May 29, 2014
A 11
Island Moon
Beautify Corpus Christi
to Visit PACT
Watering Wisely
By Chelsea Craig, Executive Director, Beautify Corpus Christi
With only a short visit outside, we can quickly see and feel summer is quickly approaching. Temperatures continue to rise and sun exposure is gaining intensity as the days get longer. When weather conditions change, so should our beautification techniques. The most obvious of these are our watering practices. Too often we work hard in the spring, preparing our yard, only to watch our work wither under the summer sun. Although plants do increase their water needs during these months, MORE is not the only solution. Watering wisely will ensure we are doing right by our plants, while continuing to conserve one of our city’s most precious resources.
Timing Matters Corpus Christians are not new to the idea of restricted watering times. When water levels are low, which is almost always, residents are discouraged from watering during the heat of the day. Outside of a drought, this is a wise practice for plant health in general. The recommendation is that plants be watered in early morning or evening to ensure the water is used most effectively. Watering during these times will decrease the likelihood of evaporative losses. If possible, water in the early morning for the best results. Morning watering decreases the plant’s susceptibility to some fungal pathogens encouraged by water left on the foliage.
Water Deeply We know plants need more water in the summer, but that does not mean we should necessarily water more often. Less frequent, deeper waterings are shown to be more fruitful than frequent, shallow waterings. Allowing the water to absorb deeper into the soil encourages deeper root growth, which also increases the plants sustainability in dry weather. Using low volume drip or trickle irrigation will encourage the water to travel deeper into the soil. When the water is delivered slowly, it allows time for absorption without runoff. Drip or trickle speed should be adjusted for the absorption time of the soil. Dry, tough soil will require a slower speed. Consider watering trees and large shrubs in their dripline. The dripline is the area directly below the outermost reaches of the branches. Apply water just inside and a little beyond the dripline, not at the trunk. Using drip irrigation, water until the top 8 to 10 inches of soil are moist.
Mix It Up Nutrient-rich soil is important for the health of your plant. However, soil will have a harder time during the summer if it is left to itself. Mixing in water-absorbing material with your soil can increase its water-retaining capabilities. Organic material, such as peat moss, leaf mold, coconut coir, and compost is known to absorb
more than its own weight in water. This allows the plant to utilize this as a reservoir for dry days. Word to the wise, some of these materials are only useful when maintained. Peat moss, for instance, is very difficult to rewet once it becomes dry and can even decrease the plants ability to absorb water after this happens. Most nurseries sell various
Austin Company Presents ‘From the Inside Out’ By Brent Rourk Bringing emotion, inspiration, and interpretations of identity, the renowned Chaddick Dance Theater Company from Austin will present an inspirational one evening program at the Port Aransas Community Theatre on Saturday, June 7th at 8:00 pm.
Company Chaddick formed in San Francisco in 1985
brands of water-absorbing polymer crystals that can be added in to the soil to increase its waterholding capability. Potted plants are always going to struggle more for water, than their earth-based counterparts. With limited options to seek water, once the pot is dry, the plant is dry. Keep an extra eye on your potted plants throughout the summer. If you find you are unable to keep up with the watering needs, it may be time to repot the plant. Potted plants can quickly outgrow their pots by running out of soil available to retain water. Utilizing water-absorbing materials when planting will increase the life of the soil in your potted plants, but they should still be watched closely. One of the most underutilized resources for battling summer watering woes, is the everpresent mulch. Often used for its beautiful appearance, we forget how very useful mulch can be for retaining water. Mulch moderates soil temperature, helps prevent runoff and evaporation, and holds moisture for the plants future use. Mulch is recommended for in-ground flower beds, as well as large potted plants, such as Corpus Christi’s beautiful hibiscus. Several stores currently have mulch on sale, so now may be the time to stock up. Organic options, such as straw, leaves, and coconut-fiber husks, have also been shown effective. Remember to check your plants often. Many plants require daily maintenance throughout the summer. Assess your plants’ water needs by checking the soil. If you cannot find moisture within the top few inches of soil, your plant needs attention. Follow these tips to increase the livelihood of your green space this summer. With a little work from us all, this city will be more beautiful than ever! Stay tuned in to what the Corpus Christi Association is working on in your city by following us on Facebook at www. facebook.com/beautifycc. Join in the effort by becoming a member and/or volunteer today! Visit BeautifyCorpusChristi.org or call Chelsea Craig, Executive Director at 361.946.3996 for more information.
Happy Watering!
Fruitful Container Gardens
With an incredible love of dance and an unsurpassed ability to express herself in dance and to teach others, Cheryl Chaddick founded Company Chaddick in 1985 in San Francisco. Chaddick earned monumental accolades as she taught and guided her dance casts through expressive routines that resonated with freedom, energy, and emotion. As one of the most acclaimed, followed, and imaginative dance ensembles in California, Chaddick continued to push traditional dance boundaries to include the interpretation of extreme joys, sorrows, and life events that inevitably touch our souls. Her dancers accomplished those interpretations with immense flexibility, poignant movement, and endless emotional energy. See www. chaddickdancetheater.com for additional information.
impact, cause to question, and inspire the hearts and minds of others through the arts.” The production in Port Aransas, titled ‘From the Inside Out’, will include 3 different dance and theater presentations consisting of 4 women and 2 men and will artistically explore themes of identity and personal truths. This is a magnificent opportunity to see a top notch caliber dance program locally.
Chaddick Dance Theater formed in Austin in 2007 Chaddick, a powerful and creative choreographer in her own right, founded the Chaddick Dance Theater Company in Austin in 2007, “to tell our many stories, and to teach,
Tickets are $10.00 for adults (children under 12 are free). Tickets are available at the door. Visit www.portaransascommunitytheatre.com for more information or call (361) 749-6036.
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Backyard Gardens Can Yield Strawberries, Fruit and Citrus Trees By Melinda Myers Picture yourself harvesting a few fresh strawberries for your cereal in the morning or perhaps picking a few apples from your own backyard tree to cook up into a pie. It is possible, even if you garden on a balcony or small lot. And even if you have plenty of space, you will still appreciate the fun and convenience of reaching out the backdoor and harvesting some homegrown fruit. Strawberries are excellent container plants. Grow everbearing or day neutral varieties, so you will be harvesting strawberries throughout the growing season. Reduce your workload and increase success with a self-watering hanging basket (gardeners.com). Or dress things up a bit more with a decorative container. The haystack hanging baskets have the beauty of the coco fiber lined planters, but require half the watering. The AquaSav™ liner is a combination of coir and recycled plastic designed to conserve moisture. This means better results with less watering.
beautiful prelude to the tasty fruit. Even cold weather gardeners can put their green thumb to the test by growing a Meyer lemon, Kaffir lime or other citrus in a container. Just move the potted plant indoors for the winter and back outdoors next season once the danger of frost has passed. And don’t forget the blueberries that are high in antioxidants and flavor. These nutritious beauties require moist well-drained acidic soil. Something most gardeners do not have. This makes growing them in containers, where you control the soil, a good option. Blueberries provide seasonal interest with their nodding
But don’t stop there. Add some dwarf fruit trees to your patio plantings. A dwarf apple, peach or pear will provide beautiful spring flowers, nice Plant edibles in containers. With their trailing growth foliage for the summer and habit, strawberries trail nicely over the edge of pots and fruit for you to enjoy. Select produce sweet fruit fresh off the plant self-fertile varieties, those that only require one plant to produce fruit, if space is limited. Grow your white bell-shaped flowers in spring, colorful dwarf trees in large weather-proof pots with fruit in summer and yellow, orange or red color drainage. Those in cold climates will need to in fall. Though only one plant is needed to bear provide some winter protection, but the first fruit, keep in mind that your harvest will more harvest will make that extra bit of work well than double if you grow two. worth the effort. So survey your patio, deck, balcony or garden Or try your green thumb at growing lemons, for space to add a container or two of fruiting limes and other citrus in a container. The plants that are sure to add beauty and flavor to fragrant flowers and glossy green leaves are a your garden and meals this season.
Expert Growers and Landscape Designers on Staff Fruit Trees, Berries & Grapes arriving this week Organic Products, Seeds, Tomatoes & Peppers. Clay & Designer Pottery Water Gardens Fountains Bird Baths Garden Supplies Ordinary to Outrageous Floral Arrangements Floral Shop Specializing in Weddings, Events, Funeral Arrangements & More Plant Rentals Available
Canal Front near Packery
Joya Del Mar Townhome 14813 Leeward #502
One block from Beach! Gated!
$313,000
6503 SPID ‡ Between Airline and Nile ‡ (361) 991-9002