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February
20, 2002
Signs Of
Spring?
OK, just because the crocus, daffodils and other early
blooming bulbs are shooting out of the ground does not mean that
winter is over and spring is here! Just this past weekend
when the temperatures were in the upper 50's I saw a woman
removing all of the mulch from her beds! Eeeek! Be
patient. Yes, I too get excited but have been disappointed
in the past when I have started spring gardening too early.
Remember that the last official frost date is the middle part of
April so there is still some cold weather ahead. Hang in
there, our time will come.
How about
that rain! Just to let you know how exciting it is around the
Marsh house, we were all staring out the windows watching the
rain come down as if it was something we had never seen
before. We either need help or we have too much time on our
hands. Did you notice how great the air smelled after it
rained? That smell is so special. It brings back so
many great gardening memories of years past. We received
about one inch here in Westwood. A fair amount though we
are so far behind on precipitation that we could use a couple
more inches. The meteorologists in town are talking about
some type of moisture next week. Hopefully it will be in
the form of rain or snow. I have seen enough ice this
year.
Our front
yard is completely free of storm debris. What a relief. The
City of Westwood sure did a great job taking care of its
residents. Speaking of storm debris, Earl
May is making free house calls until March 15th to help you
decide whether or not your damaged trees need to be removed or
just pruned. What a great service! Give them a call
today!
One last
thing, we have given SavvyChat
a complete makeover. The best local gardening forum just
got a lot better! We only moved the most recent posts over
to the new site so if you want to keep an old post alive you will
need to re-post it. Check
it out!
~
Shelly
Early To
Bed, Early To Rise...
Savvygardeners know that getting a jump on spring
growing means tricking Mother Nature a little. Cold
frames and hotbeds are the best way to do it. These nifty
devices allow you to get your seedlings in the ground weeks
earlier than normal. That means earlier growth, earlier
harvest, earlier eating! Learn how they work (and how to build
them) in our feature article, Cold
Frames & Hotbeds.
The Bare
Facts About Bare Roots...
Many of us will no doubt be planting replacement trees in the
near future. To plant bare-rooted trees and shrubs, prune
off dead or damaged roots and plant in a hole large enough to
accommodate the roots when spread in a natural shape.
Contrary to recommendations you may have heard in the past, it is
no longer suggested that you prune the top to compensate for the
loss of roots caused by transplanting. According to Virginia
Tech Extension research has found no evidence that this helps
the plant, and there is a possibility that pruning removes
carbohydrate reserves the plant could use to grow new roots.
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
|
Check Out the
New SavvyChat!
Our
On-line Gardening Forum Has Really Blossomed!
We've
Even Added a Forum for Sharing Seeds & Plants!
Check
It Out!
|
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
This Is
Only A Test...
When was the last time you had your garden soil tested?
Never? Shame on you! Soil testing is one of the most
important, and overlooked, things you can do to better understand
your garden. Fortunately it's not very difficult and
doesn't cost much either. Your county
extension service probably offers soil testing for a nominal
fee. If you decide to have your soil tested at the
extension office simply follow these guidelines for getting a
good sample for them to evaluate (note: soil should be dry or
nearly dry):
- In the
area you want tested take a garden trowel and plunge it at
least six inches into the soil.
- Rotate
the trowel 360 degrees creating a tapered column of soil.
- Lift the
column of soil out of the ground and place it in a large
container.
- Repeat
the above for every 25 square feet in your garden.
- Thoroughly
combine the samples.
- Remove
rocks, grass, roots and other "non-soil" debris.
- Put about
one pint of this soil in a clean container and mark it with an
identifying label.
- Take the
sample to your county
extension office for evaluation. It may take several weeks
before the results are available.
You may
want to have several soil tests performed - one for each
distinctly different garden on your property.
Winter
Wisdom...
Hiring a professional to evaluate and treat your trees?
The hotline staff explains the difference between nationally
certified and state certified arborists. There's also some
good timely tips for February gardening chores. Check out this
week's Winter
Wisdom...
Trim
Now, Butterflies Later...
Our butterfly bush rewards me and my family to great
gatherings of butterflies every summer. To make sure it's
in top shape I usually trim it back to about 12 inches this time
of year. This helps promote a well shaped plant with larger
flowers.
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...
"If
the day and the night are such that you greet them with joy, and
life emits a fragrance like flowers and sweet-scented herbs, is
more elastic, more starry, more immortal - that is your success." ~
Henry David Thoreau, 1817-1862, American Essayist and Poet |
