Compost Bin - Aggie Horticulture · little Live Oak seedlings, break up rocks and then step back and see my results. Then I limp off to start again….but, my roses are absolutely

The Compost BinA Publication of the Travis County Master Gardeners - a volunteer program of Texas AgriLife Extension.

Guest Presenter...

Cacti & Succulents for Central Texaswith Jeff Pavlat

In this issue...

In the Vegetable Garden

East Austin Garden Fair

Pruning Citrus

Weeds

Diagnosing Plant Problems

Book Review

President’s Message

May 2010

The Compost Bin May 2010 Page 2

Inside this Issue....

•MayMeetingSpeaker-JeffPavlat• ThePresident’sMessage• IntheVegetableGarden• RasberryCrazyAnts• BookReview• DiagnosingPlantProblems• EastAustinGardenFair• PruningCitrus•Weeds• ComingEvents• 2010TCMGABoard

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Cacti & Succulents for Central Texas Tiredofwatering?Lookingforuniquegardentextures?Can’tkeepthedeerout?Cactiandsucculentsfitthebill.JeffPavlatisthecurrentpresidentoftheAustinCactusandSucculentSocietyandmemberoftheHorticultureCommitteeatZilkerBotanicalGarden.HeworksparttimeatOracleGorge,asmallcactusandsucculentnurseryinAustin.

Jeffhasalwayshadafascinationwithcactiandsucculentsbutbecamemoreinterestedabout10yearsagowhentryingtostabilizethesteephillsideofhisWestlakehome.HisgardenhasbeenfeaturedonseveralgardentoursandtheCentralTexasGardenshow.Checkouthisgardenatwww.klru.org/ctg/garden/name/Jeff_Pavlat/.

Meetinginformation:Wednesday,May5th,2010startingat7pm.ZilkerBotanicalGarden

May Meeting Speaker — Jeff Pavlat


Hello Master Gardeners:

A Message From Your President

Bursting With Blooms

May is here and burstingwith blooms! And pure happiness is thatwe have notexperiencedrecordbreakinghottemperatures…yet!TheriotofcolorIamexperiencinginmyownbackgardenbringssuchjoyIameagertograbmyhoe,trowelandglovesandstepintotheworkzone!

AMGfriend,ElaineDill,andIhavebeenexchanginggardenrelatedbooksbackandforthandthecurrentoneshehaslentmehasawonderfulpassagethatprettymuchsumsupmygardenthoughts.Itgoes:

“Gardeners all share a love of natural beauty and a passion to create order,

however briefly, from chaos. Whether organic or high-tech, they share a dark

secret, as well. Despite their sensitivity to beauty and respect for nature,

they all resort to murder and mayhem with steel-willed cunning.

Patience, hard work, and a clever plan usually lead to success: private worlds

of color, scent, and astonishing beauty. Small wonder a gardener plans her

garden as she wishes she could plan her life.”

So,offtomyownlittlegardenIgoeachdaytoresorttomurderandmayhemasIcreatemyownlittleworldofbeauty!Suchisagardener’sjob.Iplant,weed,ripeoutlittleLiveOakseedlings,breakuprocksandthenstepbackandseemyresults.ThenIlimpofftostartagain….but,myrosesareabsolutelyamazingwithbloomsopeningup to cheermy backache away. The veggies are growing well with these springshowers.Littletomatoesareincreasingdaily,squashandcucumbersarebloomingabundantlyandmynewherbplantsareoffandrunning.Totopoffmygoodfortune,ourlovely1.5”ofrainwasperfectlymeasuredonmynewhigh-techCoCoRAHgauge.Yuppers…thisisallgoodstuff!!

IcanhardlywaittobeginbringinginmyharvestofRomagreenbeans,juicyfreshtomatoes,cucumbers,etc.etc.Freshveggiesmakeafavoritedinnerwith,ofcourse,wonderfulfragrantrosesinavasetoenjoy.Let’shopeourmildspringcontinuesandgivesusayear’sreprievefromthescaldinghotsummersofpastyears.Atleastourlakes,creeksandaquifersarefullandthelandhasbeenreplenished!

Volunteer work continues in the greenhouse, plant clinics, demonstration gardenandmanyotherareas.Pleaseshareyourgardeningtalentwithanyofthemany


worthwhileeffortswesponsor.Beactiveandgivebackasmuchasyouareable!Ilove being involvedwith this organization and I know you feel the same….we areconnectedbyourloveofgardeningandcommunity!

Enjoythislovelytimeofyear!

Carolyn

The President’s Message Continued...

Areblooming,almostthornless,diseaseresistant,antiquepolyantharosecalled“LaMarne’(1915).Semi-doubleblushpinkcuppedbloomswithawhiteeye.AnEarthkindrose.ImagecourtesyofCarolynWilliams


And now we wait. The hustle and muscle that went intopreparingandplantingthegardeninMarchandAprilbeginsto pay off thismonth as plants increase in size and vigor,blossomsgivewaytosmallfruitandwereapthatfirstgratifyingharvest.MotherNaturewasgenerouswiththerainandmilddays during April, perfect weather for planting, puttering...andweeding!Besuretostayafteranyweedsthatpopupinyourvegetablegardenbecausetheyclearlybelievetheyhaveasmuchrighttowaterandnutrientsasyourpreciousvegetables.Oneofmyfavoritetoolsforweedingiscalledascuffleorstirruphoe.Itisveryeasytouseandquicklyandeffortlesslybeheadsyoungweedsbeforetheygetachancetotakehold.Andthese‘cuttings’makeperfectgreenmatterforyourcompostpile,acrucialcomponentofasustainablelandscape.

Ifyouhaven’tmulchedyourgardenyet,dosonowandmakesureyouhavesomekind ofwatering system in placebefore the heat hits. Drip irrigation orsoakerhosesallowforthemostefficientapplicationofwater. I like tocover thehoses with a light layer of mulch toensure that every drop of water goesdown into the soil where it is needed.Wettingtheleavesofsomevegetables,suchasbeansandsquash,makesthemmoresusceptibletocertainfungaldiseases;ifyoumustwaterwitha sprinkler or by hand do it inthe earlymorning so the leaveshaveachancetodryoutbeforenightfall.

As vegetables grow they are quickly using up nitrogen,so the plants will benefit from a sidedress application ofnitrogenfertilizerwhentheystarttosetfruitandagainafterthefirstharvest.Ageneralrecommendationistoscratchinabout1cupoforganicgardenfertilizerfora25footrow;usehalfthatamountifusingasyntheticfertilizerthathasahigherpercentageofnitrogen.Sprinklethefertilizeralongtheouteredgesoftherowsincetherootshavegrownoutfromthecenteroftheplant.Watchforaphidsandspidermites early in the season and treat before these prolificproducers have a chance to increase. They are easy to

In The Vegetable Garden

By Patty Leander

Top: The f irstsquash b looms.Middle: A favor-ite stirrup hoe.B o t t om : Ke e pwater off your beanleaves if possibleto prevent diseases.


controlbywashing theundersideofaffected leaveswithastrongblastofwater.Becausetheyaresoquicktoreproduce,youmayneedtorepeatevery3-5daysuntiltheirnumbersaresuppressed.

Also keep an eye out for theorange and black squash vineborer moth that lays her smalleggs on the stems of squash;when they hatch the creamywhite larva will burrow its wayintothesquashstemanddestroyitfromtheinsideout.Preventionisthebestmedicine–protectyourplants with row cover until theystarttobloom,thenuncoversothebees have access to the flowersfor pollination. I keep a ‘moth-swatter’ (it doubles as a ‘leaf-footedbugswatter’)inthegardenand inspectmy plants frequentlyand if I see the round, brownisheggsonmysquashstemsIscrapethemoff.

May is a good time to plant heat-lovers like sweet potatoslips,Malabarspinach,okraoranymemberoftheSouthernpeafamilysuchasblackeye,purplehullorcrowderpeas.Yardlongbeans,arelativeoftheSouthernpea,canalsotaketheheatofaCentralTexassummerandproduceunique,slenderpodsthatcangrow15”orlonger.Theentire pod is edible and makes anexcellentadditiontostir-fries. ‘RedNoodle’ produces lovely, burgundycoloredbeans.

Onionsletyouknowtheyarereadyforharvestwhentheirtopsfallover,usuallylateMayorearlyJune,butanythathavebeguntosendupaseedstalkshouldbeharvestedandusedasthebulbswillnotgrowlargerandtheydonotstorewelloncefloweringisinitiated.Potatoesshouldbeputtingonsomesizethismonthandifyougrubaroundthebaseofyourplantsundoubtedlyyouwillfindsometastynewpotatoes.Harvestafewfromtheouteredge(withoutpullingouttheplants)foreatingnowandleavetheplanttogrowandnourish the remaining potatoes for harvest later at a largersize.Andenjoy!

In The Vegetable Garden Continued...

TopLeft:Patty’smothandbugswat-terinthegarden.TopRight:Shinybrownsquashvineborereggs.BottomRight;Newlyharvestedpotatoes.BottomLeft:Beansreadyforhar-vesting.


Rasberry Crazy Ant

By Wizzie Brown

In2002,theRasberrycrazyant,Nylanderia sp.nearpubens,wasfoundintheHoustonarea.Itbegantospreadandcannowbelocatedin14counties,mostlyaroundtheHoustoncoastalarea.TheantshavebeenpositivelyidentifiedascloseasBexarCounty(SanAntonio)(SeeFig1.).

Fig1.DistributionoftheRasberrycrazyant(imagefromTAMU).

Rasberrycrazyantsarereddish-brown,butcolordarknessmayvary.Workershavelonglegsandlongantennaeandbodiesthatareabout1/8aninchlong.Theantshavelonghairsontheirbodyand12segmentedantennae(SeeFig2.).

Fig2.Rasberrycrazyantworkertendingeggs(photobyTomRasberry).

Coloniesoftheseantsaremassive(millionsofants).Thecoloniesarepolygyneandcontainmultiplequeens,workersandbrood(eggs,larvae,pupae).Colonies,ornests,canbefoundunderorwithinalmostanyobject(SeeFig3.)Examplesincludetreestumps,soil,pottedplants,mulch,concrete,etc.Nestsareprimarilyfoundoutside,buttheantsoftenforageindoorslookingforfoodandwater.


Rasberry Crazy Ant Continued ...

Fig3.Colonyfoundinaflowerpottray(imagefromTAMU).

Theseantsformlooseforagingtrailsandscurryrandomlyalongthetrail,hencethename“crazy”ant.Foragingantstypicallyfollowstructurallines-foundations,sidewalks,etc.-butlargetrailscanalsobefoundoveropenareas.Theydonotformmoundsoremergefromthegroundfromacentralizedopening.

Rasberrycrazyantsareomnivoresandeatalmostanything.Theworkers,inadditiontoforagingforfood,will“tend”honeydew-producinginsectssuchasaphids,scaleinsectandmealybugs.Workersarealsoattractedtosweet-producingpartsofplantssuchasnectariesorover-ripenedfruit.

SinceRasberrycrazyantscannestwithininnumerousmaterialsandobjectsitispossiblethattheycanbetransportedtonewlocationsthroughgardeningmaterial-mulch,soil,pottedplants,etc.Beforetransportinggardeningmaterial,itisveryimportanttothoroughlyinspecttheitem(s)forinfestation.

Rasberrycrazyantsaresometimesconfusedwiththecrazyant,Nylanderialongicornis.Thecrazyantlookssimilar,buthaslongerantennaeandlegs(SeeFig4)thantheRasberrycrazyant.ThecrazyantalsotendstobedarkerincolorthantheRasberrycrazyant(blackishvs.reddish-brown).

SamplessenttoTravisCountyforidentificationhavebeeneithercrazyants,Nylanderialongicornis,orargentineants,Linepithemahumile.Argentineantsmay

Fig4.Crazyant,Nylanderialongicornis(photobyDrees)


Rasberry Crazy Ant Continued ...

bemistakenforRasberrycrazyantsbecausebothcanhaveextremelylargecolonies.Argentineantcoloniescanbecomprisedofnumerousmoundswithhundredsofqueensandhundredsofthousandsofworkers.

TreatmentforRasberrycrazyantscanbecomeaproblembasedontheconsiderablenumberofants.Bufferzonescanbecreatedusingpesticidesandthe“bufferzones”maylastabout2-3months.ProductsformanagementofRasberrycrazyantsarenotavailableoverthecounter,soapestmanagementprofessionalshouldbecontacted.Deadantsshouldberemovedfromtheareaaftertreatmentotherwisea“carpet”ofantsmayformoverthelawn(SeeFig5).

Fig5.Rasberrycrazyantscoveringalawn(photobyTomRasberry)

MexicanMilkweed

CinnamonGrappaHibiscus


Afterfouryearsindevelopment,SustainableLandscapes&Gardens:goodscience–practicalapplicationsrecentlywasself-publishedbyauthorandeditor,Dr.LindaChalker-Scott,an Associate Professor in theHorticulture and LandscapeArchitecturedepartmentofWashingtonStateUniversityandanExtensionUrbanHorticulturist. Thisbookwas initiallyconceived to be a textbook for the Washington MasterGardenerprogram(andothernon-academicreaders)andprovidethecurrent,accurateandrelevantsciencebehindurbanhorticultureandarboriculture.Lindadrawsuponherbackground in horticulture and arboriculture towrite andeditthisbookwithchaptercontributionsfrom20additionalfacultymembersofOregonStateUniversity,UniversityofWashingtonandWashingtonStateUniversity.

At the beginning of the book Linda writes, “I’ve been aplant person all my life. I started out eating wild berries,pressingflowers,andmakingMaybasketsformyneighbors.Later I became curious about how plants respond to theirenvironment,especiallythosespeciesweuseinourgardensandlandscapes.Throughthetwistsandturnsofmycareer,onethingbecameclear;Ienjoyedmakingplantsciencepracticalandunderstandable toeveryone,especiallypeoplewhocarepassionatelyabouttheirplants.That’swhyI’mexcitedaboutthisbook. Nowall gardeners–novicesandexpertsalike–haveaccess to a common source of reliable, lab- andfield-testedinformationIfyouareagardenerwithacuriosityabouthowthingswork,andapersonalethicabouttreading lightlyontheearth,thisbookisforyou.Let’sgetourhandsdirty!”

The“book”isreallyasturdybindwith5boundandremovablesections:ArmchairScience,BeforeYouPlant,Planting-TakingthePlunge,What’sWrongwithmyPlant?,andBugs,VarmintsandWeeds.Itwasdesignedsoreaderscantakeonesectionoutintothegardenwithoutneedingtohavetheentirebookwiththem.Thebinderallowsfortheabilitytocustomizethebookbyaddingforthcomingsupplementalunitsbasedonyourinterests.

Throughout the5sectionsareexcellentdetailedphotosandinformativeillustrationstobuildontheideasandexplanationsinthetext.Anextensiveglossaryandliteraturecitedreference

Book Review

Sustainable Landscapes & Gardens: Good Science - Practical Application

By Anne Van Nest


Sustainable Landscapes and Gardens Continued ...

islocatedatthebackofeachsection.

TheBeforeYouPlantsectionhasagreatdecisiontreethatisusedforpredictingtheinvasivenessofwoodyplants,greatstep-by-stepphotosofgrafting(t-budding,cleftgrafting,chipbudding,barkgrafting,whipgraftingandpatchbudding)andlayering.InthePlanting-TakingthePlungesectionareatleast26photosofwhattolookforwhenselectingplantsatthenursery-damagedtrunks, topping, acutely angledbranches,multiple leaders, noroot flare, trunk rot, girdled trunks, root bound, suckers andmore.TheWhat’sWrongWithMyPlantsectionhas excellent photos of environmental,nutrientdeficiencies,insects,etc.tohelpwithplantproblemdiagnosis.Thissection

alsoincludesanextensivestep-by-stepmethodofdiagnosingplantproblems.

TheBugs,VarmintsandWeedssectionisverybroadinitsscopeandiswrittenforanation-wideaudience.Sustainable Landscapes & Gardens: good Science –practicalapplication has over 300 pages and hundreds of full colorphotosandillustrations.Thelistpriceis$49+$5shipping=$54.00forthebinderandallfivesections.Allthecomponentsareavailablealacarteandcanbeorderedseparately.

Formoreinformationortoordercontact:GreatScottEnterprises,Inc.9120MatthewsAve NE, Seattle, WA 98115-3941 email: [email protected] or visit thewebsite:www.sustainablelandscapesandgardens.com

Linda Chalker-Scott and her colleagues at Washington StateUniversityExtensionalsohaveaveryinformativeblogcalledTheGardenProfessorwhichfeaturesinterestingplants,amusingfacts,cool research andmore. Visit the blog: The garden professorshttps://sharepoint.cahnrs.wsu.edu/blogs/urbanhort/default.aspx.ForevenmoreinterestingreadingvisitLinda’sHorticulturalMythswebpage at http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~Linda%20Chalker-Scott/Horticultural%20Myths_files/index.html with discussionsaboutBt(marvelormistake?),arboristwoodchipmulches(landscapeboonorbane?), coffeegrounds (will theyperkupplants?),milksprayedonroseleaves(willpreventfungalandbacterialdiseases?),Xeriscaping(drought-tolerantplantsreducewaterconsumption?),andmore.


Astep-by-stepmethodtodiagnoseplantproblems

1. Examine the plant to determine that a problem exists.

A.Identifytheplant.Establishwhata“normal”plantwouldlooklikeatthis

timeofyear.Learnaboutthetypeofcareandenvironmentalconditionsthat

theplantrequirestothrive.

B. Describetheabnormality(symptomsandsigns).

C. Examinetheentireplantanditsenvironment.

D. Determinesitehistory–significantexcavations,soilamendments,

fertilizer/pesticideusage,etc.

E. Determineinstallationpracticesused.

2.Define the problem and develop a hypothesis about the origin of damage.

Locate the primary problem and the plant part where the initial damage occurred.

Look for patterns. Is the damage on more than one plant or plant species?

A. Auniformdamagepattern(e.g.,damageonallleavesofacertainageorall

plantsinanarea)usuallyindicatesnonlivingfactors(physicalorchemical).

B. Anirregularorrandomdamagepatterncanbeindicativeoflivingfactors

(pathogens,insects,mites,orotheranimals).However,manynon-living

environmentalfactorsarenotexperienceduniformlybytheplantandtherefore

damagewillnotbeuniform.

Delineate development of damage over time.

A. Damagethatdoesnotspreadtootherpartsoftheaffectedplantortoother

plants,alongwithaclearlinebetweendamagedandundamagedtissues,

indicatesdamagecausedbynonlivingfactors.

Diagnosing Plant Problems

By Linda Chalker-Scott


Diagnosing Plant Problems Continued ...

B.Progressivespreadofthedamageonaplantorontootherplantsindicates

damagecausedbylivingorganisms.

Gather information to identify and distinguish among possible causes of damage.

A. Distinguishamongnonlivingfactors.

1.Symptomsofphysicaldamage

i. Temperatureextremes

ii. Lightextremes

iii.Moistureextremes

iv.Lackofsoiloxygen

v. Mechanicaldamage

2.Symptomsofchemicaldamage

i. Pesticides

ii. Pollutants

iii.Nutritionaldeficiencies

iv. Mineraltoxicities,includingsalinity

v. SoilpH

B. Distinguishamonglivingfactors.

1. Symptomsandsignsofpathogens

2. Symptomsandsignsofanimals

C. Usereferences.Youmayneedlaboratoryanalysestonarrowtherangeof

probablecauses.

3.Determine evidence needed to prove probable causes.

4.Synthesize information and evaluate the validity of diagnostic conclusions.

DiseaseRubriccourtesyofDr.LindaChalker-Scott,WSUExtensionHorticulture


In Carolyn’s Garden

Above:‘Maggie’rose(background),whiteshastadaisiesandsquash.‘Maggie’isarosefoundbyDr.WiliamC.WelchinLouisiana.Richcarminebloomswithaspicyscent.Below:ShastaDaisiesand“Mrs.B.R.Cant(anantiquetearoseintroducedin1901),squashandRomaIIbushgreenbeans.PhotoscourtesyofCarolynWilliams


East Austin Garden Fair 2010

By Lisa Anhaiser

EastAustinGardenFairshowsTravisCountyresidentswaystobe ‘Earth-Kind’

Thefourthannual“APassionforPlants:AnEastAustinGardenFair”washeldonMarch20atGovalle Park. Despite the rain that fell Saturdaymorningand the coldwindytemperaturesthatfollowed,therewasagreatturnoutatthegardenfairbyvolunteersandfairgoersandtherewasnothingbutsmiles!

The fairwaspresentedby theTexasAgriLifeExtensionService,TravisCountyMasterGardenersAssociation,SustainableFoodCenter,GreenCornProject,andHolisticEducationandHealthNetwork.AdditionalpartnerorganizationsincludedtheCityofAustin-SolidWasteServices,WestcavePreserve,InternationalSocietyofArboricultureandtheCentralTexasYoungBirdersClub.SponsorsincludedKAZIRadio,Evercare,ShoalCreekNursery,H.E.B,HomeDepot,WholeFoodsandNaturalGardeners.About200peopleattendedtheevent,whichwasfreeandopentothepublic.Itfeaturedmorethan30hands-onboothsanddisplaysfornovicetoexperiencedgardeners,andincluded a variety of youth activities. More than 75 Travis County Master Gardenersassistedintheplanning,marketingandinstruction/demonstrationaspectsoftheevent,andhelpedgrowmorethan800plants(tomatoes,peppers,herbs.etc.)togiveawaytofairattendees.

Earth-Kindgardeningwasthethemeofthisyear’sfair,saidDaphneRichards,AgriLifeExtensionAgentforHorticultureinTravisCounty.“Earth-KindisaregisteredtrademarkofAgriLifeExtensionandEarth-Kindlandscapingusesresearch-proventechniquesfrombothtraditionalandorganicgardeningforenvironmentallyfriendlylandscaping,”Richardssaid.“Atthefairwedemonstratedusefulandpracticalgardeningandlandscapingmethodsthroughwhichpeoplecanbothbeautifyandprotecttheenvironment.”

Fairpresentationsemphasized landscaping forwaterandenergy conservation,properfertilizer and pesticide use, and reducing waste. Hands-on demonstrations includedhow todig agardenbed, composting, rainwaterharvesting, organic gardening, plantpropagationandmore.Attendeesreceivedfreegardeningadviceandstarterplants,andwereintroducedtovolunteeropportunitiesinthecommunity.

Afterthefairended,anative&adaptedlandscapebedwasinstalledbyMasterGardenerSusanDeckerandLisaAnhaiserusingdonatedplants.EachyeartheEastAustinGardenFairSponsorsinstallanewlandscapedbedatGovallePark.

Commentsfromthemorethan120fairattendeeswhocompletedapost-eventsurveyincluded:“Thiswasareallyawesomelearningexperience.”“Reallyfriendlyandhelpful.”“IwillteachmystudentstobeEarthKind.Thiswasgreat.Thankyou.”“Everythingwascovered.Great!Ilovethisevent!”


East Austin Garden Fair Continued...

AcommentMGCherGroodyreceivedwhenshetoldafairgoerthataraingardenwasdefinedasadepressioninthelandscapethatstayedfullofwaterfor24to48hrs.afterarainevent.Thefairgoerexclaimed…“MyfrontyardhasbeenaraingardenforyearsandIdidn’tevenknowit!”

Hieveryone,

ThoseofyouwhocameoutonSaturdaytoGovalleParkandputallthosebeautifulsmilesonyourfacesdespitetheweatheraretrulyawesome!Iamsoproudtoknowallofyou,becauseyoushowedhowdeepisyourcommitmenttothecommunityandhowtoughyoureallyare.Iamespeciallyinaweofthoseofyouwhohadsuchupbeatattitudesthewholeday,eveninthemorningrain.Itwasapleasuretoseeyouallhelpingthebravesoulswhocametolearn.Andbelieveme, theywill go and tell otherswhat they learned, so youwill ultimately reach a lotmorepeoplethanyouthink.TheywillalsotellothersthattheEastAustinGardenFairissomethingtheycanrelyonnomatterwhattobethereforthem.Thankyousomuchforputtingonthebestfairthatcouldpossiblybeputonthatday,andforbeingflexiblewhentheplansdidn’tturnoutasexpected,andthankstothosewhostuckaroundtotakethingsbacktoExtensionattheendoftheday.Thiscouldn’thappenwithouteveryoneofyou.Thanksfromallmyheart,

SusanDeckerEastAustinGardenFairCoordinator

SucculentsatLongwoodGardensinKennettSquare,Pennsylvania


East Austin Garden Fair Continued...

LotsofgreatgardeninglearninghappenedattheEastAustinGardenFair.ThankstoTerriRodgers,TCMGAInternforthesegreatphotosofMGandvisitorsinaction.


Manygardenersaresomewhatreluctanttoprunetheircitrus(oranyothershrubsortrees

forthatmattertoo).Whydopeopleputoffpruningtheircitrus?Isitdifficulttodo?Will

theydamagetheplant?It’sabigjob–well,yesitisbecauseitwaslefttoolong.Don’t

knowhowtoprune?Well,hereissomeinformationtoovercomepruningshynessandget

yourcitrusundercontrolagain!

Pruning neglected trees?Citruswillfruitbetter,thetreewillbehealthierandbeeasier

topickiftheyareprunedregularly.Don’tletthemfendforthemselves.

Toolsneeded:secateurs(handpruners),loppers,pruningsaw,ladder,tarp,gardencart,

longsleeves,safetyglasses(orsunglasses)andheavygloves.

How often?Every2years(exceptlemonsandgrapefruitswhichshouldbeprunedeach

yearbecauseoftheirvigor).Notethatwinterdamagewillhavetobeprunedeachyear

forsomemarginallyhardyplantsinourarea,andanannualinspectiondonefordead,dis-

easedordamagedbranchesandsuckers

When?February–April. Thebesttimetodoregularpruning isduringFebruary/March

beforethenewgrowthandbloomsstart.Emergencypruningcantakeplaceatanytime.

ExtensivepruningfromNovemberthroughJanuaryisnotrecommendedbecausethiscould

triggertendernewgrowththatmaybedamagedbyfreezes.

How?Standbackandlookovertheplanttoidentifythegraftunion(about1-2ftabove

thesoil).Thisiswherethedesiredcitrushasbeengraftedtoahardier,diseaseandinsect

resistantordwarfingrootstock.InTexasthestandardcommercialrootstocksaresouror-

ange,Cleopatramandarinoratrifoliateorangehybrid.Suckersarisingfrombelowthegraft

unionwillnotproducedesirablefruit.Removetheseassoonastheyarespotted.Theyare

oftenextrathorny,growvigorously,haveadifferentleafshapeanddon’tproduceanyfruit.

Themainobjectivesofpruningcitrusaretopositionthebranchessothatthemaximum

Pruning Citrus

By Anne Van Nest


photosynthesiscanbeachieved.Thismeansthemostleafareaexposedtothesun.So

trytoprunesothatlowersidebranchesarenotshadedoutbytheupperonesifpossible.

Butcitruscanproducefruitinallbutthemostshadedpartsofthetree,sosomeinterior

branchesarefine.

Openupthecenterofthetreetoallowsunandairtoenter.Itisbettertothinoutthe

branchesinsteadofheadingbackthem.Thinningoutremovesaportionorentirebranch

fromthetree.Headingbackjustremovestheendsofbranches(likehedgetrimming)and

hasseriousnegativeconsequencesinthefuture.Don’tworryaboutmakingthinningcuts

toodeepintotheplantwhereyoudon’tseeanynewshoots.Thesewillbemadebythe

plantasaresultofthepruningcut.Pruneoutanybranchesthatcrossthroughthecenter.

Prunetall,upright-growingbranchestokeeptheplantatapickableheight.

Pruneoutanythinandweakbranches(particularlywithlemonsandgrapefruits)sothat

thelargefruitwon’tdamagetheplant.

Citrusblooms(iftheyarenotdamagedbyunusuallycoldtemperatureslikethewinterof

2010)areformedoncurrentnewsproutsofflastyears’maturewood.Maturewoodis

usuallythornfreewhilethejuvenilegrowthhasthorns.

Duringmildwinterscitruswillbeevergreen,orjustgetalittleleafburn.Coldwintersin

Austinwillcausetheleavestodropinlatewinterandnewleaveswillflushout.

Somereferencessaynevertoremovemorethan15%ofthetotalbranchvolume.Thisis

debatable.Ifrejuvenatingalong-neglectedplant,youmightconsidertakingoutnomore

than25%eachyear–butdopruneiteveryyear.

Pruningpaintorwounddressingisnotnecessaryforcitrus.

Prunelargerbranches(1”orlarger)withapruningsawandusethe3cutprocedure.First

prune¼ofthedistancefromthebottomofthebranchupward.Makethisfirst“undercut”

about5”outfromyourfinalpruningspot.Thisfirstcutwillstopanytearingofthebark.

Pruning Citrus Continued...


Secondprunefromthetop“thejumpcut”down,8”outfromyourfinalpruningspot.This

cutwilldropmostofthebranchstraightdowntotheground.Thethirdcutisthefinalcut

atthebranchcollar.Makesurethecutissmooth.Sincecitrusdon’thaveverypronounced

branchcollars,thecutwillhavetofollowwherethiswouldnormallybeonatree.

Ifmajoremergencypruningisbeingdoneduringthesummermonths,itmightbebenefi-

cialtoprinttheexposedwoodwithwhitelatexpaintifsundamagemightoccur.

Pruningtoreducethecroploadorimprovethefruitsize(iethinningthefruit)isusually

notnecessary,exceptformandarins.

Skirtingistheremovalofthebottomfootofcanopysothetreelookstidyandiseasierto

maintain.

Somesproutsorsuckerscanberemovedbyhandiftheyaresmallenough.

Prunesmallbrancheswithhandpruners.Positionthebladesothatitisasclosetothe

trunkorbranchcollaraspossible.

Pruning marginally hardy trees and for freeze rehabilitation(kaffirlimes):Waituntil

somenewgrowthstartstoappearsothatthefullextentofthedamagecanbeaccessed.

Branchesmaylookhealthyandalive(exceptforsomefallenleaves)rightafterthefreezing

weatherbutlaternonewgrowthappears.Partofabranch,awholebranchortheentire

topofthetreemayhavebeenkilledbycoldtemperatures.Watchforcaseswherethede-

sirablecultivarhasbeenkilledtothegraftunionandonlytherootstockregrows.Remove

theplantandreplantwithahardiercultivar.Prunethewinterdamagedbranchbackto

livewood.Citrusbloomsarethefirstparttobedamagedbycoldweather(thenthenew

twigandleafgrowth,oldermaturegrowth,smallerbranchesandlastlylargerbranches

andtrunk.Citrusgenerallyfreezefromthetoptothebottomandfromtheoutsidetothe

inside.Citrusflowerswillfreezeat28degrees.

Pruning containerized trees?Pinchnewgrowthwhentreesaresmall toencourage



bushiness.

Therearemanydifferentcitrusspecieswithdifferentgrowthhabitsandshapes.Study

yourplantfromallfoursidesbeforepruning.

Above:‘Rêved‘Or’anEarthkindclimbingNoisetteroseintroducedin1869(withthegardencottagethatmyhusbandisbuildinginthenewgardenarea)PhotocourtesyofCarolynWilliams



Weeds - A Dreaded Part of Gardening

by Bob Beyer

Peoplegardeninordertomakesomethinggrow;tointeractwithnature;toshare,tofindsanctuary,toheal,tohonortheearth,toleaveamark.Throughgardening,wefeelwholeaswecreateourpersonalworkofartuponourland–BUTnothingcomparestowhattheCreatorhasalreadygivenusinnature.Unfortunately–thatincludesweeds!

Theoldsayingthatnothingiscertainexcept“deathandtaxes”shouldadd“weeds”tothelist!Sowhat isthedifferencebetweenanativeplantandaweed?Actuallynone,exceptthedefinitionwegiveitwhichhaseverythingtodowiththelocationandproliferationandlittletodowiththeactualplant.Thedifferenceissometimesintheeyesofthebeholder.InEngland,dandeliongreensaresavoredinsaladsandthedandelionwasdeclaredanendangeredwildflower!Here,wewouldgladlyexporteveryonewehavetoEngland.

Aweedbyourdefinitionisaplantthatgrowswhereitisnotwanted.Furthermore,it reproduces and spreads, competes with other plants for light, nutrition, andspace;,canharborpestsanddiseases,anddetractsfromthedesiredaestheticofthelandscape.Actually,alloftheabovecharacteristicsapplytonativeplantsaswell.

OK,enoughdoodlingwithdefinitions.Thereareplantsouttherethatwejustdon’twantinourgardensorlawns.Theyproduceseedwhichmayliedormantuntilsoilisdisturbed,areexposedtolight,orawaitthecorrecttemperatureormoisturetogerminate. They arewindblown, spread by birds, or introduced by imported soil.Thesurvivalmechanismsofplantswecallweedsareprettyimpressiveandnaturehas given them themeans to survive even our greatest assault upon them. So,realistically,wecan’twin–it’salosingbattleifyourgoalistoeradicateeveryweedinyourgardenoryard.Wecanonlyminimizetheimpactandcontinuallydobattlewiththeseunwantedgardenpests.

Thegoalofanygardenershouldbetodisruptthelifecycleofweedplantswithoutdamaging the environment. That last part is very important. It means, no useof chemicals that areharmful to other living things (plant andanimal) or canbeabsorbedintoourwaterresourcesandfoodsupplies.WeedandFeedproductsarea commercial deception and should betaken off themarket because the besttimetotreatweedsisnotthebesttimeto fertilize. Spreading weed killer overanentire lawn is overkill and increasesthechanceofdangeroustoxicsubstancerunoff.AnexampleofthisdangeristhefactthattheweekkillerAtrazinehasbeendetectedin70%ofAustin’ssprings.Let’sfocusonnon-toxicandenvironmentallyfriendlywaystodealwithweeds.


First,youmustacceptthefactthatweedsareafactoflifeandnotgetsoupseteverytimeyouseeone.Afterall,havingafewweedsamonggrassisbetterthangrasswithbarespotsasanyplantwitharootsystem helps prevent erosion by theirverypresence,andanybarespotwillonlyprovide fertile ground for more weedsto germinate. On a purely cost/benefitbasis, the expenditure youwouldmakeonchemicalweedkillersandfertilizerstogetaperfectlookinglawnfarexceedsthenon-financialbenefityougetfromit,sowhywasteyourmoney?HereinCentralTexas,wehavealawnturfproblemasthereisnoidealgrasssuitedforourparticularenvironment.Theyallallowforweedintrusion.Infact,oneoftheturfgrassescommonlyused,Bermuda,isanintruderandbecomesaweedwhenitinvadesourgardenbeds.Butthereisonewaytominimizeandcombatlawnweeds.IbeginmowingmylawnatalowsettingassoonasspringweedsandgrassbegintogrowinMarch.Thispreventstheweedplantsfromreachingseedingmaturityuntilthewarmweatherturfgrassbeginsactivelygrowing.Oncethatoccurs,theturfgrasswillnormallychokeoutweedsnaturallysoat that time,I raisethemowertotheprescribedheightforthetypeofgrass(e.g.3”forSt.Augustine)plusfertilizeONLYwith an organic fertilizer to encourage the conquering turf grass tosmothertheweeds.Itreallyworks!

Anotherwayisthephysicalremovalofweedsfromthelawnastheyappear–handpullingweedsregularlytokeepthemfromgettingoutofcontrol.Itisbesttodothisfollowingarainorwhenthegroundissoft.Someweedshaveshallowfibrousrootsandareeasilypulledbyhand,whileothersformtaproots(e.g.dandelion),forwhichtheentirerootmustberemoved,otherwiseitwillregeneratefromtheremainingroot.Idisposeallweedsthathaveflowerheadsorthathavegonetoseedandundergroundstructuresthatcouldregenerate,placingtheminthetrashandavoidputtingthemincompostpiles.ItisOKtoplacetheminlawnclippingbagsforrecyclingintoDilloDirt.Ofcourse,anotherenvironmentallyfriendlymethodofreducingweedcontrolmaintenanceistoreduceyourlawnareaandreplaceitwithxeriphyticlandscaping.

Now for the garden beds. The bestmethod to control weeds is a good cover toprevent their growth such as a layer of hardwoodmulch, decomposed granite orother inorganicgroundcovers,orusegroundcoverplantsthatwillsmotherthemout.Regulartillingofyoursoildisruptsweedgrowthcyclesandhelpsreduceweedinfestationwhenmulchingisnotpossible.Anythingthatiscreatedmustbemaintainedwhichmeansanylandscapedorgardenbedsneedperiodicweeding.Takingcaretokeeplandscapeplantshealthyalsohelpsthemcompetebetteragainstweeds.So,everytimeyougoouttostrollthroughandadmireyourgarden,bepreparedtopullaweedorasmanyasyouseealongtheway.Actually,ittakesavillagetofightweedinfestation.Ifyoukeepyourarearelativelyweedfreeandyourneighborsdon’t,theywillbebackinyourturfsoon.Viceversa,bycontrollingweeds,youarehelpingyour

Weeds Continued ...


neighborsaswell.

TheCityofAustinandTexasAgriLifeExtensionhaveproducedanexcellentbrochurewithmuchmoredetailedinformationaboutcommonweedsfoundinCentralTexasentitled, “GrowGreen EarthWiseGuide toWeeds.” It can’t cover every kind ofweedwefindinouryardssofurther identificationcanbemadebycontactingthelocal AgriLife Extension office in your county. Knowingwhat theweed is and it’scharacteristicshelps in combatting them. Quite frankly, I findweeds fascinating.Theyareas tenaciousatsurvivingasdesertplantsclinging to life in thedry,hothostileregionsofourcountry.

ReprintedwithpermissionfromtheGardeningInCentralTexasblogwww.centraltexasgardening.blogspot.com

Weeds Continued ...

Left:ZilkerBotanicalGardeninJune.Middle:CitrusbloomingRight:Anorangereadytopick.PhotoscourtesyofAnneVanNest


How to Create a Wildlife Habitat

Saturday, May 22nd, 9:00-11:00 am

AgriLifeExtensionOfficeofTravisCounty

1600BSmithRoad,Austin,TX78721(512)854-9600

Learnhowtoattractbutterflies,birds, insects,toads,etc.byutilizingplantswhichcreatefood,cover,placestoraiseyoungandwater.AMasterNaturalistvolunteerwillleadthediscussion.Thisseminarisfreeandopentothepublic.ItispresentedbytheTravisCountyMasterGardenersAssociation,avolunteerarmoftheTexasAgriLifeExtensionServiceinTravisCounty.Forinformation,seewww.tcmastergardeners.orgorcalltheTravisCountyMasterGardener’shelpdeskat(512)854-9600.

Beetles of Texas

Monday, May 24th, 7:00 p.m.

ZilkerBotanicalGarden

2220BartonSpringsRoad,Austin,TX78746(512)477-8672

PresentedbytheAustinButterflyForum,featuringMikeQuinn,anentomologistandtheclub’sPresident.MikewillsharehisenthusiasmaboutthebeetlesofCentralandSouthTexas.Fordetailsonthiseventandupcomingmeetingsandfieldtrips,seehttp://www.austinbutterflies.org/Calendar.

Become a Garden Detective

Saturday, May 29th, 10:00 am - noon



Justwhenyouthinkyou’vedoneeverythingrightbyyourplants,oneofthemstartstogodownhill.Oneofthebiggestchallengesforgardenersiscorrectlydiagnosingplantproblemsandfindingeffective,safesolutions.Isyourplantdyingbecauseofaninsect,environmentalordiseaseproblem? Joinus to learn thecausesofplantproblems,the process for diagnosing plant problems, and preventive garden managementtechniques.Thisseminarisfreeandopentothepublic.ItispresentedbytheTravisCountyMasterGardenersAssociation,avolunteerarmoftheTexasAgriLifeExtensionService inTravisCounty.For information,seehttp://www.tcmastergardeners.orgorcalltheTravisCountyMasterGardener’shelpdeskat(512)854-9600.

Coming Events


Basic Landscape Design Principles

Saturday, June 19th, 10:00 am - noon



Doesyourgardenneedaremodel? Ordoyouneeda landscapedesignbutdon’tknowwheretostart?Thisseminaristhefirstinatwo-partseriestoteachhowtodesignyourgarden.Attendoneorbothtoexplorethebasicsoflandscapedesign.Thefirstseminar,BasicLandscapeDesignPrinciples,willhelpgetyourcreativejuicesflowingbyexploringwaystouseyourspaceandbylookingatvariousgardenstyles.Wewilllearnaboutbasicdesignprinciplessuchastexture,color,andfunctionthatwillhelpyoutocreateapleasingenvironment.

Rainwater Harvesting

Saturday, June 26th, 10:00 am - noon


2220BartonSpringsRoad,Austin,TX78746(512)477-8672Comeenjoyafreeseminarconcentratingoncapturingrainwaterandloweringwaterusageinyourlandscape.Thissessionwillteachyouallthebasicsonbuildinganon-potablerainwaterharvestingsystem.Inaddition,loweryourwaterusagebylearningaboutraingardenswhichcapturevaluablerainwaterinyourlandscape.Vendorsrepresentingtankandguttercompanieswillbeavailabletoanswerspecificquestions.CityofAustinrepresentativeswillbeavailabletoanswerpermitandrebatequestions.

Thisseminarisfreeandopentothepublic.ItispresentedbytheTravisCountyMasterGardenersAssociation,avolunteerarmoftheTexasAgriLifeExtensionServiceinTravisCounty.www.tcmastergardeners.orgorcalltheTravisCountyMasterGardener’shelpdeskat(512)854-9600.

ComingEvents Continued...


Finding Butterflies in Austin

Monday, June 28th, 7:00 p.m.



WheredoyougoinAustintofindButterfliesandhowdoyoufindthem?JoinDanHardy,ProgramsChairmanforthispresentationwherehewillsharehisfavoriteareasclosetoAustin,whentovisitthemandwhattolookfor.Fordetailsonthiseventandupcomingmeetingsandfieldtrips,seehttp://www.austinbutterflies.org/Calendar.

Designing Your Landscape

Saturday, July 10th, 10:00 am - noon



Doesyourgardenneedaremodel? Ordoyouneeda landscapedesignbutdon’tknowwheretostart?

Inthissecondlandscapedesignseminar,wewillexplorethestep-by-stepprocessofcreatingalandscapeplan.Wewilldiscussthecreationofdrawingsfromsiteanalysisthroughconcepttoafinalplantingplan.Learnhowtomeasureyouryardanddrawabaseplantoscale.Thisseminarwill introducethetoolsyouneedtocreatethegardenyouhavealwayswanted.

Thisseminarisfreeandopentothepublic.ItispresentedbytheTravisCountyMasterGardenersAssociation,avolunteerarmoftheTexasAgriLifeExtensionServiceinTravisCounty.www.tcmastergardeners.orgorcalltheTravisCountyMasterGardeners’helpdeskat(512)854-9600.




Better Photography in the Garden

Saturday, July 24th, 10:00 am - noon



Thisclasswillhelpyoucapturethebeautyofnaturewithyourcamera.Learntipsoncapturingplantsandinsectsinthegardentogetthemostimpact.Discussionwillincludehow lighting, focal lengthandaperture interact in composingphotographsandhowtouseyourcamera’sprograms(landscape,portrait,etc.)effectively.Afterthepresentation,we’llgoout intotheBotanicalGardentopracticeournewskills.Participantsmustbringtheirowncamera,andhaveanunderstandingofhowtoworkit.Alltypesofcameraswelcome.

Prerequisite:Studytheowner’smanualofyourcamera.Bringyourcameraforsomepracticalexercises.

Thisseminar is freeandopen to thepublic. It ispresentedby theTravisCountyMaster Gardeners Association, a volunteer arm of the Texas AgriLife ExtensionServiceinTravisCounty.www.tcmastergardeners.orgorcalltheTravisCountyMasterGardeners’helpdeskat(512)854-9600.


CarolynWilliams,PresidentMandaRash,ImmediatePastPresidentRosalieRussell,VicePresidentforProgramsVickiBlachman,Co-VicePresidentforEducationBonnieMartin,Co-VicePresidentforEducationCherylMcGrath,VolunteerCoordinatorforProjectsSherrillNilson,Co-VolunteerCoordinatorforTraineesPatMokry,Co-VolunteerCoordinatorforTraineesSusanJung,SecretaryMartyBerdan,TreasurerJanetNewton,MembershipDirectorDorothyAkin,GreenhouseManagerChrisGiaraffa,GreenhouseManagerVickiOlson,GreenhouseManagerJoePosern,AustinAreaGardenCouncilRepresentativeJoKautz,StateCouncilRepresentativeTommieClayton,StateCouncilRepresentative*ThepositionofDirectorofPublications

remainsopen

PastPresidents(Non-voting):

BillBaldwinBillBoytimSusanCashinTommieClaytonSusanDeckerDonFreemanMandaRashPeggyStewartBeckyWaakWillWalker

ExOfficioMemberoftheBoard(Non-voting):

TexasAgriLifeExtensionTravisCountyHorticultureAgentDaphneRichards1600-BSmithRoad,Austin,[email protected]

TRAVIS CouNTY MASTER GARDENER ASSoCIATIoN

2010 ExECuTIVE BoARD


ThisissueoftheCompostBinhasbeenpublishedthankstothecontributionsofthefollowingTravisCountyMasterGardeners,andLisaAnhaiserandWizzieBrown-TexasAgriLifeExtensionService.

ContributingWriters:

©2010TravisCountyMasterGardenersAssociation512-854-9600Visitthewebsites:www.tcmastergardeners.organdhttp://travis-tx.tamu.edu

EditorandLayout:AnneVanNest

Webmaster:PaulaMiddleton

BobBeyerSusanDeckerPattyLeanderRosalieRussellAnneVanNestCarolynWilliams

The End... Time to Get Gardening!

Documents

Compost Bin - Aggie Horticulture · little Live Oak seedlings, break up rocks and then step back and see my results. Then I limp off to start again….but, my roses are absolutely