Basics for Fort Bend Gardening

Make sure you have the proper equipment. A shovel with a good handle, a sturdy wagon or wheelbarrow, and gardening gloves If you are planting bulbs, make sure you have a bulb digger with a longer handle so that you do not have to keep bending down for every small hole you dig. Talk to other gardeners in your neighborhood and find out what tools they use the most and why they prefer them.

SOIL

Always begin with a good soilmixture. Try to get 45% Mineral, 5% Organic, 25% Water, 25% Air.

Soil that retains too much water will not allow air to permeate to the roots. Plants need air just as we do, but soil that will not hold water, allows too much air at the roots, and this is also harmful to the plant.

Your soil should not be able to be molded as clay does, but it should be able to stick together more than sand does.

DRAINAGE

In our area, you MUST amend the soil, raise your beds up. When you buy a tree, buy some soil at the same time. Don't plant your tree in just our clay soil. Drainage is a priority in our area. Water has to be able to run off from the flower beds, trees, even the lawn. If you see standing water, you know your plants will die or at the very least get a disease. Water is a requirement for tree growth but trapped water in the root zone can cause root mortality. During construction,internal and surface water drainage can be altered and trapped water in the root zone. In time, the oxygen is depleted and root's die. Install drains to remove excess water. If the land is sloping, install a French drain to move the water to or man made drain. In some areas the land is too flat and the soil profile prevents adequate internal drainage. Drains collect and move water to a sump, and then it is removed.

START OFF SMALL

You are enthusiastic, you have visions of a luscious landscape, but stop. Begin with something very simple, and easy to do. Gardening is suppose to be fun, not a chore. Thank about it before you start. Make a plan. Consider how much time and effort it will take to keep your plants healthy and beautiful.

FLOWER BEDS AND GARDENS

Avoid flower beds that must be maintained in moist condition or frequently tilled. If a flower bed is placed around a tree, protect the trunk form exposure to the organic mix by placing a collar around the base of the tree. The collar should be placed 3-4 inches away from the trunk. As the trunk expands the collar will also have to be expanded. Tilling destroys feeder roots in the top few inches of soil. Vegetable gardens should be located away from existing trees.

BEFORE YOU PLANT

Think about the size of the plant when it matures. Resist the temptation to "over plant".

WATER

Plants need only one inch of water per week. Water early in the morning, to prevent disease and evaporation. It prepares the plants for the long, hot day ahead. Don't wait for the plant to wilt before you water it. One good soaking is better than several shallow waterings.

MULCH

If possible place mulch layer over the root system. Mulch decreases soil temperature extremes and maintains a more uniform soil moisture. It also reduces competition with weeds, grass or other plants for moisture and nutrients.

TREES

Location of Root System of a Tree - The root system of many mature trees extends out from the trunk, 2.5 to 3 times the distance from the trunk to the drip line. Mechanical injury, herbicides or disrupting the soil in this area can result root injury or death.

PREVENTING DAMAGE DURING CONSTRUCTION

Precautions should be taken when planning a home or adding to the landscape to avoid practices that damage trees or their roots. Do not store sand or gravel near trees.. During construction, do not park vehicles and equipment over a tree's root system. Design landscapes to minimize soil disturbance around a tree's roots.

PURCHASING

Hold back and buy plants in the store that are NOT in bloom. Buy plants that will do well in our area. Just because you liked the plant when you lived up north and it was beautiful, does not mean it is a good plant to grow here.

FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES FOR EACH PLANT YOU PURCHASE

If the directions on the plants says shade, don't put it in the sun.

FERTILIZER

Find out what fertilizer your plants like, and give it some food on a regular basis. Know the difference among the different fertilizers.

Slow-Release Fertilizer

• Advantages - Fewer applications, Low burn potential, Release rates vary depending on fertilizer characteristics, Comparatively slow release rate.
• Disadvantages - Unit cost is high, Availability is limited, Release rate governed by factors other than plant need.

• Advantages - Fast acting, Some are acid forming, Low cost.
• Disadvantages - Greater burn potential, Solidifies in the bag when wet, Nitrogen leaches readily.

• Advantages - Low burn potential, Relatively slow release, Contains micronutrients, Conditions the soil.
• Disadvantages - Salt my be a problem, Bulky; difficult to handle, Odor, Expensive per pound of actual nutrients, Weed seeds a problem, Heavy metals may be present in sewage sludge (frequent in sludge from large cities).

We have always heard that you don't learn until you make mistakes, and that is very true with gardening. If you make a mistake, it teaches us to try it another way. Don't hesitate to experiment.

COMMUNICATION