Watering in Winter

One of the most important duties is watering. Our landscape needs water in the Winter just not nearly as much as in the Summer. Slow deep watering at the drip line and beyond is best. Remember the roots grow out from our trees not just down. If the ground cracks from lack of rain or moisture the roots of younger trees can and will break setting the tree up to die when the Summer heat manifests itself.

Some February Reminders

Sweet Potato slips will be available in March so leave room in the garden.

Plant all Potatoes around mid February, between Presidents’ Days.

Do you have your onion sets planted yet? Well get after it!!

Valentines Day means it is time to prune your roses.

Have you started your tomatoes in the greenhouse yet? Yes, it is time and past time if you want to get a jump on Spring. You can plant all of your favorite greens including my personal favorite Spinach, Broccoli, Beets, Carrots and Lettuce mid to late February.

This is our last time to apply Corn Gluten to our lawns to naturally Feed and Weed them. Corn Gluten acts as a fertilizer to your grass and as a pre-emergent that keeps those pesky grass burrs and other weeds from taking over our lawns. Apply Corn Gluten at the rate of 20 pounds per 1,000 square feet with a fertilizer spreader.

Have you sprayed your fruit trees with dormant oil? Well, if you want an abundance of fruit you better get started.

February is still time to plant fruit trees or any other trees for that matter.

Warning: Don’t prune your fruit trees till mid to late February or early March after the blooms have started. When the blooms are on the branches then you can be sure which branches to prune (i.e. The ones without the blooms!)

The Martins are Coming

The Martins are coming! The Martins are coming! I know it seems too cold or too warm (depending on what day it is) or too early; however, my friend and neighbor Jim Cox always reminds me that they are coming right around February 15th. So, it is certainly time to clean up and clean out their houses, as the scouts will be here shortly.

Please Don’t Murder the Myrtles

I know that I write about this every year, however, some folks still don’t seem to get it. The best way to prune Crepe Myrtles is not to prune them, but to buy the correct size when you get them. The only time they should be pruned is when they are planted under the eaves of the house or power line. Crepe Myrtles are like any other small trees and they don’t need to be pruned except for taking out dead limbs. Instead, we are supposed to purchase the correct size in the beginning. Crepe Myrtles come in dwarf, medium or tall; always ask the nursery how tall they are going to grow and purchase the size that fits the place you have selected

Llano Lawn and Garden Show

The Llano Land and Garden show is right around the corner. Saturday, March 16th is the date the fun begins from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Both the Texas Agrilife Extension Service and the Llano Master Gardeners sponsor the show. Speakers start at 9:15 a.m. with Keenan Fletcher speaking on “Heirloom Bulbs”; followed by Larry Payne at 10:00 a.m. with “Tips on Building an Energy Efficient Greenhouse”; At 10:45 a.m. Sheryl Smith-Rodgers’ topic is “ Windows on the Texas Landscapes”; At 11:30, “yours truly”, aka Bill Luedecke will be speaking on “Getting Your Garden Ready for Spring Planting”; a 12:15 p.m. Mike Reagor will give us an “Update on Llano Water Planning”. Last, but not least, Dave and Inell will tell us all we need to know about “Xeriscape Landscaping and Gardening” starting at 1:00 p.m.

Hill Country Lawn and Garden Show

The 15th Annual Hill Country Lawn and Garden Show will be held on March 23rd, from 9:00 a.m. till 3:00 p.m., at the Burnet Community Center just east of the square in Burnet. The Main Speaker will be the nationally renowned Bill Neiman of the World Famous “Native American Seed Company" in Junction, Texas. Bill’s sense of humor is only exceeded by his common sense; his talks are always humorous, entertaining and enlightening!

I can hardly wait for these Lawn and Garden Shows. They provide a wonderful venue for learning and for shopping. I can find plants and other products there that I cannot find elsewhere.

Till Next Month!

Keep your souls and your soles in your garden!

Remember the True Master Gardener: Jesus said, “I am the vine; my Father is the Gardener.” John 15:1

Have questions or comments? Contact Bill Luedecke at The Luedecke Group Realtors, P.O. Box 1632, Bertram, TX. 78605 (no Post Office in Oatmeal) or email bill@texasland.net. For additional gardening web sites, go to his web site; www.TexasLand.Net and click on links.