Question: I'm a school teacher in Houston, Texas. We have raised beds right near our school that I want to plant into edibles. What can I plant now with the kids?
Answer: That's great you're growing edibles with the kids. Being in USDA hardiness zone 8, you still can plant lots of edibles that will grow throughout the winter in Texas. Some of the cool season vegetables to plant in October from seed include beets, carrots, Swiss chard, lettuce, kale, peas, radishes, and spinach. Some vegetables to plant from seedlings or transplants include broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. Don't forget edible flowers and herbs, too. Pansies and violas are cool season flowers, and the kids can eat the blossoms. Parsley is a great cool season herb that will survive until early spring.
Question: I have a 2-year-old tree in a container. The first two years I got several lemons. This spring my tree had some tiny lemons, but they all fell off. What happened? lemon
Answer: It sounds like your lemon tree needs some fertilizer. Citrus likes a high-nitrogen fertilizer such as 30-10-10. Look for a fertilizer that will acidify the soil and that also contains micronutrients such as iron, manganese, and zinc. Check your local garden center for citrus fertilizer products. In general, container citrus prefer a moist but well-drained soil. When the top 2 to 3 inches of soil are dry, soak the rootball thoroughly until water drains out the bottom. Also, if you're using treated municipal water, let it stand for a few hours so the chlorine will evaporate. Then use that water for your tree.
For 25 years, the family-owned Victory Seed Company has provided the highest quality vegetable, herb and flower seeds to families across the country. We are passionate about providing you the best seeds available that give excellent germination, robust plants, and the harvest you want. With a catalog of over a thousand varieties, we have everything, and our prices are the kinds that we'd want to pay. We have hundreds of yesterday's heirloom vegetables, as well as today's award winning hybrid selections. Get to know us by visiting our website and browsing through our online vegetable seed catalog.