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A.The weeds are out and flourishing like bluebonnet rosettes! These guys sprouted in September and October, and will soon be in their reproductive mode. The only control at this time is to hand-pull and keep them mowed to fend off seeds.

Next September, apply corn gluten. To deter warm weather weeds, broadcast corn gluten in the next few weeks. Note that pre-emergents have no effect on perennial weeds. The best combat for weed control is a strong, healthy lawn.

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‘Belinda’s Dream’ Rose
Antique rose enthusiasts may want to stretch their borders a bit when they encounter this newcomer with an old-fashioned look and dependability.

‘Belinda’s Dream’ is a modern shrub rose, bred right here in Texas to have a high degree of disease resistance and the ability to keep on producing blooms throughout the season. ‘Belinda's Dream’ is an outstanding choice for anyone looking for roses that fit in as landscape shrubs and who wish to grow beautiful roses without the need for constant spraying and coddling.

It has beautifully formed buds that are tight and shaped like a typical tea rose. These buds open into large, fragrant pink blossoms that are great for cutting to enjoy indoors. This rose tolerates our highly alkaline clay soils but will do best in a soil with some compost worked in and good drainage. Like all roses, a full sun exposure is best.

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• Prune the roses and scratch in a granular organic fertilizer.
• Prepare your summer vegetable beds with compost.
• Remember the Love Your Lawn, Test Your Soil program until Valentine’s Day. This is a chance to get your soil tested for a mere $6. Visit one of the participating nurseries for a soil test bag. The results will be available by March 4. Nurseries include: Barton Springs Nursery, Callahan’s, The Great Outdoors, Howard Nursery, Red Barn Garden Center North & South, Round Rock Gardens. For more information, visit www.growgreen.org.
  

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