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May 15, 2002 A (Dry)
Sigh Of Relief... When Sam Parker and I went out this morning for our walk the
air was so brisk that I could see my breath. You know
what though? I didn't care that the middle of May is upon
us and I was walking the dog in my winter attire. I was
just so relieved that it wasn't raining! How great it
was to see our long lost friend the sun. It sounds like we
are going to get a generous two to three dry days of this much
needed sunshine. Then more rain on Thursday and Friday.
If we have a combination of warmer weather and a nice southerly
breeze, we might just get a chance to plant a few things before
the next round moves in! Be cautious when planting though.
Make sure the soil is workable and not too wet. I know that
I am starting to sound like a broken record (remember records?)
but if you plant while the soil is too wet you could be setting
yourself up for misery down the road. ~ Shelly It's Not
Too Late! Bonus! Now that soil temperatures are up it's also a great time to get your tomatoes and peppers in the ground if you haven't already done so. A Fungus
Among Us... Mushrooms are specialized types of fungi that are important as decay microorganisms, aiding in the breakdown of logs, leaves, fallen branches, and other organic debris. This important role of mushrooms results in recycling of essential nutrients. In the vast majority of cases mushrooms are not parasitic on lawn grass and won't cause any disease problems. Just wait for a prolonged change in the weather and they will wither and disappear providing additional organic matter to your soil. We're
Cookin' Now... Conveniently, most herbs have similar growing habits and requirements. Because their essential oils are much more concentrated under cool growing conditions you will want to locate them in a cool but sunny area which receives at least 4 to 6 hours of full sun each day. Areas exposed to the morning sun are better than those areas with mid-day and afternoon sun. If you didn't start any herbs from seed buy some healthy looking plants from your favorite plant source. However anise, coriander, dill and fennel aren't too fond of being transplanted. Sow their seeds directly in the garden. For a list of over 30 herbs and specific details about growing them check out "Growing Herbs" in our Feature Article section.
A Clip
In Time... Shrubs that flower in the spring are normally pruned immediately after flowering. Examples of these types of plants include forsythia, Vanhoutte spirea, flowering quince, lilac and mockorange. Though pruning during the dormant season does not harm the health of the plant, the flowering display will be reduced. Shrubs that bloom on current season's growth or that do not produce ornamental flowers are best pruned in late winter to early spring. Examples include Rose-of-Sharon, Bumald Spirea and Japanese Spirea. There are three basic methods used in pruning shrubs:
Cutworms
Collared...
What's
Hot On The Hotline... Water
Wisely... A deep watering once a week should be adequate for fruit, vegetable, and flower gardens as well as most turfgrass. Think in terms of 1 to 1½ inches of water per week. Newly planted trees and shrubs should also be watered deeply every 7 to 10 days during dry weather. Small trees and shrubs usually require watering for 1 to 2 growing seasons while it may be necessary to water large trees for 2 to 3 years. Finally... Spring
weaves a gown of green to clad ~ Ilia Chavchavadze, Spring |
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