It’s been a quite discouraging calendar year for gardeners and residence landscapers – the early heat and absence of rainfall is generating water conservation a lot more critical than at any time. The new rainfall and cooler temperatures it introduced had been much wanted and will be a big strengthen to plant development, but the harming hail that came with it was regrettable for individuals regions it impacted.
As disheartening as it may well be, there are even now ways to grow foodstuff and make the yard beautiful with vegetables and colourful bouquets – just emphasis on planting issues that can get the heat and use h2o-conserving techniques to drinking water.
Veggies to plant this time of yr involve okra, cantaloupe, black eyed peas, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, wintertime squash, and watermelon. Summer season warmth is fantastic for melons due to the fact it will make them sweeter, so get plants set up now so they will get started producing a crop mid- to late-summer time. Sweet potatoes also notably like the warmth, so start out some slips – just buy healthier looking sweet potatoes from the grocery retail outlet and scrub clear. Cut them in half and suspend more than a jar of water with toothpicks so that they are half submerged in the h2o. Position in the vicinity of a window and shoots will form – diligently get rid of the slips and plant in well-geared up soil or in containers with excellent top quality potting combine.
Continue to keep an eye on spring-planted tomatoes for spider mite injury. Spider mites prosper in scorching, dry weather and can minimize the crop or even get rid of vegetation if the pest population builds up plenty of. Be watchful with pesticide use and really don’t overdo it, as killing beneficials can make spider mites a lot more prolific. Observe crops and examine the undersides of leaves to capture them early, and use insecticidal soap to handle.
For color to brighten up the landscape, plant annuals these as pentas, angelonia, lantana, periwinkle and moss rose. For attractive colour in shady spots plant begonias, impatiens and coleus. Think about difficult perennials like rock penstemon, gopher plant, Delight of Barbados, Mystic Spires salvia, wooly butterfly bush and Jerusalem sage for long-lasting landscape additions. Acquire the possibility this summer time to observe regional landscapes and see what plants are thriving in the rough disorders – observe which you like and maintain an eye out for them at community nurseries.
For bare spots in the property or lawns that need to be thoroughly replanted, now is key time to plant bermuda seed or sod, and St. Augustine sod. Prepare the soil well first to motivate deep rooting so the lawn will be a lot more drought tolerant after set up.
Allison Watkins is the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Agent for horticulture in Tom Green County. Contact her at aewatkins@ag.tamu.edu.
