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April 24, 2002

Amazing April...
April is sure setting the pace for a terrific spring!  We have received much needed rain and even though the weather has been a bit unpredictable it still has given us a chance to get to the garden to do what we do best - toil in the soil.  Make sure you use some caution when planting after a good rain.  You certainly do not want to ruin a healthy plant by planting it in a soil that is too wet.  Make sure the soil is crumbly like cake before doing any sort of planting or work. 

I am amazed at how the perennials that we planted last year are returning with such vigor (various garden photos).  Most of them have already doubled in size so it will be interesting to see them next year.  Listen to me, I am already talking about next year's garden and I have not even begun to get things in place for this year.  I am sure that Kevin will attest that I am always way ahead of myself, sort of like putting the cart before the horse.  Isn't there a saying that gardeners are great visionaries?  I would prefer visionary as opposed to crazy.  

For those of you who are crazy about peonies, Bannister Garden Center is gearing up for the Peony Festival starting in May.  I spoke with peony expert Neva Mistretta and she told me that their will be plenty of peony blooms the whole month of May.  The Peony Festival normally kicks off around the first week of May but due to the recent fluctuation in temperatures the peonies might be ready earlier than later.  Check Savvygardener.com for the latest information.  If you would like to learn more about Bannister Garden Center and the Peony Festival tune in to the Gard'n Wise Guys radio show this Sunday April 28th from 7-8 AM on 61 Country WDAF to hear peony experts Tony & Neva Mistretta. 

Don't forget our upcoming events.  The Sweet Onion's "Spring Blast" is Sunday May 5th and The Kelly Gallery's "Gardens in Bloom" is May 11th.  Two events you won't want to miss!

~ 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.

Wet, Wait...
I'm loving all this rain.  Remember what April showers bring in May... But right now garden soils may be wet, and you've got planting on your mind.  Although you may be tempted to work that wet soil, remember that there are some serious consequences.  Soil structure can be destroyed, forming large clods that take weeks or months to break up with natural weathering.  Use of a rototiller is especially damaging in soils that are too wet.  A gentle spading will cause the least soil damage but is still a risky proposition.  It is better to delay planting a few days or weeks than to try to till wet soils.

Healthy Houseplants, Healthy Home...
Since it's too wet to garden outside let's turn our attention to houseplants.  Did you know that houseplants are making your home a healthier place?  Over a decade ago NASA scientists discovered that plants are capable of removing volatile organic compounds (VOC's) from the air.  The gases most often studied include formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, toluene, ammonia, acetone, methyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, and trichlorethylene.  The plants listed below (in no particular order) are proven effective in this arena:

  • Palms (Chrysalidocarpus, Rhapis, Chamaedorea, and Phoenix)
  • Fern (Nephrolepis)
  • Corn Plant and Dragon Tree (Dracaena)
  • Rubber Plant and Weeping Fig (Ficus)
  • English Ivy (Hedera)
  • Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
  • Florist Mum (Dendranthemum)
  • Gerber Daisy (Gerbera)
  • Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia)
  • Schefflera (Brassaia)
  • Orchids (Dendrobium and Phalaenopsis)
  • Spider Plant (Chlorophytum)
  • Philodendron (Philodendron)
  • Arrowhead Plant (Syngonium)
  • Pothos (Epipremnum)
  • Dwarf Banana (Musa)
  • Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)

Source

 


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The Division Decision...
Division is a necessary chore in maintaining most perennials.  A few plants never like to be disturbed, and should not be moved or divided; Aconitum, Baptisia, Dictamnus, Eryngium, Helleborus, Limonium, and Papaver are good examples.  Most others will need division every three to four years or so.  You'll know it's time to divide when a dead center forms in the crown area with a ring of plants around it; blooms are fewer and smaller; or growth simply appears crowded. 

A general rule is to divide the plant in the non-bloom season.  Midsummer bloomers should be divided in spring when plant growth is two to three inches in height.  Fall bloomers are divided in late August or early September when plants are semi-dormant and temperatures showing a cooling trend. 

Use a spade to dig the clump and cut off divisions.  If you don't want to divide an entire clump, divisions can be cut from the edge of a clump using a spade and trowel.  Some plants have tough, thick root systems that are a challenge to divide.  Hosta, Hemerocallis, and Astilbe fall in this category so don't be discouraged if you find the going a little tough.

Source

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.

A Clean Break...
Speaking of peat pots...When transplanting flowers and veggies to the garden make sure you break off the rims of your peat pots just below ground level.  Any portion of the peat pot sticking up above the soil surface will wick away moisture and deprive your plants of much needed water.  That would be a shame considering how hard you worked getting them this far!

 


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What's Hot On The Hotline...
The recent rains and warm wind brought up the Hostas and the number of Hotline contacts as well.  This week our calls and visits topped 60 a day for the first time this season.  For a sample of some of the most frequently asked questions (weed control, canker worms, and more) check out this week's What's Hot on the Hotline...

Two Blades Are Better Than One...
No matter how good your mower is the quality of the cut comes down to the sharpness of its blade.  If you're like most people you never get around to sharpening the blade during the spring and summer cutting season.  Probably because you don't want the mower out of service while the blade is sharpened.  We solve that problem by keeping two mower blades.  That way a well sharpened second blade is always ready to be swapped into service.

Finally...
"Science has never drummed up quite as effective a tranquilizing agent as a sunny spring day."

~ W. Earl Hall, Writer, 1897-1969

 

 

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