A month later and most are coming up for air after the "snowpocalypse." We would like to thank first responders, plumbers, and contractors — overwhelmed while literally thousands were calling for your help. Thank you! We could not have come through without y’all.
TO PLANT
Seeds: all hot-weather herbs such as basil, chives, and milk thistle.
Plants: all hot-weather herbs and perennial herbs such as artemisias, basil, bergamot, catmint or catnip, chives, comfrey, scented geranium, lemongrass, mints, oregano, pennyroyal, rosemary, Santolina, and thyme. (Have you checked out cinnamon basil or chocolate mint?)
Vegetables: beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, corn, cucumbers, eggplants, lettuce, melons, onions, peas, peppers, spinach, summer squash, tomatoes, and zucchini.
Stagger plantings so you don’t have a harvest all at once but over time. For instance, in your pepper section, plant some this week and some next week. Although the growth rates of the plants will vary, you’ve done your due diligence to stagger harvests. Perhaps plant more for your elderly parents or grandparents who are unable to tend their own gardens.
Before you get carried away planting pretties for the pollinators and yourself, check how far your hoses will reach.
BURNING
Gentle reminder if you are burning: Before you start, contact your local sheriff’s office. They will ask for your name, contact number, and address.
Phone numbers for area sheriff's offices:
- Burnet County — 512-756-8080
- Llano County — 325-247-5767
- Mason County — 325-347-6937
- Travis County West — 512-854-9728
- Williamson County — 512-943-1300
Although rain is an indicator, it is not the only variable to consider when judging whether to burn.
- Burn pile should only consist of brush, trimmings, untreated wood, or paper products. Black smoke means there is something in the pile that shouldn’t be.
- Don’t burn close to the road. The smoke could be a driving hazard to vehicles. And check the direction of the wind so you’re not smoking out your neighbor.
- If your brush pile has been sitting for a moment, a mother mammal or bird could be using it as a home. Double check for wildlife before you light.
- NO burning on RED FLAG days!
What’s your favorite vegetable? Fruit? Pollinator plant? Pollinator?Have a question about companion gardening? Perhaps you would like to know what trees do well in our area. We’d love to answer your questions in our upcoming columns. Till next time, keep your souls and soles in your garden!
Remember the True Master Gardener: Jesus said, “I am the vine; my Father is the Gardener.” John 15:1
"In the Garden" is written by daughter-father gardening duo Martelle and Bill Luedecke. Contact Martelle at Luedecke Photography at 512-769-3179 or luedeckephotography@gmail.com. Contact Bill at 512-577-1463 or bill@texasland.net.