One of the most common questions we get at the nursery is about plants dying. Each situation is unique, as the conditions each plant is grown in is unique. But what happens when you plant several plants and only one or two dies? To be more specific, “Why did one plant die and all the others that I planted at the same time and treated the same way are fine?” I hope to be able to guide you through the diagnostic process and give you some things to think about [...]
For the third year in a row, Bradford Pears have been blooming during a rain event! Why does that matter, you ask? Because a very bad guy, a bacterium called Erwinia amylovora, or Fire Blight, enters the plant through the flower via splashing water. What are the symptoms of Fire Blight? The first symptom to appear, shortly after bloom, is a blossom blight. The flower will appear water-soaked, then turn black. The most obvious symptom of this disease is the shoot blight phase, in which the tip of the shoot [...]
Beneficial Nematodes: Natural Pest Control for Lawns and Gardens Beneficial nematodes are microscopic, whitish-to-transparent, unsegmented worms. Thousands of nematode species exist, and each species has its own feeding preferences. Certain beneficial nematodes actively search for insect pests, including insect pupae and larvae, in consistently moist soil. They can target more than 250 species of insects, including: White grubs Termites Peach tree borers Fire ants Stink bugs Fleas Chinch bugs Field crickets Flea beetles How Do Beneficial Nematodes Control Insect Pests? Beneficial nematodes provide a natural way to control many lawn [...]
Nutrient deficiencies Iron deficiency is common in areas with calcareous soils and alkaline water. The iron may be present in the soil, but it is in a form that is unavailable to the plant when grown in alkaline conditions. Deficiency occurs on young leaves, and the veins remain green while the rest of the leaf is yellow. This condition can cause dieback of limbs and small fruit. Iron deficiency is also associated with excessively wet soils or prolonged wet conditions, as this depletes the root system and uptake of nutrients [...]
Growing Blackberries in Central Texas: Varieties, Care, and Culture Blackberries grow exceptionally well in Central Texas when you follow a few essential guidelines. Consistent production depends on proper irrigation, correct pruning, and effective weed control. With the right care, blackberries reward gardeners with years of reliable harvests. Understanding Blackberry Growth Habits Most blackberry plants are biennial, meaning they produce fruit on second-year canes, known as floricanes. However, newer introductions from the University of Arkansas—called Prime-Ark® blackberries—produce fruit on both first-year canes (primocanes) and second-year canes. As a result, these varieties [...]
How to Prune Blackberries in Central Texas (Without Killing Your Crop) One of the most common questions readers ask me is, “How do I prune my blackberries?” While it’s an excellent question, most gardeners ask it at the wrong time of year. As a result, pruning mistakes often lead to poor fruit production or stressed plants. To clear up the confusion, let’s take the mystery out of pruning blackberries. Once you understand how blackberry plants grow, pruning becomes simple, timely, and highly effective. First, Know How Blackberries Grow Before you [...]
Knowing when to harvest any citrus fruit involves the question of the degree of maturity. Because citrus pass from immature to mature to over- mature slowly while on the tree, the fruit can be harvested over a period of months with small changes in fruit quality. Fruit color is a poor indicator of ripeness. Many fruits have fully colored rinds a long time before they are “ripe”, and others are green when sugars are high enough to make the fruit sweet. Citrus does not increase in sweetness or ripen more [...]
Rabbiteye blueberries can be grown successfully in whiskey barrel sized pots in Central Texas. Because they require acid soils, use a quality potting soil mixed with 1/3 sphagnum peat moss. The pot should drain well, and no saucer should be placed under the pot to ensure thorough drainage. Blueberries require full sun to produce well. Use a fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants, such as an Azalea/Camellia/Gardenia fertilizer. Do not apply any fertilizer the first year. Starting the second year, fertilize in late winter to early spring. DO NOT use a [...]
Why August and September Watering Is Critical for Pecans in Central Texas If you grow pecan trees in Central Texas, August and September are critical months for watering. During this late-summer period, pecan kernels fill out inside their shells. In Central Texas, this process usually occurs between August 15 and September 15, making adequate moisture especially important. A dry August or September can affect both the size and quality of your pecan crop. With proper irrigation at the right time, you can give your trees the moisture they need to [...]
Backyard grape growing has become very popular in recent years in Central Texas. Both table grapes and grapes for producing wine are available to the homeowner. I am a jelly-maker, and have enjoyed Black Spanish Grapes for my jelly-making endeavors in the past. It truly makes a very flavorful jelly! Here are the grapes we have available this year for you to grow: ‘Blanc duBois’ is a white table grape which grows on a vigorous vine. The grape clusters are medium-sized and ripen in June to July in Central Texas. [...]
It happens every year. Pecan tree leaves just are tasty to many different caterpillars, and it is inevitable that your trees will become dinner to one type of caterpillar or another at some time during the year. So, which one do you have, and how do you control them? Walnut Caterpillars and Yellownecked caterpillars usually appear in the summer and fall in Central Texas. There are at least two generations in Texas with the second usually being the largest in numbers. They are fairly large, up to an inch [...]
There is nothing better than the smell of citrus blossoms in late winter and early spring. The popularity of citrus has increased as many homeowners are creating urban backyard orchards in Central Texas. Commercial citrus operations are typically found in the Lower Rio Grande Valley where the threat of hard freezes is lessened. In fact, Texas is ranked 3rd in US citrus production. You can have citrus in our area as long as you choose the right variety, put it in the right place, and pay a little attention to [...]
