This Week's Gardening Tips from the Savvygardener
Missouri Organic Mulch, Compost, Bulk Soil
 
In This Issue
~ TLC For Tender Turf ~ Squash Harvest & Storage ~ Time For Lime?
~ Storing Summer Bulbs ~ Evergreen Pruning ~ This Week's Photos
~ Tomato Rescue ~ Who's Sleeping In The Garden Bed? ~ Inspiration
 
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Feature Articles

~ All About Composting
~ All About Mulch
~ Worm Composting
~ Houseplant Care
~ When to Start
Seeds Indoors
~ Seed Starting Indoors
~ Vegetable Garden Calendar
~ Seed Starting Tomatoes

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Shrub Pruning Calendar
~ Pruning Clematis 
~ Gardening in the Shade
~ Summer-Flowering Bulb Care
~ Drought-Tolerant Flowers for KC
~ Preparing for a Soil Test
~ Changing the pH of Your Soil
~ Growing Herbs
~ When to Harvest Vegetables
~ Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
~ Organic Pesticides & Biopesticides
~ Cold Frames & Hot Beds
~ When to Divide Perennials
~ Dividing Spring Blooming Perennials
~ Forcing Bulbs Indoors
~ Overseeding A Lawn
~ Pruning Trees
~ Pruning Shrubs
~ Planting Trees
~ Deer Resistant Plants
~ Trees that Survived the Storm
~ Stump Removal Options for the Homeowner
~ More...
   
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This Week's Photos

~ September 30, 2009 ~

What's Not To Like?
What a difference a little tree trimming makes! Yesterday, our friends from Ryan Lawn & Tree were out pruning our trees (photos) and I am delighted by the amount of sunlight that is making its way into the gardens! I can't believe we waited so long to have it done. Why is it that we tend to forget about our trees? Pruning them on a regular basis is crucial. Kevin and I are both pleased by the job that was done and would certainly recommend you take a good look at your trees as well. We have used Ryan for years and they always send a crew that is efficient and professional. I love that!

Ok, so what's not to like about this weather? I know, the mornings are getting a bit chilly but as long as there is a rebound in the afternoon I am quite content. We are supposed to be getting some rain this evening and into tomorrow. Fine by me. I am always looking for some rain this time of year to keep the evergreens hydrated. It looks like cool temperatures throughout the weekend. Perfect for the American Royal Barbecue. Now that is good smelling air!

~ Shelly   

TLC For Tender Turf...
Whether you've just overseeded or have put grass seed down to establish a new lawn you need to keep it wet. This is especially true as the new young blades shoot forth from the soil. This is when the grass is most vulnerable. If it dries out, it dies. No need to soak it. Just keep it moist with a few minutes from your hose spray nozzle or sprinkler several times a day.

Storing Summer Bulbs...
It's time to start thinking about storing bulbs that will not survive Kansas City winters. The bulbs of gladiolus, caladium, dahlia, tuberous begonia, calla lily, and cannas need to be dug and stored so they can be planted next year.

All of these plants should be dug after frost has browned the foliage. Allow them to dry for about a week in a shady, well-ventilated site, such as a garage or tool shed. Remove excess soil and pack them in peat moss, vermiculite or perlite. Make sure the bulbs don't touch, so that if one decays the rot doesn't spread to its neighbors. Dusting them with fungicide before storage will help prevent them from rotting as well.

Caladium should be stored between 50° and 60°F. The rest of the bulbs mentioned should be stored near 40°F.

Source

Tomato Rescue...
Gardeners with green tomatoes on the vine can rescue them from a pending frost by letting them ripen indoors. Just be sure to select fruits that have changed color from the darker green of immature tomatoes to the lighter green of the more mature stage. If picked before this color break, the tomato will rot instead of ripen. Make sure you're on the safe side by waiting for a hint of red to appear.

Squash Harvest & Storage...
Make sure you harvest pumpkins and winter squash before they get hit by frost Immediately after harvest, the fruit should undergo a ripening or curing process to harden the shell. A curing period of about two weeks at 75° to 85°F with good circulation is desirable. Storage should then be at 50° to 70°F with humidity between 50 and 70 percent. Also, leaving a couple inches of stem will not only provide a "handle" for jack-o-lanterns but will improve storage.

Evergreen Pruning...
Light pruning of both needle and broadleaf evergreens is recommended in late fall to encourage a strong framework to help the plant overcome any snow damage. Simply remove any weak or crowded branches with a pair of clean sharp pruners.

Who's Sleeping In The Garden Bed?...
Many disease-causing viruses overwinter in the roots of perennial weeds. Tomato mosaic virus overwinters in the roots of ground cherry, horsenettle, jimson weed, nightshade, and bittersweet; cucumber mosaic virus lives in the roots of milkweed, catnip, and pokeweed; bean mosaic overwinters in white sweet clover roots; and many cabbage diseases spread from wild members of the cole family. A good fall cleanup is essential. Don't wait!

Source

Time For Lime?
If the results of a soil test suggest that your lawn or garden needs an application of lime now is the time to do it. Never had a soil test before? Shame on you! Resolve to get one done this month. We've posted easy to follow instructions on the Savvygardener.com website.

Finally...
"The Sun-flower... this bright and constant flower enamoured of the sun."

~ Marguerite Blessington

 

 


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