During this time of year you will see landscape crews cutting or topping back crape myrtles. Some of my customers have been asking me if this is the correct way to prune this beautiful plant. In a word . . . no!
Radical pruning of crepe myrtles will scar them terribly. ‘Knuckles’ are created that will be visible for the rest of their lives. This arboreal amputation should be against the law.
The only pruning a crape myrtle needs is the removal of suckers that appear around the base and off the major stems. If you need to cut back a crape myrtle that has become too large or tall for an area, consider planting a shorter variety such as Acoma (white), Hopi (pink), or Tonto (fuschia). These varieties mature less than 10 feet.
Growing Strawberries in Hays County
Did you know that the strawberry – one of the most sought after and delicious foods in the world – can be successfully grown in our area? And lucky for us, they’re easy to grow.
There are two types available to grow in our garden plots: the June-bearer and the ever-bearer.
June-bearing strawberries are usually set out (planted) in the fall and winter, and produce fruit throughout the spring. They start producing in February and if the spring is cool, they will continue to ripen strawberries through June.
As the days begin to get long, these June-bearing strawberries will send out runners (stolons) that will produce new plants. These will begin to flower when the days get short again.
Ever-bearing strawberries bloom more in the summer when the days are long. Our summers are usually a little too hot for great success with this type of berry.
Here is the most important tip I can pass on to fellow Central Texas gardeners: strawberries must have well drained soil. A good garden mixture would include about 50% sand mixed with rich compost and topsoil.
Strawberries also can flourish in raised beds when the drainage is poor. Also you can grow your berries in containers such as hanging baskets and strawberry pots.
When growing strawberries in pots, use a good soil-less potting mix such as Metro, Sunshine or Miracle–Gro. These will provide nutrients and drainage, so you won’t have to mix amendments into the soil.
The second most important tip I can suggest is mulching. If you mulch around the plants, you will keep those roots warm in the winter and cooler in the summer.
An added benefit to growing strawberries in containers is when the temperatures begin to rise in the summer you can move the pots to a shadier and cooler location. Some June-bearer varieties to look for are Chandler, Sequoia, and Douglas.
If you have a question for Chris, send it via email to iathyme@yahoo.com. Or mail a postcard to It’s About Thyme,11726 Manchaca Road, Austin, TX 78748 itsaboutthyme.com
