Heritage Tree Protection: Austin City Council passed an ordinance
last week to add extra protection to 'heritage trees' which have a
diameter greater than 24 inches).  click here to read article by Lee
Nichols in yesterday's Austin Chronicle.  

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                                    by Chris Winslow

 

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 luckily for us, they are quite easy to grow. You have two types to
choose from: the junebearer and the everbearer.

Junebearer strawberries are usually planted in the fall and winter,
and produce fruit throughout the spring.

As the days lengthen, they will send out runners (stolons) that will produce
new plants. These will begin to flower when the days get short again.

 
Everbearing 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.

 

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 wont 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
that when the temperatures begin to rise in the summer you can move the
pots to a shadier and cooler location. Some varieties to look for are Chandler,
Sequoia, and Douglas.

 

Happy strawberry gardening everyone!

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P.S.  Don't forget the Poteet strawberry festival, April 9, 10 11. 25 miles
from San Antonio http://www.strawberryfestival.com/