Category: Agriculture

By Rick Hirsch/County Extension Agent

Frost? Spring is just around the corner, fruit growers need to remain concerned about frost protection throughout the end of March. As little as two or three degrees difference in temperature can be critical in making or breaking a fruit crop. I know we have had warm temperatures and rainy days, but the average last frost date in Henderson County is March 19 , which more than half the time we receive frost and freezes after that date.

Peaches, as well as other early blooming fruits such as plums, apricots, nectarines and blueberries are most vulnerable. Later blooming fruits and nuts including pecans, apples, grapes and blackberries are less likely to receive frost damage but do not always escape.

Many methods of frost protection by temperature control and bloom delay have been tried and several are used commercially. Continue reading “Still Concern Over Frost For Fruit Growers”

By Rick Hirsch/County Extension Agent

Most people know that if you’ve got trees on their property, they need to care for them as much as they care for the flowers or grass. Keeping them well maintained by someone like Mr. Tree Service (www.treeservicefairfield.com) is crucial for not only the appearance of your landscape but also the health of the tree. This brings us to the topic of today’s article: fertilizing and tree care. I receive a lot of questions regarding how much and how often to fertilize trees and shrubs in a landscape. As is often the case the answer is . . . it depends.

Attractive trees and shrubs are important components of a landscape. Planned maintenance and care are essential for keeping these plant materials healthy and vigorous. Likewise, if a tree is beyond the point of recovery and maintenance and actually poses a danger (or if it just needs to be removed to make way for something else), services that offer tree removal jacksonville fl might be of interest. A well thought out fertilization program is an important maintenance requirement. However, it is important that plants not be over fertilized and that fertilizer not be expected to overcome problems caused by the use of non-adapted varieties, improper planting techniques, poor soil drainage, soil compaction or incorrect watering practices. Continue reading “Agriview: How Often Should I Fertilize Trees?”

By Rick Hirsch/ County Extension Agent

Muddy water is often a problem in East Texas farm ponds because it inhibits the growth of natural fish foods and is not aesthetically pleasing. In addition, the reduced visibility in muddy ponds limits the ability of sight-feeding predators, such as large mouth bass, to feed on forage populations effectively.

The first step in clearing ponds is to inspect the watershed and shoreline for signs of erosion. Grass sod should be established on bare areas. Rocks or other rip-rap material should be placed on shorelines of larger ponds if eroded by wave action.

Many ponds become temporarily muddy following heavy rains, but clearing usually occurs in a few days. Abundant bullhead catfish and/or common carp populations may also cause muddy conditions and should be eliminated. Continue reading “Agriview: Clearing Ponds in East Texas”