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April 5, 2000

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Scratching the Surface
We are still experimenting with the layout of the newsletter.  This issue is a little slimmer than usual.  Hopefully this will make it easier to print.  Your opinion counts! Let us know what you think by following the "Contact Us" link to the left.

When you're done sharing your opinion it's time to get to work!  Now is the perfect time to prepare both flower and vegetable beds for planting.  If you still have leaves or mulch covering the soil you may remove them now.  It is also time to prepare the soil.   If it is not too wet turn it and add some topsoil or compost to give it a good base for planting.  I love this part!  There is nothing like the smell of great dirt!

Weeds! - Stay on top of them now or they will be on top of you later!  Weeding is a good thing and something that has to be done.  I find that if you get an early jump on those pesky guys you are so much better off.  When your new plantings are tall enough make sure you put some new mulch down.  In addition to retaining moisture for your plants mulch also deprives weeds of sunlight and helps keep them from getting started.

Looks like some nice weather ahead this weekend.  Unfortunately we haven't seen much rain yet.  Think about giving lawns and perennials a good soak.

Most of our new subscribers are referrals from friends of existing Savvygardeners.  Don't let up!  Tell all your gardening friends about us!

~ Shelly               

The Scoop on Grubs...
I spoke to the professionals at Ryan Lawn & Tree about what Savvygardeners should do if we notice grubs in our lawn.  Turf Manager Andy Green explained to me that the grubs we are seeing right now should not be a concern.  "These grubs will do only light eating and will not damage the lawn.  Therefore it is not necessary to treat for them."  "What we really want to do is kill the grubs right after they hatch and that normally takes place in June or July".  Andy recommends treating your lawn with Merit or Mach II which will take care of those grass eating grubs.  My best advice, "When in doubt, call a professional!"

Hosting a Garden Party
Sometimes gardening is a lot like hosting a party.  Plants, like party guests, need to be steered toward others that will enjoy their company.  The practice of companion planting, growing vegetables in proximity to helpful plants, has become quite popular over the years.  Here are some of our favorite matchmaker tips:

Vegetable Group With Keep Distance From
Tomatoes Carrots, peppers, basil, marigold Mature dill, kohlrabi, potatoes
Beans Carrots, cucumber, pea, potatoes, radish, marigold, nasturtium, rosemary Garlic, onion, shallots, fennel, gladiolus
Peas Radish, carrots, cucumbers, celery, turnip Garlic, onion, gladiolus
Carrots Beans, radish, tomatoes, peppers, onion, sage Dill, celery
Cucumbers Corn, tomatoes, cabbage, radishes, dill, nasturtium Aromatic herbs, potatoes

For more on this fun and useful topic check out "Carrots Love Tomatoes" at Amazon.com


To Bee, or Not to Bee
If you have fruit trees be mindful of the fact that insecticides will kill bees and bees are a very necessary player in the pollination process.  No bees, no pollination.   No pollination, no fruit.  No fruit, no fun.

Wait until after the blooming period to use insecticides on your fruit trees.


What's Hot on the Hotline?
This week's hot topic on the Johnson County Extension Horticultural Hotline is spring rose care.  Questions and answers cover pruning and mulching, climbers and miniatures and more...

You will find this very rosy list of Q and A's here.

A Low Mow Is No Way to Go
I know you fertilized your lawn last fall.  And I'm equally sure you followed our advice on watering during our very dry winter.  I can therefore predict that you have lush green grass growing quicker than you can believe.  Here are some tips on mowing your spring lawn that will keep it looking good and growing strong:
  • Mow grass to a height of 21/2 to 3 inches.
  • Try not to cut more that 1/3 of the blade height at once.
  • Use the above guidelines to determine when to mow.  Don't let grass get any taller than 41/2 inches before cutting to 3 inches.
  • Try not to limit mowing to weekends only.   That may not be often enough in spring.  It's not unusual to mow every five days in April and May.

Divide and Share
If you are as anxious as I am to start working in the garden why not divide some of your crowded summer and fall-blooming perennials?  Dividing is a good way to thin out those perennials that seem to be overtaking the garden.

Better yet, turn it into a social activity! Call friends and neighbors and let them know what you are doing and see if they are interested in swapping perennials with you.  What a great way to add new flowers to the garden without spending a dime.  Don't forget - fertilize established perennials as they show new growth.


Getting a Jump on Some Vegetables...
Can't wait to get started on some vegetables?  You may now sow seeds of broad beans, beets, cabbage, carrots, lettuce, peas, and spinach.  The hardiness of these vegetables lets you get a quicker start on growing and therefore provide an earlier harvest.   However, if you are only growing a small amount of vegetables you may want to wait a few weeks before starting.  Savvygardeners with larger plots should start some of their seeds now and follow with more sowing later.  This is good insurance against surprise cold weather and will provide a staggered harvest so you don't have to eat all your crops at once.

Finally...
"Flowers leave some of
their fragrance in the hand
that bestows them."  Chinese Proverb

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