Cover crops, also known as green manures, are one of the cornerstones of sustainable agriculture.   Weeding, harvesting, and even foot traffic can degenerate the soil of a home garden. Utilizing cover crops, such as fast-growing grains, legumes, and grasses, can improve the soil, suppress weeds, and aid in controlling pests.  

      Crimson clover is a new variety offered from Botanical Interests® this year. If the soil in your garden requires a little extra attention, sow crimson clover in the fall (six weeks before your average first frost). To sow, create a loose seedbed and spread the seed over the area. Gently rake the seeds into the soil so they are covered. This will ensure full contact with the soil and protect the seeds from hungry birds. You can till the crimson clover into the soil at any stage of growth but be sure to cut or mow it before seeds begin to form-just after flowering. In all but the warmest climates, the plant will be winter killed so you can also wait until the next spring to till it into the soil. Crimson clover not only adds nitrogen to the soil, which improves fertility for next year's garden, but it also attracts beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and bees.

     Don't throw those flowers away, though. Make crimson clover tea! Pour boiling water over 1-2 tablespoons of dried flowers. Steep for about 10 minutes and serve either hot or cold over ice. If you like your tea sweet, add a splash of clover honey.

     Clover and other cover crops are useful in larger scale operations, such as improving grazing pastures or planted as a food source for wildlife .  Come by Linseisen's and we'll help you find the right cover crop for your purpose!

         Did you know that July 5th is the busiest day of the year for animal shelters?  Many pets panic when they hear and feel fireworks going off, and if not securely fenced and tagged, they often never make it back home.  The infographic above shows some great tips on keeping your pet safe on the 4th of July.  Remember that ensuring proper ID on your pet, including a collar, tags, and microchip with up-to-date contact information through the microchipping company, is the best way to get your pet back home. 

If you happen to find a wandering pet, there are a few things you can do:

1.  Always treat an animal you don't know with caution - the animal is likely very frightened already and you never know what might cause him to bite, attack, or run.  Sometimes even a friendly animal can turn violent out of sudden fear.  Never put yourself or others, especially children, in harm's way when trying to capture an animal.

2.  Check for tags on the collar.  A Rabies tag can be traced by calling the veterinary office listed on the tag and giving them the tag number.

3.  Take the pet to a veterinary office to have it scanned for a microchip.   If chipped, the office can call the number on file and most likely contact the owner.

4.   Let local veterinary offices and animal shelters know.  Be sure that you give them the most accurate description you can, including size, sex, color, markings, hair coat length, collar, general demeanor, and location found.  Often owners have called in looking for lost pets, but they won't be able to match them if descriptions are different.

5.  Post flyers in common areas like the post office, major intersections, restaurants.   According to PUPS' Carla Reichardt, this is probably the most effective way to find owners or lost pets.  "We have to remember not everyone is on Facebook, so posting you've found a dog on one page is not enough. I am such a firm believer in poster, flyers, physical signs in the area.  Check all areas...dogs can travel miles in a few days. So you never know where they will end up," says Carla.

6.   Facebook can be a great resource for reconnecting pets and owners.  In the Bellville area, we suggest looking up these groups:   Austin County Critter Connection, Austin County News,  Happenings in Bellville.    If you'd rather not join one of these groups, you can send the info to Leo Linseisen and he'll be glad to share it for you... he, too, was a stray once. 

7.  Be patient.  It may take some time to find the animal's rightful home.  Sometimes animals go missing while the owners are away, especially in the summertime while many families are on vacation, so it might not be claimed until the owners return.  Remember, it's always better to get the pet back home rather than to a shelter where it might be euthanized.   

For more details on safely catching and caring for a stray, see http://www.americanhumane.org/animals/adoption-pet-care/caring-for-your-pet/if-you-find-a-lost-pet.html 


Local Resources:

PUPS of Cat Spring     Facebook PUPS   and www.pupsofcatspring.com

Animal Friends Shelter  Facebook AFS and  www.animalfriendsshelter.com

True Blue Animal Rescue (Brenham) Facebook T-BAR  and www.t-bar.org

Brenham Humane Services

Sealy Animal Control 979-885-2913

Waller County Animal Control


*Please note that at this time the local animal rescue organizations are full and may not be able to take another animal right away.  However, they wholeheartedly love animals and are very willing to help with reconnection to owners, supplement feeding and spay/neuter expenses, find foster homes, or otherwise aid in caring for found animals.   Please do not hesitate to call them for help, but at the same time, try to have an understanding of the large number of homeless animals in our area.

Thanks for celebrating with us!

Photos: CK and CLP

Saturday, June 14th

All gardeners welcome!  While the star of the show is the BIG tomato, there are categories for every gardener and garden harvest.   And it's totally FREE to enter!



Vegetable Check-In:  9 - 10 AM

Judging Begins @ 10 AM

 Seminar: 10 - 11 AM

Presentation of Winners: 11 AM

Sponsored by: Linseisen's Feed & Supply, Farm to Market Produce Company, Bluebonnet Master Gardeners
Association and Cat Spring Apiary

This contest is a celebration of locally grown, fresh garden produce. 
Please remember that all entries must  be in good, fresh condition. 
After the contest, all entries may be picked up.
One entry per person per category, except "All Others".

$100 Linseisen's Gift Certificate for Biggest Tomato Winner

$5 to $25 Gift Certificates and Prizes for all other categories

Door Prizes for Seminar Attendees

8 AM  Kids' Painted Birdhouse Judging

            Wooden birdhouses painted prior to event by Pre-K class at Tender Care Learning Center; will be on display & returned to the class afterwards

9 - 10 AM  Fat Cat Contest

             Bring your cat and we'll start weighing in at 9 AM.  Heaviest cat wins $25 gift certificate & bag of treats.  Please bring cat on leash or in carrier for his/her safety.

10 AM - 1 PM   FREE Petting Zoo and Barrel Train Rides

11 AM - 1 PM   Complimentary Hot Dogs & Drinks

1:30 PM   Drawing of Mega "You Pick" Door Prizes

              Need not be present to win; See prizes here

2 PM   Drawing of Grand Prizes

              3 Winners of $1000 Gift Certificates

              Must be present to win!!!

All day Friday & Saturday

May 2 & 3

10% off ALL STIHL Serial Numbered Equipment

Discounts this big are only offered once a year!

Stihl Rep will be on hand for consultation

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BUY 1, GET 1 FREE

PMI Exclusive and Red Flannel Pet Foods

Mix & Match, Lesser Priced Bag Free, Limit 1 Free per household

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Purina Impact Horse Feed

$11.99

All Formulations: 12% Sweet, 12:6+L Pellet, 14:5 Pellet, Forage Extender;  Limit 10 bags per household

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Purina Stocker Grower 14% Cattle Creep

$10.50

Limit 20 bags

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Purina Layena

$12.99

Includes pellets, crumbles, and Omega-3

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Priefert Equipment

Save $50 off every $500 spent

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 New Styles of Muck Boots  20% Off

Xpress-Cool Shoes and Boots