,whichusuallyarrivesinmid-November.Seedsshouldbeplanteddirectlyinthegardeninmoistsoil,sobesuretowateryourpreparedbedsadayortwobeforeplanting.Toplanttheseedjustpullthemulchback,planttheseed,thencoverlightlywithmulch.Ifyouuseatimerforsoakerhosesordripirrigationbesuretocheckandreplacethebatterieswhenthepowerislow.
In The Vegetable Garden
by Patty LeanderBelow(clockwise): Tecoma stans (Esper-anza)(top),Datura,OkraandCrapeMyrtleallarebeautifulplantsandshouldbetoughenoughtotakethisheatanddrought.PhotosbyBruceLeander.
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Anysproutingseedsortransplantswillbenefitfromalittleprotectionfromthehotafternoonsunthistimeofyear.Shadecloth,oldwindowscreens,umbrellas, cardboard,burlap,evenoldsheetshungon thewestsideof theplantswillwork.Thissunprotectionisonlytemporaryuntilyourplantsgetestablished—ortheheatsubsides—whichevercomesfirst.BecauseoftheheatandlackofmoistureinthesoilI’mgoingtoholdoffonplantingcoolseasonvegetableslikebroccoli,cauliflower,turnips,carrotsandradishesuntilSeptember,andhopethatweareblessedbyrainbeforethen.Otherwiseittakestoomuchpreciouswatertogettheseplantsestablishedinthisheat.Mostlocalnurserieswillcarrytransplantsofbroccoli,cauliflowerandothercoolseasoncrops,butifyouliketogrowyourownseedlingsit’sbesttostartthemnow.
ManyAmericasareengagedintoomuch“recreationalsitting”infrontoftheTVorcomputer,butworkinginthegardencanbeaproductivemeansofphysicalexercise.IgotafungiftformybirthdayinJune—aniftypedometerthattrackstime,steps,milesperhourandcalorieexpenditure. It’s fun towear throughout thedayandwatchhowthosesteps,minutesandmilesaddup.Ireadrecentlythatweshouldstrivefor10,000stepsaday,andgardeningwillhelpusachievethatgoal(oratleastgetalittlecloser)whileincreasingourintakeofhealth-promotingvegetablesatthesametime.Bending,stretching,walking,lifting—everymovewemakeinthegardencontributestoourphysicalwell-being.It’satotalwin-win!
In The Vegetable Garden Continued...
Above:Patty’sbirthdaypedometer.Howmanystepsdoesshetakeinhergardenduringaday?Left:Anirrigationtimerisessentialinthevegetablegarden.Alsoourcurrentdroughtmeansplentyofextrahandwateringtorevivewilt-ingplants.PhotosbyBruceLeander.
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The Conscientious Gardener: Cultivating a Garden EthicBySarahHaydenReichard
“Ibelievethatagardenethicreflectstheconscientiousnessofthosewhocareforlandbynurturinggardens”,authorSarahHaydenReichardwritesintheIntroductiontothisbook.Shecontinues,“Gardenersrevelinthebeautyofaflower,thewondersofpollinationturningthatflowerintoalovelyordeliciousfruit,thesnapofafreshpeapodpickedfromthevineandeatenonthespot.Theyareconnectedtotheirplotbya loveofthe living.Butthegardenethicalsoarisesfroman increasingawarenessthat,overtime,practicesandproductshavecreptintoourcraftthatdecreaseitslong-termsustainability.Aswehavemovedfromanagrariansocietytoonebasedinurbanandsuburbanlandscapes,wehavelostcontactwithhabitscommontoourancestors—suchasusingnaturallydecomposingmaterialsratherthansyntheticfertilizerstoimprovesoilfertilityornurturingpredatoryinsectsandbirds
insteadofdeployingthelatest,greatest,alsousuallysyntheticproductstocontrolpests.Agardenethicgivesustheinformationandstructuretoreturntothoselessharmfulprocedures,helpingustoviewthegarden,liketheland,asafullyfunctioningecosystem–andtoincorporatetheawarenessthatitsimpactsextendfarbeyonditsfootprint.Invasivespeciesthatescapeintowildlands,theminingandtransportationofmaterialssuchaspeatfromregionsthousandsofmilesaway,andtheuseof inefficientenginesingardenequipmentallcontributetothelossofbiologicaldiversitybeyondourgardengates.”Thisbookisdividedintoeightchaptersthatexploretopicsimportanttobothgardensandconservation.Fertile,poroussoil(TheSkinoftheEarth)andcleanwater,ourmostpreciousresource,arecriticaltoourexistence,butgardenpracticesaffecttheirhealthandsustainability;thesenaturalresourcesareexploredinthefirsttwochapters.Chapters3and4guideplantselection.Whatarenativeplants,andshouldyouusethem?Whenaretheyappropriate,andwhenisanonnativeabetterchoice?Howcanyoudeterminewhichnonnativespecieswillinvade,andwhyarepeoplesoconcernedaboutthemingardenswhentheproblemstheycauseoccurinwildlands?Theplantsyouselect,aswellasotheraspectsofyourgarden,suchas itsstructureandwater features,canattractdesirablewildlifeandrepelundesirableanimals,
topicsexploredinchapter5.However,gardensalsoinviteunwantedplant,insect,andotherspecies,andhowtosafelycontrolandevenpreventtheirpresenceisthesubjectofchapter6.Thefinaltwochapters,onglobalwarmingandreducingwaste,lookatthebigpictureasaspurtochange.Gardenerscanhelppreventclimatechangethroughsimplemeasuressuchasreducingsoiltillage,switchingtopushmowers,growingsomeofourownfood,andplantingtreestoshadethehouseinthesummer.Wecanalsohelpshrinklandfillsbycomposting,notbuyingoverpackagedgoods,andeitherreusingorfreecyclinggardenitems.Thebookendswithanappendixsummarizingmorethantwentyyearsoftheauthor’sresearchongardenplantsthatcanbecomeinvasive,withatableofthespeciesworldwide,theirimpacts,andwheretheyareknowntobeproblems.Sarahhassetalightheartedtonethroughoutandthankfullydoesn’tgetallpreachy,it’sengagingreadingandoftenquiteeasy
The Conscientious Gardener: Cultivating a Garden Ethic By Sarah Hayden ReichardUniversity of California PressCopyright 2011Hardcover, 254 pages, $27.50
New Books For Texas Gardeners
Reviewed by Anne Van Nest
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toembracehersustainabilitymessages.ShehasaniftylistofconscientiouschoiceslistintheEpiloguethatisafullofexcellentsuggestionssuchas,“Iencouragegardencenterstopurchaseplantsgrownindecompostablepots,orIdonottradeplantswithothergardenersifIknowtheplantsareinvasive,orIslowthemovementofwatersoitisabsorbedintothesoilbyusingplantlayers,bioswales,raingardens,greenroofs,orothermethods.SarahHaydenReichardisProfessorofConservationBiologyandAdjunctProfessorofLandscapeArchitectureattheUniversityofWashington.SheisalsoCuratoroftheHydeHerbariumattheUniversityofWashingtonandheadstheRarePlantCareandConservationProgram,bothattheUniversityofWashingtonBotanicGardens.SheiscoeditorofInvasiveSpeciesinthePacificNorthwest.
Heirloom Bulbs for TodayByChrisWiesingerandCherieFosterColburn
For those tired of high-maintenance and short-lived plants, ChrisWiesinger, “TheBulbHunter”shareshisknowledgeofversatile,sustainable,and low-maintenancebulbs.Heirloom Bulbs for Today introducesthebestofthebulbworld,addressingcommonquestionsandexplainingthecharacteristics,historyandwaystouseeachbulb,whetherinthelandscapeorthehome.ChristeamsupwithlandscapedesignerCherieFosterColburntoofferaninnovativelookatold-fashionedflowerbulbs.Whilemostgardenguidessimplytellthecultureoftheplant,Heirloom Bulbs For Todayalso
tellsthecultureofthepeoplewhogrewtheplant,unearthingeachbulb’spastandthosewholovedit.Gorgeousbotanical illustrationsandvividphotographsbySouthAfricanartistsLoelaBarryandJohanKritzingeraddrichflavortothefeaturedbulbsfoundfloweringwithabandoninhistoricgardens,homes,andcemeteries,transportingreadersontheirownbulbhunt.WithundeniableSoutherncharm,Wiesingerdescribestheadventuresheencounterswhilecollectingtheseoldfavorites,dubbedthe“comfortfood”oftheplantworld.Heirloom Bulbs for Todaywilldelighteventhemostseasonedgardeners.Huntingbulbsishardwork,andChris’searchforthesehardyfavorites—thecomfortfoodoftheplantworld—takehimintoeverycorneroftheworldtofindthesetreasuresandthestoriesbehindeachone.DetailedbotanicalportraitsandChris’intimatesecretsofhowtoknowandgrowhis“ladies”givegardenerseverytooltheyneedtobesuccessful.Vividphotographsofthebulbsfloweringinhistoricgardens,homes,andcemeteriestransportreadersontheirownbulbhuntthroughoutthecountry.WithCherie’ssamplelandscapeplanusing these carefreeplants, Loela takes readers throughevery seasonof the year toseewhatthegardenwilllooklikeinbloom.Easytofollowinstructionsonforcingbulbsinsidearealsoincluded.
New Books for Texas Gardeners Continued...
Heirloom Bulbs for TodayBy Chris Wiesinger and Cherie Foster ColburnBright Sky PressCopyright 2010Hardcover, 180 pages, $34.95
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Anexcerptfromthebook,ThatfirstrescuehunttookmetoalittleGermancommunitylessthananhourawayfromTexasA&M,whereIwenttoschool.I’dheardthisusedtobethethirdlargesttowninTexas,buttherewasn’tmuchthereanymore.Intheearly1900stheareawaslitteredwithcottonplantations.Thetown’ssuccessrodeonthebackoftheSouthernPacificraillinethathauledcottontotheEastcoast.ItwasknownforitsbeautifulVictorianhomesbuiltduringthecottonera.Eachfall,thecrimsonbloomsoftheoxbloodlily,Rhodophiala bifida,emergedaroundtheoaktreesandnexttothesestatelyhomes.WhenIbeganmysearchoftheoxbloodlily,alsocalledtheschoolhouselilybecauseofthetimingofitsbloomatthestartoftheschoolyear,mymentorandfriend,Dr.BillWelch,whohaddoneextensiveresearchontheheirloomplantsfoundinTexas,sharedhisknowledgewithme.AlthoughmanypeoplebelievetheoxbloodlilytobenativetoCentralTexas,itwasactuallyanintroducedplantfromArgentinabroughtbycolonistandGerman-bornbotanist/farmerPeterHeinrichOberwetter.UponOberwetter’sarrivaltoTexasinthelate1840s,hestartedacollectionofnativerainliliesandbegansendingthemouttofriendsallovertheworld.WhentheCivilWarbrokeout,hesidedwiththeUnion,probablybecausepoliticalupheavalhadsenthimpackingfromGermanyinthefirstplace.LikemanyotherGermancolonists,OberwetterfledtoMexicotoescapepersecution.MostlikelyinMexicohefirstsawaversionoftheoxbloodlilythatbecameoneofhispassions.ReturningtoTexasafterthewar,hebroughtwithhimanumberofdifferentbulbs,buttheoxbloodlilyistheplantmostcommonlyassociatedwithhislegacyasaplantsman.
Called“TheBulbHunter”byThe New York Times,ChrisWiesingerisknownforhisrelentlesspursuitofheirloombulbsandhisdesiretounderstandtheirhistory.ChrisearnedadegreeinhorticultureeducationatTexasA&MUniversityandisownerofTheSouthernBulbCompany.CherieFosterColburn,whoalsoattendedTexasA&MandTexasWoman’sUniversity, isanaward-winninggardenwriterandchildren’s book author (Our Shadow Garden, illustrated by children in treatment at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center). As aprofessionallandscapedesigner,certifiedMasterGardenerandownerofNature’sTapestry,Cheriespecializesinlow-maintenanceresidentialandcommercialplans.ArtistsLoelaBarryandJohanKritzinger,SouthAfricannatives,co-ownJoLoeArt.Loelaisdegreedinlandscapearchitectureandcertifiedinfloraldesign,bothfromTexasA&MUniversity.Johanisaregisteredprofessionalchemicalengineerandphotographer.BothLoelaandJohanareartistsinseveralmediums,includingtheirownuniqueversiontheycall“chemicalart.”
New Books For Texas Gardeners Continued...
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SucculentContainerGardensByDebraLeeBaldwin
Withtheircolorfulleaves,sculpturalshapes,andsimplecare,succulentsarebeautifulyetforgivingplantsforpots.Ifgrownincontainers,thesedry-climatejewels—whichincludebutarenot limitedtocacti—canbebrought indoors inwinterandsocanthriveanywhereintheworld.
Inthisinspiringcompendium,thepopularauthorofDesigning with Succulentsprovideseverythingbeginnersandexperiencedgardenersneedtoknowtocreatestunningcontainerdisplaysofexceptionallywaterwiseplants.Theextensivepaletteincludesdelicatesedums,frillyecheverias,cascadingsenecios,edgyagaves,andfat-trunkedbeaucarneas,tonamejustafew.Easy-to-follow,experttipsexplainsoilmixes,overwintering,propagation,andmore.Defineyourindividualstyleasyoueffectivelycombinepatterns,colors,textures,andforms.Discoverhowtopdesignersinterpretthedramaticoptions,inideasrangingfromexquisiteplant-and-potcombinationstoextraordinarytopiariesandbonsai.Expandyourrepertoirewithplump-leavedplantsthatresemblepebbles,stars,andunderseacreatures.Shortonspace?Createverticalgardensandhangingbaskets,andusedaisylikerosettesinwalldisplays.Eachofthemorethan300photographsoffersaninspiringidea.A-to-Zdescriptionscover350ofthebestsucculents,pluscompanionplants.Whetheryourgoal isagorgeouspottedgardenforasunnywindowsilloroutdoorlivingarea—orsimplymakinggreatgifts—thisisacomprehensiveprimerforcreatingvibrant,livingworksofart.
Succulents,whichstorewaterinfleshyleavesandstemstosurviveperiodsofdrought,offerspectacularbloomsandfoliageofeverycolor—includingcherryred,skyblue,andpurple-black.Inherbooksandpresentations,Debraintroducesvarioustypesofsucculents,discussestheircare,describeswhatmakeseachinterestingandunique,andexplainshowtocreatelovely,low-watergardensandcontainers.WithDebra’sexpertguidance,you’llsoondiscoverhowtousetheseeasy-care,sculpturalplantstobeautifullyexpressyourpersonalstyle.
Anexcerptfromthebook,
Potting Mixes: What the Experts UseItseemseverysucculentcollectorornurseryownerhasapreferredpottingmix.Someexamples:AformerCSSApresidentinNewJerseycombinesthreepartscommercialpottingmixthatishighinbarkorhorticulturalcoirwithtwopartspumiceandonepartcalcinedclay.
New Books for Texas Gardeners Continued...
Succulent Container GardensBy Debra Lee Baldwin Timber PressCopyright 2010Hardcover, 248 pages, $29.95
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Aspecialistinsucculentbonsairecommendsamixofonepartcompost,onepartcoir,onepartloam,andfourpartspumiceorperlite.Adesignerof succulent topiariesandwreathsusesno soil but rather insertscuttingsintotightlypackedsphagnummoss.Akalanchoecollector’spreferredmix is50percentpumice,25percent loam,and25percentdecomposedgranitesand.Ahaworthiagrowermixesequalpartsgritorplastersand,pumice,andpeat-freecommercialpottingsoil.Acollectorwhoownsawiderangeofsucculentssaysitdoesnotmatterwhatbaseisused,solongasone-thirdtoone-halfofthefinalmixispumice.AnarticleintheCSSAnewsletterrecommendsthatatleasthalfthemixconsistof“anair-trappingsubstance”suchasperlite,pumice,orcalcinedclay.A lithopscollector’smix is “morewhite thanbrown”—one thirdcommercialpottingsoilwithtwigsremoved,andtwo-thirdsperliteorpumice.Healsomayadddecomposedgranite“tohelptoughentheplants.”Anurseryownerwhosellsatshowsprefersaneasy-to-rewetmixofhalf-and-halfcoirandperlite.AcactusandsucculentnurseryinNewMexicorecommendsthreepartssoillesspottingmix,onepartcoarsesand,andonepartvolcanicscoria,perlite,crushedgravel,orcrushedlimestone.AdesignerataDenvernurserymixeshalf-and-halfpottingsoilandpoultrygrit(crushedgranite).Acactusandsucculentshowjudge,emphasizingtheimportanceofoxygenforroots,recommendsnotaddingvermiculite,becauseitcompacts.
DebraLeeBaldwinisanaward-winningwriterandeditorbasedinSouthernCalifornia.Shehaswrittenhundredsoffeaturearticlesandcolumnsaboutarchitecture,homes,gardens, landscaping and interior design, and people who have made significantcontributions to our culture. An award-winning garden photojournalist, She wroteDesigning with SucculentsinadditiontoSucculent Container Gardens.SheisaregularcontributortotheLos Angeles Timesandmajorgardeningmagazines.Debra’sspecialtyis showing how top designers use these architectural, waterwise, low-maintenanceplantsinawidevarietyofcreative,eye-catchingapplications.
New Books for Texas Gardeners Continued...
Above:Nigella damascena(Love-in-the-Mist)flowersandculinaryherbsondisplayatLakeAustinSpaResort.
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Proven Winners in My Garden
by Bob BeyerThereisabrandnameforaplantcollectioninthegardencentertradecalledProvenWinners©buttometheonlytrue“provenwinners”arethoseplantswhichperformwell inmyowngardenconditionsandmicro-environmentsoverasustainedperiodcoveringallseasons.Somyadviceisdon’tbefooledbymarketingtitles,butbecomeyourownexpertonwhichplantsareprovenwinnersforyourspecificuseandgardenconditions.Forexample,inmyyard,Ihaveidentifiedseveralmicro-environments which require very different plants and planttypes.Thesedifferentgrowingconditionsvarybecauseofdrainage,amountof light,durationof light,soildepthandcomposition,andexposureduringourseverestseasonalclimateconditions. Somydefinition of a “proven winner” is based on plant performance inmyowngardenundertheconditionsthatexistthere.Therefore,aprovenwinnertomemaynotbeoneforothergardeners.Mycriteria forornamentalsare those thatareadaptable,durable,havehighornamentalvalue,andlowcarerequirements.Withthisinmind,Ihavechosenmy25highestrecommended“provenwinners”forAustingardens.ThesehaveproventhemselvesinmyNWAustingardenoverthepast5years.AlsoIchoseonlyplantsthatareknowntobeavailable fromCentral Texasnursery sources.Keep inmindthatthereisnosuchthingasaperfectplant.Crape Myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica) in all sizes and cultivars:Deciduous, summer blooming, fall color, attractive bark, droughtandcoldtolerant,requiringonlyminimalpruningwhenyoung.Onlydrawback is thattheysuckerat thebaseandfromrootssothoseneedtobetrimmedoccasionally.Lookforvarietiesthataremildewresistant.Texas Mountain Laurel (Sophora secundiflora): Evergreen,fragrantspringblooms,droughtandcoldtolerant,minimalpruningwhenyoung,canbemaintainedaslargeshruborsmalltree.Onlydrawbackisthattheyoftengetinfestedwithawebworminspringwhichchewsonnewgrowth,butthisisatemporaryproblemwhichdoesn’thurttheplant.Variegated Eleagnus (Elaeagnuscv.):colorfulevergreenfoliageyearround,droughtandcoldtolerant,variegatedvarietiesneedonlyminimaltrimming.Thisplanthasnoknowndiseaseproblems
Rose of Sharon(Hibiscus syriacus):Dediduous,summerblooming,drought and cold tolerant, blooms reminiscent of tropical hibiscusandshowy,easytopropagate.Japanese Yew(Podocarpus spp.)U n d e r - u t i l i z e dconifer, evergreenfor year-round color,minimal pruning,preferspartialshade,not tolerant ofalkalinesoils.Pineapple Guava(Acca sellowiana):Evergreen,smalltreeorlargeshrub,silveryfoliage underside,showy unusualblooms in spring,edible fruit in fall,ornamental bark,minimalpruning.Desert Willow(Chilopsis linearis):Small deciduous tree with willow-like foliage, loaded with exoticbloomsinsummer,droughtandcoldtolerant,requirestrimmingforshape.Yaupon Holly(Ilex vomitoria):Evergreensmalltreeorlargeshrub,comesinuprightorweepingforms,beautifulredberriesforwinterbirdfood,nottolerantofalkalinesoils.droughtandcoldtolerant.Mexican Bird of Paradise(Caesalpinia gilliesii):Deciduoussmalltree,droughtandcoldtolerant,beautifulandexoticyellowandredbloomsinspringandsummer,reblooms,fine-texturedfoliage,pruneforshape.
Above: Mexican Bird of Paradise(Caesalpiniagilliesii)PhotobyLuisFernandezGarcia
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Proven Winners in My Garden Continued...
Double Red Knock Out Rose (Rosa‘Radtko’):Evergreen,droughtandcoldtolerant,verydiseaseresistant,maintainscompactshapewithminimalpruning,showydoubleredblooms,maroonishwinterfoliagecolor.Needle Palm(Rhapidophyllum hystrix):Themostcoldhardypalmintheworld,compactanddurable.Shinygreenfan-shapedleaves,toleratessunorshade.Meiwa Kumquat(Fortunella crassifolia):Adroughtandcoldtolerantcitrusplant,smallcompactsizewhichproducestastyfruitinabundanceinthefallinadditiontohavingfragrantcitrusblooms.Alittleprotectionfromnorthernwindswillhelpthisplantsurviveto20degrees.Hesperaloe(Hesperaloe parviflora):Evergreen,yucca-likeplantwiththread-likefilamentsisattractiveyear-roundinadditiontolatespringspikesofbloom,verydroughtandcoldtolerant,Sanolina spp.:Evergreen,greenformismorecoldtolerantthanthesilverform,butallformsareverydroughttolerant,compactfine-textured,scentedplantthatbloomsinspring.Gold Bar Zebra Grass(Miscanthus sinensis‘GoldBar’):Deciduous,dwarfformofzebragrassto2′tallwithbrilliantbandedvariegation,preferspartshadeandgoodsoil.Yucca spp.(mostspecies):Evergreen,verydrought,coldandsoiltolerant,comeinattractivevariegatedforms,andarecarefreeplants,agaveweevilisonlyknownpest.Fringe Flower(Loropetalum chinense):Evergreen,purplecultivarse.g.‘PlumDelight’aremostpopularbutcolorscanfadeintoomuchlight,springandoccasionalfallfringe-likeblooms,colorfulyear-roundfoliage.Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens): ‘Silverado/Bertstar Dwarf’, a dwarf compact cultivar isrecommended,year-roundsilvercolor,summersporadicblooms,verydroughtandcoldtolerant,minimaltrimmingneeded.Mexican Bush Sage(Salvia leucantha‘SantaBarbara’):Perennialthatbloomsthroughoutthesummer,compactsilveryornamentalfoliagetoboot,verydroughtandcoldtolerant.Thiscultivarisadwarfform.Blackfoot Daisy(Melampodium leucanthum):Asmallspreadingperennial,evergreen,bloomsallsummer,droughtandcoldtolerant.Century Plant(Agave lophantha):Verycompactagave,droughttolerant,pupsprolificallysoitwon’tbelostifhitbyhardfreeze,variegatedcultivar‘Quadricolor’isverycolorful.Threadleaf Arborvitae(Thujaoccidentalis‘Filiformis’):Evergreen,string-likefoliage,weepinghabit,droughtandcoldtolerant,arealeyecatcherwithtexturalappeal,maybedifficulttofindbutworththesearch.Glossy Abelia (Abelia grandiflora)(anyvariegatedcultivar):Evergreen,droughtandcoldtolerant,verycolorful foliageforyear-roundgardencolor,variegatedvarietiesslowergrowingandeasiertomaintain.
Above:FringeFlower(Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum)PhotobyDarrell.barrell
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Proven Winners in My Garden Continued
Mexican Redbud(Cercis canadensisvar.mexicana):Deciduous,springbloom,attractivesmall,crinkledroundfoliage,smalltreethatisdroughtandcoldtolerant.Pygmy Water Lily(Nymphaeax‘Helvola’):Foryoursmallwatergarden,thiscoldhardywaterlilyisaminiaturethatbloomsyellowinperfusionallsummerlong.Formoreinformationabouttheseplants,querytheinternetusingtheirbotanicalnames.Mygardenisacontinuoustrialgardenwhere,ifspaceisavailable,Iwilltrynewplantsandplantvarietiesthatmyresearchindicatesaresuitableforourarea.Ihaveplantsgrowingcurrentlythathavepromiseforgettingmy“provenwinner”designationbutneedmoretimetoprovethemselvesinthegarden.Thislistiscertainlynotcompleteandpartofthefunofgardeningisthetrialandevaluationofdifferentplants.Often,aplantwon’tgrowwellinoneareabutwillthriveinanother;soknowingthecorrectlocationforitisafactorinwhetherisisawinnerornot.Gardeningisacontinuouslearningprocessjustasagardenisalwaysanongoingproject.Soshareyoursuccesseswithothergardeners.Wearebothteachersandstudentsatthesametime.Iamalwaysonthehuntforanotherprovenwinnertoaddtomylist.UsedwithpermissionfromtheGardeningInCentralTexasblogwww.centraltexasgardening.wordpress.com
Above:ThegardensandplantersatLakeAustinSpaResort.PhotoscourtesyofLakeAustinSpaResort.
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Insecticidal Soaps
by Wizzie Brown
Insecticidalsoapscanbeusedasacontactinsecticidetocontrolsmall,soft-bodiedinsectssuchasaphids,leafhoppers,mealybugs,thripsandwhiteflies.Itisimportanttoproperlyidentifyandknowabitaboutthebiologyofthepestbeforetreatingwithinsecticidalsoapsothatamoretargetedtreatmentcanbeperformed.
Themostcommoninsecticidalsoapsaremadeofpotassiumsaltsoffattyacids.Thefattyacidsdisruptthepermeabilityandstructureofthecellmembranescausingcellcontentstoleakfromthecellleadingtoinsectdeath.Soapsworkonlyoncontactandhavenoresidualactivityoncetheyaredry.Thiscanbeadvantageous,categorizingsoapsasaless-toxicproduct.
Itisbesttoapplyinsecticidalsoapsintheearlymorningorearlyeveningwhentemperaturesareloweranditwilltakelongerfortheproducttodry.Thoroughcoverageisimportanttoobtaingoodcontrol.Itmustalsobenotedthatinsecticidalsoapsmaycausephytotoxicity,appearingasspottingonthefoliageorburnedtips.Readlabelforanyphytotoxicitystatements.
Left: Pea aphid nymphs born parthenogenetically and the motheraphid.PhotobyShipherWu,NationalTaiwanUniversityMiddle:Pinkhibiscusmealybug.PhotobyDavidHall,USDAARSRight:Whiteflies.Photoby:Gaucho
The Compost Bin August 2011 Page 15
Fall Vegetable Gardening
Saturday, August 6, 2011, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
ZilkerBotanicalGarden
2220BartonSpringsRoad,Austin,Texas78746
Attention:VegetableGardeners…coolerweathergivesyouanopportunitytogrowandenjoyfoodthatflourishesinthefallandwintermonths.Broccoli,lettuce,Swisschard,radishesandspinacharejustafewofthefavoritesthatgrowwellhere.JoinMasterGardenerPattyLeadertolearnaboutthesevarietiesandstrategiesforbringingabountifulfallharvesttoyourtable!
Thisseminarisfreeandopentothepublic.ItispresentedbytheTravisCountyMasterGardeners,avolunteerarmoftheTexasAgriLifeExtensionServiceinTravisCounty.Formoreinformationseewww.tcmastergardeners.orgorcalltheMasterGardenerHelpDeskat(512)854-9600.
Fall Transplanting and Dividing Perennials
Saturday, September 10, 2011, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
ZilkerBotanicalGarden
2220BartonSpringsRoad,Austin,Texas78746
Fallisthebesttimetotransplantanddivideyourgardenperennials.Learnhowtoshareyourextraplantswithothersandre-locateperennialsthatmayhaveovergrowntheircurrentplaceinthelandscape.Getajumponspringbloomsbygivingthemachancetodevelopastrongrootsystem.JoinMasterGardenerVeliaSanchez-Ruizinproperplanningandexecutionoftheseessentialgardentasks.
Thisseminarisfreeandopentothepublic.ItispresentedbytheTravisCountyMasterGardeners,avolunteerarmoftheTexasAgriLifeExtensionServiceinTravisCounty.Formoreinformationseewww.tcmastergardeners.orgorcalltheMasterGardenerHelpDeskat(512)854-9600.
Home Fruit Production: Conventional Choices and
Sustainable OptionsSaturday, September 17, 2011,
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
AustinCommunityCollege,SouthCampus1820WestStasneyDr.,Room1130
Austin,Texas
Thisseminarforhomefruitgrowerswillcoverthebasicsoffruitproduction,sitese-lectionandpreparationandcoverthespe-cificneedsoffruitcrops.Inadditionitwillreviewtheimportanceofchoosingvarietiesandoptimizingtreehealthandproductivity.Muchofthefocuswillbeonunderstand-inghowfruitcropsrespondtoourever-changingweatherconditionsintheTex-asHillCountry.PresentedbyJimKamas,Asst.Professor&ExtensionSpecialistforTexasAgriLifeExtensiononhowtoenhancethesustainableproductionofconventionalcropssuchaspeachesandpearsaswellasexploringworkonnewlyemergingfruitchoicesthatcanbegrownwithminimalinputs.Questions?ContactRosalieRussell,gisathccs@aol.com.TCMGAmembersearn4hoursCEU.Spacelimitedto50people.
Registrationand$25feepaidonlineat:https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu.KeywordSearch:Fruit.RegistrationclosesSept.15.
Coming Events
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Central Texas Trees and Oak Wilt (FAQ)
Saturday, October 15, 2011, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
ZilkerBotanicalGarden
2220BartonSpringsRoad,Austin,Texas78746
Joinustolearnallabouthowtodorightbyyourtrees.LearnwhatvarietiestoselectforyourCentralTexaslandscapeandgainahigherlevelofsuccessbychoosingthosethatenjoyournativesoilsandtoughclimate.Learnhowtocareforandpruneyourtreeforlong-termhealthandduringtimesofstresssuchasconstructionordrought.MasterGardenerJerryNaiserwillsharehisexpertiseonallthingstrees!
Thisseminarisfreeandopentothepublic.ItispresentedbytheTravisCountyMasterGardeners,avolunteerarmoftheTexasAgriLifeExtensionServiceinTravisCounty.Formoreinformationseewww.tcmastergardeners.orgorcalltheMasterGardenerHelpDeskat(512)854-9600.
Coming Events Continued
Right:AtranquilsceneatthedockoftheLakeAustinSpaResortonLakeAustin.PhotocourtesyofLakeAustinSpaResort
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CarolynWilliams,PresidentMandaRash,ImmediatePastPresidentRosalieRussell,VicePresidentforProgramsCherGroody,VicePresidentforEducationMargarineBeaman,VolunteerCoordinatorforProjectsRichardMoline,Co-VolunteerCoordinatorforTraineesPatMokry,Co-VolunteerCoordinatorforTraineesSusanJung,SecretaryMaryLouBell,Co-TreasurerFerneMizell,Co-TreasurerBarbPowell,MembershipDirectorDorothyAkin,GreenhouseManagerChrisGiaraffa,GreenhouseManagerVickiOlson,GreenhouseManagerJoePosern,AustinAreaGardenCouncilRepresentativeJackieJohnson,StateCouncilRepresentativeTommieClayton,StateCouncilRepresentativeVacant,DirectorofPublications
PastPresidents(Non-voting):
BillBaldwinBillBoytimSusanCashinTommieClaytonSusanDeckerDonFreemanMandaRashPeggyStewartBeckyWaakWillWalker
ExOfficioMemberoftheBoard(Non-voting):
TexasAgriLifeExtensionTravisCountyHorticultureAgentDaphneRichards1600-BSmithRoad,Austin,[email protected]
TRAVIS CouNTY MASTER GARdENER ASSoCIATIoN 2011 ExECuTIVE BoARd
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ThisissueoftheCompostBinhasbeenpublishedthankstothecontributionsofthefollowingTravisCountyMasterGardenersandWizzieBrown—TexasAgriLifeExtension:
ContributingWriters:
© 2011 Travis County Master Gardeners Association 512-854-9600 Visit the websites: www.tcmastergardeners.org and http://travis-tx.tamu.edu
EditorandLayout:AnneVanNest
Webmaster:PaulaMiddleton
BobBeyerPattyLeanderRosalieRussellAnneVanNestCarolynWilliams
The End... Time to get out and garden!