Michele Campbell, Editor | Todd Williams, Rockwall County Extension Agent

NEWSLETTER CONTRIBUTORS: Lisa Behne, Laura Chaney, Brian Cook, Randy Culpepper, Ann Denson, Donna Fernandez, Linda Gates, Debora Zerneri

HAVE A QUESTION?

We love to talk plants! Visit our Extension Master Gardeners at the Rockwall County Library the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month from 10am - noon.

Also, find us at the Extension Office every Wednesday from 10am - noon. Call (972) 204-7660 or email us anytime at: rockwallmg@ag.tamu.edu

Rockwall County provides an amazing opportunity to grow tomatoes, be they in containers or in the ground allowing our Blackland Prairie soil to feed the plants making super delicious fruit. First decide if you want to grow in containers or in the ground. Then decide what type of tomato you want to grow. Container gardening for tomatoes offers some advantages; however, the watering needs and feeding will be different than growing in ground. Choosing a variety that is admirably adapted to our climate is a major key to success. Determinate (bush type) vs Indeterminate (vine type) will play into this as well as one grows to a “determined” height and sets fruit all at once and the other does not. We recommend small and mid-sized varieties. They perform well in the hot climate and are less likely to struggle setting fruit compared to large varieties. Tomato plants wont set fruit once the temperatures climb above 90°F. In ground we like Celebrity (determinate) and San Marzano (indeterminate). If you are growing in containers, Super Sweet 100 and Black Cherry are a few favorites. 

We’ve had some serious freezes recently and now with the warm weather you’re itching for spring, right? Hard freezes may be over, but the frosts probably aren’t. It only takes a light frost to kill many spring plants. Resist the urge to plant too early! If you need to get outside and enjoy the weather, there are MANY garden chores to be done or frost hardy things to plant. If there is nothing else to do, find a nice spot and read a book outside before the heat and bugs make an appearance (see my book recommendations in the next section!).

March 

Seed Outdoors – Beans (Lima, bush, pole, snap), Beets, Carrots, Corn, Cucumbers, Greens (Collard or Mustard), Leeks, Lettuce, Melons, Radishes, Scallions, Spinach, Squash, Swiss Chard, Turnips, Zucchini

Transplant – Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Cucumbers, Greens, Kale, Lettuce, Melons, Peppers, Squash, Swiss Chard, Tomatoes, Zucchini

April 

Seed Outdoors – Beans, Corn, Cucumbers, Gourds, Melons, Okra, Peas, Pumpkins, Radishes, Squash, Zucchini

Transplant –Cucumbers, Eggplant, Gourds, Melons, Okra, Peppers, Pumpkins, Squash, Sweet Potato Slips, Tomatoes, Zucchini

May

Seed Outdoors – Corn, Cucumbers, Gourds, Melons, Okra, Peas, Pumpkins, Radishes, Squash, Zucchini

Transplant – Cucumbers, Eggplant, Gourds, Melons, Okra, Pumpkins, Radishes, Squash, Sweet Potato Slips, Zucchini

Seed Indoors – Eggplant, Peppers, Tomatoes

Herbs

Let’s talk about potted herb gardens! Recently, a friend asked for advice on why their culinary herbs that should be perennials (thyme, mint, oregano) keep dying. Turns out they had the cutest decorative pots labeled with the plant name they bought as a set. The problem? Those pots were only about 4” wide. Herbs need to be able to spread! Small, cute pots can still be used – just keep those for seedlings or newly propagated plants.

My favorite containers for herbs in the mint family (which includes thyme, oregano, and marjoram) are long rectangular or square planters. They don’t need to be very deep (6” or so) but have lots of room for plants to spread out. Plant one 4” pot in the middle, and watch it take over the whole planter. Happy Planting!

Reading and gardening have a lot in common – they both draw people in and offer a calming respite in our lives. As an avid reader, gardening books are some of my favorites and I have a couple to recommend. These books are not the run of the mill, all-encompassing garden guides, they are so unique and beautiful. I also want to highlight that these books (and so many more unique finds!) are available at our wonderful Rockwall County Library and have been added to the catalog in the last year. Pro-tip: to find gardening books in the library (or any library) head to the non-fiction section with call number 635. In our library, it’s upstairs – and they have a gorgeous patio!

The Garlic Companion by Kristin Graves

Need ideas for that bumper crop of garlic you’ll harvest this spring? Look no further than this book jam packed with inspiration for the not-so-humble-anymore garlic bulb! Starting with fascinating garlic facts and in depth look at growing garlic varieties (that you’ll definitely want to plant this fall) – this book includes amazing recipes, crafts, and ways to preserve your harvest. The format and pictures are fantastic – I have a whole new appreciation for the beauty of garlic!

The Color of Roses: A Curated Spectrum of 300 Blooms by Danielle Dall’Armi Hahn

Did you attend our recent rose class and feel inspired? Or do you just LOVE roses? This book is packed full of high-resolution images of 300 rose varieties. Each page features a rose variety along with fragrance level, plant size, bloom size and breeder information. Don’t skip the first 20 pages – there’s invaluable information there from the author, a professional rose grower, including why some roses smell heavenly and the ones that don’t have fragrance last longer in a vase.

If your garden interests have gone down the path of vegetable gardening, you are all too familiar with the many, many, MANY pests and diseases that attack your precious cache of nutritious edibles. But did you know that with vegetable gardening, plants also have many friends? These friends are not simply in the form of the six and eight-legged creatures that are touted as beneficial insects. Vegetable friends come in the form of a gardening technique that is well over 500 hundred years old. This technique is called “Companion Planting.”

The Benefits of Companion Planting

1. Deter pests: Research has shown that many pungent and odorous herbs such as dill, basil, and garlic act as natural barriers against many pests such as aphids, thrips, and spider mites. For example, basil planted with tomatoes is known to disorient the Sphinx moth which produces tomato hornworms.
2. Attracting beneficial insects: Some plants also attract pollinators and/or beneficial insects such as ladybugs. By strategically planting these plants near your garden, you can ensure a bountiful crop through the butterflies and bees that they attract. Marigolds not only attract pollinators, but they also attract beneficial insects, including ladybugs, lacewings, and hoverflies, which prey on aphids and other soft bodied plant pests.
3. Shade regulation: Large plants provide shade for smaller plants needing sun protection. For example, the peak growing height of corn and okra can be beneficial for some plants that prefer cooler climates or need protection from the heat. Shading the ground below also helps to keep the soil moist and reduce evaporation.
4. Natural support: Tall plants, like corn and sunflowers, can support low growing crops such as cucumbers and purple-hull peas. Combining one plant’s height with another plant’s natural tendency to climb allows a small garden to maximize its space.
5. Improving soil fertility: Legumes and clover help to make nitrogen more available in the soil. Additionally, planting plants with different root structures together can aerate the soil and allow plants to pull nutrients from different layers in the garden bed. Deep-rooted crops pull water and nutrients to the topsoil to the benefit of shallow-rooted plants. 
6. Weed suppression: Planting sprawling, bushy crops with tall, upright plants to thoroughly block light from the soil can reduce open areas which allows for weeds to take over.

Planting “Foes” extend to other plants too

Although Companion Planting is all about placing compatible plants together for a mutual benefit, there are “foes” to note as well. For example, corn and tomatoes are both heavy feeders that may inhibit the growth of each other as they fight for the nutrients in the soil. Asparagus and onions are so similar that they also attract the same pests.

Where to Start?

The challenge with Companion Planting is to know which plant is best planted with another for your specific objective. It is difficult to find one universal source to achieve all of the benefits written above. A web search for “Companion Plant Charts” are localized, as they should be. One good source is to look at the good old Farmer’s Almanac. But this too can be vague and confusing.

The best advice is to know the goal that you are trying to achieve when going down this path. Has your squash been plagued with squash vine borers? Are you seeking to maximize your garden space? Once you have the goal in mind, start with an Internet search for Companion Planting that achieves your specific goal. With patience, you will have a companion garden which will sustain itself with many friends throughout the entire growing season.

Who doesn’t love a perennial that is drought tolerant, cold tolerant, loves the heat, doesn’t wilt from our high humidity, attracts pollinators, and can practically come back from the dead? These are just some of the reasons why daylilies are my favorite perennials of all time.

I am going to share with you how I keep my garden in amazing and glorious bloom from early May until mid-October simply by planting daylilies. Daylilies are broken down into three main categories: early, mid, and late season bloomers. Simply choose your daylilies from each of these groups and you will have an incredible succession of flowers all season long. They also come in many different heights, which makes it easy when planting for the front of a border or peeking out from behind a hedge. I find that the best way to display daylilies in your garden is to plant them in groups of three or more. This will create an outstanding drift of color that is sure to be noticed.

Daylilies appreciate a full sun location to bloom well and are tolerant of all types of soils. With that being said, it’s a good idea to add a little compost at planting to amend the heavy clay soil that we have here in North Texas. It’s good to keep them evenly moist as they settle in, but once your daylilies get established, they will require only about 1” of water per week. Each year, as your daylilies break dormancy in early spring, give them a small dose of fertilizer to keep them healthy and blooming throughout the growing season.

Daylilies will shed some leaves throughout the growing season. Just like blooms fall from a plant once they’re spent, this is perfectly normal behavior for daylilies. If you notice that your daylilies are looking a little straggly halfway through the season, scoop up all the foliage like a ponytail and give it a light haircut. Within a few short weeks your daylilies will flush out with brand-new growth.

Daylilies in general are very cold tolerant, with their hardiness rated down to USDA Zone 3. To prepare my daylilies for winter, I simply cut them down to about 4” and add a good layer of mulch at the base. The dormant varieties will die all the way down to the ground and re-emerge when the temperatures start to warm up again.

There is one special type of daylily that I always try to incorporate into my garden. It’s called a ‘reblooming’ daylily. These daylilies typically bloom in early to mid-spring. After this first flush of flowers fades away, they’ll take a short rest, and then they’ll start the bloom show all over again. Sometimes these second bloom displays can last for months at a time.

From soft pastels and striking reds and oranges to sultry fuchsias and deep purples there is a color palette for every garden! With all these beautiful blooms to choose from, the hardest decision you’ll have to make is trying to decide which one is your favorite.

Where can you find a gorgeous variety of bare root daylilies grown specifically for Rockwall County Master Gardeners? At our Spring Plant Sale! The catalog will be released at the end of March and will include our summer favorite annuals, perennials, cut flower seeds, select vegetable transplants, and natives!

In our last issue we asked what gardening topic you wanted to learn more about. It seems like we want to learn more about everything! The topic with the most responses was Soil Health, Amendments, and Fertilizer. We will cover it all throughout the year and in the meantime check out our website for additional resources.

When growing food in your garden here in Rockwall County, you’ve likely never thought “is this kosher.” Rockwall County has had Jewish residents as long as it’s been around, but it’s only been the last few years that a real effort has been made to form a Jewish community among our Jewish residents. Often people’s only exposure to Jewish communities in their own community is through food, be it bagels, challah, hummus, lox (thin sliced smoked salmon) or walking past the “kosher” section at the local supermarket seeing the jars of jellied fish and purple cabbage soup. In this ilk I am here to offer a bit of Jewish tradition that will be invaluable in your everyday kitchen with home grown produce.

Kosher, simplified, deals with two categories of food: Animal products (flesh, milk, gelatin, etc.) and plants. We are just dealing with plants in this article as the other is a dissertation level of information that isn’t so applicable here. Plants inherently are all kosher if they are edible. It’s bugs that we are concerned with since there is a prohibition from eating all bugs with the exception of a few grasshoppers, though none of us can really remember which ones are kosher (Blech). So, we’re looking for the bugs we can see, who love to feast on our veggies and their “gifts” they leave us: bug poop, eggs, cocoons, and anything else you could think of.

Generally, insects like to hide on the underside of leafy veggies to get away from the heat and most importantly predators who love to eat them. Small caterpillars like to camouflage themselves along the veins and structures on the underside of the leaves, making it hard to see them. Eggs will tend to be small clusters of little bead looking structures and cocoons will tend to be found in the curled leaf edges. To deal with all of these we soak the produce in room temperature tap water and a copious amount of salt, or a few drops of dish soap.

For leafy veggies, like spinach and lettuce, simply put leaves in soapy water for half an hour, agitating every few minutes to shake the unwanted passengers to the bottom of your washing vessel. For crops like broccoli, asparagus, and cauliflower with tight budded fleurets, soap will prove to be more trouble than help. In this case we soak the vegetables in salty water for half an hour. Remember that water and gravity are your friends here and bugs like to hide on the underside of the produce. If you have a vessel large enough then you would put the whole cluster of cauliflower and broccoli upright in the vessel and submerge it so the critters can fall freely to the bottom. With cabbage and Brussels sprouts simply cut in half or quarters and submerge in salty water for a half hour. Alternatively, if you are chopping the cabbage, you can do that prior to soaking and use the soapy water method. Thoroughly rinse veggies after soaking and enjoy your home grown produce, bug free!

The Extension Master Gardener program is focused on educating and providing research-based horticultural information to the community. This winter we visited with Rockwall's youth, adult, and senior populations.

Ask a Master Gardener & Library Help Desk

Senior Outreach at the Fate Community Center

AgriLife Extension Service Open House

National Seed Swap Day

Worm Composting Youth Class

Rose Gardening Class

First, know that plants face several obstacles in establishing robust root systems in clay soils. These challenges include compaction, poor drainage, slow warming in spring, and waterlogging during heavy rain. Improving soil structure with organic matter can help mitigate these issues and create a more hospitable environment for plant growth. Earth-Kind® Landscaping is a fantastic, research proven, approach to gardening and landscaping. By blending organic and traditional methods, it aims to create a system that is both effective and environmentally responsible. Benefits of Earth-Kind practice include water conservation, fewer pesticides and fertilizers, energy savings, and less landfill waste.

Soil preparation is crucial for a thriving garden, especially in clay soil. The physical properties of the soil play a significant role in plant health. A soil test done through the Texas A&M Testing Laboratory will provide:

1. Nutrient Levels: A soil test reveals the existing nutrients in your soil. The soil's pH level indicates which nutrients are available for plant absorption through their root systems. An incorrect pH balance means your plants might get too much of certain nutrients and too little of others.
2. Fertilizer Recommendations: The test results provide a basis for making informed fertilizer recommendations, helping you amend the soil to support proper plant growth. Oftentimes, this saves you time and money from applying fertilizers you do not need.

When planning a flower garden, particularly in clay soil, thoughtful planning will help you create a beautiful, sustainable garden that meets your needs and supports your local ecosystem.

• Choose the Right Location: Select a level, well-drained area for planting.
• Know your plant hardiness zone: Confirm the plant is suitable for your region's climate.
• Select native or adaptive plants: Native plants grow naturally in a specific region, making them water-efficient and well-suited to the local soil and nutrients. Adaptive Plants originate from areas with similar soil and climate conditions, enabling them to thrive in your garden.
• Determine Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade, or full shade. The west side of your home receives hot afternoon sun during the hottest part of the day. The southern orientation receives more sunlight for the greater part of the year and the northern orientation receives more shade.
• Size: Check the plant’s mature height and width to plan proper spacing for optimal growth.
• Layering: Use a variety of plant heights to create depth and interest.
• Color Choices: Add neutrals to balance colors: White adds depth, green enhances other colors, and silver reflects light for a glowing effect.
• Seasonal Blooms: Plant a mix of flowers that bloom at various times of the year. This ensures that your garden remains vibrant and colorful throughout the seasons.
• Plan for Water Efficiency: Consider installing a drip irrigation system to conserve water.
• Select Plant Types: Evergreen, deciduous, perennials, and/or annuals.

By carefully selecting plants suited to your clay soil and environment and then planting them in the right location, you can avoid excessive maintenance, reduce costs, and prevent overcrowding issues, ensuring a thriving and sustainable landscape.

Resources:

Fill out the form to find native trees in your county

Texas Superstar Brochure  

Native Plant Society of Texas site list native plants by ecoregion.

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center has a searchable database by ecoregion.

Texas SmartScape a comprehensive list of proven Texas plant selections.

Scritch-scrape…scritch-scrape…Do you hear it? What is that sound? Well, look at that! Its Sammy and Mabel, the young squirrels we met in the garden last fall. The weather is warming as spring approaches, and Mommie squirrel has them out digging for acorns! “I know I buried that acorn right here,” says Sammy. “No, you didn’t,” his sister Mabel responds. “Did too,” says Sammy irritably.   “You kids,” Mommie calls, “quit arguing and come here, I want you to see something!” 

Sammy and Mabel dash across the bare garden to find Mommie gazing down at…what? “Look closely,” Mommie says. “I don’t see anything,” declare the two squirrels in unison. Patiently, Mommie tells them, “Look again.” Two little squirrel noses almost touch the ground and then, once again in unison, we hear, “Ohhhhhh!” On second look, they see tiny green stems poking out from the soil. “Those are new little sprouts” Mommie tells them. “As the spring warms into summer, they will grow taller and stronger and produce beautiful flowers.” 

Mommie explains that these sprouts are growing from a bulb nestled under the soil. “As a plant rests in the winter, its bulb provides nourishment, so it can bloom again in the spring. When the sun starts to warm the soil, the bulb sends sprouts up. While the plant grows, its leaves absorb sunlight and nutrients for the bulb, so there is plenty of food for the next winter.” 

Sammy and Mabel start noticing lots of little sprouts peeking up in the garden. In some places, it looks like a green carpet covering the warming soil. “How many kinds of bulbs are there?” Mabel asks Mommie. “There are many, and some bloom now while others wait for the warmer sunshine of summertime. The first bulbs to bloom in our garden might be the daffodils or the tulips. You will have to be patient and watch to see what each looks like.”

“Yipppeeee,” yelps Sammy. “I’m going to watch and see the first bloom!” Not to be outdone, Mabel chimes in, “I’m going to see the first bloom!!” And they both plop down on the garden floor to await the first bloom. About two minutes later, Mommie hears Mabel, “How long does it take? Where are the blooms?” Mommie chuckles, “It’s going to take a while. We will need to check on them each day.” Sammy and Mabel aren’t happy about this idea. “But mommie,” a disappointed Sammy says, “we’ll miss it -we’ll miss the first bloom.” Mommie looks at Sammy and Mabel’s disappointed faces. She needs a mommie-idea to cheer them up. “Well, I’m heading home to munch on the fresh acorns I dug up. It’s a shame I won’t have anyone to share them with,” she says. And whooshhhhhhhh, two former bloom-searching young squirrels zip past Mommie. As they pass by, the breeze ruffles Mommie’s fur, and she hears their parting shout: “Beat you there!!!”

Learning Questions

Where is the bulb?

What is the bulb’s job?

What flowers will the squirrel family see?

Try this growing idea!

Recommended Reading

Growing Good Kids Junior Master Gardener Book Awards

Bloom: An Ode to Spring by Deborah Diesen

Dig holes in the autumn soil.

Drop the bulbs in one by one.

Cover them with dirt.

Come spring, the bulbs will flower!

Master SNAPS!

Photos from Rockwall County Extension Master Gardeners

Texas snowman!

-Dee Dee S.

White Dwarf Ruellia providing a tasty snack for a happy bee.

-Stacie W.

Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus latispinu)

- Randy C.

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