Spring planting in central Texas might be the most anticipated time of the year for all gardeners. April is the ideal time to plant summer fruiting plants and seeds. We can plant green beans, beets, cantaloupe, corn, cucumbers, pumpkins, radishes, squas, and watermelons.
It’s also time to plant tomato, pepper and eggplant transplants. Now that it’s officially past the last average frost date, we can also sow summer annuals like zinnias, cosmos, morning glories and sunflowers.
Warm temperatures are here and will steadily increase as we progress into summer. With care and attention, we can keep our gardens productive. Mulch, compost and consistent watering are keys to maintaining a healthy garden during the worst of the heat.
Different plants have different water needs so learn your plants preferences. Most plants will tell you when they need watering by looking stressed, but pest damage like root nematodes and squash vine borers can mimic water stress in established plants. If your plants do not improve in appearance after watering, you may need look for pest damage.
Its best water deeply, but infrequently rather than frequent shallow watering. It’s important to water deeply so that the water reaches the roots.
Large plants like tomatoes and peppers have large, extensive root systems.
Shallow watering can encourage surface root growth which makes them more vulnerable to drought.
Watering during the morning is preferred since it is cooler, and plants can absorb the moisture before the heat of the day sets in. Water at the base of your plants to help prevent overspray and evaporation. Plants can get sunscald if water droplets are present in during intense summer sun. The sun’s rays magnify in the water droplets and the intensity cause heat damage to the plant cells. Sunscald damage appears as dry, bleached spots on the leaves.
For most plants, a 2-3 inch layer of mulch is sufficient. Mulch helps the soil retain moisture, shades the roots, suppress weeds and maintains soil temperature.
Compost is a nutrientrich soil amendment that is a mixture of organic materials that have decomposed. Compost contains beneficial microorganisms including bacteria and fungi. Compost improves soil quality by increasing water retention and adding nutrients. For existing beds, add 1-2 inches of compost to the top of the soil every growing season. The microbes and other soil critters will find the compost.
Compost reduces the need for additional fertilizers, but heavy feeding plants in the vegetable garden do benefit from supplemental fertilizer every few weeks. Any well balanced organic fertilizer will support your vegetables. Look for a low-dose product, one with low nutrient ratios. These are the NPK numbers on the package. Nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium are the primary nutrients essential for plant growth and health. Low ratios like 3-1-2 or 5-5-5 will give your plants a gentle boost of nutrients. It’s always better to use a lower ratio and apply again than use a higher ratio and give too much. Fertilizer can build up in the soil and damage your plants. Fertilizer damage is considered a chemical burn.
Fertilizers come as a solid or liquid concentrate.
Granular fertilizers are convenient and easy to use. Just spread at the base of your plants. Liquid fertilizers are more versatile since you control the dilution, and you can apply them as a soil drench or foliar feeding spray.
A soil drench means pouring the liquid at the base of your plants directly on the root zone. You can put your fertilizer in a sprayer and spray it on your leaves. Plants can take in nutrients from their leaves, stems and even bark. Plants don’t have to wait for the roots to take in nutrients. They benefit from the extra moisture on their leaves and the humidity helps them take in the nutrients.
Do not apply liquid fertilizer during the heat of the day to avoid sun damage.
With 25 years of backyard gardening experience, Julie is a plant and nature enthusiast. She lives in Taylor and hosts the “Plow & Hose Organic Gardening in Central Texas” podcast and radio show that airs on KBSR, Black Sparrow Radio every Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m.
