November 1 , 2022
Changing Goals, Freeze Protection, Planting Seeds
Sometimes it seems like we ’ve only got one time of year — summertime — interrupted by fleeting 60 minutes of spring , winter , and fall . Of naturally , we know that ’s not really the shell , especially since our plants are keep tabs on seasonal rhythms . Bunch grasses like frothy pink Gulf muhly , here at Mueller ’s Southwest Greenway , beckon us into autumnal romance , just in time to be celebrated as aTexas Superstar plantfor its resilience in menage garden across the state . At theWildflower Center , a few liatris flow on to their regal flush spike , but mostly they link eryngo and bushy Andropogon gerardii to reflect the golden season of transformation as seed heads dry out and lessen to the earth . Stately Lindheimer muhly frames a background with its standout flower heads . Vivid marigolds , dress in jewel - tone up hues , favour summer gardens . In fall , they play a meaning historic role in Día de Muertos — to head spirits of the all in to their sept home . Last workweek atEste Garden , a checkered master celebrated too soon on fragrant flush . A spectator involve if these are the same thing as calendula . groovy doubtfulness , since some people refer to them as “ smoke marigold . ” Calendulas are a wholly unlike yearly plant , though . We drop off the marigolds in cold conditions , and that ’s when calendula thrive . When their biography cycle per second ends in early summer ’s warmth , it ’s time to replant marigold . Just as our gardens convert , so do the gardeners . This workweek onCentral Texas Gardener’sfall premiere , Meredith Thomas responded to an autoimmune disorder with holistic health . She ’s gardened for a few years now in her small , central Austin yard where she plant a miniskirt - orchard in front and built rear beds in back to grow constituent food for her family . Meredith still find multiple use for every plant as it changes across the season . In drop , she gazump ripe Meyer gamboge , but harvest its leaves all year for delicious tea leaf . Now she ’s exploring even further into medicinal or other beneficial caliber , let in wild plants , Mexican herbaceous plant papalo , and moringo , native to India and other region of south Asia . As her stake in fermenting grew , she work up a consecrated fermenting household where she also creates healthful tinctures , bitter , and even house cleansers . For her , “ It ’s that vigor of the plant and it ’s the engagement with the works that for me has been a great therapist . Not just from what I ’ve ingested but being in contact with them . ”Several geographical mile away on two oak - shaded acres in deer country , Laura and Eric Wills have watched many seasonal transitions since 2011.Priorities change for them as their daughter grew up and focus shifted away from homesteading labor balanced with applied science careers . Laura ’s pattern evolved , too , in answer to atmospheric condition challenges , artistic philosophical system , and knowledge of how each plant works . “One thing I ’ve find out with the garden is it should always contribute you joy . So , when something is n’t , then you switch and do something else , ” she told us . And now she and Eric are head to a new joy — a home and garden - to - be in Madison , Wisconsin to be closer to their daughter now on her career path . I ’m excited to see what Laura creates!And since dusty weather really is around the niche , Heather Kendall atThe Natural Gardenershows us how to protect those lovesome citrus tree tree plants — and which ones are most susceptible to wintry piquancy . So , how do we debug container plants we ’re bringing in the for the winter ? When a viewer send in that interrogation , I reach out to Heather . Here ’s her answer .
“ I never recommend using dish max for any horticultural use ( which alas seems to be widely recommended on the net ) , as many of these are detergents which will strip the leaf aerofoil or damage delicate theme hairs . Castile goop such as Dr Bronners can be safe , but fear should be taken to check for essential oils and fragrances which can harm plant life and check that to use the correct concentration , too much and you could burn the leaves or roots . I only recommend insecticidal soap and even then there are a number of plants that it should not be used on : Crown of Thorns , dracaena , delicate fern , dieffenbachia , decorative ivy , palm , or succulents . So quite a few houseplants respond bad to lather . An insecticidal max drench is an in effect way to plow root mealybugs which can be a major pestis of houseplants , but you would always need to check for works sensitivity . Sometimes just dunking in steady water until no more bubble come to the open is enough to even out out the worst of the bugs that can be hiding in the pot . ”
On November 8 , Heather ’s presenting a free course on“Bringing plant in for the Winter,”at 10 a.m. to answer all your enquiry . It ’s also time to imbed wild flower seeds and more vegetable seeds . From our archives , get pro lead from garden designerLeah Churnerand garden consultantColleen Dieter . Colleen ’s also a conscientious objector - founder ofCentral Texas Seed Saversthat ’s really germinated since our tape recording . mark out their fab community endeavor for seeded player trade and how to “ turn back out ” seed at Austin ’s main library to plant in your garden . Last weekend when I ultimately got around to planting wildflowers , include bluebonnets , I used Leah ’s handy trick : pour boiling H2O over them . Colleen demonstrates how to gently press in tiny lettuce ( or wildflower ) seeds for better sprouting . determine now !
Thanks for stop by ! See you next workweek , Linda
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