PLANT:  Trees, shrubs, roses, & fruit trees for great root development over the winter!  These plants will come out much bigger, stronger, and healthier in the spring.

Wildflower seeds: BLUEBONNETS, Indian Paintbrush, and others.  Preferably before mid-December.

Fall/winter color: pansies, snapdragons, kale, cabbage, alyssum, dianthus, etc.  We just added fresh ornamental kale, alyssum, and fireswitch dianthus to our yellow rose bed out at the road!

Bulbs:  daffodils, lycoris, narcissus, hyacinth, etc.  Wait a bit for tulips.  Paperwhites in pots indoors by mid-November.

Lawns:  Overseed lawn and pastures with ryegrass.  Discontinue bermudagrass planting until late spring.  St. Augustine sod to fill in bald patches is ok, but would not recommend installing large areas due to possible loss.

VEGGIES:  Plant:  Onion sets (mid-November through January, READ MORE HERE); cool season vegetables (peas, lettuce, radish, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, collards, Brussels sprouts, mustard, etc); herbs (cilantro, dill, fennel, parsley, and perennials such as chives and oregano)

MULCH:  Apply a fresh layer of mulch on all flower beds, trees, shrubs to help insulate over the winter, keep out weeds, add nutrients, and tidy appearance.

Try our new cedar mulch or the very popular and home-enhancing black mulch!

WINTERIZE:  Apply a winterizer lawn fertilizer to entire lawn.  Reduce watering, apply mulch, very lightly fertilize shrubs and trees.  Ready any containerized/potted plants that will need to come indoors or protected areas when first freeze comes.

Happy Fall, Y'all!  Enjoy the fresh weather & get some dirt on your hands!

- CK

Q:  When do we plant onions in Texas?

A:  The short answer:  4-6 weeks BEFORE the average LAST frost date for your area.  In Austin County, Texas, the average last frost of the winter is usually between February 8 - March 2.  Using that date as a guide, the earliest recommended planting date for the Bellville area is the first week of December!  However, most gardeners in our area like to get their onion sets in the ground in the middle of November, or as soon as they are available.

Q:  WHAT?! How can that be?!  I thought that 1015Y Texas SuperSweet onions were named that because of the planting date October 15! 

A:  You're right!  "1015" does indicate October 15.... but that is the date commercial growers plant the seeds in the Rio Grande Valley.  If you intend to buy bare root onion bulb transplants (aka "sets"), then you have to wait until the seeds that the growers started are big enough.  Growers pull seedlings to bundle, pack, and ship when the bulbs reach the size of a pencil.  The growers do attempt early crops, especially because the demand for onions starts so early, but it still takes 4-6 weeks go from seed to pencil-diameter bulb.   Occasionally the weather cooperates and the sets are available ahead of schedule, but typically crates of onions arrive in stores around November 10.  Thanks to the heat in October, this year we expect them to arrive during the second week of November.

Q:  But I saw onions for sale in September and October at XYZ Store down the road.  Why don't you have them?

A:  Any onion sets available earlier than late October are likely the wrong variety for our area, such as the long-day variety yellow or white Spanish.  The Spanish onions grow well in the far north, store well over long periods, and are hotter tasting, but don't get the opportunity to develop properly here.  In our area, short-day onions are the best type.  Short day varieties include the 1015Y, Yellow Granex, White Granex, Vidalia, and Red Burgundy.  Be especially careful that you purchase the correct day length onion if you choose to order online or through the mail.

Q:  How many onions do I need?

A:  As many as you want!  Ha.  For onion bulbs to fully mature, you'll need 4" of space between each bulb.  With approximately 30 bulbs per bundle, each bundle of onions should plant roughly 10 feet of garden space.  If you intend to harvest some earlier for green onions, you can plant them closer together.  Consider how many onions you'll use within the expected storage period.  Remember that short day sweet onions do not keep as long as hot onions.

Q:  I ordered onions online and when they arrived they were all shriveled and dry!  Will they still grow?

A:  Most likely, yes.  Onion sets are in a dormant state when shipped, and dry is good.  As long as they don't get wet, they will stay dormant and viable for several weeks.  Even the saddest, driest looking bulbs will usually bounce back once planted.  It is important to keep them dry and cool until planting, because moisture will disrupt the dormancy, initiate growth (which is only sustainable if planted), and possibly lead to rotting.

Q:  I finally picked up some onions at the garden center, but I can't plant them right away.  What do I do with the onions in the meantime?

A:  As stated above, the onions need to stay DRY and COOL.  Do NOT water or moisten them, do NOT put in water or soil.  The bundle may be opened to allow for better air flow: good ventilation is important.  Moisture, even from the seemingly dry bundle, can cause the seedlings to rot.

Q:  What kind of fertilizer to the onions need?

A:  For the best start, plant your onions into prepared soil with a fertilizer already mixed in.  Use a 1-2-1 ratio, such as 10-20-10 or 12-24-12.   About every 2-3 weeks after planting, sidedress the onions with a mostly-nitrogen fertilizer such as 21-0-0.  Stop fertilizing when the bulbs start forming, which is indicated by the soil around the top of the plant cracking away. 

Q: What is the best onion to grow around here?  (or)  Which variety is the most popular?

A:  Hands down, the Texas SuperSweet 1015Y.  We regularly sell 2-3 times as many of the 1015s than any other variety.  So, if you have to pick just ONE, pick the 1015!

For more detailed information on growing onions, check out these excellent resources:

Dixondale Farms http://www.dixondalefarms.com/onionguide

Aggie Horticulture http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/publications/onions/ONIONGRO.html

Texas Gardener http://www.texasgardener.com/pastissues/novdec05/onions.html

Growing Onions Organically http://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/garden/onions-keeps

Leo Linseisen was born in 2007 on the streets of Brenham, Texas.  A Brenham animal control officer brought him and his littermates to the Brenham Humane Services shelter, where they were cared for and eventually adopted.  In 2008, a Brenham resident trapped Leo in a live trap, believing him to be feral and a nuisance, and brought him back to Brenham Humane Services.  Upon finding his microchip and discovering his history at the shelter, the shelter worker tried to contact his adopted family, to no avail.  Leo then spent nearly a year in the kennels at the shelter waiting to be adopted, yet again.

In 2009, Leo was adopted by the Linseisen's Feed family.  His first few weeks were spent hiding in the bathroom and closets at the feed store, unsure of the newfound freedom and attention.  After settling in, Leo found his true calling as chief store greeter, product sampler & quality control, and morale booster.  Leo spent the majority of his days patrolling the parking lot, observing the birds on the gates, checking the conditions of the garden center, and exploring every shelf, nook, and cranny inside the store.  He especially enjoyed testing out new pet beds and helping himself to dog treats.  On special occasions, he could be found leaping from shelves, scampering to his food bowl, and chasing his toy mice.  While he did not have a knack for catching mice, he did quite proudly carry into the store several gophers, a few birds and one very large lizard. 

Leo became a local celebrity, with many fans who loved to come see him.  Leo seemed to know when his favorite people arrived and would wait patiently for them to find him.  He preferred the mature crowd, entertaining children only as long as his patience would allow.  When dogs came into his territory, Leo held his ground and took no prisoners.  If a canine were so brave as to stick a nose near him, Leo would send them on their way with a smack and a hiss, and no apology.    In true cat-style, Leo loved going in and out of the store doors many times a day... and often would not cross the doorstep unless the appointed human had opened his preferred door.

During his life at Linseisen's, Leo participated in all events.  When Santa came, Leo had his picture taken on his lap.   When spring came, he always checked out the peeping box of baby chick and ducklings, but never once captured one.  During meetings, he could be found strolling the chairs and visiting listeners, or trying to help himself to the pot of stew or sandwich tray. 

With such a unique personality, Leo touched many people and brought excitement, entertainment, peace, and life to "his" store.  Leo will be missed by his loving feed store fans and his Linseisen's family.  We know there will never be another quite like him, and we are thankful for the six years he graciously offered us.  We thank all of you for your support and for being a part of Leo's story.

___________


In Leo's memory, we ask you to remember that there are many adult cats in shelters.   The next time you are ready for a pet, consider giving them a chance.  Find out more about Leo's shelter:
http://cityofbrenham.org/police/animalcontrol.php