BOB'S FALL GARDENING TIPS 2006

by Bob Fitzsimmons, Texas Master Certified Nurseryman

FALL IS FOR PLANTING
Trees and Shrubs:
The period of September through November is a great time to plant trees and shrubs. Cooler weather is better for you and for all plants that may suffer transplant stress. Use an organic root stimulator like Liquid Seaweed, and mulch with 3-4” of compost and shredded cedar.

Roses:
Lightly trim and fertilize your roses during September to get another show of blooms in October. Try our organic Rose Food, available in small bags.

Annuals:
October announces the time to set out cool season annual color. Plant pansies, snap-dragons and flowering kale this month. Use blood meal fertilizer for your pansies.

Veggie gardens:
Prepare beds and plant your cool season vegetables.
Sept.1: Bush beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, cucumber, and potatoes.
Oct.1: Beets, chard, collards, garlic, lettuce, and parsley.
Nov. 1: Mustard, onion, radish, spinach and turnips.

Lawn care:
Treat brown patch in St. Augustine grass with whole ground corn meal: 10 to 20 pounds per 1,000 sq. feet. Be on the lookout for “Take All Patch.” We’ve seen this fungus destroy entire yards in this area and seems mainly to affect Raleigh St. Augustine. If you’re installing new turfgrass, consider another variety.

October is the month for the last round of lawn fertilizers.
Use an organic fertilizer with a lower nitrogen level to protect your lawn from burning. We recommend Soil Food 5-3-2 from Garden-Ville. Use 40# per 1,000 sq. ft.
Apply compost to your lawn to increase natural microbe activity in your soil. A ½-inch application in the cooler season builds soil health to protect your lawn in the hotter months, and in turn feeds your turf grass. Apply compost each year and you will see a difference in greening, disease resistance and water savings.

Ask Bob your gardening questions: bobsorganicgarden@gmail.com.
See you in the garden!
--Bob

Bob's Organic Garden
Custom Landscape Design & Installation
102 Brentwood
New Braunfels TX 78130
830-624-7666