Master Gardener - Farm & Ranch - San Saba News & Star

By: Bill Luedecke

Thursday, December 10, 2009 • Posted December 10, 2009

Now that the moisture is truly here and the creeks are flowing and the lakes are rising, please don’t start cursing the rain. We still need more and if you don’t believe me then ask your friends that live on the area Lakes. As Wade Hibler, the consummate Master Gardener and Master Naturalist, says, "all this rain is really blessing us and we want the rains to continue". Remember a few months ago? We were crying out for the rains to come. We know what it is to do with out the rains and it was not pretty.

With all this moisture and cold we are provided with an excellent time and environment to plant trees and transplant trees. I have ordered several fruit trees and some shade trees in preparations for this wonderful season for planting.

December Duties

As of this past week with the freezes throughout the Hill Country, now is the time to prune those Oak trees and other trees.

Warning:

Now is the time to plant those bulbs we put in the refrigerators back in September.

If you have finished mowing and trimming your yards it is time to prepare the equipment for winter storage. Run all the gasoline out of your equipment so that your gasoline does not get bad and clog carburetors and gas tanks for next spring. This goes for all those tools trimmers, lawnmowers, tillers and the chainsaws when you are finished for the season. On my place I am never through with my chainsaws, I attack Ashe Junipers all year long.

Speaking of Ashe Junipers, are you drinking your Cedar Tea for protection of Cedar Fever? Visit with your doctor before trying it. It has made my life so much better during this season. Thanks again Betty Branch of Bertram for sharing your recipe with all of us. The recipe is on my web site www.TexasLand.Net for your convenience.

If you are finished with the yard equipment for the season, knowing that we are in Texas and that can change, then now is the time to run all the gasoline out of mowers, edgers, tillers and the like. Be sure to clean tools and oil shovels and those tools such as clippers that have blades. On my place a chainsaw is considered to be an all season tool. I have a lot of chain sawing to do along Oatmeal creek from floods earlier this year.

Plant Your Christmas Trees

If you are going to have a real Christmas tree this year, think about getting one of the varieties that grow here and have a tree to plant in January. Ask the nursery for the ones that grow well in your area. There are about four or five that have been acclimated to our Texas Hill Country. They make great trees for the birds and landscape. Planting along the driveway or a walk way would be fun and after a few years it would be spectacular.

By the way, it is a Christmas tree not a holiday tree. Remember the Reason for the Season is Jesus Christ.

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, Broker at The Luedecke Group Realtors, P.O. Box 1632, Bertram, TX 78605 (no post office at Oatmeal) or email bill@TexasLand.net.
Do not prune the fruit trees yet, that will be after the first of the year. When you start pruning always remove the dead limbs first so you can asses the total damage. If the limb you are removing is over two inches in diameter then use some sealant such as NuBark. NuBark is a natural pruning sealer paste. If you cannot find it at your local nursery or garden center then go to their web site www.intagra.com and find the nearest location to you. The instructions are on the container and the product is not toxic. Also, remove any limbs that are interfering with power lines, roof of your home etc.

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