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April
25, 2001
Scat
Cat!
I have a new problem in the garden, one I have never had to
deal with before - CATS! There seems to be an
overwhelming number of outside cats in the neighborhood and they
are using my garden as their litter box. I pulled up in the
drive the other day to find this big fluffy cat rolling in my cat
mint. The nerve! What do they think my garden is
"The Holiday Inn?" Well the war has now
started. The kids have been instructed to shoot (with a
water gun) any cat that is found on the premise. Now you
might think this treatment a little harsh but it is not your
garden that is going to the cats. Hopefully dousing them
with a good squirt now and then will send a clear message,
"Go Away!" I will keep you posted on whether or
not my method is working. If any of you have any good tips
please send them my way!
It is not
too late to RSVP for "The
Garden Party for Savvygardeners" Saturday April 28th
from 12:00-4:00 PM at The Kelly Gallery. Lots of you have
already said you will be there. It looks as if the weather
is going to be perfect so please join us for a delightful
afternoon!
How about
this weather? These past few days have been exceptional and
I have spent them in the garden. Happy at last!
Although we have had a lot of moisture this month do not overlook
watering. It only takes a couple of warm, windy days to
really dry things up so keep an eye on all your plantings.
~
Shelly
Bulb
Boosters...
Depending on micro-climates, planting depth, and variety your
spring bulbs are at various stages of growth right now. Most of
our daffodils and
tulips are done but we continue to see great displays in progress
all over town. What you do
with the plants after the flowers are spent is crucial to next
year's growth. Bulbs use their foliage to acquire and transport
nutrients necessary for future growth. If you cut or remove the
foliage too early you will starve the bulb and consequently
reduce its chances for strong growth next spring. Cut the stems
back as you would if you were cutting them for a vase. Leave the
foliage alone until it has withered on its own. Only then should
you clear it from the garden.
Recipe
For Success...
The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station reports that
larger plants with more flowers can be grown in a soil mix
consisting of 1 part sphagnum moss, 1 part peat moss, 2 parts
perlite and 2 parts compost than with 4 other commonly used
mixes. Sphagnum moss is reported to increase aeration and
water-holding capacity and to suppress soil-borne diseases.
Do Not
Disturb...
If you plan on growing vining fruits and vegetables like cucumber, cantaloupe, summer squash, and watermelon
make sure you start the seeds indoors in peat pots. These
vining plants don't appreciate having their roots disturbed and
the peat pots make it possible to effectively transplant them.
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A Clean
Break...
Speaking of peat pots...make sure you break off the rims of
any peat pots when transplanting. Any portion of the pot
sticking up above the soil surface will wick away moisture and
deprive your thirsty plants. That would be a shame after
all the work you did getting them that far!
Longer
Life for Lilies...
I hope some thoughtful friends brought you a lily for
Easter. Unfortunately the lily doesn't survive as a
houseplant, but it can be transplanted outdoors where it may
bloom again this year.
Find a
sunny spot in the garden to plant the bulb. Remove the plant from
its container and loosen the roots. Plant the bulb a few inches
deeper than it was in the container and cover it with soil.
Water
thoroughly and fertilize with an all-purpose garden fertilizer.
For the remainder of the season water and fertilize as you would
your other garden plantings. Don't be alarmed when the top
withers and dies. New shoots will emerge and may flower in July
or August.
Understand
that lilies are not normally winter-hardy in the greater Kansas
City area (last winter would probably have been hopeless).
To
improve your chances for success, mulch them with 4 inches of
straw or leaves in the fall. With luck you will have new flowers
again next June!
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Our
Rosarian Al Karsten Is Having a Moving Sale!
Sale items include unique containers, driftwood, line
material, garden supplies and equipment and other
treasures.
Friday and Saturday, May 4 & 5 from 8AM to 5PM
7724 Fontana, (one block east of Roe), Prairie Village, KS
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What's
Hot On The Hotline...
With the frost danger diminishing quickly the hotline is
abuzz with callers looking for advice on the selection and
purchase of bedding plants and other spring plantings. Get
it straight from the experts in this
week's What's
Hot on the Hotline...
Sickly
Spruce Trees?
Area gardeners may notice their spruce trees exhibiting
purpling of needles, needle drop, branch dieback and in some
cases, tree death. Yikes! While there may be many causes to these
problems, including insects and diseases, Ned Tisserat, Plant
Pathologist at K-State
Research & Extension, believes most of the injury is a
direct result of the drought conditions of last summer.
"Spruce trees are not well adapted to the extremely high
temperatures and extended drought we encountered last year.
For spruce trees exhibiting needle drop or branch dieback, I
would recommend the following:
- Keep the
root zone of spruce trees moist during droughty
conditions. This may require routine irrigation during
the summer. Keep the soil moist but not saturated.
- Mulch
young trees to keep the soil cooler and prevent soil water
loss.
- Avoid
using broadleaf herbicides near the root zones of spruce
trees.
- Carefully
monitor trees during the summer months for mite infestations.
These infestations often result in 'hot spots' where needles
discolor and drop.
- Wait
until after bud break to prune out twigs without needles
unless you are sure they are dead. Some of these twigs may
have healthy buds."
Source
Finally...
"I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose
I would always greet it in a garden." ~
Ruth Stout, Author, Gardening Without Work |
