QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Why do pecans have a good crop one year but not the next?
Answer: This is called alternate bearing. The reason for it is that while a pecan is using carbohydrates to fill the kernels in one fall season, it’s not doing a good job of setting buds for next year. The tree is dedicating all its fuel to this year’s fruit.
Then, the next year with a very light crop, the tree has plenty of extra carbohydrates to set buds for the following year. This alternate bearing cycle was first noticed by Spanish explorer Cabeza De Vaca back in the 1500s.
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PLANT OF THE WEEK
Flowering Senna
(Cassia corymbosa)
This is a tough and eye-catching bloomer for late summer and fall. Its leaves are highly prized by Sulphur butterflies as larval food, so you’re guaranteed a great butterfly show down the road, too.
It withstands drought just fine, though will appreciate water when you can supply it. It grows to about 6-8’ tall. You can prune it to make a miniature tree, or leave it as a shrubby bush as a semi-evergreen screen.
Deer will occasionally nibble on them, but in general it’s not one of their favorite plants to munch on, so for deer prone areas it may be a good choice for you as well.
past Plants of the Week →
PLANTING TIPS OF THE WEEK
- Plant blue-leaf vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, collards, and kale, and kohlrabi
- Plant beets, Chinese cabbage, and Swiss chard
- Plant garlic
- Plant snow peas and snap peas
- Be thinking about wildflower seeds to plant in the next few weeks
- Start watching for bulbs to plant in late November
more Planting Tips →
THIS WEEK'S FEATURE
Dig into the fall vegetable garden with Travis County Master Gardener Patty Leander.
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