April
11, 2001
Patience
And Prudence...
Now that Spring has finally arrived there is so much to write
about! The garden is changing daily. I can hardly
wait for a new day to venture out to see what is blooming,
budding and what still lies dormant beneath the soil. I
have been busy cleaning up and pulling some unwanted weeds and
have purchased just a couple of things to plant. I must say
that I am a little skittish about planting anything right
now. With the crazy weather we had this winter, a part of
me feels that there is a frost still looming over our
heads. Hopefully I am wrong but I am playing it safe.
No major planting until Mother's Day weekend (or just a little
before).
Kevin's
mother Mary is in visiting this week so we loaded up the van and
headed to Lost
Corner Farm to visit proprietor Cindy Murry. One of the
many reasons I like Lost
Corner Farm is the way Cindy displays her wares. She
has a Martha Stewart way about her that is so appealing.
She has a knack for presentation which makes me want to purchase everything
while I am there. Her plants are always of the highest
quality and she specializes in the unique and uncommon. A
great place to spend some time. I highly recommend finding Lost
Corner Farm.
The
temperatures we experienced this last week were unusually
high. I hope it is not a trend. I do enjoy summer but
I am not fond of all that humidity - especially in April.
It sounds as if more seasonal temperatures are on their way for
Easter weekend. Should be just perfect for getting outside
and hunting for eggs. Happy Easter!
~
Shelly
Befuddled
By Bulbs...
We received several e-mails recently asking about all the
bulbs currently offered by retailers and garden centers.
"Isn't fall the correct time to plant bulbs?" was the
common question. Well, fall is the correct time to
plant spring flowering bulbs (tulips, daffodils, crocus,
etc...) But there's another group of "bulbs" that
can be planted soon for floral displays this summer. They
include begonias, dahlias, daylilies, and so many more! If
you're ready to give them a try take a moment to read our Guide
to Summer Flowering Bulbs in Kansas City.
Unblanket
The Berries...
It's time to check for signs of new growth in your strawberry bed.
Any winter mulches you applied can be pulled back but left ready
for service in case of late frost. If you use spunbonded row covers
they can be
left on until bloom, but must then be removed to allow for
pollination of the flowers by honey bees and other pollinators.
Tines
For Transplanting...
One of the trickiest parts of raising seedlings indoors is
the delicate process of transplanting up to a larger peat
pot. All too often the soil surrounding the roots just
falls apart. Try using an ordinary table fork next
time. You can loosen the plants in the seed flat without damaging
the roots. Then you can open a hole for the new transplant in the
new flat or pot by rocking it sideways. Finally, by sliding
the tines around the delicate stem and pressing down, the
transplant can be firmed in the growing medium.
Source
Papa
Geno now has perennials on his website!
He's also offering Savvygardeners lots of herbs,
scented geraniums and veggies at half price!
Click
Here Now!
|
A Garden
Party For Savvygardeners...
Savvygardener.com sponsor The
Kelly Gallery will be hosting a garden party Saturday April
28th. Join Kevin and I at this gathering as we get
acquainted with professional photographer Kelly Daniels, stroll
through her marvelous gardens, and see the latest gardening decor
at The
Barn.
This
gathering is free for Savvygardeners. All we ask is that
you indicate your intention to attend on our RSVP
form. We just need your e-mail address (which we can
also use to notify you of any changes due to inclement weather). Click
here to RSVP…
Turf
Tips by Chris Karcher...
Wow! All this rain and warmer weather sure has the
grass growing. Is it too late to apply pre-emergents?
When do I mow and how high? Chris Karcher has this month's
lawn advice in April
Turf Tips...
The Hard
Facts...
Plants bought from greenhouses (locally or by mail order)
need to be "hardened off", or acclimatized, before they
are permanently placed in the garden. Basically you're just
preparing them for a rather significant change in temperatures,
humidity, and sunlight. Start by placing newly purchased
plants outside only during the day, bringing them in at night as
protection from cool, night temperatures. Gradually leave
the plants outside for longer periods of time until they have
fully acclimated and can be planted.
Make
the trip to Vinland Valley Nursery this weekend and find
out why it's one of the most unique nurseries in the
country!
Unbeatable selection, great prices, really nice
people!
Click
Here for More...
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What's
Hot On The Hotline...
We've all learned that April showers bring May flowers.
We
should also know by now that April downpours bring washouts and
flash flooding! According to the weather prognosticators, we have
already had about 10 inches of rain for the year which
approximately doubles the normal amount. Several callers have asked
what, if anything, can be done to prevent garden damage from
heavy rains. You will find the answer to this and more
pressing questions in this
week's What's
Hot on the Hotline...
Savvy
Survivors...
So many trees and shrubs took a beating this winter. It
was cold, colder than it has been in years, and lots of
Savvygardeners were concerned about what looked like dead
plants. Now that it has warmed and the spring rains have
arrived it's time to take a close look at those trees and
shrubs. Where you see new growth you can cut back the
winter-killed twigs to living, green wood. Hopefully you'll
find that many of the trees and shrubs you assumed had died will
actually stage a nice recovery.
Finally... "Spring
makes its own statement, so loud and clear that the gardener
seems to be only one of the instruments, not the composer." ~
Geoffrey B. Charlesworth, Author |