by Chris Winslow
August continues to be quite the challenge for gardeners and farmers, and pretty much everyone else in this land without rain. However last Saturday brought with it a mini 97 degree cool wave – and for me it brought a sense of hope. I noticed a little spring in my step as I went about my chores at the nursery – and I realized that we are almost half way through August. . . and just around the corner lies a new season.
The last week of this month signals the planting season for all of our wonderful fall vegetables. The brassicas can be planted from this week to the end of October. This family includes broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, turnips, collard and mustard greens, kohlrabi, and Brussels sprouts.
There is still time to pull off a fall tomato and pepper crop if you go with transplants instead of seed.
There’s also enough time to plant snap beans, cucumbers, and summer squash from transplants or seed.
Starting in September we can plant radish, carrots and Swiss chard. Lettuce and spinach varieties can be planted by mid-month.
For those gardeners who miss growing spinach during the hot summer months, there is a great little vine called Malabar spinach (Basella alba) that is easy to grow and loves warm weather.
Although not taxonomically related to spinach, its leaves are a tasty substitute. Often called red spinach or creeping spinach, this fast growing vine is rich in vitamin A and C, iron and calcium. It’s low in calories, high in fiber, and can be eaten raw as a leafy green in salads, steamed, wilted or used in soups.
Please water your trees. On the way to work, I see the truly sad effects of the drought and heat. Too many of our native trees are shedding their leaves early to survive. What’s tragic is that many won’t make it to next spring without much needed rain.
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Some time ago Hays Free Press reader John Messenger wrote in asking for advice about plants that would create a sense of privacy around his swimming pool.
Let’s assume the pool is in a sunny location. Sun-hardy evergreens come to mind. If you want a tropical look, mix low-growing palms with taller ones in the background.
The Mediterranean fan palm, for example, grows fairly close to the ground (to 10 feet) and develops a nice wide canopy. You can place these in a row close to the pool, with tall growing windmill palms behind them. Other tall palms to choose from are the Washingtonia, Phoenix and Pindo palms.
Sagos could be planted to add interest to areas close to the ground. A tall cluster of green and red bananas would provide colorful foliage as a back drop.
Another useful family is the conifers. My favorite at the moment is the glorious Arizona blue ice cypress. This conifer reaches a height of 12 feet and spreads 6 to 8 feet wide. Planted on 8 foot centers, they can grow into a dense screen.
Another good choice is the blue point juniper. These can easily grow to a height of 10 feet with a 6 to 7 foot spread. Both of these varieties flourish in our central Texas area.
If you want go native and evergreen, try yaupon holly, southern wax myrtle or Texas mountain laurel. They are relatively fast-growing, and can make it through our summers.
For a tall screen, plant live oaks or Mexican white oaks. Put them along a fence line or property edge, and these will create dramatic evergreen screens in the 10 to 30 foot range… enough to block out a two-story neighbor.
Evergreen vines on a trellis are another idea. Tangerine beauty crossvine, Texas coral honeysuckle, confederate jasmine and carolina Jessamine all work well, and will create a dense screen, provide seasonal color, and attract the occasional butterfly and hummingbird.
Happy gardening everyone!
If you have a question, send it to me via email: [email protected]. (Please put ‘Ask Chris Winslow’ in the subject line.) Or mail your letter or postcard to: Ask Chris Winslow. It’s About Thyme: 11726 Manchaca Road, Austin, TX 78748 www.itsaboutthyme.com.
