- Place birdhouses in the landscape for titmice, Carolina wren, chickadee, house finch and golden-fronted woodpeckers in addition to purple martins. Each species favors different box dimensions, hole size and placement. Do an internet search or obtain a reference book from the library or bookstore to obtain the recommended specifications.
- Use bluebonnet transplants to begin your sustainable wildflower planting. Planted this fall they will bloom and reseed next spring.
- For color in deep shade through the winter, plant cyclamen and/or primula in beds and containers.
- Apply copper hydroxide (Kocide) to plum and peach trees now to help reduce bacterial disease pressures in the next growing season.
Written by Calvin Finch
Dr. Calvin Finch is the retired Urban Water Program Director for the Texas A&M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources.You can ask Calvin question and hear his answers on the air as he co-hosts the Gardening South Texas on the air at KLUP (AM 930) Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 to 2:00pm.
