Episode of the Week
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January 23rd, 2010
Want to know how to raise backyard chickens, a gardener’s best friend? Judith Haller from the Austin Funky Chicken Coop Tour explains how to get started for a brood of your own, including heirloom breeds like Blue Splash Andalusian, Sicilian Buttercup, and Buff Laced Polish. You can also visit coops around Austin and get personal tips from the gardeners on this year’s April 3 tour. Visit CTG behind-the-scenes for Sara Robertson’s video of the first chicken talent ever in KLRU’s studios! On Backyard Basics, Sweetpea Hoover from The Natural Gardener identifies some common weeds and what they mean.
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Plant of the Week: Queen Victoria Agave
Tips of the Week
- Check for insects on indoor plants. Do not overwater, but if you have, you may find mealy bugs or fungus gnats. A great thing to do is to spray those insects with neem oil. It’s an organic chemical from a tree and so it is very safe, but as with any other pesticide, you do need to move the plant outdoors when you spray it, since it’s not safe for you to breathe indoors. Drench the soil as well. Then, let the plant completely dry out before watering it.
- Plant fruit trees: If you get a stone fruit, like a peach or a plum, make sure you get one with the recommended number of chill hours that we get for our area. They tend to flower at a certain time after getting a certain number of chill hours and so if you get one that takes more or less chill hours you’ll either get frozen flowers or no flowers at all. Get more info on planting fruit trees.
- Plant roses.
- Prune trees, especially ones susceptible to oak wilt.
- Continue planting trees; get them established before hot weather arrives.
- Clean up mushy leaves on frozen plants.
- Research options for plants that might have frozen.
- Fertilize vegetables and flowering winter annuals.
- Turn the compost pile.
- More Tips
Question of the Week
How do I water plants I’m overwintering in my garage?
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