Tree Planting Time Is Now
We are getting to the ideal time to plant trees in the landscape.
A very good large tree is the Shumard oak (Quercus shumardii). This tree will reach an average height of 80 feet and an average spread of 40 feet.
This is a much better tree than a water oak. It grows in an upright oval form when young, but it becomes more rounded and wide as it ages. It has a 7 – 11 lobed leaf with a dark green color.
Positives:
Negatives:
- Tree gets large so it needs a lot of space.
- Drops leaves in winter.
Orange-fleshed Honeydews
Orange-fleshed honeydew melons are showing up in supermarkets. These melons store longer and their brix levels (a measurement of sweetness) are higher than most cantaloupes. These melons also contain higher amounts of vitamins (C, A, and folic acid), minerals (calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium), and antioxidants.
Fuyu Persimmon
Persimmon cultivars are astringent and non-astringent. To be suitable for eating, astringent fruit must be soft or artificially treated. Most people are familiar with the varieties Tanenashi and Eureka - they have to be soft to be palatable.
Fruit of the non-astringent type lose astringency while still hard and can be eaten hard or soft. Fuyu and Suruga are two types of non-astringent that are very good.
Persimmons are high in beta carotene and low in calories. They are an excellent source of fiber and potassium. They also have small amounts of B and C vitamins and minerals. Enjoy them now as they are ripening on trees and sold at supermarkets.
Vegetables to Plant in December
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Onions (transplants), shallots (sets or green transplants), lettuce, spinach, endive, escarole and cabbage (seed or transplants), Root crops and greens can be started.
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Cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts and cauliflower seed may be planted in coldframes or protected areas to produce transplants for spring harvest.
Question
Can we grow Raspberries in Louisiana?
Answer
Raspberries are generally not recommended for Louisiana, but there is a variety called Dorman Red that you can try.