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The mild weather in North Central Texas means gardeners can stay busy most of the year. Here's some advice on what to do and when to do it.
- Coleus and caladiums require plenty of water this time of year if they are to remain
lush and attractive until fall. Fertilize with ammonium sulfate at the rate of l/3
to l/2 pound per 100 square feet of bed area, and water thoroughly.
- Rejuvenate heat-stressed geraniums and begonias for the fall season by lightly pruning,
fertilizing and watering.
- Now is the time to sow seeds of the many cool-weather vegetables, greens and herbs
that thrive through Texas' relatively mild winters. The fall and winter cool season
is often more dependable for growing these crops than the spring season.
- If you haven't already do so, plan to plant wildflowers in early September and October.
Check supplies now and order seed for planting in open sunny areas. Consider bluebonnet,
Indian paintbrush, coneflower, fire-wheel, black-eyed Sysan, evening primrose and
many others. Soils should be lightly cultivated prior to planting.
- Nick the seedcoats of Texas bluebonnets before planting to hasten germination, or
purchase started seedlings such as the popular "Maroon" variety.
- Don't allow plants with green fruit or berries to suffer from lack of moisture.
Hollies will frequently drop their fruit under drought conditions. Some vegetables
such as cucumbers or eggplants also become bitter if underwatered during peak growing
times.
- Remove weak, unproductive growth and old seed heads from crape myrtles and roses
to stimulate new growth for fall beauty.
- Prune out dead or diseased wood from trees and shrubs. Hold off on major pruning
until mid-winter. Pruning now may stimulate tender new growth prior to frost.
- Sow seeds of snapdragons, pinks, pansies and other winter flowers in flats for planting
outside during mid-to-late fall.
- Prepare the beds for spring-flowering bulbs as soon as possible. It's important
to cultivate the soil and add generous amounts of organic matter to improve water
drainage. Bulbs will rot without proper drainage.
- Continue a disease spray schedule on roses, as blackspot and mildew can be extremely
damaging in September and October.
- Christmas cactus and poinsettias can be made to flower by supplying 12 hours of
uninterrupted darkness and cool nights (55 degrees F) for a month starting in mid-October.
Keep plants on the dry side for a month prior to the treatment.
- Divide spring flowering perennials such as iris, Shasta daisy, gaillardia, rudbeckias,
cannas, daylilies, violets, liriope and ajuga.
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