Gardening

Fall Pecan Day set for Thursday, Sept. 21, in Santa Fe

By Dr. William M. Johnson
Galveston County Extension Agent - Horticulture

September 21, 2006

The Fall Pecan Field Day will be held on Thursday, September 21, 2006, beginning at 4:00 p.m. at Jim Hall’s Pecan Orchard [located at 11813 - 28th Street] in Santa Fe. Whether you grow one or several pecan trees, the Pecan Orchard Tour will be of value to you in producing high yields of quality nuts. Bill Ree, Extension Pecan Entomologist from Texas A&M, will provide a presentation on insect pests on pecans. Photo by William M. Johnson.

Bill Ree, Extension Pecan Entomologist from Texas A&M, will provide a presentation on insect pests on pecans. Presentations will also be given by members of the Galveston County Extension Fruit & Pecan Committee. Performance of a wide assortment of pecan varieties will be discussed as part of the orchard tour.

Identification and control measures for current disease and insect problems will also be discussed. Individuals who have insect, disease, or other pest problems are encouraged to bring plant samples in plastic bags for diagnosis and control recommendations.

To get to the pecan orchard site, go to the intersection of Highway 6 and Highway 646 in Santa Fe (there are signal lights at this intersection where Highway 646 continues south of Highway 6; Tibaldo’s Feed Store is located at this intersection). Continue south on Highway 646, cross the railroad tracks and travel one and one-tenth miles. Turn left on 28th Street. Hall’s Pecan Orchard is located behind Jim Hall’s residence at 11813 - 28th Street (approximately one-tenth mile from the turn-off at Highway 646). Look for the first concrete driveway on the right that is lined on both sides with pine trees–it leads to the brick home residence of Jim Hall.

The general public is invited to attend. The program is sponsored by the Galveston County Extension Fruit and Pecan Committee. To obtain a map and for additional information, contact the County Extension Office (281-534-3413, Ext. 6) or visit my website address listed below.

ORNAMENTAL & PERENNIAL SEMINAR & SALE SET FOR OCTOBER 21

This is an earlier reminder that the Ornamental & Perennial Seminar & Sale, sponsored by the Galveston County Master Gardeners, will be conducted on Saturday, October 21. More than 200 types of perennials, vines, ornamental grasses and flowering shrubs will be available including many hard-to-find varieties. This year's offering will feature plants for creating a butterfly garden, plus a wide selection of foundation plants for new yards.

The activities will begin on October 21, at 8:00 a.m. when Heidi Sheesley of TreeSearch Farms Nursery will present a slide seminar entitled Perinnials & Ornamentals for Gulf Coast Landscapes. She will discuss proven perennials and ornamentals for this area and guidelines for growing them. The Plant Sale itself will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. All activities will be conducted at the Wayne Johnson Community Center in Carbide Park at 4102 FM 519 in La Marque.

Gardeners’ Q&A

Question: What is the difference between "native plants" and "adapted plants," and why are they recommended for landscapes?

Answer: According to the most common definition, native plants are those that were growing in an area before the arrival of European settlers. Low maintenance is the most obvious benefit of using native plants in your landscape. These plants are used to our temperature fluctuations, our extreme heat and humidity and our occasional freak blue Northers.

Native plants are more heat and drought tolerant and, after they are established, they are better able to survive on natural rainfall without supplemental watering. Native plants generally are more resistant to insects and diseases. In other words, native plants save you time and money. All this and they are pretty too!

Because native plant lists typically include "naturalized" or "adapted plants," the term "native" is often ambiguous and confusing. But adapted plants will work for you too. Although local gardeners commonly use the term "native plants," most landscape plants consist of adapted plants since our pre-Columbian environment was primarily a coastal prairie.

Adapted plants include plants from other parts of the state and country or even the world. They have similar soil and climate needs and are often considered native because they feel right at home and grow well here. Examples of adapted plants range from Chinese tallow (native to China) to Turk’s cap (native to Mexico) to oleanders (native to the Mediterranean).

The most important thing to remember before purchasing a plant is that Texas is a very big place and just because a plant is identified as a Texas native does not automatically make it a good candidate for our area. A plant that grows happily and carefree in El Paso may be unable to tolerate our spring downpours and summer humidity.

On the other hand, a plant that thrives in Savannah, Georgia or Charleston, South Carolina may feel right at home in the Galveston-Houston area because of our similar climates. Make sure you understand the plant's cultural needs and whether or not you can meet those needs before you purchase.

With a little forethought, a few native plants can even be incorporated into an existing formal landscape.

Dr. Johnson is a horticulturist with the Galveston County
Extension Office of Texas Cooperative Extension, Texas A&M University. Visit his web site at http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/index.htm

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