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Questions and Answers:Q. How do I grow sweet potatoes? A. Sweet potatoes are grown from slips. A slip is a sprout that develops when the sweet potato, known as a root, is laid on its side in warm sand and allowed to develop sprouts. The sprouts, or slips, or pulled from the root with a twisting tug and transplanted in warm soil. Additional slips will develop if the bedded sweet potatoes are left in place. You can also grow slips by placing a sweet potato bud side up in a jar of water and placing in a sunny window. Once planted, avoid over fertilization, as it will make the vines long and stringy at the expense of root formation. The roots can be harvested at any stage of maturity but it will take 100-150 days for mature roots to form. Harvest carefully because they bruise easily. Store with the dried dirt on the roots at 55-60 degrees. Sweet potatoes do best if planted once nighttime temperatures get above 60 degrees. Q. How do I grow beets in Central Texas? A. Beets are a cool season vegetable in our part of the state so plant the seeds in the last week of January and every two weeks until the end of February for a longer harvest period. Fertilize when 6 inches tall. Planting in warmer weather will invite problems with disease and soil borne organisms. Q. What is the difference between perlite and vermiculite? A. Perlite is a naturally occurring volcanic glass that has the ability to hold water so it is used in potting mixes. Vermiculite is a type of clay that also helps the soil hold some moisture, but is used most often as a soil conditioner to lighten the soil and improve drainage. Q. I have two large dogs and they destroy my garden. Any suggestions? A. I have found a product called Invisible Fence, which is an electric containment system for pets, will work to keep pets from certain areas of the yard. Of course, it uses a shock collar for control, but it usually takes one shock before the dog learns the process. For more information see: www.invisiblefence.com or call 800-578-DOGS. Q. Can you suggest a plant that will repel mosquitoes? A. Our native horsemint is a great mosquito deterrent and grows wild in the countryside. It has an attractive flower and is suitable for landscape planting. Rosemary, scented geraniums, and especially catnip all repel mosquitoes. However, the leaves need to be crushed to release the oils. A few crushed leaves rubbed on the skin will help keep them off you or your pets. For best control, remove sources of standing water from around your home. Change water in birdbaths often. Q. Something is making squiggly lines in the leaf tissue of some of my garden plants. What is it? A. Those are called leaf miners and the larva feed between the upper and lower surface of the leaf causing highly visible tunnels, or mines, in the leaf tissue. They are common on vegetable plants as well as ornamentals. Control by picking off infected leaves and keeping the garden soil healthy with molasses, cotton burr compost, and organic fertilizers. Outbreaks usually occur after a major pesticide application because their natural enemies or destroyed. Limit the use of poisons and encourage beneficial insects by planting lots of plants with flowers shaped like umbrellas, such as yarrow, dill, or fennel. Q. Is it too late to plant dill? A. Dill plants can be planted throughout the growing season. The seed has trouble sprouting after soil temperatures get above 50 degrees, so plant transplants after April 1. Click Here to Ask Me a Gardening Question
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