Tips of tender green, / Leaf, or blade, or sheath;
Telling of the hidden life / That breaks forth underneath, Life nursed in its grave by Death.
“SPRING” by Christina Rossetti, (1830-1894) British poet/writer
PREPARING FOR SPRING WITHOUT JUMPING THE GUN
By Brenda Beust Smith
My thanks to everyone who asked about my husband Bill’s recovery from West Nile Virus. He’s steadily improving, slowly getting closer to walking again. My thanks too for your patience in allowing me to repeat some of my favorite columns from the past 50 years of writing The Lazy Gardener.
Remember, folks, we’re only in the middle of our “winter”! Officially our last 2023 frost date prediction (29° to 32°F) will be “around” February 18. Smart gardeners will wait before any serious garden cleanup.
In our Spotlight below, Galveston County Master Gardener BARBARA CANETTI shares again her words of wisdom and “DO NOW” advice for those of us patiently waiting and watching for green shoots to reappear.
We certainly don’t lack for advice — most of it free. All over this area, experts galore will be on hand at big events such as the FRI.-SAT., FEB 10-11: GALVESTON COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS SPRING PLANT SALE
(galveston.agrilife.org/horticulture/) — listed with many other Greater Houston area sales and programs listed in our calendar below. Check out all the gardening classes such as GCMG’s lectures on peaches & potatoes (Feb 11) and avocados (Feb. 18). These events are great places to safely learn about new- to-us varieties of plants now on the market!
But, first . . .
MY THANKS and GRADITUDE
to MIKE SHOUP who sold his well-known Antique Rose Emporium to JIM and KIM KEETER of Fredericksburg. Over the past 35+ years, Mike changed our gardening scene more than words can say . . . and was a HUGE help to one young, plant-ignorant Chronicle writer assigned to do a gardening column!
Even before Mike gave the Texas Rose Rustlers a home base (and retail outlet) for their wonderful own-root rose discoveries in abandoned cemeteries and other sites, Mike was bringing into the spotlight and into trade many Texas native wildflowers we now take for granted. Mike has been a true gift to gardeners, and deserves warm praises for broadening our perspectives on these gorgeous plants. Hope you have many more wonderful years, Mike!
Brenda Beust Smith’s column in the LAZY GARDENER & FRIENDS HOUSTON GARDEN NEWSLETTER is based on her 40+ years as Houston Chronicle’s Lazy Gardener
Email: lazygardenerbrenda@gmail.com
* * *
IS IT DEAD-DEAD? OR JUST DORMANT?
by BARBARA CANETTI
Galveston County Master Gardener
Sometimes that sad, droopy, brown plant can surprise you. It may look dead, after the super cold snaps in the Greater Houston area this season. But those plants may be more resilient than you think. Don’t be too quick to toss them away.
Plants and trees don’t exhibit any obvious vital signs – heartbeats or pulses — but there are subtle hints that could indicate a problem.
First, a visual inspection: has the plant lost many leaves? Are the remaining leaves brown or yellowing? These could be signs of dying or they could be natural indications of dormancy.
Look further, and check the stems. Are they good color – preferably green? Are they sturdy, rather than mushy or brittle? Is the stem firm yet pliable? Are there soft spots on the stem or branches? Do a scratch test: with a fingernail, scratch a small portion of the stem. If the innards are green, the plant is still viable. If it is white or brown, say good-bye to it.
If there are buds on the plant, note their condition. If they are flaky, brittle or burned, remove them. The plant may be unsightly, but it may not be dead.
Next, examine the roots. Are they still pliable and firm, or have they discolored and are fraying? Sometimes the damage to the roots is severe enough that they begin to rot. There would be a distinct, earthy smell if that happens. Leaves on the plant could be brown but the plant should be fine if it has a healthy root system.
If there is a possibility that the plant is still alive, it may just need some
TLC. Cut away that portion of the stems that looked dead, trimming away a few inches at a time and moving closer and closer to the roots. Leave at least 2- inches of stem in the soil.
Remove any rot and apply fungicide if necessary. Also, check for any bug infestations or insects (aphids) and remove them.
If possible, re-pot the plant and place it in a protected area with indirect light. Water only if the soil is dry but don’t let it dry out. Within a month, it will be evident if the plant will make it. New shoots and leaves will appear. Cut away any old growth that is not producing stems or leaves.
Remember, if the plant is dormant, it is resting. As the spring comes closer, it
will start showing more signs of life. Old leaves will wilt and fade but the new leaves need to be strong and crisp.
And, as bad as the garden may look now — everything brown and sorry-looking
— leave it alone for a few more weeks.
EDITOR’S NOTE: More questions? You’ll find plenty of experts FOR YOUR AREA! at upcoming Greater Houston plant sales, such as the
FRI.-SAT., FEB 10-11: GALVESTON COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS SPRING PLANT SALE.
galveston.agrilife.org/horticulture/ 281-309-5065.
* * *
“HAVE YOU TRIED. . . GARDENING TIPS ARE BACK!
CHECK BELOW JOHN’S COLUMN!
* * *
NEWS FROM THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF SOIL AND PLANTS # 225
With spring around the corner, I want to continue to talk about plant nutrition and go a little deeper into minerals and elements.
I read an interesting article a while back on minerals. To date, mineralogists have classified over 5,600 different minerals. Gardeners need to be careful on marketing claims as there are over 100 minerals that contain the element calcium required for good plant growth…but only one element calcium (Ca).
There are 94 naturally occurring elements found on earth. The most common one’s range in atomic number from 1-82 and all except two of these have stable isotopes (do not decay). These elements combine in many ways to form our minerals.
Research has shown that 80% of the minerals required water during their formation process in some form or fashion. In addition, these elements can combine in different ways which gives them different chemical and physical properties.
For example, the mineral calcite which is calcium carbonate (CaCO3) also known to many as limestone, can combine in at least 17 different ways. Journal American Mineralogist July 2022
Carbon (C) can be in many forms from the mineral graphite which is used in pencil lead as it is very soft or as diamonds which are extremely hard. Graphite and diamond share the same composition (carbon) but the different crystal
structures give them very different properties.
Another example is the mineral Halite which is common table salt that is composed of the elements sodium and chlorine (NaCl). This mineral normally occurs in what is called a cubic crystal structure where it easily dissolves in water.
In one of my mineralogy classes my professor explained that in ancient times ovens were often lined with Halite to help hold the heat for more even cooking. However, after repeated heating the sodium and chlorine atoms would rearrange themselves depending on impurities where it would not easily dissolve in water, hence loose its flavor (see reference in Luke 14:34-35).
Depending on other elements present different mineral or crystal forms can occur.
For gardeners understanding this process between minerals and the elements is very important.
Secondly, the same elements arranged in a different crystal structure often has different physical and chemical properties.
Third, a soil test using a strong acid may look like there is a lot of a given element. However, in the soil the element is often locked up chemically due to its crystal form and NOT available to plants. Hence, the results from soil testing using strong acid methods can be mis-leading. See January 7th newsletter #469 for more information on testing.
Many minerals are formed in molten lava as it cools like those found in granite and basalt. These minerals were stable at the high temperatures and pressures where they were formed, however in our soils they are not stable since there is very different temperatures and pressure. This allows the microbes and plant roots to release the elements for their use. Other minerals are formed under intense pressure in our oceans like those found in greensand.
This is why products like Re-mineralizer (a blend of granite, basalt, and green sands) works so well at providing minor and trace elements to our gardens, giving us healthier plants.
Most of the elements released from the minerals in the soil is done by microbes. Hence for gardeners to get the best results one needs very high microbial density and diversity.
So how does a gardener get high microbial density and diversity in their soils? It is very simple:
- As in medicine the first step is “Do No Harm.” Thus, do not kill the microbes by using toxic chemicals (fungicides, pesticides, herbicides, salts, artificial fertilizers, chlorinated water, etc.).
- Give the microbes food to eat and grow. This is done by using products like compost, aged native mulches, organic fertilizers, humates, and related products.
When I was in college, soil science was all about the chemistry and physics of soils. Today we know that the biology of soils is ten times more important than the chemistry and physics put together.
There are three great and easy to understand books on soil biology that every serious gardener and homeowner should read:
Teaming with Microbes, A Gardener’s Guide to the Soil Food Web, 2nd Edition, by Jeff Lowenfels & Wayne Lewis, Timber Press, 2006, ISBN-13:978- 0-88192-777-1
Teaming With Fungi: The Organic Growers Guide to Mycorrhizae,by Jeff Lowenfels, Timber Press, 2017, ISBN: 978-160469-729
Teaming With Bacteria: The Organic Growers Guide to Endophytic Bacteria and the Rhizophagy Cycle, by Jeff Lowenfels, Timber Press, 2022, ISBN: 978-1-64326-139-3
* * *
HAVE YOU TRIED . . .
BRIDAL WREATH SPIREA
(Spiraea prunifolia)
This early spring bloomer is getting ready to burst into its spring bloom. This medium-height, deciduous shrub’s reliable upright arching cascading sprays of white double flowers make it a favorite Spring welcome in the Greater Houston area.
Clusters of small white flowers cover arching stems before leaves mature. Asia native. 4-8′ high and wide at maturity. Full to part sun.
BRIDAL WREATH SPIREA is carried by Nature’s Way Resources (Map). Or contact our sponsor, Montgomery Pines Nursery in Willis, our other sponsors (see below) or your neighborhood nurseryman for sources.
* * *
If we inspire you to attend any of these, please let them know you heard about it in . . . THE LAZY GARDENER & FRIENDS NEWSLETTER! & please patronize our Newsletter & Calendar sponsors below!
SPONSORSHIP
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact us at 936-273-1200 or send an e-mail to: lazygardenerandfriends@gmail.com
ABOUT US
BRENDA BEUST SMITH WE KNOW HER BEST AS THE LAZY GARDENER . . . but Brenda Beust Smith is also:
- a national award-winning writer & editor
- a nationally-published writer & photographer
- a national horticultural speaker
- a former Houston Chronicle reporter
When the Chronicle discontinued Brenda’s 45-year-old Lazy Gardener” print column — started in the early ’70s as a fun side-project to reporting, it then ranked as the longestrunning, continuously-published local newspaper column in the Greater Houston area. The name, she says, is not just fun, it’s true. Brenda’s gradual sideways step from reporter into gardening writing led first to an 18-year series of when-to-do-what Lazy Gardener Calendars, then to her Lazy Gardener’s Guide book which morphed into her Lazy Gardener’s Guide on CD, which she now emails free upon request. Brenda became a Harris County Master Gardener and, over the years, served on theboards of many Greater Houston area horticulture organizations. She hosted local radio and TV shows, most notably a 10+-year Lazy Gardener specialty shows on HoustonPBS (Ch. 8) and her call-in “EcoGardening” show on KPFT-FM. For over three decades, Brenda served as Assistant Production Manager of the GARDEN CLUB OF AMERICA’S “BULLETIN” magazine. Although still an active broad-based freelance writer, Brenda’s main focus now is THE LAZY GARDENER & FRIENDS HOUSTON GARDEN NEWSLETTER with John Ferguson and Pablo Hernandez of Nature’s Way Resources. A native of New Orleans and graduate of St. Agnes Academy and the University of Houston, Brenda lives in Humble, TX, and is married to the retired Aldine High School Coach Bill Smith. They have one son, Blake. Regarding this newsletter, Brenda is the lead writer, originator of it and the daily inspiration for it. We so appreciate the way she has made gardening such a fun way to celebrate life together for such a long time.
JOHN FERGUSON John is a native Houstonian and has over 27 years of business experience. He owns Nature’s Way Resources, a composting company that specializes in high quality compost, mulch, and soil mixes. He holds a MS degree in Physics and Geology and is a licensed Soil Scientist in Texas. John has won many awards in horticulture and environmental issues. He represents the composting industry on the Houston-Galveston Area Council for solid waste. His personal garden has been featured in several horticultural books and “Better Homes and Gardens” magazine. His business has been recognized in the Wall Street Journal for the quality and value of their products. He is a member of the Physics Honor Society and many other professional societies. John is is the co-author of the book Organic Management for the Professional. For this newsletter, John contributes articles regularly and is responsible for publishing it.
PABLO HERNANDEZ Pablo Hernandez is the special projects coordinator for Nature’s Way Resources. His realm of responsibilities include: serving as a webmaster, IT support, technical problem solving/troubleshooting, metrics management and quality control. Pablo helps this newsletter happen from a technical support standpoint.
Download the Newsletter with Our Events Calendar Below!
