February
21, 2001
Property
Values...
As we all know being a homeowner is not always a bed of
roses. The house we own and its property often need a lot
work to maintain a look that is desired by us or required by a
home owner's association. For those of us who take great
pride in our homes and grounds it is frustrating when something
major goes wrong. A perfect example: Kevin and I have
noticed that our chimney is pulling away from our house (Yikes!). Not a good thing considering it could fall at any time
and pull the wall along with it. Or worse yet, it could
fall when the kids or Kevin and I are out front playing or
working in the yard. I don't think it would be in our best
interest to allow the chimney to keep leaning. After all we
are not in Pisa and large leaning objects are not as popular
here. We will fix the chimney (once we win the lottery) and
the house will once again be restored to its natural
beauty. There may be some unexpected expenses that come
along with ownership but it is well worth the time and money it
takes to make your home and property a place you are proud
of.
We had
several readers ask us about organic gardening at the
Metropolitan Lawn & Garden Show. We will be covering
some organic gardening this summer but if you are needing a good
resource we highly recommend the magazine Organic
Gardening. Great articles and helpful information
if you're already organic or just want to experiment a
little.
Hmm, what
to say about the weather? Cold snow showers today, warmer
tomorrow and rain this weekend. The long range forecast is
calling for a big springtime thunderstorm this weekend.
Sounds great! It will be nice to get a good soaking
rain.
You may
need to get out of the rain this weekend and a great place to do
that would be the Lawrence Lawn & Garden Show! Don't
forget to stop by Lost Corner Farm's booth and tell Cindy Murry
that you read about her in Savvygardener.com. Our good
friends Doug and Amy with Vinland Valley will be there as
well! Sounds like fun!.
~
Shelly
Zoning
Out in KC...
One thing you can count on with this newsletter - we're not
going to make too many assumptions about our readers' gardening
expertise. This is a resource for all
gardeners. That being said you should know a couple of
basics about zones when buying seeds or plants. The most
commonly known zone is the USDA Hardiness Zone that defines a
plant's ability to survive the winters presented by a particular
area. We are Zone 5.
Less well known is American
Horticultural Society's Heat Zone. The AHS has developed
a Heat
Zone Map that categorizes geographic areas by the
average number of days at or above 86 degrees. We are in
Heat Zone 7 (with between 61 and 90 hot days per year). All
catalogs reference the USDA Hardiness Zones and many have adopted
the AHS Heat Zone data as well. Knowing these numbers is
the first best step in growing the right plants.
Mark
Your Calendar...
We've upgraded our event
calendar. The old one was way
too much work. The new one is so much better because
Savvygardeners like you can enter events themselves. If you have an
appropriate event please feel free to add it. We are still
happy to add your events to the calendar as well. Just send
us an e-mail. The Lawrence Home & Garden Show
information is this weekend and guess what? It's also on
our calendar!
Heading
Off Damping Off...
As you get going on some of your seed starting keep a close
eye out for a problem called "damping off
disease". The disease, which resembles cotton balls
that have been stretched across the soil, is a fungus that
attacks seedlings at the soil line. The fungi associated
with damping-off thrive in a wet environment. One way to
prevent it is by not allowing the soil to remain too wet. Good
air circulation, aided by a small fan, will help. Proper
light and avoiding excess nitrogen fertilizer will help also.
Cracking
The Code...
Savvygardeners
buying seeds from a catalog can be forgiven if they are confused
by all the codes and abbreviations that accompany a seed
packet. These important notes differ with the plant and
should be explained in
good seed catalogs. For example, here is an explanation of
the abbreviations used to describe a tomato cultivar: 'Quick Pick' (F1)
V FF N T A (I) 60 days.
- 'Quick
Pick' = the cultivar name
- (F1) =
the plant is a first generation hybrid
- V =
resistant to Verticillium Wilt
- FF =
resistant to both strains of Fusarium Wilt
- N =
resistant to nematodes
- T =
resistant to Tobacco Mosaic Virus
- A =
resistant to Alternaria or Crown Wilt
- (I) = an
Indeterminate or vining growth pattern as opposed to a Determinate or bush habit.
- 60 = this
cultivar typically requires 60 days after transplanting to
produce a crop. This is an approximate period that is
influenced by local weather conditions.
Remember,
these and other abbreviations will be listed and explained in
good seed catalogs. Take time to pay attention to them as
they can be very important to the success of your garden crop!
Source
Begonias,
By Golly...
Savvygardeners who want to have tuberous begonias for
summer-long flowering in pots, beds, or hanging baskets outside
should start the tubers indoors during late February or early
March. Sprout the tubers by placing them, hollow side up, fairly
close together in shallow, well-drained pans. Use a mix of equal
parts perlite, sphagnum, peat moss, and vermiculite; or chopped
sphagnum moss and perlite. This should be kept damp (not soggy)
in a shady window with a temperature in the lower 60s. Transplant
the tubers to pots or baskets when growth starts, normally within
3 weeks. Place them outside only after all threat of frost has passed.
Source
Winter
Wisdom...
When you think of best sellers I'll bet you don't think about
Insects in Kansas! Oh, but maybe you should!
This gem, first published in 1943 has been revised and
re-released for the new millennium. Why? Find out in this
week's Winter
Wisdom...
Houseplant
Hints...
Soil pulled away from the pot rim means inadequate watering
and resulting root problems. Watering from overhead
probably won't get the job done. The water will just pool
on the surface or spill over the sides. Instead, soak the pot in a
sink full of water, then drain it thoroughly. Try to keep a
closer eye on it in the future.
Finally... "We
learn from our gardens to deal with the most urgent question of
the time: How much is enough?" ~
Wendell Berry, Author & Poet |