GARDEN CHECKLIST FOR TEXAS
by William C. Welch

Garden Checklist (for all Southern states except Florida and Texas)
Florida Garden Checklist

Petunias
Choose brightly colored selections for sunny areas of the garden, and mix them with sweet alyssums and the silver foliage of dusty millers. Set them among spring-flowering daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, and snowflakes (Leucojum sp.). As the bulbs complete their bloom cycles, the petunias will conceal their yellowing foliage while providing continuing color.

Petunias are cold hardy and usually make it through our winters. They are also effective in containers. Small, single-flowered petunias are more successful in our climate than double or large ruffled types.

Entire State

• Fruits and berries--Pears such as 'Orient,' 'Ayers,' and 'Warren' are great as stand-alone trees or in borders. Japanese persimmons, such as 'Tanenashi,' 'Eureka,' and 'Fuyu,' are dependable producers and are handsome as small trees. Thornless blackberries, such as 'Navaho,' 'Arapaho,' and 'Apache,' provide delicious fruit during late spring and early summer.

Panhandle

• Bird boxes--Install new and renovated bird boxes. Each one should be mounted on a post 4 to 5 feet above the ground. When buying or making bluebird boxes, be sure that they can be opened for cleaning.

Central, East, and South

• Potatoes--Choose a sunny, well-drained site, and work soil to a depth of 8 to 10 inches. Make rows 2 to 3 feet apart, and stagger holes at 1-foot intervals. Cut the seed potatoes into large chunks, each with at least one eye. Let them dry for several hours before placing in the holes and covering. Even if frost damages new shoots as they emerge, plants usually recover.

Central, West, and South

• Ground covers--Plant evergreen ground covers in shade. Asiatic jasmine, vinca, purple-leaf Japanese honeysuckle, liriope, and mondo grass are good for our area. Lay out a shape with a garden hose; then remove turf and weeds. Add 3 to 5 inches of organic material, such as composted pine bark, peat, or compost, and till or turn under as tree roots allow. Space plants 12 to 15 inches apart, mulch, and water well.

South

• Small trees--Among the best flowering types are chaste tree (Vitex sp.), Texas mountain laurel (Sophora secundiflora), desert willow (Chilopsis linearis), wild olive (Cordia boissieri), and crepe myrtle.

North and East

• Peaches--Prune trees annually to keep them healthy. Begin by opening the center of the tree to let light penetrate; then shorten topgrowth and side branches so that all the parts are accessible. Remove lower limbs and water sprouts (shoots growing vertically from the base or larger branches).