PREPARING YOUR GARDEN
Work plenty of decomposed organic matter into your garden soil prior to planting this spring. Whether you make your own or buy it ready made, compost can improve both the texture and nutritional content of your soil. Just be sure your compost is fully decomposed before using it in your garden. Avoid applying fresh livestock or chicken manure to your soil, as it is too hot and may burn your plants. Always let this type of material completely decompose in your compost pile before applying it to your garden or landscape.
Be sure to let part of your garden lie fallow each season. By not planting a different section of your garden each season, you allow the soil there to rest. Some gardeners plant a green manure cover crop, such as hairy vetch, elbon rye or clover on their fallow area, tilling these plants into the ground at the end of the season to improve the soil.
It is also a good idea to rotate planting areas within your garden each year so that you do not grow the same crop family in the same place every year. Instead, mix up the planting sites so the soil supports different types of plants each time. This will help to limit the buildup of soil-borne diseases that are specific to certain types of plants.
Remember to keep your garden soil evenly moist as your seeds are germinating. Allowing the soil to dry out and crust over can severely limit or even prevent your seeds from sprouting. It is a good idea to check your garden every day during the time your seeds are sprouting to make sure it does not need watering.
HORTICULTURE TIPS:
Time to plant new trees and put pre-emergence weed control on lawns.
Spray emerged weeds with Roundup until Bermuda begins to green.
***********************************************************************Educational programs conducted by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service are open to all citizens without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age or national origin.
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