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January
10, 2001
Expect
More, Get More...
I was reading the most recent issue of Garden Center Association's
newsletter and was moved by the article that Monica Higgins wrote
on Professional Integrity. Simply put, the article is
about not getting the product or service you want. As I
read this article I found myself agreeing with Higgins. I
remember all too well the times I have gone to some of the more
well known nurseries and garden centers here in the Kansas City
area only to be disappointed with the stock and/or service.
Must we as gardeners settle for less? Absolutely not!
I will spend my money where I know that I will find the plants
and the service I am looking for. These places do
exist and what I find is that sometimes you have to drive to find
them. Is it worth the extra effort? To me it
is! Not only will I drive farther for better service but I
will also pay for it! Let me give you a few examples; Lost
Corner Farm, Earl May, and The Sweet
Onion. I get quality plants from all of these places but
most importantly I get the service I want. These people
understand and are committed to giving the best service to their
customers and that is why I spend my money with them! I
will continue to support these businesses because they understand
me, the gardener!
The mild
weather is a nice change and it is great to see the snow melt
away. What we need is a good rain to clean away that
horrible looking dirty snow, the snow my son Jacob refers to as
"icky stuff". The warmer weather sure gives me
the gardening bug. Anyone else?
~
Shelly
Melting
Snow Yields Clues...
It's funny how important the winter can be to
gardening. Look at the melting snow outside your
window. Notice that some areas melt faster than
others? Those are the sunniest and warmest spots of your
garden. Make note of these microclimates as they may
be important for future plantings. These warmer areas might
be good choices for your more tender plantings or even a
perennial that is only marginally suited to our zone.
Better
Blooms...
You can encourage African violets to bloom by giving them plenty of
light. A south window during dark, winter months is always
a plus. No indoor access to sun? They also bloom beautifully under fluorescent lights.
In fact, sometimes they
seem to grow better under them. Fertilize them at
every watering, using a one-fourth strength solution. Water from
the top, to prevent salt build-up in the soil, but avoid wetting
the leaves.
Watch
Your Step...
Things are warming a bit - for now anyway. Inevitably
the cold will return and maybe some more snow. When it
does, try to avoid walking on snow covered or frozen lawns.
You may injure the grass and it will not look quite as nice come
Springtime. The same caution applies to ground covers
either frozen or with frost on them. Avoid stepping on
them, especially Ajuga, as you may have bare spots next spring
where you walked.
Low
Light Lovers II...
Last week we featured Variegated Peperomia as a houseplant
that does well in low light conditions. Savvygardeners
wrote to us for more suggestions. So, here's even more houseplants that will perform well in
those low light conditions:
- Chinese
evergreen (Aglaonema spp.) (photo)
- Cast-iron
plant (Aspidistra elatior) (photo)
- Parlor
palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
- Spider
plant (Chlorophytum comosum) (photo)
- Grape ivy
(Cissus rhombifolia) (photo)
- Dumbcane
(Dieffenbachia spp.) (photo)
- False
aralia (Dizygotheca elegantissima) (photo)
Source
Looking
for some good gardening magazines? Check out the
exceptional subscription rates available to Savvygardeners
through our partnership with Magazines.com
Click
Here Now... |
Careful
What You Cut...
Do you have any pruning to do? January is a great month to
prune most deciduous trees and shrubs. While most trees can be pruned at this
time, don't prune spring flowering
plants, like quince, forsythia, spirea, etc... as you would be
removing their spring flowers.
Winter
Wisdom...
This winter sure is different than we've experienced in
recent years! Many people are asking if their perennials
will survive the recent extreme cold. If you're worried
about yours please read this
week's Winter
Wisdom...
Asking
About Ashes...
A common question this time of year concerns the spreading of
wood ashes from the fireplace into the garden. Many
gardeners have heard that wood ashes increase soil pH.
While this is true it would probably take very considerable
quantities to have any significant effect. Just spread them
as evenly as possible and try not to overdo it.
Finally...
"Every
gardener knows that under the cloak of winter lies a miracle...
a seed waiting to sprout, a bulb opening to the light, a bud
straining to unfurl.
And the anticipation nurtures our dream." ~
Barbara Winkler |
