January the Quietest Month
January may be one of the quietest months in the gardening calendar but it's a good time to get your garden beds ready for the spring growing season.
In Houston, one thing to remember is our high clay content soil. This type of soil can make ordinary gardening tasks like watering and feeding plants a major problem. Clay soil holds water, does not drain well and, the clay particles hold tightly to nutrient particles meant for your plants.
One option to bypass Houston's clay soil is to plant your garden in raised beds.
By Brent Moon
January, 2009
Raised Beds
Raised beds improve the drainage for your garden, make it easier to work in and are also a great option for people with disabilities who would like to garden. If you're building a bed for the first time, research and planning are important in every step. Once you've chosen your garden site it's time to decide what material to build your raised bed with. There's a variety of material on the market to choose from, including cedar boards, landscape timbers, plastic lumber (made from recycled plastic), or stone or concrete. Consider the choices and base your decision on your taste and budget. A good rule to follow when deciding the size of your garden beds is to keep them no wider than 4-5' (they can be any length). The 4-5' rule will make it easier for you to reach the center of your garden from either site of the bed.
The Good Earth
The soil is the foundation of your garden. So don't skimp! A high quality soil might cost more but it will pay off immediately in higher producing vegetables that need less fertilizer and water than a cheaper soil. Look for a light, fluffy soil mix, one that doesn't clump together too much when you get and handful and squeeze it. Ask your local nursery for a "vegetable mix" soil. This type of soil has the right ingredients that your produce will need.
Compost Now
January is a good time to add a top dressing of compost to your soil. Compost is simply decomposed plant matter and is great for your soil. Add a 4"-6" layer of compost to your beds and lightly till it or work it into the soil with a garden fork. The addition of compost once or twice per year will quickly improve your soil structure. Compost helps keep the soils loose, making oxygen more available in the soil, which promotes more vigorous root development and increases the water and nutrient-holding capacity of the soil.
Winter Crops
For those of you whose garden is already going, you may still be harvesting some of the many great cool season crops we can grow here in our area, such as lettuce, cabbage, collard and mustard greens, carrots, Swiss chards and sugar snap peas, to name a few.
Don't forget you've still got time to sow seeds for some quick harvest crops such as radish and lettuce before our Houston weather gets too warm.
To Trim or Not To Trim – Crepe Myrtles
On a different topic, the winter dormant season is the right time to prune your crepe myrtles, if you must. Crepe myrtles do not have to be pruned; however, if you really feel you need to, there is one important rule to follow: Do not commit CREPE MURDER! This is what we call it when people cut their crepe myrtles back too far and leave unsightly stumps.
Cutting crepe myrtles back severely is unnecessary and unhealthy for the plant. It looks unnatural and the resulting growth will be weak and poorly attached. One only needs to tip the branches and remove the old seed heads, trim away dead wood or crossing branches. Try not to remove anything that is larger in diameter than your finger. Your crepe myrtles will bloom just fine next year.
Cutting crepe myrtles back severely in unnecessary and unhealthy for the plant. It looks unnatural and the resulting growth will be weak and poorly attached. One only needs to tip the branches (removing the old seed heads), remove any dead wood, or crossing branches. Try not to remove anything that is larger in diameter than your finger. Your crepe myrtles will bloom just fine next year.
Cut Back – Ornamental Grasses
This is also the time of year to cut back ornamental grasses. Cut them back with a set of sharp hand pruners or garden shears to a height of about 6". Cutting them back now ensures that the new growth will be able to emerge unhindered by old foliage. You will get a nice flush of growth in the spring. You may also cut back liriope (monkey grass) if it has started to get brown leaf tips. If you have a large area, consider mowing it with your lawn mower. This technique works well and is a great time saver.
February is almost here, so get out into your garden and get it ready for spring planting. Remember to warm up and stretch your back a little before beginning any garden activity. If you have heavy lifting to do, remember: gardening is fun for the entire family! Printable pdf
Fall Gardening in Houston
Ahhh, fall, my favorite time of year. The sweltering days of summer are a thing of the past. Days spent out in the garden now are much more enjoyable. (more) Printable pdf
September 2009
Time to Gear Up for Fall
If you planted fall crops in July, they should really be going well by now. Hopefully, you at least tried your hand at fall tomatoes. (more) Printable pdf
August 2009
August 2009
Fall gardening may be the last thing on your mind, but it’s time to start thinking about it. Cooler weather will be here soon and now is the time to plant if you want a second crop in the fall. (more) Printable pdf
July 2009
Who Gardens in July in Houston?
Gardening fiends, that’s who! For those of us who truly love gardening, July is still a fine time. But be smart about it: garden early or late in the day, and drink lots of water. (more) Printable pdf
June 2009
Summer: A Time of Transition
Now that summer temperatures have arrived, it is time to switch gears in the garden for awhile. Gone are the cooler temperatures of spring and the humidity is really noticeable. Let’s take a look at some things to remember when gardening in the Houston summer. (more) Printable pdf
May 2009
Earth Friendly Gardening Techniques
There are many things one can do to be more earth friendly when gardening. Three of the easiest are using low-volume or drip irrigation, composting, and mulching planting beds.
(more) Printable pdf
April 2009
The Spring Garden
Where I grew up in Western Kentucky, mid-April was the average "frost-free" date. We looked forward to this time to get our gardens going again. Here in Houston, we've been at work in our vegetable and fruit gardens for some time now.
For those of you who got your tomatoes in the ground (or pots) in mid to late February or early March, you should really be seeing some good growth by now and maybe some fruit as well. Continue to give your tomatoes an occasional application of granular or liquid organic fertilizer as they will need the extra nutrients to produce well. Keep them mulched and well watered. (more) Printable pdf
March 2009
March brings us the Vernal Equinox and the return of gardening in earnest. Gardeners will be flocking to their local nurseries and garden stores, so be prepared. For all you vegetable lovers, this is the month you want to get your warm season vegetables planted. Typical fare include summer beans and peas, carrots, peppers, squash, eggplant, okra, melons, corn, cucumber, onions, and tomatoes, if you choose an early-maturing variety and get them in early in the month. More exotic choices include chicory, endive, horseradish, mache (corn salad), and mizuna. Be sure to get your plants off to a good start with the addition of compost as you plant, or a good organic fertilizer. (more) Printable pdf
February 2009
February is the traditional start of the spring vegetable gardening season here in the Houston area. Hopefully, by now you have your vegetable garden topped off with compost, tilled, and ready for planting. For those of you who love tomatoes (and who doesn’t?), timing is critical. Tomatoes are heat lovers, but only to a certain point.
The key to growing tomatoes here in Texas is to purchase early maturing varieties such as ‘Early Girl’ and to get them planted as early as you can. Mid-to late February is an ideal time in the Houston area. You might have to cover them once or twice if we get a cold snap but the key is to get them going before it gets too hot! Once daytime temperatures get over 90 degrees and, more importantly, nighttime temps stay close to the 77-80 degree range, tomatoes tend to stop fruiting. You may see flowers, but no fruit will develop. This is why planting early is so important. You must get your plants to set fruit before the temperatures get too hot. (more) Printable pdf
January 2009
January the Quietest Month
January may be one of the quietest months in the gardening calendar but it's a good time to get your garden beds ready for the spring growing season.
In Houston, one thing to remember is our high clay content soil. This type of soil can make ordinary gardening tasks like watering and feeding plants a major problem. Clay soil holds water, does not drain well and, the clay particles hold tightly to nutrient particles meant for your plants.
One option to bypass Houston's clay soil is to plant your garden in raised beds. (more) Printable pdf
By Brent Moon
January, 2009
Year-Round Gardening Guide
Houston Parks and Recreation
Urban Garden Program
Gardening Guide
January
This is a good time to test your lawn and garden soil for its pH level. Soil samples can be sent to Texas A&M for analysis. Go to http://soiltesting.tamu.edu for details.
Compost piles should be turned at least once during the month. Leaves are abundant and should be shredded before being added to the pile. Add animal manure or clippings from winter rye for a source of nitrogen. The pile should be at least 3 cubic feet in volume to hold in the heat generated by decomposition. Check the pile for moisture level. It should be neither too wet nor too dry. Add water if it is dry; add more coarse, dry matter if it is too wet. (more) Printable pdf
Printable pdf
