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September 29, 2004 |
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Perfect
Weather...
It was hard to get out from underneath the covers this
morning. We slept with the windows wide open knowing that the
overnight temperatures might dip in to the low 40's. We were
excited by the opportunity to embrace the real first morning of
fall. Warm days, cool evenings and layers of covers on the bed at
night. Perfect weather for gardening and sleeping. No complaints
here.
I am
watering again today
(photo).
Boy, could we use some rain. I can't say this often enough,
"Don't forget to water". We have gone quite some time
without any significant rainfall.
As a result, soils have become
very dry. It is awfully easy to fall
into the "since it's cooler things
don't need watered as often" mode. If Mother Nature is not
providing the moisture then we have to so keep the hose out as a
reminder to keep on watering.
Don't
forget to join me Saturday from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Randy's
Lakeview Nursery & Bulk Supercenter for Oktoberfest. There will
be specials throughout the nursery, fun, food and entertainment
for the whole family. Can't wait to see you there!
~
Shelly
Totally Tulips (Part 4)...
It's a sad and sometimes frustrating fact that hybridized tulips
"burn-out" every few years or so. You might be surprised to know
that species tulips are not prone to burn-out and will
return to the garden every spring for many years. Now don't be
mistaken, species tulips are different than hybrids. They
perform best in rock garden-like locations, require full sun, and
well-drained, almost gravelly soils that drain quickly between
rains.
Species
tulips are smaller in size than their hybrid relatives. Most
grow just 4 to 12 inches in height and do not like the
competition of other plants around them. Species tulips spread
by self sown seeds or stolons. Many have foliage which is
mottled or gray to blue green in color. They also offer more in
the way of bloom. Many have multiple blooms per stem, some have
up to seven!
Interested? Some species to try include:
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Tulipa batalinii has soft yellow, fragrant flowers
appearing in early spring. It grows just 5 inches tall.
-
Tulipa clusiana grows 10 to 12 inches tall and blooms in
early spring. The flowers have a white interior with a crimson
central star and a pink exterior. It naturalizes very well.
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Tulipa greigii comes in pink, yellow, orange, red, buff,
cream, and apricot. It grows 8 to 12 inches tall and blooms in
mid-spring. The blossoms are large - 4 to 5 inches when fully
open.
-
Tulipa kaufmanniana grows 6 to 8 inches tall and is
available in a wide variety of colors. It blooms in early
spring.
-
Tulipa linifolia grows 4 to 6 inches tall with brilliant
red flowers.
-
Tulipa pulchella is a tiny plant growing 3 to 5 inches
tall. It has violet purple fragrant flowers in early spring.
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Tulipa saxatillis naturalizes readily. The flowers,
lavender-pink with a yellow base, appear mid-spring. Plants
grow 6 to 8 inches tall.
-
Tulipa sylvestris grows 10 to 12 inches tall with fragrant
yellow flowers. Flowers occur 3 to 7 per stem.
-
Tulipa tarda flowers are yellow with white tips. Plants
grow 4 to 6 inches tall. This tulip is easy to grow!
-
Tulipa turkestanica has cream colored flowers occurring 3
to 5 per stem. Flowers appear in early spring. Plants grow 5
to 8 inches tall.
All the
species tulips listed above are hardy in zones 4 through 7 with
the exception of Tulipa pulchella and Tulipa turkestanica which
are hardy in zones 5 to 8. All should do fine in the greater
Kansas City area.
When
preparing the site, amend the area several inches wider and
deeper than the bulbs will occupy with sand or gravel. Planting
on a gentle slope or in a raised bed assures good drainage.
Plant the bulbs 5 to 8 inches deep. Species tulips are also
suitable for planting in containers.
Source
Garlic Lovers Get Ready!
Garlic needs to be in the ground at least one month before
the soil freezes so now through mid-October is the ideal time for
planting. Start by planting the small cloves that are divisions
of the large bulb. The larger the clove, the larger the size of
the mature bulb at harvest. Do not divide the bulb until
immediately before planting. Although some people have had good
luck planting the garlic from the grocery store, seedstock from a
nursery or via mail-order is recommended.
Garlic
needs a full-sun site with loose soil rich in organic matter.
Adding compost to the bed is usually a good idea. Plant the
cloves (with their pointy sides up) three to five inches apart at
a depth of two to three inches. Add a light layer of mulch.
Allow 18 to 30 inches between rows or plant five inches apart in
all directions if you're using raised beds. Next spring the
garlic will push through the soil and mulch. We'll wait until
then to complete the directions through harvest.
Moisture Minders...
One of the problems with all this
wonderfully cool weather is that it makes us forgetful. Even
Savvygardeners sometimes cut back on watering too much during the
fall. Your perennials, trees, shrubs, and lawn need that
moisture - not like they did in mid-summer but about an inch a
week or so. Watering now and through November helps ensure your
plants have a healthy root structure going into our often harsh
winters.
Plants
That Came In From The Cold...
As chilly overnight temperatures
become the norm you will need to bring your
winter houseplants back inside. When
you do, make sure to check them for pests. Simply rinsing
the plants' leaves, and soaking the pots in water for 15 to 20
minutes will drown most soil-dwelling pests. Also, clean the
windows where plants will be placed. It can dramatically
increase available sunlight and make for a much healthier plant!
Tidy Up Around
Fruit Trees...
No one likes worms and other pests in their fruit trees. A
simple clean up now can dramatically reduce the number of pests
that return next year. Just pick up and destroy any fallen
fruit, branches, and leaves. Worms and other pests feed on this
fruit and debris, overwinter in the soil, and emerge in the
spring to lay eggs and start the cycle all over again.
Oh Say Can You
Seed...
It's not too late to overseed your lawn -
but it's getting close. You should be able to successfully
overseed for the next week to 10 days. After that your success
will depend on how quickly winter arrives. Two quick tips to
increase your success:
- Keep
your new turf well watered through the rest of fall.
-
Read our very popular
article,
Overseeding A Lawn.
The great
thing about seeding and overseeding is the low cost and high
return. Grass seed is cheap. If your seeding is successful you
wind up with a priceless lawn next spring. If it's not 100%
successful you haven't lost much.
Finally...
"To laugh often and
much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection
of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to
endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to
find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether
by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social
condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you
have lived. This is to have succeeded." ~
Ralph Waldo Emerson |
