KPRC GardenLine Newsletter

September 14, 2006 - Issue #102

Here's Randy's Weekly KPRC GardenLine Tip:

MUMS THE WORD ON TOO EARLY PANSIES


With the days growing shorter and the shadows growing longer, this is that time of the year that can get rather drab in the landscape when it comes to adding color. I'll admit that the easiest way to brighten up your landscape is with fall color, And nothing provides as much impact as annuals. Unfortunately, we are in that "gray" area of the calendar when it's too late to take advantage of the heat loving annuals like Vinca, and it's too early to see success with the true cool season annuals like Pansies and Snapdragons. So, if you take anything away from this GardenLine Tip today, hold off on planting your typical "cool season annuals."

While you will see a lot of mums, pansies and snaps etc. at nurseries and garden centers, I suggest that if you want to succeed with such annuals that you wait until at least Halloween to begin planting them. Yes, they are for sale, and they've come from growers who have produced them this early for a reason. That reason: They know some people refuse to listen to logic, and want 'em no matter what. So, at the very least, they must supply that foolhardy market. If you want my advice, wait for the weather to turn consistently cooler than it is right now. I'm thinking about days with high temperatures no higher than 85. We are still hovering around 90, so be wary.

But there are a couple of transition annuals you can plant right now that will actually do fairly well until the first frost. Then there are the basic cool season annuals, which if you wait to plant them until late October-early November, they will reward you with much color. And don't forget the upcoming Bulb and Plant Mart which will be October 12-14th at the Westminster United Methodist Church.

Transitional Color:

  • Petunias
  • Begonias
  • Impatiens (Shade)
  • Dianthus
  • Pentas
  • Calendulas
  • Garden Mums


    Cool Season Annuals:

  • Pansies
  • Foxglove
  • Snapdragons
  • Violas/Sweet Peas
  • Dianthus
  • Dusty Miller
  • Ornamental Kale
  • Ornamental Cabbage
  • Sweet Peas
  • Cyclamen (Total Shade)

    Don't forget, I am broadcasting GardenLine from the Woodlands Home and Garden Show this Saturday. It's at the Waterway Marriott. I'll be there from 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

    Until next issue, here's to Great Gardening from the GardenLine, heard exclusively weekend mornings from 8 to noon on Talkradio 950 KPRC.





    Be sure to check out Randy's event page to see where else Randy will be for the next few weekends. Bring your plants, bugs, and diseases for identification purpose.

    Until our next issue, here's to great gardening from the GardenLine, heard exclusively weekend mornings 8 a.m.-noon on TALKRADIO 950 KPRC.

    CONTACT INFORMATION

    Click Here for a complete KPRC program schedule E-mail The Editor. Please feel free to forward this issue to friends and associates. Anyone can subscribe for free.
    For Advertising Information: PaulLambert@clearchannel.com, general sales manager - 713-212-8560
    You are receiving this newsletter because you requested a subscription. This newsletter is optimized for Microsoft Outlook. If the newsletter doesn't display correctly in your e-mail program, see our online version. To unsubscribe, instructions are at the bottom of this page.

    This listener newsletter copyright © 2006. Powered by Clear Channel's kprcradio.com.