The Liberty Hill Garden Club put together “Notes for Hill Country Gardeners” which they made a gift to me when I spoke there a couple of years ago.
Here is a short list of Annuals that loves the Summer heat; purslane, petunias, marigolds, cosmos, pentas, copper plant, zinnias, vinca (periwinkle), portulaca (moss rose) and Joseph’s coat.
Perennials that do well in the Summer heat are, cannas, lantana, verbena, plumbago, hibiscus, sage (Salvia), Mexican heather, Mexican firebush, coneflower, and bougainvillea.
I did not give you the rest of the plants suggested as they use way too much water. The little booklet was written way before the awareness of the shortage of our water resources.
Mosquitoes
Boy are the mosquitoes out in force. This is part of being blessed by all that rain we have been enjoying. Now that we have them lets protect ourselves. On page 84 of my book “Gardening in the Texas Hill Country”, I have the solutions. First and the easiest is the white ceramic dish, water and Liquid Lemon Joy mosquito trap. This is really effective; however, please place the dish in an area away from where you are going to be. This solution will attract the mosquitoes to it and you if you sit next to it, so place it in another location some 25 to 50 feet away from the area where you will be. Fill a white ceramic dish with water adding several drops of Lemon Joy dishwashing soap and mix together. Mosquitoes will be attracted to it a drink the mixture whereby they drink and die within fifteen feet of the dish. This solution is not harmful to pets or children. Is that cool or what, now you can enjoy being outside once again.
While walking or gardening in the early morning or evening use a sheet of Bounce with no scent. Place it on your clothing with a pin or clamp. You can also use the sheet in a front pocket of a shirt and leave the majority hanging out to repel those little dive-bombing devils. Did you see the email that said they wished the mosquitoes would suck fat instead of blood?
June Gardening
Wow! It is already Summer and the weather is certainly responding to the call of the season. Bad news is we are beginning our extreme weather. Good news is now we can grow those wonderful mouth watering tomatoes and all those veggies that we miss during other parts of the year. Can you tell I am hungry for the fresh fruit that is available this time of year? The Farmers Markets are the best place to get really fresh peaches and other fruits available this time of year.
Are you mulching your vegetation? Our plants, shrubs and trees need at least 3-4 inches of mulch this time of year. Warning: Don’t allow the mulch to touch the base of the plants as it can cause a disease problem. Mulch not only helps maintain the moisture in the soil but it keeps the plants cooler in this heat and the real heat to come in August. What type of mulch is best? Well that is really a personal preference. I prefer Ashe Juniper (Cedar) for mulch as I have plenty of it, bugs don’t particularly like it, and it stays in place and it gives me an excuse to remove Ashe Juniper from my place.
Watering is so very important this time of year when historically we are short of rainfall. When watering always water below the plant at ground level including veggies and tomatoes. By watering this way you will not interfere with the pollination of the plant by washing away the pollen (blooming and setting of the veggies). Watering time is best early morning or in the evening, never in the heat of the day the same time that the mosquitoes are out so arm yourself.
As our plants enter this stressful time of heat and producing fruit we need to fertilize. We can do that by side dressing the plants with fish emulsion, seaweed extract and our ever-dependable compost tea (liquid humate). Products that promote this are Medina Plus, Lady Bug products all are available at your favorite gardening center if they are not available ask for them.
Pinch back (dead head) blooms: Chrysanthemums, Mexican Marigolds, Geraniums, and the like. This action promotes more blooming and keeps your plants looking pretty for the neighbors to envy.
Start cutting your lawns higher throughout the Summer as it promotes deeper root system for the grass and it will be healthier and use less water. Bermuda grass should be cut around one inch, Buffalo grass two and half inches, St. Augustine three inches and Zoysia approximately one inch. The turf experts recommend these levels of grass heights. Warning: Never cut more than one third of the grass at one time.
Got Weeds?
Do you all have weeds in the driveway or patio? Use a mixture of equal parts vegetable oil and water and spray on the weeds in the hottest part of the day. The heat and the oil will fry the weeds.
If you have tougher weeds then mix a gallon of twenty (20) percent white vinegar with two ounces of orange oil. Warning: This will kill whatever you spray with it. If you don’t like to mix stuff then purchase Gardenville Weed Killer it is basically the same thing. Use it straight from the container.
Any applications for weed spraying is more effective if the weeds are cut first. The weeds absorb more readily.
Till Next Month!
Keep your souls and your soles in your garden!
Remember the True Master Gardener: Jesus said, “I am the vine; my Father is the Gardener.” John 15:1
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