Energy Education Council

More than 140 years ago the first Arbor Day was observed in Nebraska. Now a national observance in most states, Arbor Day recognizes the importance of trees as well as tree selection, planting, and care. A properly selected and planted tree can add beauty and energy efficiency to your landscape. A poorly selected and planted tree can become high maintenance, dangerous, and short-lived. The Energy Education Council has advice to help you select the tree that is best for your yard.

"This is an excellent time of year for tree planting," says Molly Hall, executive director of the Energy Education Council. "With some research and preparation, your tree will be a healthy and beautiful addition to your home for years to come."

One of the first considerations is the purpose of your tree. Will your tree be needed for shade, a windbreak, or beauty? These considerations will affect what tree is suitable for you, and where it should be planted. Dense evergreens provide a good wind block, while leafy deciduous trees provide shade in the summer.

No matter what purpose the trees will serve, it is always best to choose native trees. They require less maintenance and will live longer. You can get more information about native growing trees from a regional university Extension office or a state department of natural resources. In addition, the Arbor Day Foundation has a free tree wizard tool that will help you select the best tree for your needs. It is available at www.arborday.org/shopping/trees/treewizard/intro.cfm.

The next step is to decide where you will plant your tree. For a windbreak, plant trees to the north, northwest, and west. For shade, plant trees to the east and west of your home. Remember that fast-growing trees are more brittle and likely to be damaged in a storm. Plant these trees farther from your home to protect your home from damage.

If you live in an area that is prone to wildfires, there are additional considerations to help keep your home and community safe. It is recommended that you limit the flammable vegetation and material around your home for at least 30 feet on all sides. Contact your local fire department for more information.

Also be sure to select planting locations that will not interfere with your utility lines or power poles. Power outages or interruptions occur when trees and branches come into contact with overhead lines. Electrical arcing and sparking from a wire to a nearby branch can cause fires.

Tall growing trees with a mature height of greater than 40 feet should be planted 50 feet away to avoid future pruning. A mature height of less than 25 feet is recommended for trees planted near power lines. Keep in mind that trees should never be planted directly under power lines, near poles, or too close to electrical equipment.

Tall growing trees near power lines must be pruned to maintain a safe distance from the wires. If you have trees that are growing into power lines, contact your electric provider. Never try to prune them yourself.

Before planting, take proper precautions to stay safe. Be sure to call 8-1-1, the national "Call Before You Dig" number, a few business days before you want to plant. It is a free service that gets your public underground utilities located and marked, so you can dig safely away from them.

For more tips on energy efficiency and safety, visit EnergyEdcouncil.org.

Soil Science Society of America

The Soil Science Society of America created a blog, Soils Matter, to help the public understand this precious natural resource. The blog can be found at http://soilsmatter.wordpress.com/.

"We know that many people are interested in soils," says Jan Hopmans, president of SSSA. "We wanted to create a blog so our members can communicate real soil information and answer questions." The blog is averaging about 2,500 page views per month.

Recent topics have included tips about soil testing, how the recent harsh winter might affect this summer's growing season, and whether synthetic or natural fertilizers are the best plant nutrients.

Regular Soils Matter contributor Clay Robinson says, "naturally, soil scientists find soils interesting, but we want to help people understand that soils are so much more than dirt. The air people breathe, food they eat, water they drink, clothes they wear, and places they live, all depend on the soil. Soil scientists can help people learn how to use soil wisely, balancing conservation and productivity, so future generations can benefit from the soil as we do."

In addition, SSSA has public information about soils on their soils.org website, under the tab "Discover Soils." A K-12 committee of SSSA also updates a website for teachers, soils4teachers.org, and for students through 12th grade, soils4kids.org .

For the next two years, research on Bella Rosa tomatoes will be conducted on the one-quarter acre plot to evaluate the effectiveness and economics of organic fertilizer versus conventional fertilizer used in vegetable gardening, to monitor disease, and to study the microbial qualities of irrigation water over the growing season.

The tomatoes will be harvested in June, and a preliminary report of the findings will be presented at the 2nd Annual Farm to Table International Symposium at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Aug. 2-4. This annual event brings together the leading practitioners in the burgeoning farm-to-table movement to explore the cultivation, distribution, and consumption of food and drink sourced locally. The event is presented by the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, in partnership with the SoFAB Institute and the LSU AgCenter.  

Austin: The Garden Club of Austin's annual show & plant sale will be held June 7 and 8 at Zilker Park Botanical Gardens, 2220 Barton Springs Rd., Austin. The juried plant, vegetable & flower show is open to all amateur gardeners. Show contest plants will be accepted Friday, June 5, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturday, June 7, from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Plant sale hours will be Saturday from 9 until 5 and Sunday from 10 until 5. Enter your favorite plant or vegetable or buy some beautiful, very well priced items at the plant sale. More information is available at www.thegardenclubofaustin.org. Click on events and scroll down to the garden show. 

Austin: The Austin Pond Society will host its 20th Annual Pond Tour in June and will feature ponds and gardens at more than 20 locations in North, Central and South Austin. Ponds of every size and description are included in the tour, along with waterfalls, streams, and fountains. Some gardens are Certified Wildlife Habitats, and most have native plants.Tour Dates and Times: Saturday, June 7 - South and Central Austin (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Saturday Night - Night pond locations (8 p.m. to 10 p.m.) Sunday, June 8 - North Austin (9 .am. to 5 p.m.) Wristbands for the three events are $15 in advance and can be purchased using PayPal at austinpondsociety.org; at Emerald Garden, Hill Country Water Gardens, McIntire's Garden Center, Shoal Creek Nursery, and The Great Outdoors. Wristbands can be purchased at each site during the event for $20. Wristbands for children 12 and under are free with a paid adult. Volunteers who work a four-hour shift on either day of the tour will receive entry to all of the tour sites, a tour T-shirt, and an invitation to the SPLASH! Party on May 31. Sign up at volunteers@austinpondsociety.org. For more information visit austinpondsociety.org.

Dallas: City of Dallas Water Utilities, City of Dallas Stormwater Management, City of Dallas Park & Recreation, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, and Dallas County Master Gardeners are teaming up to demonstrate the beauty of Water-Wise and EarthKind gardening with the 20th annual Water-Wise Landscape Tour. Dallas County Master Gardeners will be conducting free 30-minute talks on Water-Wise gardening every hour on the hour at each of the tour headquarters. Dallas County Master Gardener volunteers will also be assisting homeowners and helping answer questions about the plants and landscapes on the tour. The first 100 visitors at each of the three tour headquarters, June 7, will receive a free hose spray nozzle. For more information, visit SaveDallasWater.com or call the Water Conservation Hotline at 214-670-3155 Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Maps for the self-driving tour are available at SaveDallasWater.com and at all tour headquarters. Tour Headquarters: Central: White Rock Pump Station - 2900 White Rock Rd., Dallas; North: Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center - 17360 Coit Rd., Dallas; South: Lake Cliff Park - E. Colorado Blvd. at N. Zang Blvd., Dallas.  

Rosenberg: Fort Bend Master Gardeners will present "Native Plants" at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 7, at Agriculture Center, 1402 Band Road, Rosenberg. The presentation will increase understanding of the appeal and value of plants native to Texas. Texas Native Garden and other demonstration gardens open for tours and Master Gardeners available for tips and advice from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Call 281-341-7068 or visit http://www.fbmg.com/ for more information.  

Marion: Matt Turner, author of "Remarkable Plants of Texas," will introduce some of Texas's most amazing plants, their little-known histories, and their medicinal, cultural and culinary uses during his presentation at 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 10, at St John's Lutheran Church, FM 465, Marion. Meetings are open to the public. Visitors are welcome. There is a plant/seed exchange and greeting at 6:30 p.m. followed by the program. For more information, directions to St John's Lutheran Church, or membership applications, visit http://npsot.org/wp/guadalupe/.

 

Seabrook: "Herbs - Garden to Table" will be presented at 6:30 p.m., June 10, at Clear Lake Park Meeting Room, 5001 Nasa Parkway, Seabrook. For additional information, visit https://hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/pubp2.aspx.

Humble: Mark Klym, Texas Parks & Wildlife program coordinator, will present "Hummingbirds - Myth, Magic, and Mystery" noon-2 p.m., Wednesday, June 11, at Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens, 22306 Aldine Westefield Road, Humble. For additional information, call 281-443-8731 or visit www.hcp4.net/mercer. 

Seabrook: Judy Jones, part-owner of Enchanted Gardens, will present "Fairy Gardens and Terrariums" at 10 a.m., June 18, at Clear Lake Park Meeting Room, 5001 Nasa Parkway, Seabrook. For additional information, visit https://hcmga.tamu.edu/Public/pubp2.aspx.  

• Many, many practical and timely garden tips that are for Texas - not Maine or California!
• Organic, earth friendly tips to make your garden grow and prosper
• Lots of space to record your own activities for future reference
• Planting dates and tips for vegetables, flowers, herbs, fruit and lawns

The Vegetable Book

By Dr. Sam Cotner

Finally, back by popular demand and in its fourth printing, the most informative and comprehensive "how-to" book on vegetable gardening in Texas (also, suitable for most other areas of the South) written by the late, great Dr. Sam Cotner, former head of horticulture at Texas A&M University and lifelong gardener. This interesting read has over 370 pages of detailed information on every crop, from Asparagus to Watermelon including problem/solving sections for each vegetable. If you want to maximize your enjoyment and success growing vegetables in Texas, this book is a "must have," whether you are a beginner or a seasoned gardener. Price $34.02

By William D. Adams

The best thing for tomato enthusiasts since the tomato itself! Adams draws on more than thirty years of experience to provide a complete, step-by-step guide to success in the tomato patch. Learn everything from soil preparation, planting, feeding, caging and watering. Liberally sprinkled with the author's easy humor and illustrated with his own excellent photographs, this must-have book has everything you'll need to assure a bumper crop! 189 pages. Lots of color photographs! Price: $31.94

($15.82 if ordered separately)

Remit payment to:

TG Books * PO Box 9005 * Waco, TX 76714

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