WIXLIB

URBAN DIRT JANUARY 2021Herb of the MonthCandyleaf (Stevia rebaudiana)by Karen McGowan, Master GardenerSpring boarding from last month’s herb focus, the toothache plant (sugar-plums and all that), let’s keep the sweet vibesflowing into 2021 with this year’s first herb article and put apre-Valentine’s Day focus on a sweetheart of the herb garden,candyleaf.Also known as stevia and sweetleaf (derivatives of steviarebaundiana are readily brand-identified, typically available onthe baking is a tenderperennialwithinCandyleaf (Stevia rebaudiana)the asterfamily, and is native to warm, humid climates in South America.As such, local growers find frequent success with candyleaf.Reaching a height and width of about one foot each, candyleaf’stubular white flowers are often kept pruned in order to improvethe taste of its edible leaves, for which the herb is grown.Candyleaf is perfect for sunny to partially sunny locationswith either sandy or loamy soil, and is best grown in moderatelymoist soil, provided good drainage is offered. Propagation byseed can be quite challenging, so stem cuttings are the best betfor success. Since candyleaf is tender, cuttings should be introduced to the garden after the last frost. Candyleaf is pollinatedby insects.While the FDA didn’t approve candyleaf’s use as a sweetenerhere in the United States until 2008 due to stated carcinogenicconcerns, Japanese researchers developed a commerciallyavailable product using candyleaf’s leaves in the 1970s, andthe product quickly gained widespread popularity nearly fiftyyears ago in Japan. The European Union approved candyleaf’suse as a sweetener even later than did the U.S., in 2011. But theoriginal documented users of candyleaf, the Guaraní, a SouthAmerican Indian group of nearly five million people residingmainly in Paraguay, have known about and been using the herbsince around the time of Arthur’s legendary victory over theSaxons, in 500 AD.This versatile, natural sweetener’s leaves contain sweettasting chemicals known as steviol glycosides, which can beused either fresh or dried to sweeten beverages or desserts. Theleaves can also be commercially processed into both liquid andpowdered non-caloric sweeteners. Steviol glycosides, particularly the chemicals stevioside and rebaudioside A, can be morethan 300 times sweeter than table sugar and are non-glycemic(they do not affect blood glucose levels). How sweet is that?!To this chef’s personal perspective, I have used several sugarsubstitutes in various dishes, including those derived fromcandyleaf. Aside from a slight resistance of its powder form towell-incorporated blending – which can be easily overcome witha high-speed blender (I use a Vitamix) – my experience withit has been very positive across the board. I especially endorsetapping it when a sweet factor is called for in savory dishes,particularly in Asian and Asian-fusion cooking.Here’s to a sweet new year – happy nname Stevia rebaudiana4

URBAN DIRT JANUARY 20212021 Harris County Master GardenerAssociation Online Plant Salesby Jonathan Correia, Master GardenerShop the safe and easy way—online!Who:Harris County Master Gardener AssociationWhat: 2021 Fruit Tree SalesWhen: Order online now, pick up January 23 at Richard & Meg Weekley Park in Cypress and February 20 at Pasadena FairgroundsWhere: Online Store at http://hcmga.tamu.eduWhy:HCMGA raises funds to provide factual and relevant horticulture information to the publicChoosing your plantWhether you’re an experienced or novice fruit tree grower,here are a few points to keep in mind.For proper plant growth and fruit production, make sure youhave a location that gets at least six hours of sun exposure duringthe growing season.Is your choice self-fertile or will it need a pollinatingbuddy? Refer to the online catalog at Final.pdf for pollinating requirements as well as chill hour requirements. Several popular choiceslike apples and blueberries need a pollinating buddy. Check outwhether the buddy needs to be the same variety or a differentvariety.The online Store at https://hcmga.tamu.edu has photos andinformation on all available plants.A fruit tree/plant from Harris County Master Gardeners willcost between 20- 55. Transplanting costs include soils, compost,mulch, irrigation, and a large planter if it will be container grown.Master Gardener plant sales offer varieties that thrive andproduce well in our area. Careful attention is paid to suitable chillhours, hardiness, disease and insect resistance, and fruit quality.Included are more than 100 varieties of fruiting plants: apples,avocados, berries, coffee, figs, goji berries, lemons, limes, oranges,mandarins, mulberries, nectarines, peaches, pears, persimmons,plums, pomegranates, tangerines and more.Harris County Master Gardener Association is a nonprofit,501(c)3 incorporated association affiliated with the TexasAgriLife Extension Service in Harris County and the Texas A&MSystem.Pick Up DayFor your safety and convenience, you will be assigned a halfhour window to pick up your plants at the location you’ve selected. We ask that you have your vehicle ready for the plants andother purchases to be loaded for you while you wait in your car.Choosing, planting, and caring for a fruiting plantGardening with fruits has been a popular activity for generations, but there is a noticeable surge of interest in edible landscaping. Fruit trees and citrus especially are a large part of ediblelandscapes in the greater Houston area.Not only will you enjoy homegrown flavor, but fruit trees alsooffer beauty in flowers, form, and fragrance. There are fruit treesto suit any landscape, whether a large tree like a pecan, a potteddwarf Meyer lemon for your patio, or a pear, apple, or fig tree toespalier against a wall. Fruit trees can easily be incorporated intopermaculture, the simulation of natural ecosystems intended to besustainable and self-sufficient.Caring for your plant before plantingAll our fruit trees will be in 3-gallon containers with plentyof compost, mulched soil and slow release fertilizer. Fruit treesare best planted in mid-winter to allow the roots to develop beforespring growth and summer heat arrive. With watering and protection from wind and cold temperatures, the plant can be kept inits container for several months before transplanting. Citrus andavocados can wait until March or April to be planted.Preparing the planting areaSelect a planting location that will get at least six hours ofsun per day during the growing season. The sun should not becont’d on pg. 65

URBAN DIRT JANUARY 20212021 Harris County Master Gardener Association Online Plant Sales, cont'd from pg. 5blocked by buildings, fences, or other obstacles. Choose a spot atleast three feet from sidewalks and driveways and eight feet awayfrom buildings, as roots will spread wider than the tree crown.Allow 10-15 feet between fruit trees.A few months before planting, prepare the site by removingthe sod and weeds, roots and all, and thoroughly tilling an area atleast 4 feet by 4 feet. Break up any hard pan layer beneath the soil.Level the site, and till again. Spread several inches of compost tothe area and work it into the top 8-12 inches of soil. Rake the areasmooth and mulch it with 2-3 inches of organic mulch such asleaves, old hay, or composted native mulch. Do not add fertilizers;your new fruits won't need them at first. Let the bed rest untiltime to plant. If you plan to espalier the fruit against a wall orfence, clean the surface and ground of vines and their roots.and bottom of the root ball to encourage the roots to grow outward. Prune off any broken, rotted, or twisted roots, making cleancuts with sharp, sanitized pruning shears. Position the plant in thehole, spread the roots, and stand back to make sure it’s uprightfrom all angles and is pleasing in its setting. Refill the hole withthe original soil, tamping the soil gently around the roots as yougo.Water well to settle the soil around the roots and remove airpockets. If planting in fast-draining soil, water thoroughly to finish settling the soil around the roots. In slower-draining soils, water a little at a time – over several days if necessary. Then make adonut-shaped ridge of mulch 3-4 inches high and 6-8 inches widearound the plant, keeping the mulch 2-3 inches away from thetrunk. The ring should be slightly wider than the planting hole.Stand back again to admire your work.PlantingRake the mulch back and dig a hole three times the width ofthe container, about 30-36 inches, and loosen the sides of the hole.Roots do not readily penetrate a slick interface created by claysoil.Dig the hole a little deeper than the root is tall, and make itwide enough to accommodate the longest roots without bending.Backfill the bottom of the hole with the soil you dug out so thatthe root collar—where the stem meets the root ball—is slightlyabove the ground when it’s planted. Loosen the roots on the sidesCaring for your young fruiting plantFor the first year after your new fruit tree is planted, concentrate on the health of the tree rather than getting a crop. Pinch offthe fruit during the first year to encourage root growth. You willneed to protect your plant from high winds, extreme temperatures, and over or under watering. Keep weeds and lawn frominvading the planting area. Monitor your plant regularly for anysigns of nutrition loss, fungal or bacterial diseases and non-beneficial insects.6

URBAN DIRT JANUARY 2021Claim Your Spot on the Plant Sales Teams!by Jonathan Correia, Master GardenerThere’s nothing quite like the buzz at Master Gardener plantsales. These fundraising events make our mission of public education and outreach possible. Miss the camaraderie of workingwith fellow MG’s? Here’s your chance to engage. Whether you’renew to the program or a veteran volunteer, there is a place foryou. Work has already started on the four 2021 plant sales:THE TOP PRIORITY NOW is to add volunteers to thecatalog team. Click HERE to see open positions, and HERE fordetailed descriptions of each position. Claim your spot and getstarted by emailing PlantSales.HarrisHort@gmail.com. We arecounting on you!January 23 – West Side Fruit Tree Sale Pickup in CypressFebruary 20 – Genoa Friendship Garden’s Fruit Tree &Tomato Sale Pickup in PasadenaMarch 13 – West Side Spring Vegetable & Perennial SalePickup in CypressMarch 20 – Genoa Friendship Garden’s Pepper, Perennial &Herb Sale Pickup at Genoa Friendship Gardens7

URBAN DIRT 8JANUARY 2021

URBAN DIRT JANUARY 2021Pruning for Graftstock,

Registration is required through HCC’s Community Learning Program, but it can be made for talks from January through May at the same time. January’s topic will be Pruning Basics, by Master Gardener, Becky Larkin. For a list of the year’s topics, links to Facebook Live and HCC registration