The Compost Bin - Aggie Horticulture · admired garden writers, Bill Welch and Greg Grant, helps us understand the world-wide influences and heritage of our Southern gardens. Slow

A Publication of the Travis County Master Gardeners - A volunteer program of Texas AgriLife Extension

The Compost Bin

In this issue ...

In the Vegetable Garden

Beneficials in the Landscape

What Gets Created Must be Maintained

ACC Agronomy Class

New Books for Texas Gardeners

President’s Message

and More!

The Compost Bin July 2011 Page 2

Inside this Issue....

• JulyMeetingSpeaker-DaphneRichards• ThePresident’sMessage• IntheVegetableGarden• NewBooksforTexasGardeners• ACCAgronomyClass

• WhatGetsCreatedMustbeMaintained• BeneficialsintheLandscape• ComingEvents• TCMGAExecutive• Contributors

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WatermelonSocialandTheStateofTheUnionAddress

Doors open at 6:30 PM. Come enjoy some ice coldwatermelon at a social prior to the start of themeet-ingonJuly6thWishwecouldhaveawatermelonseedspittingcontestbutnofoodisallowedonthegrounds…oh,well!

Come learnwhat is happening in theMasterGardenerprogram.DaphneRichardswillbringusup-to-datewithlocalandstateMasterGardeners’affairs ina “StateoftheUnionAddress”.ShewillbeboastingaboutTCMGA’spast achievements and why she believes the future isespecially bright for our organization! Daphne willannounce the projects which have been approved forvolunteercredithours.Toimproveoverallefficiency,shewillreview the forms which should be used to reportvolunteerandCEUhours,whentoreport,andtowhom.Daphnewillreiteratethecut-offdateforreportinghoursandthereasonthisneededtobereorganized.Alsogain

knowledgeoftheTexasAgriLifeExtensionServicePartialCostRecoveryGuidelinesforMasterGardenersanddis-coverifandhowitwill impactourorganization.Therewillbetimeforquestionsandanswerstoo.

Daphne Richards is the County Extension Agent forHorticulture with the Texas AgriLife Extension ServiceinTravisCounty. Assuch,she isourMasterGardenerprogramcoordinator. Sherecentlycelebratedher11thyear with Extension and her two-year anniversary inTravisCounty.ShehasaBAinbotanyfromrighthereatUTAustin,andaMSinhorticulturefromTexasA&M.She previously taught high school for two years in LaJoya, Texas and was the County Extension Agent —HorticultureinElPasoCountyfornineyears.

MasterGardenerMeetinginformation:Wednesday,July6th,2011startingat6:30pm.

ZilkerBotanicalGarden

July Meeting Speaker — Daphne Richards


Hello Master Gardeners:A Message From Your President

Hmmm…myveggiegardenisprettymuchafadedmemorywithburnedupgreenbeans,stuntedcucumbersandtomatoesthathavedefinitelyseenbetterdays.Iwillsaymy‘BlackCherry’and‘SunGold’cherrytomatoesarestillgoingstrong.Markuponefortheheirloomtomatoes!

Fornow,Iamhackingandwhackingbackeverythingthatisafall-bloomingplantinthehopesthatwewillhaveafabulouslyaverageautumnwithrain!Iamtryingmybesttobeoptimisticregarding what is ahead for July and August. The asters,sages,salvias,Mexicanmintmarigolds,etc.areallundertheblade.Roseswillgettheirpruningnextweek.

Wedidexperiencealovelyrainstorm,completewithlighteningandthunderbolts,thatsentRuby(ourAustrianKelpie)underthebed.Absolutely amazingwhat an inchplus of beautifulraincando foryouryard,garden,raincollection tanksandourspirits.

Forallofyouthatareleavingtownforcoolerareas,Idon’tblameyou!Itisn’tfunsettingnewheatrecordseveryday.I am very alarmed at the falling water levels of our arealakesandstreams.PoorLlanoisnowfacingtheprospectofbringing indrinkingwater as their LlanoRiver continues tofall.CertainlywehavemajordroughtproblemsfacingallofTexas.Nottomentionthethreatofwildfiresthatcoulderuptatanygiventimeandplace.Thankgoodnessthereisabanonfireworksthis4th!

Our new book, “Creating a Drought-Resistance Garden inCentralTexas,”isontheselvesofseveralareanurseries.Weshouldallbeproudthatwehavecreatedabookthathelpseachandeverypersonwithmuchneededmaterialandadvice.TheAustinPublicLibrarySystemhasrecentlypurchasedtwenty-onecopiestohaveintheirbranchlibrariesaroundtown.Thatspeaksvolumes!

Aswepreparetoheadintoourhottestmonths,let’shopeweallmanagetomaintainsomeportionsofourgardens.

My fairytaleending to thissummer is that fallarrivesearlywithlotsoflovelycool,rainydays!Thatscenarioranksrightup there with Texas football having another fabulous yearendingwithusplayingfortheNationalChampionship.Let’shopeforeitherone!!!!

Happygardening(asbestasyoucan)!

CarolynWilliams

Above:AthunderstormdumpsheavyraininAustralia.WishwecouldseethesecloudsinCentralTexas.PhotobyBidgee.


Mygardenhassuccumbed…totheheat,thewind,thelackofrain,theCityofAustinwaterrestrictionsandthenematodes,butmygardeningspiritandoptimismarealiveandwell.Onethingthatgardenershaveknownsincetheoriginsofgardeningitselfisthattherewillalwaysbeasecondchance,anewseason,anopportunitytotryagain.

Thegrandprizeinmy“TournamentofTomatoes”thisspringwentto ‘Stupice’for itsvigorousproduction,followedcloselyby‘BlackCherry’foritstartandjuicyflavor,and‘BlackPlum’foritsabundantclustersofbeautifulplum-shapedtomatoesthatproducedwellintoJune,despitethedry,hotandbreezyconditions.

Atransitionfromwarmtohotisnormalatthistimeofyear,butthelong-lastingLaNiñaweatherpatternhasdictatedthelackofprecipitationandhotterthannormaltemperatureswehavebeenexperiencing.WeatherforecasterssayLaNiñaisfading,thoughitisunclearjusthowlonghereffectsmaylinger.Inthemeantime,weshouldtakeadvantageofthissummer“dormantseason”todream,planandpreparefortheupcomingfallvegetablegarden.

Summertasksmightincluderemovingspentcrops,plantingacovercropoffieldpeasorbuckwheat,andsolarizingnematode-infestedsoilwithclearplastic.Organicmatterburnsupquicklyinhotweather,soaddanewlayerofcompostbeforeplantingsecond-seasoncropsinAugustandSeptember.Tryplacingasquareorroundcompostbin,madeofchickenwireorfencingmaterial,inanemptygardenbedorrow.Fillitupoverthesummerwithkitchenscraps,grassclippingsandgardentrimmings,andbesuretokeepitmoisttoencouragemicrobialactivity.Byfallitwillbereadyformulchingorcompostingadjacentcrops.Decidewhichvegetablesyouwanttogrowinfallandsketchoutaplanonpaper,rememberingtorotatecropfamilies.

Plant pumpkins andwinter squash in the garden thismonth for harvest inOctober orNovember.Andifyouwanttogrowyourowntomatotransplantsforfall,nowisthetimetoplanttheseed.Lookforfast-growing,determinatevarietieslike‘SolarFire’or‘Sunmaster’.With daytime temperatures hovering around 100°

andnighttime temperatures reaching their lowat4:00or5:00a.m.,earlymorningisthebesttimetotakecareofgardenchores.I’mnotsuggestingthatyougetupatthecrackofdawneveryday(thankfullyourlocalfarmersdo!),butifyoucanmanageitonceortwiceaweek,gardeningbymoonlightandwatchingthesunrisewhiletherestoftheworldisstillsleeping,isalmostmagical.Latelyitseemsthateventhemosquitoesareatrest,orperhapsthey’vemovedon,seekingmoisterhabitat.

In The Vegetable Garden

by Patty Leander

Left:‘BlackPlum’(top)and‘BlackCherry’(bottom)tomatoesstillproducinginlateJune.Right:Droopingleavesandswollenrootsofanematode-infestedcucumberplant.PhotosbyBruceLeander.


Reading isanexcellentsummerpastimeand tworecentlypublishedbooksaresuretoinspireyourinnergardener:Heirloom Gardening for the South by two of Texas’ most knowledgeable andadmiredgardenwriters,BillWelchandGregGrant,helpsusunderstandtheworld-wideinfluencesandheritageofourSoutherngardens.Slow Gardening,bySoutherngardenexpertandfunnymanFelderRushing,isanentertainingandlaidbacklookathowtocutlooseandhavefuninthegarden.Felder imploresus to learnhow topleaseourselvesand togardenwithagrininsteadofagrimace.Asgardeners it’seasytorelatetohisegalitariangarden,where“everyplanthastherighttoitspursuitofsunlightandadmiration.”

Aside-by-sidecomparisonofmygardeninMayandJunetoshowtheevolutionofthevegetablegardenandthechangesthattheweatherhasbrought.Everythingwasgrowingstronginmid-May,butbymid-Junethepotatoesandonionshadbeenharvested,thesquashhadbeendoneinbysquashvineborer,thebeanshadbeenassaultedbyspidermitesandthecorn,well,thecornhadbeenharvestedandenjoyed—surprisinglynoraccoonsthisyear!NowtheJune/Julygardenconistsofsweetpotatoes,crowderpeas,okra,melonsandbutterbeans.Theycantaketheheataslongastheygetenoughwater...

In The Vegetable Garden Continued...

Right:A“gardencam”photoofthevegetablegardencomparingthecropsinmid-Mayandmid-June.PhotosbyBruceLeander.

Mid-May Mid-June


The Texas Tomato Lover’s HandbookByWilliamD.AdamsAgarden-growntomatoslicedandlaidacrossagrilledhamburger...Sweet,plumpcherrytomatoesinacrisp,greensalad...Saucemadefromfreshtomatoes,ladledoverasteamingbowlofpasta...Spicytomatosalsa...Savorytomatosoup...Mmm,can’tyoujusttastethoseluscioustomatoes?

Isthereanysinglevegetableasmouth-wateringasthetomato?Andyet,asthousandsofpeopletiredofmushy,half-green,andtastelesstomatoesboughtfromsupermarketshavediscovered,muchmoreisinvolvedingrowingyourownthansimplyputtingaplantortwointhegroundandexpectingtoharvestjuicy,redtomatoesafewweekslater–especiallyinTexas!BillAdams,formerHarrisCountyExtensionAgentdrawsonmorethanthirtyyears’experiencetoprovidea complete, step-by-step guide to success in the tomato patch. Growing good tomatoes requires agardener’sattentiontoavarietyoffactors.BillAdamsbeginsthisbookbyexplainingthebasicsofsoilpreparation,planting, feeding,cagingandwatering.Healsooutlines theprosandconsofstandard,hybrid,heirloomandcherryvarieties,sharingtipsaboutoldfavoritesandsuggestingnewvarieties.Afterthetomatoesarechosen,plantedandthrivingunderhistutelage,Billpreparesgardenersfortheinsects,diseases,andothervisitorstheyarelikelytoencounter,warningthat“gardenersarenottheonlyonesthatlovetomatoes.”Heendsbyofferingafewwordsaboutthe“tomatokinfolk,”peppers,eggplants,tomatillos,andpotatoes,alongwithasourcelistofselectedsuppliers.

SometipsfromBillAdams:•Birddamageshowsupontomatoesasdeepholespeckedintothefruit.Aftertryingtopeckabaseballpaintedred,mostbirdsgiveup.•Tomatoseedlingsneedtobeclosetothefluorescentlights–sixtotwelveincheswillensurethattheydevelopdarkgreenandstocky.•Cottonseedmealisarelativelycheaporganicfertilizerthatisavailablefrommostfeedstores.Placingorbandingfertilizerundertherowisonewaytoconcentratethenutrientsclosetothetomatoplants.•Tomatoplantsgrownin5-galloncontainersaregreatforgettinganearlystartinthegarden,butthecontainersarenotlargeenoughforproduction.A20-to30-galloncontainerresultsinamoreextensiverootsystemthatcanbettersupplywaterandnutrientstothedevelopingfruit.•Laydownatalltransplanttoencouragerootstodevelopalongthestem.

New Books For Texas Gardeners

Reviewed by Anne Van Nest

The Texas Tomato Lover’s HandbookByWilliamD.AdamsTexasA&MUniversityPressCopyright2011Flexbound,189pages,$25.00


•Tomatotransplantscanbeprotectedfromcutwormdamagewithacardboardoraluminumfoilcollararoundthestem.Liberallysprinkledwiththeauthor’seasyhumorandillustratedthroughoutwithexcellentphotographs,The Texas TomatoLover’s Handbookhaseverythingyou’llneedtoassureabumpercrop,yearafteryear.

WilliamD.AdamsisaretiredHarrisCountyextensionagentwiththirtyyears’experienceattheTexasAgriLifeExtensionService.HiswritingandphotographyhaveappearedregularlyinGardens & More, Horticulture, Texas Gardener, Family Circle, Mother Earth News, Sunset,andotherpublications.HegrowstomatoesathishomeinBurton,Texas.BillcontributedthephotosforthisbookwithhiswifeDeborah.

Slow Gardening: A No-Stress Philosophy for all Senses and Seasons ByFelderRushing

Thankstotheresurgenceofhomeandcommunitygardening,moreandmorepeoplearediscoveringthepleasureofbitingintoasun-ripenedtomatopickedrightoffthevine,theearthysmelloffreshlyturnedsoil,andthecheerfulharbingersofspringsuchasdaffodils,irises,andpansies.Buttheyarealsodiscoveringthatgardeningcanbeaheckofalotofwork.Sowhathappenswhenkeepingupwiththeweedsturnsintoafull-timejob?Whatdoyoudowhengardeningbecomesstressful?SlowGardeningtotherescue!InspiredbySlowFood,aninternationalmovementthatpromoteslocalfoodsystemsandbiologicalandculturaldiversity,theslow-gardeningapproachcan

helpusallappreciateandenjoyourgardensmore,yearinandyearout.Doingsomethingslowlymeanssavoringwhatyoudo.However,injustafewgenerations,we’vegonefromeatingmostlyhome-cookedfoodandgardeningwithmostlylocalresourcestoafast-foodcultureandcookie-cutter“mow-and-blow”landscapesfilledwithunproductiveandhigh-maintenanceplantsfromafar.Sure,we’veshedalotofthemeniallaborittakestoputbothfoodonthetableandflowersinthegarden,butatwhatcosttotheEarth,andourownbodies?AuthorFelderRushing,atrulyone-of-a-kindgardenexpert,offersthispracticalyetphilosophicalapproachtogardening–onethatwillhelpyouslowdown,takestockofyouryard,andfollowyourowncreativewhimsyinthegarden.Slow Gardeningwillinspireyoutoslipintotherhythmoftheseasons,takeiteasy,andgetmoreenjoymentoutofyourgarden,allatthesametime.Anexcerptfrom Slow Gardening:SomeSlowGardeningTenetsPeopleoftengetboggeddownwiththedetailsoflife,seeingeverythingasaconfusingmorassofintricacies–likeaballofrubberbands.

New Books for Texas Gardeners Continued...

Slow Gardening: A No-Stress Philosophy for all Senses and Seasons ByFelderRushingChelseaGreenPublishingCopyright2011Softcover,220pages,$29.95


Thisbookattemptsto“de-construct”gardeningintosimpleactsthatareinthemselvesonlytoolsforattainingthebiggergoalofsavoringourlives.HereareafewofthebasicconceptsortenetsofSlowGardening:Takeiteasy.Slowdoesn’tnecessarilymeansimpleorlazy.Infact,itcanactuallyinvolvemorework,justspreadoutovertimeinaleisurelyfashion.It’saone-foot-in-front-of-the-otherapproachsimilartopreparingregular,interestingmealsathome.Thereisnoneedtogethungupabouttherulesofgardendesignandstep-by-stepinstructionsingardeninghow-tobooks.Youcanbecussedlyindependent,contemplative,unhurried,andunworried.Beinitforthefun,andtakeyourtimeaboutit.Don’tbeparalyzedbywhatyou’renotdoingright,orbywhatyouthinkyououghttodo.SlowGardeningdoesnotdiscriminatebasedonmaterials,personalstyle,orlevelorinterestorexpertise.Alongthese lines,Slow Gardening is lessaboutstyle,andmoreawayofbeing intunewithwhateverringsyourbell.SlowGardenersmightbehard-coregreengardenerswithapenchantfornativeplantsandsustainablemethods,orsharplyfocusedlawnfanatics,daylilycollectors,orpeoplewhojustlovetogrowtomatoes.They’renottryingtogetanywhere,sincetheyhavealreadyreachedtheirdestination.Ifitthrillsyouandyou’redoingit,that’sSlowGardening.FelderRushingisatenth-generationAmericangardener,raisedintohisteenyearsundertheapprenticeshipofahorticulturistgreat-grandmotherwhogrewflowers,vegetables,herbs,andfruitswithoutahoseorpesticides,andagardenclubgrandmotherwhogarneredhundredsofblueribbonsforherplantbreedinganddisplays.

Texas Peach HandbookByJimKamasandLarrySteinAnup-to-dateguideforcommercialandresidentialpeachgrowers...

Withanestimatedonemilliontreesproducingalmostfiftymillionpoundsoffruitperyear,Texasisaleadingproducerofpeaches,andseveralpopularseasonalfestivalshighlightthewidespreadenjoyment of and interest in this delicious, versatile fruit. Inaddition,arecentriseof interest inediblegardensandhomefruitproductionhasledmorepeopletothinkaboutplantingapeachtreeintheyard—orpayingcloserattentiontotheonetheyalreadyhave.JimKamasandLarryStein,drawingfromtheirmanyyearsofexperienceandthebestcurrentresearch,provideauthoritativeadviceforthosewhowanttoimprovepeachproduction,whether ina large commercial orchardorona single tree in thebackyard.Withdiscussionsrangingfromsiteselectiontomarketingideas,Texas Peach Handbookcoversthebasicsofpeachcultivation—planting,pruning,fertilizing,watering,protecting,thinning,harvesting—andgivesbothinstructionondiseaseandinsectcontrolandadviceonthefinancialaspectsofthepeachbusiness.

Theauthorsalsodirectreaderstoother,moredetailedortechnicalsources,forthosewhowanttolearnmoreaboutagiventopic.

New Books For Texas Gardeners Continued...

Texas Peach HandbookByJimKamasandLarrySteinTexasA&MUniversityPressCopyright2011Flexbound,147pages,$24.95


Foritscompleteanduseful informationandexpertguidance,thishow-tohandbookwillproveindispensableforanyonewhogrows,orwantstogrow,peacheseithercommerciallyorinthebackyard.AvaluablechapteroncultivarandrootstockrecommendationsforTexaspeachgrowersisessentialreadingforanyonegrowingpeaches—oncethewinterchillinghourshavebeendetermined.Austinisinthe600-700winterchillinghoursregion.Listsanddescriptionsofcling,semi-clingandfreestonevarietieswillhelpfinetunetheselectionprocess.JimKamas,basedinFredericksburg,isassistantprofessorandextensionhorticulturistinthedepartmentofhorticulturalsciences,TexasA&MUniversity,andtheTexasAgriLifeExtensionService.HewasformerlyaresearchassociateintheTexasA&Mpeachbreedingprogram,hastaughtundergraduate fruitproductionclassesatTexasA&MUniversityandwasacommercialpeachgrowerfortenyearsinAustinCountyTexas.LarrySteinisprofessorandextensionhorticulturistinthedepartmentofhorticulturalsciences,TexasA&MUniversity,andtheTexasAgriLifeExtensionService.HeworkedattheTexasAgriLifeResearchandExtensionCenterinStephenvilleforsevenyearsbeforemovingtoUvalde.

Heirloom Gardening in the SouthByWilliamC.Welch&GregGrantAneweditionoftheclassicwork,The Southern Heirloom Gardenadds300morepagesofvaluable informationaboutheirloomplantsbelong inSoutherngardens.Toughandadapted,triedandtrue,prettyanduseful,theselivingantiques–passedthroughcountlessgenerations–representthefoundationoftraditionalgardensasweknowthemtoday.Heirloom Gardening in the Southisacomprehensiveresourcethatalsooffersacaptivating,personalencounterwithtwodedicatedandpassionategardenerswhoseloveofheritagegardeninginfusestheworkfrombeginningtoend.Anyonewhowantstoknowhowtofindandgrowtime-honoredandpass-alongplantsorwantstocreateandnurtureatraditionalgardenissuretofindthisamust-haveadditiontotheirhomegardeninglibrary. Abookexcerpt:

AGardenintheWilderness,GermanInfluencebyGregGrantWiththeexceptionofMissouri,noSouthernstatereceivedsuchamassiveinfluxofGermanimmigrantsas did Texas. Ship after ship filled with Germans seeking their “new Germany” arrived into theportsofGalveston,IndianolaandNewOrleans.In1846,abouteightthousandarrivedinGalvestonalone.Becausetheimmigrantstendedtosettletogether,theGermaninfluencewasoftenfarmorepronounced,orevenoverwhelming,locally.AccordingtoGerman Seed in Texas Soil,thepopulationsofGalveston,Houston,andSanAntonioduringthe1850swereroughlyone-thirdGerman.Asnewarrivals,theGermansgardenedtofeedthemselves.Inadditiontowhattheycouldgrow,theimmigrantsharvestedagreatmanyfoodsfromthewild,includingwildgrapes,plums,blackberries,

New Books for Texas Gardeners Continued...

Heirloom Gardening in the SouthByWilliamC.Welch&GregGrantTexasA&MUniversityPressCopyright2011Flexbound,535pages,$29.95


andanythingelsedeemededible.AsoneGermansettlerputit,“Weatewhatwelikedandweatewhatwedidn’tlike.”Likemostearlysettlers,theGermansgrewsuchediblecropsassweetpotatoes,Irishpotatoes,cornandcabbage.Itdoesn’tappearthattheGermanswereresponsibleforintroducinganynewtypesofvegetablesintoTexas,buttheycanbecreditedwithnewusesforexistingcrops.ItwastheGermaninfluencethatledtoanincreasedconsumptionofwhite,or“German”potatoes,andtheuseofcabbageforkraut,tobaccoforcigars,andwheatfor“lightbread”andflourtortillas.Atleastintheirownestimation,theGermanimmigrantsweregenerallybettergardenersthantheirAngloneighbors.In1845,PrinceCarlofSolms-Braunfels,thefirstcommissioner-generaloftheSocietyfortheProtectionofGermanImmigrantsinTexas,pointedout,“Allofthegardenvegetablesgrowabundantlyifonetakesthepainstoplantthem.TheAmericanisusuallytoolazytoprepareagarden.Ratherthangotosuchtrouble,hepreferstoliveonsaltedmeat,bacon,corn,andcoffeeandtodenyhimselfanygreeneryeitherfornourishmentorforbeautifyingthehome.However,theGermansettlementsaredistinguishedbytheirbeautifulgardens,vegetables,andflowers.“Apparently,GermanswereamongthefirstsettlersinTexastoadorntheirsurroundingswithflowersandornamentalplantings.TravelingacrossTexas in1854,FrederickLawOlmsteaddescribedhisaccommodations foranighthespent in theGermancommunityofNewBraunfels:“Alittleroomitproved,withbluewallsagain,andoakfurniture…twolargewindowswithcurtains,andevergreenrosestrainedoverthemontheoutside–notapaneofglassmissingorbroken–thefirstsleepingroomwehavehadinTexaswherethiswasthecase.”Insidethebook:Essaysonnaturalizingdaffodils,slipsandstarts,andgrowingfruit;Anheirloomplantencyclopedia;Extensiveplantlists(bulbs,cemeteryplants,etc.);andthelatestonthecreationoftwooftheauthors’personalgardens.PattyLeander,TravisCountyMasterGardenandTexas GardenercontributingwritersaysaboutHeirloomGardeningintheSouth,“Combiningworldhistory,abundanthorticulturalwisdomandtwolifetimesofexperience,BillandGregbringtribute,reverence,andauthenticmeaningtotheterm“heirloom.”WhenIreadthesectiononGermaninfluencesIcouldn’thelpbutthinkofmyowngrandfatherofGermanheritage,afarmerwholovedcoaxingbeautyandbountyfromhislandinAlamanceCounty,NorthCarolina.Intoday’shyper-pacedworld,weneedsuchgentleremindersofthecustoms,cultures,andplantsthathaveshapedandcontributedtoourrichSouthernheritage.ThankheavenforBillWelchandGregGrant,andfortheirdedicationtoTexasandtheSouth.”WilliamC.WelchisprofessorandAgriLifeExtensionlandscapehorticulturistintheTexasA&MSystem.HehasmanyyearsofexperiencewithgardenclubsandnurseryorganizationsandisaregularcontributortoSouthern Living Magazine.OntheboardofdirectorsoftheSouthernGardenHistorySociety,heisalsoanhonorarymemberoftheGardenClubofAmerica,whichawardedhimitsdistinguishedservicemedalin2008.GregGrantistheStephenF.AustinGardensoutreachresearchassociateatStephenF.AustinStateUniversityinNacogdoches.AformerAgriLifeExtensionagentandlecturerinhorticultureatSFA,GranthastraveledextensivelytogardensintheU.S.andEuropeandisapopularspeakerongardentopicsthroughouttheSouth.HeisaregularcontributortoNeil Sperry’s Gardensandwritesthecolumn,“InGreg’sGarden,”forTexasGardener.

New Books for Texas Gardeners ...Continued


Announcing: ACC Agronomy Class

Above:IowaStateAgronomystudentsstudyingasoilsampleinUganda.PhotocourtesyDepartmentofAgronomy,IowaStateUniversity.


What Gets Created Must be Maintained

by Bob BeyerFactandrealitycheck:There isnosuchthingasamaintenance-freegarden.Foreverygardenbedthatispreparedandeveryplantthat is planted, there is a continuing burden (or joy if you are areal gardener), tomaintain that which has been created. Thesemaintenancechores(ordelightsifyouarearealgardener)areyearround,andexistaslongasyourgardenexists.Italldependsonhowmuchyoutakeprideintheappearanceofyourgarden(whichyoudoifyouarearealgardener).Afewcommonsensestrategiesinclude:Not creating garden beds that you know youwon’t have time toproperlymaintain. Anuncared forgardenoften looksworse thannogardenatall.Thisisthebiggestmistakemanygardenersmake– biting off more than they can chew. We all long tomaximizeandexpandourbeautifulgardensbutmustconsiderthe“hereafter”maintenancefactor.Careful choice of plants that willminimizemaintenance problemsandrequirements.Therearesomanychoicesavailablebeginningwith native and adaptive plants that will grow well with minimalintervention. Understandaplant’s growthhabit andwhatwill berequiredtokeepitinscalewithyourotherplantings.Plantaccordingtoaplant’sultimatesize,not fora“hereandnow” instanteffect.Therearedwarfandslowergrowingvarietiesofmanyofourfavoriteplantswithreducedmaintenance.Plan a garden area design that facilitates necessarymaintenancetasks–e.g.canyoumowandedgeeasilyaroundplantsandbeds,accessbedareaseasilyforweedingandtrimming,andplaceplantswithsimilarmaintenancerequirementstogether.Use preventative maintenance strategies that will minimize carerequirementforplantsandgardenbedssuchasapplyingmulchinspringtopreservegroundmoistureand/orprovideweedinfestationbarriers, use compost to build up soil health and nutrients sosupplemental fertilizationwon’tbeneeded, anddon’tputoffanymaintenancechoretothepointwhereitbecomesamajorproject.Pulling a weed one at a time as they pop up is better than re-

cultivatinganentirebedthathasbecomeinfestedwithweeds.Thebestwaytoapproachgardenmaintenanceistotakeagardenwalkdailyorseveraltimesaweektocloselyobserveandnotewhatishappening.Anounceofpreventionbeatsapoundofcureifanyproblemsarespottedearlyandtreatedbeforetheybecomeserious.Asafringebenefit,yougettoenjoyseeingyourgardeninit’sfullestmoreoften.Takeacamerawithyouandlookforthatphoto-op.Anornamentalgardenismeanttobeenjoyed,stimulateyoursenses,offertranquilityandasenseofwonderaboutnature’slivingplantsandorganisms—notbecomealaboriouspartoflifethatisdreaded.I’dmuchrathergrowfewerthingswell,thantrytogrowmanythingspoorly.Iknowmyownphysicaland time limitationsandrespect them inmy gardening practices, making sure that the ability to properlymaintainthebeautifulgardensI’vecreatedisapriority,otherwise,whygardenatall?

UsedwithpermissionfromtheGardeningInCentralTexasblogwww.centraltexasgardening.wordpress.com

Above: Crocosmia (Montbretia) blooming with Artemisia (right) and yellow Kniphofia Torch Lily (back).PhotobyAnneVanNest


Beneficials in the Landscape

by Wizzie Brown

Firstoff,letmementionthatapestisallamatterofperspective.Thereareinsectsthatarecommonlythoughtofaspeststhatcanalsobeconsideredbeneficialwhenviewedthroughtheproperlens.Aneasyexamplewouldbetermites.Peopleareveryunhappywhentheyfindtermiteseatingthecellulosematerialintheirhome,butinanaturalsetting,termiteshelpbreakdowncellulosematerialwhentreesfallintheforest.Ofcourse,thisworksbothways.Aflippedexampleisladybirdbeetles.Theyareoftencalledbeneficialinsectsbecausetheyhelptoconsumeaphidsandothersmall,soft-bodiedinsectsthatattackdesiredplants.Ihaveseenladybirdbeetlesbythethousandsentermyparents’hometooverwinter.Thesebeetlesarenotthekindlittlehelpersthatladybugsaremadeouttobe—theydivebombyou,biteyouandcanstainfabricswithafluidtheyexude.Sokeepingthatinmind,letusproceedwithcommon“beneficials”youmayfindinthelandscape.

LadybirdBeetlesa.k.aLadybugs

Ladybirdbeetleadultscomeinavarietyofsizesandcolors.Manyofthemaresomeshadeofredandoftenhavespots.Eggsareoftenlaidinclustersnearafoodsource,oftenaphids.Theeggsareayellowish-orangecolorandlooklikefootballssittingupontheirend.Mostlarvaeareelongatedandablackish-greycolorwithorangemarkings.Ladybirdbeetlespupateontheplantandpupaearenon-moving.Theadultsandlarvaearethestagesthathelptocontrolsoft-bodiedpestssuchasaphids,whiteflies,mealybugsandscaleinsects.

HoverFlyLarvae

Therearenumerousspeciesofhoverfliesandsomeofthemareconsideredbeneficial.Beneficialhoverlarvaefeedonsmall,soft-bodiedinsectslikeaphidsandmealybugs.Adultsarealsobeneficial,butaspollinators.Theadultsmimicbeesandwasps,butyoucantelltheyarefliesbecausetheyhavetwowingsinsteadoffour.Larvae,atleasttheonesIseeinCentralTexas,areapalegreencolorwithwhiteandhotpinkmarkingsdownthecenterofthebody.Pupaeareontheplantandsort-oflooklikebirdpoop.

Ladybird Beetles (left to right): adult,eggs,pupae,larvae.

HoverFlies(lefttoright):adult,pupae,larvae.


Beneficials in the Landscape Continued

GreenLacewings

Mostlacewingeggsareverydistinct—theyareasingleeggonthetopofalongstalk.Eggsareoftenlaidinclustersonplants.Larvaeareelongatedandtaperedonbothendswithlarge,sicklemandiblesthattheyusetostabprey.Adultsarebrightgreen,withwingswithmanyveinsandcross-veins.Somelacewingadultsarepredaceous,butthelarvaearethemainbeneficial.Larvaefeedonsmall,soft-bodiedinsectsandmites.

AssassinBugsandAmbushBugs

Thesebugsarecloselyrelatedtostinkbugsandleaf-footedbugs.Assassinandambushbugshave3segmentedpiercing-suckingmouthparts.Thesebugscomeinavarietyofcolorswithassassinbugsusuallybeingdarkerincolorthanambushbugs.Theassassinbugsalsohaveamoreelongatedheadcomparedtotheambushbugs.Ambushbugshavethickenedfrontlegsthattheyusetocaptureandholdprey.Immatures,ornymphs,looksimilartotheadultsbutdonothavefullydevelopedwings.Eggsareusuallydepositedinmassesandarecylindricalinshape.Thesebugseatawidevarietyofinsects,includingsomeinsectsthatareconsideredtobebeneficial.

PrayingMantises

Prayingmantisesaregeneralpredatorsinthenymphalandadultstages.Theyarealsocannibalistic.Adultsarefairlylargeinsectswithanelongatedprothoraxandfrontlegsmodifiedforcapturingprey.Nymphslooksimilartoadultsbutaresmalleranddonothavefullydevelopedwings.Adultfemaleslayeggcasesonsmalltwigsandbranches.Atfirsttheeggcaselookslikeafrothymass,butitsoonhardensintoanelongated,ridgedcase.

GreenLacewing:eggs.

AssasinBug:adult.

PrayingMantises(lefttoright):nympth,adult,eggcase.


Beneficials in the Landscape Continued

Spiders

Spidersarenotinsects,butarachnids.Theyhavetwobodyregionsandeightlegswhichdifferentiatesthemfrominsects.Spidersarealargegroupwithmanyshapes,colorsandsizes.Theyaregeneralpredatorsasimmaturesandadults.Formoreinformationonspecificspiders,seespiderIDarticlefromtheMay2011issueoftheCompostBinhere:http://www.tcmastergardeners.org/newsletter/2011/News2011.05.pdf

Parasitoids

Themajorityofparasitoidinsectsarewaspsorflies.Theyareusuallysmallandgounnoticed.Theseinsectslaytheireggonorinsideanotherstageofaninsect—egg,larva,nymph,pupaoradult—anddeveloponorwithinthehost,eventuallykillingthehost.Someparasitoidshaveonlyoneinsectemergefromthehost,whileothershaveseveralhundredindividualsemergefromaneggcase.Sometimesyoumaybeabletospotinsectsthathavebeenparasitizedwhileothertimesyoucannot.Aphidmummiesareanexampleofinsectsthatyoucantellhavebeenparasitized.Aphidmummieschangecolorandbecomeimmobile.

Therearemanymorebeneficialcreaturesthathelpkeeppestpopulationsincheck.Beforeyoudecidetoutilizeapesticidetomanageapest,takeacloserlooktoseeifnatureisalreadycontrollingpestsforyou.

Left:Biocontrolatwork.

All photos provided byWizzieBrown.


Central Texas Lawn Care

Thursday, July 14, 2011, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.


2220BartonSpringsRoad,Austin,Texas78746

Central Texas weather is presenting uswith more challenges than usual in thelandscape, especially with lawns. MasterGardener,JerryNaiserwillprovideyouwithsolutionsforgrowingahealthylawn.

Topicswillincludechoosingtherighttypeofturfforyoursoilconditions,irrigation,fertil-ization,propermowingtechniquesandhowtodiagnoseandtreatpestsanddiseases.

This seminar is free and open to thepublic. It is presented by the TravisCountyMasterGardeners,avolunteerarmof theTexasAgriLifeExtensionService inTravis County. Formore information seewww.tcmastergardeners.org or call theMaster Gardener Help Desk at (512)854-9600.

The Joys of Container Gardening

Friday, July 15, 2011, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

TexasAgriLifeExtensionOffice,

1600-BSmithRd,AustinTX

Bloomingflowersandvegetablescanthriveinacontainer!Thisgardeningmethodisespeciallyusefulifspaceislimited.Containersmayalsoserveasaccentpointsonthepatioorinthegarden.Learnhowtoselectacontainerandtherightsoil,discov-eridealcontainerplants,andwitnessarrangingtechniquesyoucanreplicatetocreateyourownmini-garden.

Thisseminarisfreeandopentothepublic.ItispresentedbytheTravisCountyMasterGardeners,avolunteerarmoftheTexasAgriLifeExtensionServiceinTravisCounty.Formoreinformationseewww.tc-mastergardeners.orgorcalltheMasterGardenerHelpDeskat(512)854-9600.

Fall Vegetable Gardening

Saturday, August 6, 2011, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.


2220BartonSpringsRoad,Austin,Texas78746

Attention:VegetableGardeners…coolerweathergivesyouanopportunitytogrowandenjoyfoodthatflourishesinthefallandwintermonths.Broccoli,lettuce,Swisschard,radishesandspinacharejustafewofthefavoritesthatgrowwellhere.JoinMasterGardenerPattyLeadertolearnaboutthesevarietiesandstrategiesforbringingabountifulfallharvesttoyourtable!

Thisseminarisfreeandopentothepublic.ItispresentedbytheTravisCountyMasterGardeners,avolunteerarmoftheTexasAgriLifeExtensionServiceinTravisCounty.Formoreinformationseewww.tcmastergardeners.orgorcalltheMasterGardenerHelpDeskat(512)854-9600.

Coming Events


CarolynWilliams,PresidentMandaRash,ImmediatePastPresidentRosalieRussell,VicePresidentforProgramsCherGroody,VicePresidentforEducationMargarineBeaman,VolunteerCoordinatorforProjectsRichardMoline,Co-VolunteerCoordinatorforTraineesPatMokry,Co-VolunteerCoordinatorforTraineesSusanJung,SecretaryMaryLouBell,Co-TreasurerFerneMizell,Co-TreasurerBarbPowell,MembershipDirectorDorothyAkin,GreenhouseManagerChrisGiaraffa,GreenhouseManagerVickiOlson,GreenhouseManagerJoePosern,AustinAreaGardenCouncilRepresentativeJackieJohnson,StateCouncilRepresentativeTommieClayton,StateCouncilRepresentativeVacant,DirectorofPublications

PastPresidents(Non-voting):

BillBaldwinBillBoytimSusanCashinTommieClaytonSusanDeckerDonFreemanMandaRashPeggyStewartBeckyWaakWillWalker

ExOfficioMemberoftheBoard(Non-voting):

TexasAgriLifeExtensionTravisCountyHorticultureAgentDaphneRichards1600-BSmithRoad,Austin,[email protected]

TRAVIs CouNTY MAsTER GARdENER AssoCIATIoN 2011 ExECuTIVE BoARd


ThisissueoftheCompostBinhasbeenpublishedthankstothecontributionsofthefollowingTravisCountyMasterGardenersandWizzieBrown—TexasAgriLifeExtension:

ContributingWriters:

© 2011 Travis County Master Gardeners Association 512-854-9600 Visit the websites: www.tcmastergardeners.org and http://travis-tx.tamu.edu

EditorandLayout:AnneVanNest

Webmaster:PaulaMiddleton

BobBeyerPattyLeanderRosalieRussellAnneVanNestCarolynWilliams

The End... Time to get out and garden!

Documents

The Compost Bin - Aggie Horticulture · admired garden writers, Bill Welch and Greg Grant, helps us understand the world-wide influences and heritage of our Southern gardens. Slow