Insecticidal and Fungicidal Oils: Dormant and All-seasons Oils | Central Texas Gardener

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Insecticidal and Fungicidal Oils: Dormant and All-seasons Oils

Fruit tree insect and fungal prevention John Dromgoole

by John Dromgoole

High Yield and All Seasons Spray Oil: petroleum-based. (Avoid spraying after temperatures hit the mid-80s to avoid leaf burn). Dormant oil is used in early winter to kill over-wintering eggs and larvae.
E-rase concentrate for powdery mildew: Jojoba oil
Organicide to control disease and many insect problems: sesame oil, fish oil
Bioganic Organic Insect Control: herb oils (thyme, clove, sesame)
Orange oil to control insects: 2 oz. in a gallon of water with a bit of soap
BioNeem (or any neem product) for insect and disease control: neem oil from the neem tree. This disrupts an insect’s hormonal balance so it stops feeding.
Rose Pharm: peppermint oil for roses
Indoor Pharm: rosemary oil
Flower Pharm: cinnamon oil

NOTE: Be cautious with these botanical/horticultural oils. Once it’s hot, consider applying at night. Read instructions carefully to avoid leaf burn.

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November To Do List

Plant: ornamental & wildlife

Perennials, shrubs, ornamental (clumping) grasses; fall is the best time to plant
Avoid planting cold tender plants like Pride of Barbardos, Esperanza, lantana, plumbago
Trees
Strawberries (best time to do it!)
Winter annuals, including calendula, snapdragon, pansy, viola, dusty miller, ornamental kale and cabbage, alyssum, stock, cyclamen, dusty miller, flowering kale and cabbage
Early to Thanksgiving: native wildflower seeds like bluebonnets, phlox, Mexican hat, Indian paintbrush, Indian blanket (gaillardia). Also, non-native poppies, larkspurs, hollyhocks
Early to Thanksgiving: spring bulbs

Plant: herbs

Perennials thyme, oregano, lavender
Cilantro transplants, parsley, dill, fennel , chervil, summer savory, borage, chives, rue
Be prepared to cover in case of deep freeze

Plant: food crops

Keep planting winter crops for successive harvest
Water weekly with liquid seaweed
Spray cabbage loopers on broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt).
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Vegetable Planting Guides (Central Texas) http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/travis/home-landscape/edible-gardens/growing-vegetables/

Prune

Avoid pruning shrubs right now unless you see damage
Okay to prune live oak and red oaks through January
Okay to prune trees
Thyme

Divide/Move

Shrubs, roses, trees, evergreen spring-blooming perennials

Prep

Mulch cold tender plants like gingers, Esperanza and semi-tropicals
Select spots where you want fruit trees, grapes, or berries to plant in January; for now, prep with compost
Get that row cover ready! Do not protect plants with plastic!

Lawn

If must mow, keep high to shade out germinating weeds
It’s really not a good idea to overseed with rye unless you have new, muddy construction and a dog!

Other tasks

Cut basil to freeze in oil in ice cube trays to use this winter in soups and stews
Collect seeds from summer annuals to dry and store indoors until next spring
Take cuttings of tender annuals to propagate in warmth to plant next spring
Rake leaves into beds to mulch over winter and return nutrients to the soil
Mow leaves on grass (if not raking to beds or compost) to break them down
Collect leaves from neighbors to add to compost pile!
Deeply water new plants; keep new seedlings moist but not drenched