Yellow bearded iris in January: Rowena Fengel

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Yellow bearded iris in January: Rowena Fengel

yellow bearded iris bloom early Central Texas Gardener Our viewer photo this week comes from Bell County Master Gardener Rowena Fengel of her lovely yellow bearded iris blooming in January. She mentions that it’s no wonder plants in her garden in Temple are confused, since it was 78 degrees at her house on Christmas day! That’s Texas weird weather for you!

Bearded iris are delightful, drought-tough plants passed on over the generations. To improve blooming, divide in September or October and remove any rotted rhizomes.

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Recent Episodes

Garden for Birds and Pollinators

Bird populations have declined dramatically in recent years. Wildlife biologist Rufus Stephens, co-author of Land Stewardship for Birds with Jan Wrede, explores how to give our birds a helping hand, even in our backyards. Chris Garza sheet mulched his small front yard to kill weedy Bermuda grass to restore soil health and wildlife diversity. Watch | watch episode →

Changing the Winter-Tidy Mindset

Explore nature-to-garden perceptions with Dr. Bob Duke and Dr. Art Markman of KUT’s podcast, Two Guys on Your Head, produced by Rebecca McInroy. A Army Veteran’s new backyard lacked personality until she dug into gardening. Find out where beneficial insects snuggle down in winter with entomologist Wizzie Brown and get the secret to composting with | watch episode →

December To Do List

Plant: ornamental & wildlife

Hardy perennials, shrubs
Trees
Roses (best time!)
Winter annuals, including calendula, snapdragon, pansy, viola, dusty miller, ornamental kale and cabbage, alyssum, stock, cyclamen, dusty miller, flowering kale and cabbage
Avoid planting cold tender plants like Pride of Barbardos, Esperanza, lantana, plumbago

Plant: herbs

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

Plant: food crops

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Vegetable Planting Guides (Central Texas) http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/travis/home-landscape/edible-gardens/growing-vegetables/

Prune

Prune freeze damaged plants or not? Best to leave seeds on plants for birds and protect root system. If picky relatives coming, okay to prune
Avoid pruning shrubs right now unless you see damage
Do not prune oak trees unless you have damage: paint wound immediately
Okay to prune trees other than red oaks and live oaks

Divide/Move

Shrubs, roses, trees, evergreen spring-blooming perennials while dormant
Asters and other fall-bloomers which are dormant

Prep

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

Lawn

Pluck out early weeds.

Other tasks

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

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