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June 20, 2001

Summer's Here...
This is the week that summer arrives and it sounds as if we will have spring-like weather to usher it in.  Mother Nature is sparing us for now, although these past few days have been tough.  The heat and the strong winds have had me watering pots three times a day.  I believe it is a little early yet to be so busy maintaining the garden.  The crazy thing is that I am still planting.  I ventured out to Earl May and purchased some more annuals.  Their plants are in good shape and they still have a decent selection.  There is just no stopping me.  Buy, buy, buy!  I am always looking for a deal that I can't pass up.  The professionals say the humidity will be dropping this week.  Yeah!  I love it when it is warm and dry outside.  Perfect gardening weather!  

Don't forget "The Gardens are Peaking" gathering at The Kelly Gallery this Friday evening from 6-8 PM.  Come join us for some good gardening conversation in a tranquil setting.  The Daniels' place is spectacular!  Kevin and I look forward to seeing you there.

~ Shelly  

When Good Mulch Goes Bad...
According to our friends at the K-State Extension there have been reports recently of plants being burned by sour hardwood mulch.  When affected plants are often yellow and may burn.  Leaves drop and foliage may blacken as well.  Symptoms look like fertilizer or pesticide burn or water stress.  Damage can be severe enough to kill plants. 

Sour mulch results from anaerobic decomposition of hardwood mulches that have been stored in large piles.  The pH of such mulches are extremely acidic; reportedly 1.8 to 3.6.  Normal mulch by contrast is closer to a neutral pH of 7.0.  Sour mulch smells like vinegar, sulfur, or silage.  The compounds that cause the acidity are capable of injuring plants quickly; usually within one day and often within hours of application.  

Depending on the extent of the injury, plants are often able to recover.  Savvygardeners should water affected plants during hot, dry periods to prevent further stress. 

Mulch that has soured can still be used if it is "mellowed" before application.  Simply spread the mulch in shallow layers and allow it to air out for several days until it no longer smells.  It may also be helpful to water the mulch before application to wash away any toxic substances.

Source

Cucumber Care...
When it comes to harvest time remember that cucumbers have a very short "vine storage time".  Under warm, humid conditions, fruits on the vine may remain in prime condition for less than 12 hours.  For the best tasting cukes, pick them early and often.  Once picked they can be stored for up to two weeks at 45 to 50 degrees F and 95 percent relative humidity.  Lower temperatures may cause chilling damage, and higher temperatures encourage yellowing.  Yellowing is also accelerated if cucumbers are stored with tomatoes or apples.

Source

Timing Is Everything...
Sometimes the hardest part of growing great vegetables is knowing when they're ready for harvest.  Timing is everything as they say and that's certainly true for your garden's bounty.  To make your job a little easier we've compiled a list of common garden vegetables and the guidelines you should follow to determine if they are ready for harvest.  You will find "When to Harvest Vegetables" in the Features section of our website.

 

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A Cautionary Note...
Yellow jackets, like most bees, will usually leave you alone if left alone.  In that vain it is especially important to never squash a yellow jacket near its nest.  A dying yellow jacket releases an alarm pheromone that alerts its comrades.  In less than 15 seconds, yellow jackets within a 15 foot radius will rally to the victim's aid.  

Source

Give 'Em Room To Breathe...
Just because your plant is wilting don't assume it's due to lack of water.  Plants can wilt from lack of oxygen too!  Soil can become over-compacted and cause root systems to suffocate.  The problem is often made worse by assuming the plant is thirsty and adding water unnecessarily.

Improving the soil for better air and water circulation is easy.  Simply add peat moss or other loose organic material in and around the root area of your plants. Everyone will breathe easier!


Plan for Halloween By Planting Pumpkins Now...
Want to grow a perfect pumpkin for your very own jack-o-lantern this year?  It may sound like a long way off but depending on the variety you want to grow you need to get your pumpkins planted now for carving on Halloween.  Typically pumpkins mature in 90 - 120 days.  Check your seed pack to determine your pumpkin's specific days to maturity and work backwards from October 31st.

Remember that these things get big.  Allow 8 to 10 feet between rows and place seeds every 2 feet in the row.  When fruit begins to appear it's time to start protecting the pumpkin from rot.  Try placing a barrier under ripening pumpkins to lift them off the soil.  A material that doesn't trap water will be best.

 

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What's Hot On The Hotline...
Spiders and snakes usually top the list of critters that people just do not like.  I guess crawling and slithering are mobility habits that are hard to warm up to.  Unfortunately the wet weather earlier this month brought a lot of spiders out of hiding and into our homes.  Snakes of course just make themselves visible at the least opportune times.  The Hotline staff has written about these creatures, good and bad, in this week's What's Hot on the Hotline... 

A Cut Above...
The next few months will likely be very taxing for your fescue or bluegrass lawn.  Long, hot and humid days, with little rainfall can make even the greenest lawns wilt.  While it's probably not possible to keep your turf looking perfectly lush and green all summer you can prepare it for the heat by raising the cutting height of your mower.  Fescues and bluegrass should be cut at a height of 3 to 31/2 inches.  Determine your mowing frequency by cutting no more than one-third of the blade height with each cutting.  This means cutting when it reaches 41/2 inches or so.

Finally...
"What is one to say about June, the time of perfect young summer, the fulfillment of the promise of the earlier months, and with as yet no sign to remind one that its fresh young beauty will ever fade."

~ Gertrude Jekyll, On Gardening

 

 

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