By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

Gourds, which are often painted for decoration, as well as Indian corn, sunflowers, and pumpkins, are very marketable in the fall. Late spring planting is required for the ornamentals to be ready to harvest in the fall. -- Staff photos by Taylor

Feb. 16, 2006 - “People are always looking at things that are different,” noted Mark Weinberg, a Victoria County grower and member of the Victoria County Farmer’s Market, during a recent meeting for members and other gardeners in Victoria.

According to Weinberg, South Central Texans who garden are “missing out” on a lot of money by not getting into the “fall ornamental” market. He has some ideas that work, as he sells parts of his crops to HEB market, as well as various other outlets and farmers’ markets.

“We’re (South Central Texans) missing the opportunity to make money on gourds, Indian corn, Broom corn and sunflowers,” he explained. Weinberg explained that during the past couple of years, sales of these types of ornamental vegetables for Halloween and Thanksgiving decorations have had bigger sales than those before Christmas.

While there are many types of gourds, Weinberg said they (gourds) “pretty well grow themselves.” He did note that using organic matter is very important, when working with gourds, and each plant requires over 15 feet for growth. Weinberg explained they can be left on the ground, if there is good ground mulch for weed control. Of course, the plant can also be grown on some type of a trellis. 

Most gourds take about 115 days to mature, and he suggested planting them in late May, in order to have them ready for market in the fall.

Ornamental corn, which offers customers various fall colors for indoor and outdoor decorating, is another big seller, according to Weinberg. The hybrid varieties are more expensive, yet they perform better. He noted ornamental corn grows “just like any other corn” and is “pretty easy” to grow. The seeds should be planted the first part of April and in “blocks,” rather than rows, since it’s pollinated by the wind.

Worms don’t seem to bother the corn or gourds; yet one problem could be mice and/or rats. To deter these pests, Weinberg suggested “throwing a few mothballs” at the bottom of the plants.

The colorful ornamental corn is one of the easiest things to sell, he added, as all you need to do is tie about three ears together with a straw-looking twine, and people will “snatch them up.”

Growers can also grow broom corn, one of the most used crops in fall floral displays. But corn earworms like the crop, so growers need to scout the growing crop and be prepared to treat it.

Another good product for the fall market is pumpkins, which come in many varieties through mail-order catalogs and local stores. Weinberg told the group about a variety called Dill’s Atlantic Giant that produced a 1,400-pound pumpkin. Most growers aren’t looking to win the prize for “the biggest,” but just for varieties that do well. And, there are many varieties that grow well in South Central Texas, he added.

The pumpkin seeds should be planted between the third week in June and July 4, in order to assure they are ready for fall customers.

Finally, Weinberg explained to the group that the easiest flower to grow and the “number one” selling cut flower is the sunflower. It comes in a variety of colors, sizes, and blossom groupings, and vendors can get $1 per stem at markets. He did suggest that the more variety of colors that can be grown and offered to customers will, of course, increase growers’ income even more.