August tip for Texas (z8 & 9)

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Thanks for this email goes to Elizabeth.

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The Natural Gardener (August Tips for Texas)
This just came in today. Should give some good ideas on when and what to start
now.
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tip of the week
seeds i know that the heat of august does not really conjure up visions of
little seedlings, but it should. now is the last chance to plant summer
crops and time to start, in flats, plants for fall planting.
summer crop seeds that should be planted now include beans, cucumbers, summer
and winter squash and others that have a short time to maturity as
it freezes in mid november (i.e.

look for the shortest time to maturity
varieties of melons.) these can all be started in theground. be sure to give the
seeds enough water for germination, probably every morning, and continue more
frequent waterings until the roots are established, easing
off the water as this happens. you can also provide a little shade for the
seedlings.
this is a great time to plant cosmos, zinnias, marigolds, and some sunflowers.
many of these come in varieties that are wonderful colors for the fall.

we do
not have the oranges, yellows, and reds of the northeast trees in fall, but we
can get those same colors in our gardens and homes with flowers.
some of the fall crops that can be started from seed in flats at this time
include broccoli, cauliflower, chard, collards, kale, lettuce and
mustard.
these are best started inside or in bright shade during this heat. make sure
when you transplant these later you give them time to acclimate – do not put
them in the hot sun immediately. do not panic if you do not feel like doing this
now, but some people like to start as early as possible.

it is the very
beginning of the season so you will have plenty of time.

herb of the week santolina (santolina spp.) santolina is a beautiful, hardy,
xeriscape plant with multiple uses. it thrives in dry, sunny areas. it is native
to the central mediterranean area.

santolina, which comes in several varieties,
has either gray or green foliage with yellow or white blooms in july or august.
it has very aromatic foliage when touched.

santolina makes a great border landscape plant in dry areas. you may say it is
allergic to water. santolina has many medicinal uses.

it can be used as a
stimulant and antiseptic. one can also use it to keep the moths away by putting
dry twigs in your closet. or dry the flowers to help soothe the itch of a
mosquito bite.

santolina will do best planted in full sun. it grows one to two
feet tall and can be three feet wide. plant it in sandy, well-drained soil.

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