Greetings!

Watering (Again!)

Still in drought conditions as I write this, and frankly, the month of May doesn't look good.  It might be time for some watering triage.

Texas Drought Map, May 3

Which plants need watering first?  Generally speaking, those that have been planted most recently.  Newly planted trees, shrubs and flowers have a root system no bigger than the pot they just came out of.  When you plant, it's best to water them with a hand-held hose, to make sure water is getting on the root ball.  Even if the water is just a few inches away, new plants don't have the root system to reach out and get it.

Along those lines, remember that plants have roots all the way around.  Each little root delivers water to a certain set of leaves.  When a tree or shrub turns brown only on one side, it sometimes means that it only gets water from one side.  Roots on the opposite side dry up, and can't deliver water to leaves, which also die.  Remember to make sure the entire root system is watered.

Plants in containers, especially hanging baskets, dry out quickly.  These warm, windy days certainly don't help that!  A good rule of thumb: the smaller the container, or the larger the plant, the faster it will dry out.  Also, plants with large leaves (like basil) typically dry out faster than plants with small leaves (like thyme).  Plants that are fruiting or flowering are using lots of energy and can't afford to add drought-stress on top of the work they're already doing.

Watering the lawn can consume most of a homeowner's water budget, so be sure you're watering wisely.  It's better to water deeply and infrequently, rather than daily in small amounts.  Roots need to be encouraged to dig deep for water, and not remain on the surface.

It's best to water first thing in the morning, so the morning sun dries water droplets off the foliage, but let's face it:  when plants need water, they need water.  Go ahead and water in the evening if that's the only time you can do it.    And let's keep a happy thought for rain in June.

Need a watering refresher?  Download this 2-page PDF from Clemson University.  It's a very good explanation of how to water trees and shrubs.

Summer Veggies

What's growin' on in the summer vegetable and herb garden?  If your garden is anything like ours, it's just beginning to be quite attractive to bugs!  Constant vigilance is your best weapon against these insect invaders.  Catch and squash the ones you can see, and try to make your garden inhospitable to the ones you can't see.

Flea Beetles! Yuck!

Watch for the normal signs of insect damage: holes in leaves, yellowing or distortion of leaves, and wilting even when water is sufficient.  Use the least toxic method of control and always make sure anything you spray on your vegetable garden is labeled for vegetables.  This is true for organic as well as conventional sprays, powders and dusts.  Come see us if you have questions about what may be eating your veggies before you get to!

If you didn't get your plants in yet, don't panic!  We're expecting a new shipment of larger vegetables, almost grown for you!  And it's not too late to plant peppers, sweet potatoes, okra and herbs like basil.

Vitex

This beautiful vitex belongs to our neighbors, Robert and Cheryl Duran. It's about 20 feet tall and very striking with those dark, purple-blue flowers.  To me, Vitex is one of the quintessential summer-flowering large shrubs or small trees.  Officially, it is known as Vitex agnus castus and you may sometimes heaer it referred to, rather quaintly, as Chaste Tree.  It thrives on plenty of sun and is fairly fast-growing. Vitex is a long-lived and easy-care tree -- you'll often see it growing around abandoned homesteads.  Although native to the Mediterranean region, it is very well adapted here in the Gulf Coast area. 

Rose Sale!

Please stop by and visit!  Have a glass of world-famous lemonade -- we'd love to meet you!

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Barrow
Papershell: A Garden Gallery