Detailed lists are available by pole beans, arugula, butter beans, Sept. MAY a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer. month at: https://txmg.org/aran- and herbs thru March. Transplant v Wildflowers/Annuals – do not Water with a very slow dripping sas/publications-other-resourc- warm season plants - tomato, mow wildflowers. Let them v Upkeep – check mulch levels, hose 1x/wk several hours - pepper, and eggplant. Protect replenish to 3-4” deep to deter dependent on how hot, dry, or es/news-column-archives/ bloom and go to seed so they warm weather crops from cold. come back next year. weeds, protect from heat, and windy. JANUARY v Fruit Trees – transplant new hold moisture. Keep mulch v Roses – Fertilize 1x/mo through varieties. Prune existing trees APRIL 2-3” away from trunk or stem. Sept. then water deeply. v Upkeep – cold spell predicted? = before they bloom and set fruit. Watch for spider mites, aphids, Deadheading after first spring water. Freeze? = cover plants until v Upkeep – fertilize all plants Remember, the branches you scale, beetles, whiteflies, and blossoms encourages blooming. temp is above freezing. Do not with compost, worm castings, trim won’t give you any fruit this powdery mildew. Check tender Watch for black spot, remove and fertilize until you see new growth or slow release fertilizer 1x/mo year, so don’t go crazy. growth. Many insects can be - and then, only lightly. Remove through summer, and mulch. Pull destroy diseased leaves. Prune washed off with a strong spray of problem and invasive species. v Roses – plant - well-drained weeds. Check for mildew, rust, climbing roses when they finish soil w/ 8 hrs of sun; fertilize. water or soapy water spray. Use their spring bloom. Water every v Trees/Shrubs – planted last fall = or black spot, and remove the Fertilize established bushes 1x/ lightweight horticultural oil to 8-10 days. water deeply 1x/2 weeks. Mature/ affected parts - do not compost. mo through Sept. then water fight scale, or neem oil for both For spider mites, aphids, thrips, v Annuals/Perennials – fertilize dormant = Transplant. OK to deeply. Prune established hybrid insects and fungus. DO NOT ever whitefly, treat with Bt (Bacillus existing species. Plant summer prune live oaks - immediately tea roses. Do not prune climbing use “weed-and-feed” products. paint wounds over ¾”in diameter. thuringiensis), insecticidal soap bloomers like periwinkle, summer Monthly Garden Checklist roses or 1x-blooming roses. v Trees/Shrubs – fertilize. Prune snapdragon, cosmos, marigold, Shrubs, wait until spring to prune Water every 8-10 days. or a forceful spray of water. off dead branches. Examine often. shrubs. Do not prune live oaks. and sunflower. Plant caladiums Watch for signs of chlorosis- and impatiens in shady areas. v Lawn – no weed killer. Build up MARCH v Trees/Shrubs – prune/fertilize yellowed new growth. Use Zinnias, petunias, celosias, low spots gradually with ½”- spring flowering species. Mature v Upkeep – mulch beds 1-4” deep. fertilizer with chelated iron. If and salvias are good in sunny 1” compost to prevent fungus species: fertilize after bloom. Keep mulch 1-2” away from planted during the past year, locations. Deadhead blossoms to growth in spring. Plant summer bloomers. Live stems/trunks. apply turf-type fertilizer. Plant maintain flower production. Snip v Vegetables – sow cool crop oaks - leave the leaves on the v Trees/Shrubs – wait for budding, palms. Fertilize palms with 2:1:3 off flowers from transplants to seeds in ground: broccoli, ground and mow over them to then prune damaged branches. or 3:1:3 slow release. encourage root development. cabbage, kohlrabi, lettuce. create a natural mulch. Do not Do not prune spring flowering v Lawn – fertilize. Start watering, v Tropicals – fertilize 1x/mo though Transplant: cauliflower, mustard, species until they fade. Do prune live oaks. Plant palms. but not too frequently. Wait until Sept. kale, lettuce, spinach, chard, not prune live oaks. “Woolly” Fertilize palms with slow release your footsteps leave prints in beets, radishes, potatoes, worm caterpillars of the tussock on root ball and as far as canopy JUNE the grass. Apply pre-emergent turnips, parsley, onion sets. moth arrive on live oaks. If spreads. herbicide to control sandburs v Upkeep – watch for curled or desired, spray with Bt (Bacillus v Lawn – mow, only take about FEBRUARY and apply ½” of water. Pull drooping leaves = needs water. thuringiensis) while caterpillars 1/3 off height; leave clippings on existing weeds or treat with Water deeply. An established v Upkeep – check for damaged/ are young. Note: Bt will kill all ground to return nutrients to the post-emergent herbicide. Mow plant can go 1 week between declining plants, and plan to types of caterpillars. soil. Fertilize with ½” compost or frequently to control weeds. watering. Treat leaf cutter and replace with native/drought v Lawn – new growth? Start slow-release fertilizer. Avoid high fire ant mounds with bait on a tolerant plants. Take a soil test mowing. Only remove 1/3 of v Vegetables – mulch. Pull onions phosphorus. dry day over whole yard. Collect before spring planting and grass height. Don’t fertilize until as the tops fall over and allow to v Vegetables/Herbs – plant warm wildflower seeds. fertilizing. Soil sample kits you have mowed 2x. Use organic dry before storing. Plant: okra, crops until mid-month. Mulch, available at County Extension or slow-release fertilizer. Avoid southern peas, sweet potatoes, v Trees/Shrubs - mulch 4” deep avoiding stems. Thin seedlings. Office. See page 3. weed/feed products, they can kill eggplant, pumpkin, cantaloupe, keeping away from stem/ Crowding = weak plants. Keep v Trees/Shrubs – Prune woody, landscape plants / damage trees, watermelon, summer squash trunk. Avoid major pruning. flowers of leafy crops pinched dormant varieties and summer/ palms. and peppers. Plant/fertilize Remove only damaged parts and off. Flowers can change flavor. fall bloomers. Do not prune live v Vegetables – continue sowing tomatoes - side-dress with slow “suckers”. Remove spent blooms oaks. suggested January seed list plus v Fruit Trees – fertilize with slow release fertilizer or apply a foliar from crepe myrtles to encourage re-bloom. Do not prune live v Lawn – apply pre-emergent corn, cucumber, and summer release after bloom. feeding spray 1x/wk. Watch for oaks. White webbing “bark lice” herbicide for weeds like squash. v Roses – prune dead wood. stink bugs and leaf-footed bugs. may appear on tree trunks, not sandburs. Top-dress lawn and v Roses – prune dead wood. Fertilize 1x/mo through Sept. then Tomatoes can be picked when the low spots with compost. Do not Fertilize 1x/mo through Sept. then water deeply. Water every 8-10 first sign of mature color shows. harmful. New trees and fruit fertilize. water deeply. Water every 8-10 days. They will ripen at room temp. trees = water deeply with a very slow dripping hose. Plant palms. v Vegetables – continue suggested days. v Tropicals – fertilize 1x/mo though indoors, no sun required. January seed sowing, plus bush/ v Tropicals – fertilize 1x/mo though Sept. v Fruit Trees – apply compost or continued on inside back cover InNative Our and Adapted Coastal Plants for the CoastalGarden Bend The Aransas/San Patricio Master Gardeners Welcome You to the Coastal Bend We are your neighbors who love to garden, have extensive For additional inspiration, ideas and information, visit the Master training, and want to share this environmentally responsible Gardeners’ Coastal Oaks Demonstration Garden located at Texas and sustainable knowledge with you. Master Gardeners A&M AgriLife Extension - Aransas County. are volunteers who answer horticultural questions from the public, speak to local groups, present monthly brown bag Master Gardeners is a program of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. lectures, conduct workshops, create landscape designs for non-profits, work with youth at school gardens and write Contact Information: articles for local newspapers. Aransas/San Patricio Master Gardeners Whether you’re a newcomer or an experienced pro, our 361-790-0103 • [email protected] goal is to help you with the latest and greatest science-based www.aspmastergardeners.org and on facebook information on gardening for our unique environmental conditions. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension - Aransas County Master Gardeners support our educational programs 892 Airport Road • Rockport, TX 78382-7600 with member dues, plant sales, cookbook/book sales, and 361-790-0103 • [email protected] donations. www.aransas.agrilife.org A publication of the Aransas/San Patricio Master Gardeners IOCG Committee Members: Patty Bidwell, Chair, Sally Gale, Pamela Larson, Barbara McSpadden, Ann Smith, Nelida Spurrell and Virginia Easton-Smith Printing donated by the San Patricio Municipal Water District Revised May 2018 Contents Key Monthly Checklist .............Inside Front/Back Covers Native to: Seasonal Interest: The time of year that CB - Coastal Bend (background shaded) the plant will be at its most striking appear- The Coastal Bend Environment ..............................3 C - Central Texas ance. S - South Texas ® Bloom Color/Feature: Bloom color Plan to be Earth-Kind ...........................................4 E - East Texas and/or other interesting features such as W - West Texas foliage and berries. Maintenance ........................................................5-6 N - North Texas Plant Selection .......................................................7 SE - Southeast Texas Water Requirement: SW - Southwest Texas The plant’s water needs during the growing Large Trees (Over 30 feet tall) .............................8-9 T - Native to All of Texas season after it is established. The majority Contents and Key M - Mexico of plants require more frequent watering Small Trees (Up to 30 feet tall) .......................10-11 A - Adapted - Not a Texas native while becoming established. Large Shrubs (More than 9 feet tall) ...............12-13 VL - Very Low (Water occasionally if no Height and Spread: significant rainfall for 30 days.) Medium Shrubs (From 4 feet to 9 feet tall) .....14-15 Height and spread are provided in ranges.