Episode of the Week

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October 2nd, 2010

Tired of troublesome roses? Get a rosier outlook with the Antique Rose Emporium's trouble free choices. Plus, get Michael Shoup's latest tips for organic, easy care. William Glenn from The Natural Gardener shows how to start spring wildflowers.

Plant of the Week: Firebush

Tips of the Week

• If you don't have Earthkind or other easy care roses, you want to watch for some blackspot on them. Apply neem or other fungicide, if necessary. If you only see a little damage, simply prune off those infected leaves. With Earthkind roses, simply ignore those black spots altogether; the plant will ignore it also, and will come through fine. If you have a bad infestation regularly, you might consider annually pruning back some smaller stems to the interior of those roses, which will increase air circulation and decease diseases of all kinds. Or replace the rose with one that doesn't have continual problems.
• It's time to plant herbs, perennials, shrubs and trees. For herbs: sow cilantro and parsley seeds or plant from transplants.
• Avoid planting tender plants that will not have time to establish roots before a freeze.
• Hang on and don't plant winter annual color just yet! Hot days are still in our forecast and the ground is still warm.
• Continue planting vegetables. Fall is the easiest season for growing vegetables! In a small space, plant lettuces, spinach, carrots, and cilantro in containers. Check out this updated planting guide from Skip Richter, director, Travis County AgriLife Extension, and Patty Leander, Travis County Master Gardener. 
• Avoid pruning shrubs at this time. With freezes coming in 6 weeks or so, plants may not have time to harden off new growth.
• Be watching for naturalizing bulbs. Get them now but hold back on planting until November.
• More Tips

Question of the Week

Is this plant near my house Virginia creeper or poison ivy?

Featured Garden

Donna and Mike Fowler Hutto, TX

Related Resources

Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country
Wildflowers of Texas
Vegetable Planting Guide

Related Gardeners

Michael Shoup