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Dale Groom, extension horticulturist and Master Gardener program coordinator for the Dallas County office of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, is a native Texan, author, columnist, radio/TV host is also known state wide as The Plant Groom. Dale may currently be heard on WRR as the voice of “WRR’s Great Garden Minute sponsored by Calloway’s Nursery.” He’s also sharing his gardening expertise through updated Q&A columns and will answer your questions in his column. Send your questions to Dale at; dalegroom@mycvc.net.
NOW is a good time to have a soil test done not only for vegetable gardens but, all types of gardening activities including lawns. Contact Soil Test Forms, 10056 Marsh Lane, Suite B-101, Dallas, TX 75229 for soil testing materials. Do include a long stamped self addressed envelope and two 1st class stamps on it with your request for soil sample bags and information/instruction sheet. Follow the instructions and send the samples in as soon as possible to the address on the containers and form with the appropriate fee(s). Always send in separate soil samples for each area you want tested such as; vegetable garden, lawn, rose garden, landscape beds, annual plantings, orchid, etc. This will help provide specific recommendations, maximize your efforts and provide the desired results.
Q. I have a Golden Pothos ivy. One of the vines is several feet long, but it loses its' leaves about half way down. So I have leaves on either end, but this long empty space. I think it takes away from its appearance. Any suggestions on how to prevent this for recurring? - S. C.
A. Pothos or Devil's Ivy is one of if not the most popular tropical houseplant grown in Texas. It is often one of the first plants grown by individuals in homes and offices. If allowed to become dry or wet for prolong periods of time the plant will have leaves turn yellow and drop or brown and shrivel up. The best way to keep leaves on this baby from one end to the other is maintain a moist and not wet or dry growing medium. Water thoroughly when moisture is needed but only water as necessary. DO NOT place this or any other plant on a specific watering schedule. ONLY water when moisture is needed. If you desire new leaves on your plant at its' current point of concern cut the plant back below the bare area and let it regrow. An option is disguise the area by gently folding the vine in a manner to be covered by existing leaves from other parts of the plant.
Q. I have some small trees and want to transplant them. Is now a good time to do this? - S. L. A. This is "the time" to not only transplant trees from a front to a back location but any other spot as well. This is the "dormant season" and the most ideal time of the year to relocate any hardy plants including but not limited to trees. The dormant season is also the recommended time to plant all bare root plants including but not limited to; fruit trees, pecan trees, roses and other landscape plants.
Q. I want to get into vegetable gardening in Texas and need to know which varieties of onions do best here. - F. G.
A. Several varieties of onions do well in Texas gardens including the following: Texas Super Sweet 1015Y, Granex, Grano 502, Sweet Spanish and Crystal Wax. If you are interested in growing relatively large bulbs be sure to plant from transplants. They may be planted as early as eight weeks prior to the last average killing frost/freeze date for your area. The spring planting should be completed four weeks before your last average killing frost/freeze date. Onion planting begins at the end of Jan. in N. TX and earlier in our southern zones.
Q. We have a large bed of cannas. Is now a time OK to divide them? - O. D. A. Cannas in our part of the world can usually be dug and divided successfully anytime. The best time to plant, transplant, dig and divide them is in the fall. I believe they should also work well for you if they are separated and replanted now. When digging and dividing plants such as canna, daylily, iris and others it is a good time to rework their beds and/or expand plantings of these perennials. The best way to improve these beds or most others is to add additional organic matter. Compost you’ve made or purchased, Canadian brown peat moss, ground bark are all good sources of organic matter. Add approximately two inches of each type and till into your planting area for a superior bed. To have your horticultural questions answered free M – F, 8:30 a.m.– 4 p.m., call the Dallas County Master Gardeners Help Desk at 214-904-5053. Copyright 2008 by Groom Media and all rights are reserved
Additional Information and Web Sites Dallas County Master Gardeners site is: http://www.dallasmastergardeners.org/ WRR listeners may e-mail questions to the Dallas County Master Gardeners at:info@dallasmastergardeners.org or to Dale at dalegroom@tamu.edu Speakers may be scheduled by contacting; Speakers Bureau project leader.
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