Clara Mae Marcotte is a Texas Master Gardener with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. If you have a question to be answered, call the Master Gardeners at 830-379-1972 or leave a message to be answered. The website is The Master Gardener research library is open Wednesdays from 1 to 4, at 210 East Live Oak Street in Seguin.
Q: A friend says she is going to divide her Gulf Muhly. Is this the right time of year?
A: If you are going to divide your fall blooming perennials and your ornamental grasses, do it now. Doug Welsh in his Texas Garden Almanac says this allows time for them to reestablish themselves before blooming. Your ornamental grasses can have their dead foliage cut off now also, since new growth has already started growing from the base. Mine is sprouting as is all the grasses around Seguin High School.
Q: How can I control bedstraw (some call it sticky weed)?
A: Calvin Finch says to keep it mowed. This works, of course, if it’s in the lawn. If it’s in the flower beds, you need to rake or to pull it up. It really helps to pull it out now before it blooms and goes to seed. I have fewer this year than last year since I was very proactive in pulling out the plants.
Q: I do not like to put out seeds for the birds because it makes such a mess and becomes expensive. Is there something I can do that is easier and cheaper, yet still provides for our feathered friends?
A: You can provide one very important item: water. Place shallow bird baths high enough off the ground to make it harder for cats. However, in my yard, other animals are also looking for water, such as raccoons, possums, armadillos, squirrels, foxes and probably other animals I don’t even know about. So place a few water containers on the ground. Bird friendly plants can be put in your flower beds such as salvia, Turk’s Cap, flame acanthus, Esperanza, and others.
Q: What is the plant growing down the median on 123 Bypass? Is it forsythia?
A: The plant in the median is Primrose Jasmine, Jasminum mesnyi. Even though it is not a Texas native it is very easy to grow and is deer resistant. Forsythia blooms best in northern Texas and likes acidic soils.
Q: When do I fertilize my lawn?
A: Welsh recommends that you fertilize in the spring after you have mowed the grass twice. This shows that the grass is actively growing. In the fall, fertilize after the grass has stopped growth.
Q: I would love to have a vegetable garden but I have a small yard and the only sun I have is by my front door. Help!
A: Pots! Not only are pots good for small places, they are also higher in the air which makes it easier to weed and to harvest. Almost anything can be grown in a pot. One Patio tomato would be lovely in a pot by your front door. Green herbs can be grown in a slightly shadier spot. Last year I had a pot of basil by my front door that looked absolutely great (and tasted great too). I always keep a pot of parsley growing by my back door along with a pot of chile pequin.