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.
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.
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 |