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Pruning Cedars
If you are thinning your cedar trees or simply getting rid of the males because they make you sneeze, remember to leave several mature Cedar trees. Our Golden Cheeked Warblers (Dendroica chrysoparia) need both Ashe-juniper and oak for their habitat. To make their nest, they use long strips of the cedar bark for their foundation and spider webbing for mortar. Remember, the cedars with the blue berries are the good guys, well good gals.
Water and feed for all our fine feathered friends is important this time of year.
Perennial Prevention
When we are transplanting old plants or potting new plants, we are always on the lookout for the best potting soil available. Sometimes we just need to mix our own. We suggest one (1) large bag of Ladybug potting mix, one (1) bag of cotton burr compost, three (3) gallons coarse perlite (it will provide air for the plants root system), and one (1) gallon of the sand that builders use with cement. Mix the ingredients well, and you will have some outstanding potting mix.
Why, you may ask, are we speaking of transplanting and cuttings? Perennial prevention! Do you have a plant that has been in the family and passed down? Do you have a perennial that has sentimental value as well as aesthetic value? Before we get our “winter” or “freezes”, take some cuttings from your favorite plants. Fill up your containers with your mix. Your containers can be anything from Solo cups with holes in the bottom, leftover containers from last Spring, just about anything that will hold dirt and drain water. Water and allow it to drain outside. Place containers on a tray if you plan to keep your cuttings inside your home or garage (don’t want to get the floor wet), as opposed to a greenhouse. You will need approximately a 6-8” stem. Cut at a 45-degree angle below the node (the bendy pointy part where new growth begins). Remove flowers, leaving only several leaves for the plant to produce its own food. Stick your finger into the soil, then place your cutting in the hole. Gently push the soil so that the cutting can stand on its own. Lightly water to firm up the soil. Now, if by chance something happens to your sentimental parent perennial you have taken measures to ensure that the legacy lives.
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 Contact Martelle Luedecke (512) 769-3179 at luedeckephotography@gmail. or Bill at (512) 577-1463 or email bill@texasland.net.
