Michael Womack
| News | Sports | Business | Opinions | Columns | Entertainment |
| Science/Technology | Weather | Archives | E-mail Us |

Saturday, January 1, 2000

Resolve to garden more responsibly

Study, learn and plan before planting in '00

 

It's that time of year again. Time to make resolutions for the new year to change old habits and improve different areas of our lives. Gardening goals should also be included in your list of resolutions.
   Since most of us make resolutions and break them within a few weeks, it is probably better to make one or two realistic and achievable goals for the new year. Here are a few gardening resolutions from which to choose.
   I will plan before I plant.
   Too often we find a pretty plant at a garden center that we just have to purchase because it is so beautiful, without any thought to its growing requirements or where we are going to plant it. We put sun-loving plants in our increasingly shady beds because there is no other place to put them, or we put a high-water plant next to a semi-arid plant. These unplanned plantings are doomed to failure. In the future, we will find places that need plants, and we will purchase plants that meet the space, light and water conditions that we currently have.
   I will trim trees properly.
   In many cases, people seem to whack at trees because our neighbors remind us with their pile of brush that it's that time of year. Only trim trees if they need it and always make the proper cuts. Use the three-step method to prevent bark tearing and do not make flush cuts. Also, remember that research has shown that pruning paint is not beneficial to the healing process. Above all, NEVER TOP A TREE!
   If you need information on proper tree pruning, the Nueces County Extension Office (767-5217)has free copies of A Healthy Guide To Planting Trees, published locally by the Tree Awareness Council (882-3172).
   I will not spray pesticides without knowing what I'm trying to control.
   Most people do not realize that urban residents contribute more to chemical pollution to our bays and estuaries than do agricultural producers. Home gardeners spray all kinds of chemicals as preventative measures to keep bugs away. If insects appear, gardeners often have the "if a little is good, more is better" attitude when applying chemicals. I have even found people trying to solve insect and fertilization problems with fungicide because they didn't correctly identify the problem.
   If you have a question, consult your local nursery professional and get their advice. Then apply chemical if necessary, according to the label directions. It's not only safer for the environment, IT'S THE LAW!
   I will water my lawn properly.
   Improper lawn watering is one of the biggest problems in the Corpus Christi area. People tend to water too often and at the wrong time of day. Always wait until a lawn needs water before irrigating. It will need more in summer and less in autumn and winter. Watering too often produces shallow root systems and encourages lawn fungal diseases.
   Also, only water in the morning. Watering after 11 a.m. will result in excessive evaporation. Late afternoon and evening watering will allow the grass to remain wet for extended periods and again encourages fungal disease problems like take-all root rot and brown patch.
   I will keep better gardening records.
   Every year we say we are going to keep track of what varieties we plant, planting dates and plant performance notes. Although we start off with good intentions, we quickly forget about them when we have to hurry and get the garden planted in February, never going back to make notes of what we did and when.
   At the end of the year, we can't remember what varieties we planted, much less which ones grew or tasted better. A yearly garden plan can provide invaluable information and keep you from making the same mistakes year after year. Get a spiral notebook and start writing everything down. There's never a better time to start than right now.
   For more information about any of these topics, contact the Texas Agricultural Extension Service (767-5217). Best Wishes for the New Year, and happy gardening!
  

1999 Caller-Times Publishing Company, a Scripps Howard newspaper. All rights reserved.