January Tips for the Garden 2010

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! We truly welcome 2010! If you can tolerate the cold weather, there are several things that you can do this month in your landscape that will lighten the load for the rest of the season. The main item is pruning or thinning of our woody ornamentals. Deciduous trees such as maples, oaks, ash, etc., can be pruned at this time. Interior, broken, or crossing branches should be removed now while you can see exactly what you are removing.

If the weather is extremely bad this month, then snow and/or ice removal are going to be the big tasks. If you are one of the lucky ones with a teenager at home, you can get your son or daughter to shovel the driveway and walks for you. Whether they or you do the shoveling, you need to know where you are putting all of this frozen precipitation. Heavy accumulations of snow or ice can easily damage plants. Accidentally dump a snow shovel full of wet snow on top of some of your shrubs and you may end up replacing the broken mass next spring. Snowplows can also do quite a bit of damage to plantings and lawn areas. Use location stakes with flags to show where your driveways and walkways are as well as where to “dump” excess snow.

If you need to remove ice from drives and walkways, be extremely careful with the melting compound you use. Rock salt will destroy concrete sidewalks, driveways, and concrete pavers. It will also kill most shrubs, perennials, and lawns. There are many other compounds used to melt ice that won’t damage your concrete or kill your plants. These compounds contain potassium, magnesium or calcium chloride. These compounds also work in lower temperatures. You can use products such as birdseed, sawdust, and non-clumping cat litter to provide traction. Of course, these will not melt the ice, but they won’t harm your plants, pets or concrete.

Now, I want to mention a little about “bird feeding.” Celebrate our feathered friends and make it a family affair! It’s hard to say who benefits more from backyard bird feeders, the birds or the people who feed them. Some of life’s more enjoyable moments include the songs and antics of the birds outside our windows. Whether you are just beginning or greatly expanding your bird-feeding program, give careful consideration to making it easy and fun for the whole family. If the feeders are hard to reach, the bags too heavy for the kids to maneuver, or the birdbath too far from the hose, pretty soon someone will lose patience and object to being involved. Hang different types of feeders at different heights and near enough to your house so you can watch the birds at relatively close range. You can use empty coffee cans and homemade funnels (cut the bottom off a large soft drink bottle) for feeder-filling convenience.

Don’t be discouraged if you have just put up a new feeder and the birds don’t flock to it immediately. Because birds recognize food by sight, it can take a while for them to locate a new source. Try putting aluminum foil on the ground underneath, where sunlight can be reflected. If you already have other feeders, put the new one nearby until the birds discover it. Bird feeding activity attracts other species, so when you add a specialty feeder (such as a nyjer feeder) to your feeding station, it probably won’t take new birds long to find it. Remember that, for the sake of the birds’ health, it is always important to keep the feeders and the ground beneath then cleaned up of old seed that can harbor disease.

It is important to provide unfrozen water for the birds throughout winter. Put your birdbath in an open area, but near some trees or bushes to permit a quick escape if predators approach. Birds will visit regularly once they discover it is a safe and steady source of fresh water. Open water in freezing weather will attract as many or more birds, as a well-stocked feeder! Birds use it to help keep them warmer in winter. By cleaning their feathers and grooming them with natural oils, our feathered friends are able to help insulate their bodies from cold. You can keep water thawed with a submersible heater placed directly in the water… it’s economical and safe as long as you use a high-quality, outdoor extension cord to plug the heater into an electrical source. Heated birdbaths are also available.

Birds appear to be homeless in winter, which makes people wonder where they go at night. In general, they choose to roost in the same kind of places as they build their nest during breeding season. Some birds will use the same roosting spot every night unless predators disturb them.

Time flies fast, so enjoy this winter, do an analysis on your landscape and prepare for spring projects… and we will “see you in the garden”.


Sandi Hillermann McDonald

December Tips for the Garden 2009

The holidays are fast approaching and all of our thoughts turn to decorating! Beautiful flowering houseplants add color and holiday cheer to every room. Here are some of my favorites:

Poinsettias are a holiday tradition and come in a variety of rich colors. The true deep red is a favorite, but don’t overlook deep burgundy, rich pink, soft peach, or beautiful creamy white. You’re sure to find one that is perfect for every room. While blooming, poinsettias like bright but indirect light. Water it when the top inch of the soil has dried and let it drain well. Do not let it sit in water. Poinsettias love cooler temperatures and keeping them cooler will extend the life of their blooms. Keep it away from any drafts, hot or cold, and mist leaves frequently when blooming.

Decorating Tip: Poinsettias in foil, colorful cachepots, or baskets add festive color to any room. Place groupings of three near one or both sides of doorways, hearths, or stairs for a super holiday look.

Cyclamen is a beautiful holiday plant with spectacular color! The heart shaped leaves are deep green with silver markings. The flowers rise gracefully above the foliage on slender stems and will bloom non-stop for several months. Colors range from deep iridescent red to soft pastels and white. Cyclamen love bright indirect light, and cooler temperatures will extend the life of its colorful blooms. Do not let your cyclamen dry out. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Let the soil drain after watering before returning it to its decorative container.

Decorating Tip: Cyclamen is a compact plant and perfect for coffee tables, desks or counter tops. Drop small containers of these plants into your favorite holiday mugs for a quick holiday decoration to brighten up areas in your home.

Amaryllis in bloom is breathtaking. Nothing matches its clusters of huge, trumpet shaped flowers atop long thick stalks for a show-stopping look. Easy to grow, amaryllis is available in many colors including red, pink, peach, white, and many beautiful bi-colors. It needs bright light and soil that is evenly moist. Since amaryllis is top heavy, we recommend putting it into a heavy pot to avoid tipping.

Decorating Tip: Create a festive centerpiece by surrounding a blooming amaryllis with holiday greenery and ornaments.

These are just a few of my favorite holiday plants! I invite you to visit your local independent garden center and enjoy their houseplant displays during the holidays. They will be happy to help you select the right plants for your needs. Since a brief time in temperatures below 40° Fahrenheit can damage houseplants, garden centers will wrap your plants for protection during harsh winter cold and wind. Remember to take your plants home in a warm car and do not leave them more than a short time in a cold car if you have to make other stops on your way home.

Remember to add more beauty and life to your holiday decorating with colorful houseplants. Visit an independent garden center for creative ideas!


Time to go….See you in the Garden....
Sandi Hillermann McDonald

November Tips for the Garden 2009

It is hard to believe we are ending another summer and fall season. This year’s fall season has been exceptionally wet and cool. That is not all bad for the plants, but it makes us lose interest in spending time outdoors. Below is a list of things you can do on warm fall days to prepare for winter. However, before we start those duties, I want to remind you all to turn back your clocks on the 1st weekend of November. The days are quickly getting shorter, so dig into these tasks listed below and enjoy the outdoors as much as you can!

• The most important step is to make sure all plants--perennials, shrubs and trees--are well watered throughout November to insure adequate winter food reserves. That final, thorough soaking before the last frost is essential, but not enough. Soak evergreens and new plantings again in midwinter during a warm spell if moisture is not abundant.
  Mulching is an important step but the purpose is not to keep plants warmer, rather to keep soil temperatures from fluctuating so much.


• Protect the trunks of newly transplanted or young thin barked trees to minimize frost cracks when temperatures fluctuate wildly. White plastic roll covers and paper wrap, rolled from the bottom up, are good choices.


• To achieve success with broad-leaved evergreens like holy and rhododendron, select reliably hardy cultivars. Plant them in sheltered sites, against walls or hedges, to protect them from drying winter winds and scorching sunshine. Anti-desiccants are fine if used every year, just be sure to reapply in January or February.


• Till up the vegetable garden to expose many insect pests to winter cold and reduce their numbers in next year’s garden.


• Keep leaves raked up and off the lawn to prevent injury to turf grasses.


• Continue mowing lawn grasses as long as they keep growing, a height of 2-3” is good.


• Apply Winterizer fertilizer to lawns to strengthen plant stems and roots for winter growth and early spring green up.


• Plant tulips and other spring bulbs now through December.


• Dig and store tender bulbs planted this spring such as Dahlias, caladiums, and elephant ears.


• Start paperwhite, narcissus, and amaryllis bulbs indoors now thru December.


• Roll up and store garden hoses on a warm, sunny day.


• Towards the end of the month, be sure to shut off and drain any outdoor water pipes or irrigation systems that may freeze during cold weather.


• Cover garden ponds with bird or pond netting to prevent leaves from fouling the water. Oxygen depletion from rotting organic matter can cause a winterkill of pond fish.


• Take steps to prevent garden ponds from freezing solid in winter. Using a floating garden heater in the pond will lessen the chance of ice damage and provide an area for gas exchange that is needed to sustain fish.


• After the first hard freeze, mulch rose bushes heavily to a depth of 12” to cover the plant graph area properly using bark, compost, or straw with rose collars. Prune back longer canes to 24-36” to prevent whipping from wind in the winter. Hold off on heavy pruning until April of next year. Mulch strawberries with straw for winter. The best time to do this is after several nights of 20° F, but before temperatures drop into the teens. Apply straw loosely, but thick enough to hide plants from view.


• Set up bird feeders. Birds also appreciate a source of unfrozen drinking water during the winter. Use one of the many styles of birdbath heaters or heated birdbaths available at garden centers.


• When feeding the birds, set up a variety of feeder types to get the best assortment of birds to come to your yard. Tube feeders are good for songbirds, platform feeders are good for cardinals and larger birds, and suet is a great source of fat and energy for woodpeckers and all bird types.


• Winter houseplant care: reduce or eliminate fertilizer until spring, shorter days mean slower growth, slower growth means less frequent watering. Plants in plastic pots need less water than those in clay pots. Plants in cooler rooms need less water and will have slower growth than those in warm rooms. Creating additional humidity is always beneficial. An easy way to increase humidity is to use trays filled with water and large pebbles. Place the plants on the pebbles so they will not sit in the water, but they can get the benefit of a higher humidity level as the water evaporates.
  
• Leave ornamental grasses standing tall for winter interest in the garden and for feeding the birds. Cut them down to 2-4” in early spring.

It is hard to believe how fast November has arrived. From November 1, there are only 26 more days until Thanksgiving, 51 days until the first day of winter, 55 more days until Christmas and 62 more days until January 1, 2010! In addition, you know how fast the next 62 days are going to fly by! So fasten your seatbelts and enjoy the outdoors as you prepare for winter….Enjoy your yard and garden in every season!

Time to go….See you in the Garden

Sandi Hillermann McDonald

October Tips for the Garden 2009

Trees, trees, trees, now is a great time to talk about trees and how valuable they are to us. Many of us remember growing up, lying under a shade tree with our back against the bark chewing on a piece of grass, reading a book, or playing games like hide and seek around them.

In addition to great memories, trees bring a true beauty to all landscapes. The right tree in the right place provides shade to your home, creating a cooling insulation from hot summer days and reducing energy costs.

Fall is the best time to plant trees. Fall’s cooler temperatures and adequate rainfall ease the tree’s transition into its new home and decreases transplant shock and stress. Are you looking for an excuse to plant a tree? Well look no further, as the following statistics reveal just how important trees are to us in a community setting:

“Landscaping can reduce air conditioning costs by up to 50 percent, by shading the windows and walls of a home.”- American Public Power Association

“If you plant a tree today on the west side of your home, in 5 years your energy bills should be 3% less. In 15 years the savings will be nearly 12%.” - Dr. E. Greg McPherson, Center of Urban Forest Research

“A mature tree can often have an appraised value of between $1,000 and $10,000.” - Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers

“In one study, 83% of realtors believe that mature trees have a strong or moderate impact” on the salability of homes listed for under $150,000; on homes over $250,000, this perception increases to 98%” - Arbor National Mortgage & American Forests

“Trees properly placed around buildings can save 20-50 percent in energy used for heating.” - USDA Forest Service

“Trees can be a stimulus to economic development, attracting new business and tourism. Commercial retail areas are more attractive to shoppers, apartments rent more quickly, tenants stay longer, and space in a wooded setting is more valuable to sell or rent.” - The Arbor Day Foundation

“In laboratory research, visual exposure to settings with trees has produced significant recovery from stress within five minutes, as indicated by changes in blood pressure and muscle tension.” - Dr. Roger S. Ulrich, Texas A&M University

“They look pretty”- Mike Smith (WUFC) and Bernie Hillermann (Co-Founder of Hillermann Nursery & Florist)

So whatever reason you want to use…..now is a great time to plant a tree!! Start making your memories today!! Plant trees for energy conservation, home improvement, curb appeal, or better yet, to get your new memories started!! Check out the tree selection suggested by the Washington Urban Forestry Council by logging onto the http://www.washmo.org/ site and then clicking the WUFC tab under the City of Washington/City Departments/Parks & Recreation menu. Their suggested plant list is on this site. Check it out!! There are many great varieties to choose from at Hillermann Nursery & Florist as well. Ask for proper planting instructions as you purchase so you can have guaranteed success. Enjoy your time under the trees!

See you next month “in the garden”
Sandi Hillermann McDonald

September Tips for the Garden 2009

The Best Time of the Year is NOW!!!

When I was a kid, I loved summer - no school, warm sunshine and lots of fun and mischief to get into. Now that I am a Grandma, my season preferences have also matured. Over the years, I have come to enjoy all the offerings of fall. The cool, crisp mornings that gives way to warm days and starry nights. Fall color in Missouri is exceptional with the turning of leaves on trees - colors so vivid and alive that they jump out of the landscape. Driving past fields of pumpkins gets the kids excited that Halloween candy is yet to come. The treat of eating sweet grapes fresh off the vine and juicy apples plucked from the trees. And of course, fall sports begin soon.

There is no better time of year than this abundant season to catch your bearings, reevaluate the year, enjoy the harvest and relax. It is also the best time to take a few moments to invest in your home. You can do many simple tasks now that save you time in the spring when you are twice as busy.

PLANT, PLANT, PLANT
Fall in Missouri is the ideal time of year to plant all kinds of things from cool-season vegetables to turf grasses, and especially shrubs, evergreens or deciduous trees. Yet, when it comes to planting, many gardeners only think of the spring. Why is fall such an ideal time to plant? First, the warm soil in the fall helps encourage root growth. The roots continue to grow through our mild winters becoming well established by the spring. This makes fall plantings much better equipped to handle our heat and drought once summer finally arrives. In addition, our fall and spring rains help do the work in establishing your plants, which reduces the care responsibilities and increases your success rate. There are also fewer pests and disease problems to attack your plant while it is young.

When fall arrives, I want to see bright oranges, vibrant yellows, and fiery reds. These fall colors bring life back to our landscapes after the summer sun has faded most of the blooms. The natural turning of leaves into their disguised color of glory brings a new energy to our yards and awakens our senses. Nowadays, you can find selections of trees and shrubs especially bred for fall color. There is no reason to have humdrum containers and flowerbeds during fall when there are Garden Mums and Fall/Winter Pansies to replace our burnt out summer annuals. Fall cool season plants known as Fall Magic are also great additions to beautiful fall containers and beds. Home decorating in fall is great fun also by adding pumpkins, corn stalks, gourds and other harvest items to the landscape or porch décor.

Fall bulbs is another subject you should consider at this time. You will find the best selection now, and you have until Christmas to get them into the ground for spring blooming. Bulbs need 10 weeks of cold weather to create their magnificent show. Many varieties and colors are popping up in this category of plants as well. I will talk more about bulbs in the October “Tips for the Garden” article.

THE POST SEASON WRAP UP
One of the best-kept secrets to the most lavish landscapes is autumn restoration. Just a few garden chores done in the fall will lead to spring and summer pay-offs that are well worth the work.

Things to do now include:
Pull Weeds: Clean up your yard by pulling weeds. Then apply a pre-emergent such as Preen containing Trifluran in the landscape beds. This will keep your yard looking nice and weed free for months to come.
Fertilize: It is important to fertilize your evergreens and conifers at this time because their root systems continue to grow throughout the late fall and even into the winter until ground frost appears. An application of Osmocote or plants spikes is ideal for this chore. The plants take up these nutrients and are ready to explode when the spring growing season arrives.
Prepare Your Lawn: Were you disappointed in your lawn this year? Well, now is the time to prepare your lawn for next spring! Aerate and de-thatch it if the soil is compacted. This will allow the soil to drain better and give it much needed oxygen. It is a good time to seed lawns as well as fertilize them. Seeding in early fall will give the roots plenty of time to become established before winter. Fertilize with a winter type fertilizer in late fall to build nutrients up in the root system. This will keep your lawn from going into the winter hungry stage, and it will help it take off much faster this spring.

Enjoy the cool crisp air and I will …...See you in the Garden
Sandi Hillermann McDonald

August Tips for the Garden 2009

August… besides vacations, other activities that will pull you away from your list of gardening duties are fairs, festivals, family outings, and back to school preparations. It really is a good thing that August is a slow month for working in your landscape.

Your main tasks for this month both begin with the letter W. Weeding and watering. Both tasks are self-explanatory. However, I feel the need to explain them to some extent. It is important to stay on top of the weeds. If you let them get ahead of you and they go to seed, you are going to have hundreds more to deal with this fall and next spring. Spraying weeds with an herbicide such as Roundup is one of the easiest ways to rid of weeds. When using herbicides be sure to read and follow all label directions thoroughly. They are written for your protection. Also, be very careful when spraying around the plants that you want to grow in your landscape. It generally is best to pull weeds that are growing in and immediately around your desirable plants, and spray those that are “in the open”. As far as watering goes, most plants will survive on 1” of water a week. A rain gauge will help measure this.

Bugs, they really bug me, and some of them can really mess up your plants. Before you grab that bottle of insecticide, run outside, and spray every bug in sight, it is important that you identify the bug that is bugging you. Most insecticides can’t tell the difference between a beneficial insect like a honey bee and the destructive spider mite. Therefore, it is important that you identify what insect you are trying to kill and the best method to do it. You can collect some samples of your bug to bring to a garden center for Identification, but please, put them in a Ziploc bag and seal it before you do. This way the staff can safely examine and identify the pest without passing the problem on to their own plant stock. Once they identify the bug, the garden center staff can give you advice on the best way to control it.

Mowing the lawn is another task that continues in August. Due to the usually hot and dry conditions that are the norm in August, you may be able to space your mowing times further apart. That is unless you have an irrigation system to keep your lawn growing vigorously.

If you are thinking about a new addition to your landscape this fall, now is the time to talk to your favorite landscape designer. Your designer can discuss your needs with you, design the changes or new additions, and get you on the schedule for a fall installation.

If you tried your hand at seasonal vegetable or square foot gardening this spring, here are a few ways you can enjoy a fall garden. Carry tomatoes, peppers and basil plants over in your fall garden. Direct sow beets, radishes, peas, and spinach now where other spring crops such as broccoli and cauliflower have come and gone for this year. Replant nursery starts of broccoli and cauliflower.

Last but not least, take care of yourself. In the heat that is referred to as August, it is easy to over exert yourself. Drink plenty of fluids and rest in the shade as needed.

See you next month……….in the garden
Sandi Hillermann McDonald

July Tips for the Garden 2009

I, for one, cannot believe it is the first of July already. This year is really flying by. This is the month for picnics, vacations, family reunions, and for just enjoying the outdoors in general. One of the tasks to take care of this month is weeding. If you put a pre-emergent weed control product in your landscape beds in March or April, you are due for a second application now. There are two reasons for this. First, most of the pre-emergent products that are available to the homeowner have a short life span, up to 60 days. The second reason is due to all of the rain we have had. However, there are many benefits to the very adequate rainfalls this year. One of them is the ease with which some normally difficult weeds can be pulled. So take time to clean up your landscape beds and apply a pre-emergent as soon as possible.

The long hot days of summer are stressful to every living creature, including all your plants. If you are tired of the endless task of keeping your plants watered, it is time to think about adding mulch to your beds.

I know that hotter weather is just ahead, so do yourself and your plantings a huge favor and apply mulch. If you have beds that have never been mulched, add 3” around all annuals, perennials, roses, trees and shrubs. Top dress previously mulched beds with an additional inch of fresh mulch. Not only does mulch hold in moisture, relieving you of some of your watering tasks, it also keeps the soil cooler, so your plants will be less heat-stressed. An added bonus is that weed seeds have a difficult time germinating when buried in mulch, reducing the time you spend weeding.

One of the most common questions that we receive at this time of year is, “How much do I water my ______?” I will try to explain some basic guidelines here:

Vegetables and Bedding Plants planted in the ground: established plants need at least one inch of water per week, more when bearing fruit. Check the soil around the plants, when it is dry one inch down, it’s time to water.

Container Gardens and Hanging Baskets: check your containers every day for water. Either test the soil by touch or lift the pot. Most baskets and many containers will need to be watered once, or even twice a day, depending on the weather. I suggest you fertilize once a week.

Perennials: newly planted perennials need daily watering until established, at least one to two weeks, depending on weather. After they show signs of new growth, apply a one inch per week rule.

Trees and Shrubs: newly planted trees and shrubs should be watered every 4-5 days for the entire first year after planting, unless rainfall is abundant. Place the end of your hose next to the base of the plant and let the water trickle very slowly for about two hours. This will allow the root zone to become thoroughly saturated.

Established Lawns: your lawn should be watered when the grass blades don’t bounce back after being walked on. One inch of water per week should keep your lawn green and healthy. It is best to water early in the morning, before the heat of the day. This keeps evaporation to a minimum, and allows plenty of time for the grass to dry before nightfall, which will help prevent fungus problems.

Newly Seeded or Sodded Lawns: for better germination, I suggest you mulch grass seed with straw as soon as it is planted. Once seed has germinated or sod has been laid, they must not be allowed to dry out. Water daily with a sprinkler until there is good growth. Early morning is again the best time. Once established, go back to the one inch per week rule.

Water Gardens: also require an occasional addition of water. Check your pond weekly and add water as needed. Water plants have variable depth requirements, so you need to keep the water levels consistent.

So continue to enjoy your outdoor spaces and make relationships with your plants! They can give you so much in return!

See you in the Garden,
Sandi Hillermann McDonald

June Tips for the Garden 2009

Let’s talk PERENNIALS! June is National Perennial Gardening Month. The 2009 Perennial Plant Symposium will be held in St Louis this year on July 19-21. They are expecting hundreds of visitors to tour gardens and garden centers around the region to see what we have to offer in the Midwest. That is pretty exciting! Perennials are plants that grow and flower every year, and only need to be planted once! They die back to the ground in the fall, but the roots remain alive and will produce new foliage in the Spring. A wide range of sizes, flower colors and blooming times are available to fit any size garden. Most perennials are considered low maintenance and just need some general care to keep them happy and healthy.

It is important to choose plants that are appropriate to your garden site. You need to know whether it is a sun or shade garden. Full sun plants can be in areas with six or more hours of sunlight every day, four to six hours is partly sunny, and four hours or less is a shade garden. Remove any grass or weeds from the area you wish to plant. Good drainage is essential for successful plants. Amend the soil with Missouri Botanical Garden Compost, also known as Black Gold, now locally available. This will help improve drainage and aeration. Prepare the bed to a depth of 18” to allow for maximum root development. Fertilizer can be mixed into the soil prior to planting.

When planting, dig the hole as deep and twice as wide as the container it is currently growing in. Loosen the root ball and tease the roots so they will grow outward. The plant should be set at the same depth as they were growing in the container. After filling the hole back in with soil/compost mixture, water thoroughly and apply Fertilome Root Stimulator for plant success. Read the plant tags for spacing recommendations because many will spread more than their current size. Don’t be afraid to mix textures.

Perennials should receive 1-2” of water each week to develop a deep root system. A soaker hose works well for this purpose and saves water usage. Fertilize in Early Spring when new growth begins. During the growing season, fertilize once a month until the end of July. This will help the plants harden off for winter. Mulch should be applied after planting to help hold in moisture and reduce weeds. Apply 2” over the soil, leaving 2-3” of space around the base of the plant. Do not smother the crowns of shallow rooted plants. Additional mulch applied in winter is also recommended, especially for new plantings.

The art of deadheading is removing the faded, spent flowers on a plant. It will help lengthen the bloom season of many plants as well as improves the appearance of the plant. Some perennials with attractive seedpods such as Rudbeckia, Sedum, and Ornamental Grasses can be left alone. Once the initial display of flowering has ended, cut back the entire plant by two-thirds. This will help promote additional blooms.

I hope this information gives you the desire to plant some perennial color and texture in your yard! There has been a “Perennial of the Year” named by the Perennial Plant Association since 1991. These varieties are tried and true plants. You may check out the list at http://www.perennialplant.org/.

Now in closing, let’s discuss several other tips for the month of June. Soaker hoses and Raindrip irrigation systems make the most efficient use of water during dry times. Check out the systems available. Continue spraying roses with fungicide to prevent black spot. Mow lawns frequently enough so you don’t have to remove more than 1/3 of the total height of grass per mowing. There is no need to remove grass clippings from the lawn unless they are excessive. Prune flowering shrubs after they have bloomed. Hand prune or shear evergreens now. Watch for bagworms AND JAPANESE BEETLES. Milky Spore, Grub killer, and Japanese Beetle traps are available to eradicate Japanese Beetles. For bagworms, use insecticide with the pest listed on the label or hand pick them if the numbers are light.

Plant pumpkin seeds now to have Jack-o-lanterns for Halloween. Stop harvesting asparagus when the spears become thin. Repeat plantings of corn and beans to extend the harvest season. As soon as cucumber and squash vines start to “run,” begin spray treatments of Permethrin to control cucumber beetles and squash vine borers.

Enjoy your harvest………………………….see you in the garden.
Sandi Hillermann McDonald

May Tips for the Garden 2009

Gardeners, start your containers!! Spring has sprung! The weather is beginning to turn warmer and the sun is beginning to hang around a little more each day. Now is the time to plant warm season annuals and vegetables. I want to focus on veggie garden containers this month. Even small space gardeners can grow enough nutritious produce to prepare a few meals, supplement your diet, and save some bucks. With a little planning and attention, container gardens can produce like mini farms.

Almost any vessel can be used as a container, but it must have drainage holes that allow water to freely flow through the pot. Most veggies only need 8” of soil depth. Trays and smaller containers work fine for lettuce, radishes, spinach, and peppers. Root crops like carrots and onions, and large plants like most tomatoes and squash, require containers larger than 16 inches in diameter. Generally as a rule, bigger is better for root growth and overall vigor.

When growing veggies in containers, packaged potting mixes are typically the best choice to use for a planting medium. Using garden soil in containers is never ideal. Packaged potting mixes are lightweight, moisture retentive, and well aerated. In addition, they do not harbor any fungi, bacteria, insects, or weed seeds that would cause problems later.


Sunlight, not space, is probably the biggest limiting factor in urban environments. Without at least six hours of sun a day, it will be tough to grow quality vegetables. Crops need a lot of solar energy to make nutritious fruits, seeds, and leaves. Southern exposure is best, but six hours from any direction should be sufficient. To avoid leaning or uneven ground, rotate the containers weekly. Use wire cages or other sturdy supports to protect large plants like tomatoes, beans, peas, and squash.

Regular watering is crucial when you grow in containers because there is a limited soil mass for storing water. During the peak of summer heat, gardeners may need to water daily to keep plants growing at full potential. A drip irrigation system allows you to water automatically, and with a timer, you can even water containers while you’re away. However, the best option for vacation watering is always a reliable neighbor. Vegetables grown in containers also need regular fertilizing. Follow the label instructions, and make sure the container is well drained or plants may suffer from high salt levels due to fertilizer buildup. Some gardeners combine the two tasks and simply water with a quarter-length fertilizer solution once a week.

If plants don’t appear vigorous and healthy, check them closely because disease and pest infestations can quickly get out of hand. If caught early, most are easy to treat. Check the undersides of leaves for insects. Many of them can be picked off or sprayed with a strong stream of water. Some pests require other treatments. Natural insecticides are very popular with home gardeners. Always read insecticide labels to make sure the product is compatible with food crops, and follow the directions carefully.

When looking for plants, look for vigorous young seedlings with bushy growth. Check to make sure each seedling is securely anchored in the six-pack or pot, which implies a well-established root system. Dip the seedling in a bucket of water to moisten the root ball, tease out any circling roots, and plant it at the same depth it was previously growing. (Tomatoes are an exception to the planting depth rule because they can be planted with the bare stem several inches below the ground, and roots will form along the stem.)

Some crops like lettuce, beets, and carrots, are best grown from seed. Simply follow the instructions on the packet. Be sure to thin sprouts to the recommended spacing. Thinning is a ruthless task, but fortunately most veggie sprouts can be used in salads and other dishes for a spring treat.

If you have space to do a small raised bed garden in place of containers, check out http://www.squarefootgardening.com/ for a complete listing and schedule to produce a plentiful harvest for a family of four. Dig in and see how great and beneficial veggie gardening is!

Enjoy the season,
Sandi Hillermann McDonald

April Tips for the Garden 2009

Even though we had a fairly mild winter (cold but mild), springtime is still a very welcome experience. The birds singing early in the mornings and their increased activity lead way to courting, nesting and soon to be, new fledglings. I strongly encourage you to continue feeding our feathered friends during this important time and enjoy the antics that are ahead. We have just come out of a very tough time for winter birds, as the seed crops from fall and winter are long gone and the birds have to wait for new plants to emerge for food sources. So please continue caring for them.

Vegetable gardening is making a comeback, but this new fascination is not the Victory Garden rage of yesteryear. We could call them inflation gardens, because food has made dramatic price increases over the last year. Another contributor to this fascination is the fact that more and more people are concerned with what they put on the family table. When you grow it yourself, you control what goes in the soil and on the plants, and you get to pick a much broader selection of vegetable varieties. The supermarket may have 2-3 varieties of tomatoes, where you can choose from dozens of varieties to plant yourself. Why are there more varieties available at garden centers? Tomatoes don’t ship well, and they taste a whole lot better home grown. In fact, a tomato from your own garden is the ultimate standard for taste. Some, who grow them annually, never buy them from the supermarket, because they pale in comparison to what they can grow in the summer.

If you’re thinking of growing a vegetable garden this year, you are not alone. If you’re a little timid, there is help available. Start small and expand as your interest and time permit. No summertime garden is complete without tomatoes, and the perfect accompaniment to fresh tomatoes on your table is basil. If your garden has anything this year, consider both. If you want a little more, some bush cucumbers will fit in small gardens, and so will the bush summer squash varieties. Most of these bush varieties can be planted in nontraditional garden areas like flowerbeds or as a small addition to the landscape. You can interplant lettuce plants with your impatiens and harvest them long before the impatiens cover the area. You’ll get some salad greens, and kill two birds with one stone. Taking care of the impatiens insures the lettuce is never neglected. In short, a vegetable garden can find its way into every area of your home’s landscape - whether it’s confined to its own area, combined into the annual or perennial gardens that you already have, or planted in containers on your deck or patio - it will provide the ultimate in fresh vegetable taste, and the safest vegetables you can produce for your family table.

I would like now to mention other important steps to take in the yard and garden this month to keep things healthy and enjoyable. That will include applying liquid weed control to the yard this month to control dandelions, henbit and other broadleaf weeds. Prune spring flowering shrubs after they finish blooming. Watch for termites, as they begin to swarm in April. Termites can be distinguished from ants by their thick waists and straight antennae. Ants have slender waists and elbowed antennae. Fertilize your roses with a slow release fertilizer, such as Osmocote, and begin fungicide treatments to control black spot disease. Also, remove the winter mulch, and remove dead and diseased canes from your rose bushes at the start of this month. Cut all other green wood to about 18” on Floribunda and tea rose varieties and trim to a height of 24-30” for shrub roses.

Hang out your hummingbird feeders the first of this month. Use a solution of 1 part sugar to 4 parts water for the nectar. Change the solution frequently to keep it from fermenting. Food coloring is NOT needed, nor is it recommended for the birds. Water gardens may be cleaned out and the water changed. Do not scrub the walls since this will remove accumulated beneficial bacteria. Begin adding additional beneficial bacteria and barley straw bales now to begin the natural cycle of pond clean up. Asparagus and rhubarb harvest can begin!! Keep your hoe sharp. Start cucumber, squash, and cantaloupe and watermelon seeds indoors this month. The last week of April is a good time to try an early sowing of warm season crops in the garden such as green beans, sweet corn, etc. You can begin to plant transplants of tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, and sweet potatoes outdoors now. This can continue through the month of May. This is truly the year of the garden. So reap your own harvest and enjoy the scrumptious flavors of your own produce. Remember, that Natural Gardening will keep your family safe so check out what organic options are available to you! There are many.

Enjoy! See you in the garden……….

Sandi Hillermann McDonald

March Tips for the Garden 2009

March welcomes ‘Spring’, and it will be met with open arms this year!! This is the month to open up the gardens and get things in shape for the new growing season. So, there is plenty that can be done. To name a few, mowing time is upon us; have you sharpened those mower blades? To keep that lawn looking fantastic, it is time to add Fertilizer with Crabgrass Prevention. Make sure to follow directions and do not try to skimp on the amount of product used, so you get great coverage from the Crabgrass Prevention. If you feel you need to over seed, check with the professionals on proper steps for spring treatments.

Clean up those perennial beds and cut down all Liriope and Ornamental Grasses to about 3-5” above the ground. Once this has been done, it is time to re-mulch your shrub and flower beds. Top-dress these areas with a slow release fertilizer as well, such as Osmocote. Do not put mulch or fertilizer too close to the crowns of plants. You could cause either rot or burning of the plant crown.

Nesting boxes for Bluebirds and Purple Martin houses should be put out early this month. Purple Martins return to our area between St. Patrick’s Day and the end of the month. So now is the time to be prepared. Are you considering doing some vegetable gardening this year? Well there is no better time than now to start those preparations. You can start seed in the house for plants such as tomatoes, peppers and eggplants. Plant or sow seed for peas, lettuce, radish, kohlrabi, collards, turnips, potatoes, spinach, onion sets, beets, carrots, and parsley outside this month. Set out broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, cauliflower and pansy transplants now. This month is also good to set out strawberries, blueberries, blackberries grapes and other fruiting plants. It is likely we will see an influx of home gardening this year. It can be done in containers on the patio, as square foot gardens, or large plot gardening. There is nothing better than a home grown tomato!! Check out our website for instructions on these items, www/hillermann.com.

Here is a fun project for the family to try --‘Taters in a Basket’. Have you ever tried growing potatoes in tough clay soil? The results are usually less than bad. However, here is the perfect solution for growing great potatoes. Grow them in a pot. Now, whether you’ve got clay soil, live in an apartment, or don’t have a garden at all, you can grow potatoes the ole’ yard boy way. And that’s in a container. Here is what you will need:

1. The container, I like to use bushel baskets. They breathe well, allow for good drainage, and they look great! However, any container, plastic, wood or clay will work as long as it has good drainage and is at least 14-18 inches wide and at least 10-12 inches deep.
2. Soil, soil-less potting mix works best. Use the good stuff for better results. If you have a compost pile, good compost will work too. Finely shredded is best. People have even used straw and ground leaves.
3. Fertilizer, an all purpose garden food such as Osmocote is great.
4. Seed potatoes, these aren’t the ones you buy from the grocery store. They can be found at the garden center and are used specifically for growing potatoes. Do not use potatoes from the produce department at the grocery store; they have been treated with a growth inhibitor to keep them from sprouting.

Fill the bottom of your pot with 2-3 inches of soil-less mix or compost. Take a large seed potato, or a couple medium sized, cut up into pieces that contain the eyes, and evenly distribute those on top of the soil-less mix. You can plant 6-8-10 pieces with eyes per basket. If you’re not sure about the ‘eyes’, you can plant whole potatoes, or cut them in half and plant the halves. Cover with another 3-4 inches of soil-less mix, add the fertilizer and water in thoroughly, and place in the sun. Water as needed, thoroughly moistening the soil, then letting it dry before watering again. Once your potatoes start to grow, water regularly, being careful not to over water, which can cause the tubers to rot.

When your potatoes are growing, you have a couple options: 1) As the potatoes grow, keep adding soil-less mix or compost to the container, keeping about 4 inches of foliage showing. Continue this process until the container is filled to within 1 inch of the top of the basket. 2) Let the foliage grow until it’s approximately 3-4 inches above the basket, and then fill in around the foliage with your soil-less mix or compost unit the basket is full. Now you’re set for growing potatoes! Let your potatoes grow all summer. Don’t forget to keep them fed too. Come late summer or fall when the foliage starts to yellow, cut the foliage off, dump out your soil, and you’ll have a basket full of taters! It is that easy. Good Luck!!

Now it is time to go, so we will “See you in the garden!”

Sandi Hillermann McDonald

February Tips for the Garden 2009

February is National Bird Feeding Month!!!

February is National Bird Feeding Month…and if you have not yet enjoyed this hobby, it is not too late to start. Choose a certain variety of feeder for the types of birds you would like to attract. Tube type feeders are great for all types of songbirds, including finches, nuthatches, chickadees, and more. Platform type feeders, (feeders with a horizontal bar or platform) are best for attracting larger birds such as cardinals, bluebirds, blue jays, etc. Viewing the antics of these fluttering jewels is remarkable. Start today.

I cannot believe that it is the first week of February already. January is normally one of the slowest months around a garden center, but this year it has flown by. It is a time for education, programs, restocking, inventory, merchandising and so much more. We have been busy getting ready for and looking forward to a beautiful Midwestern spring.

I am all excited about what is on the horizon in the gardening industry for 2009. So, let’s talk 2009 Trends in Gardening:
1. Eco-boosting is in. Conspicuous Consumption is Out. From hybrid cars to canvas shopping bags, consumers want to do their part to end conspicuous consumption and boost eco-friendly living. Today’s consumers are displaying ‘green pride’ by digging into gardening. A simple way to be an eco-booster is to create natural habitats for wildlife and say “no” to chemical ‘garden drugs.’
2. Grow it Yourself (GIY) is in. Doing it ALL for Me is Out. Relaxing, tranquil moments may be few and far between, but the increase in gardening reconnects us with nature, family, and friends as we share our bounty. With the increase demand for year-round fresh fruits and vegetables, local farmers markets are seeing an upsurge in business, community gardens have waiting lists, and plant swaps are on the rise.
3. Blended gardens are In. Segregated gardens are Out. Edible landscapes transform our yards into an ornamental but productive space as lettuces and parsley mix with roses and petunias. Planting mini-vegetables and being able to say, ‘I grew it myself’ is hip and cool. Container gardens are a great way to add edibles to your landscape.
4. Locavore is In. Big carbon footprints are Out. Buying local is all the rage. Again, this shows with the insurgence of farmers markets and their growing popularity. Home Grown is so good!
5. Water is In. Water is Out. For the first time, water is “In and Out.” Whether moving in fountains, endless waterfalls, or fishponds, the soothing sounds of water can turn any backyard or indoor area into a private oasis.
6. Outside is In. Inside is Out (But not “out”). From bean sprouts on kitchen counter tops to green walls laden with herbs, plants are being used to decorate spaces as ‘art-in-motion.’ There is a trend to bringing the outside indoors with tropical plants. They create instant beauty a give a boost of oxygen and clean air. They make perfect home air purifiers. Outdoor rooms and kitchens continue to be popular.
7. Info Lust is In. Lack of Knowledge is Out. Lack of time and knowledge have been primary reasons people hesitate to garden. Not anymore. Novice and experienced gardeners alike are hungry for inspiration, information, and instruction on gardening and “how-to-tips.” Gardeners’ are gobbling up information from friends, classes, workshops, magazines, and the internet on everything from best cultivation practices to which herbs are best to relieve stress. Sharing stories with bloggers and friends is a good way to learn more.
8. Quick & Simple is In. Over-the-top gardens are Out. Containers are no longer a trend but a garden staple in large and small spaces. Containers with an evergreen shrub or tropical plant for foliage add ‘boom without bloom’ and are gaining popularity. Simple edible gardens are best grown this way.
9. Worldly is In Cookie-cutter is Out. Americans have embraced the ‘world bazaar’ of vibrant colors, textures, sights and sounds. Rustic stone for pathways, patios, walls, and hidden trails, bring an added sense of discovery, charm and intimacy to any garden.
10. Bubbling is In. Excess is Out. Outdoor living continues to boom as the trend for “stay-cations” and “bubbling” comes home. Staying home and entertaining in our sociable spaces, dining and playing in comfortable great rooms, enclosed patios, and decks is preferred to expensive outings. People are staying home more and investing more in their homes.

So you can see, whether you’re gardening in the yard, decorating a balcony, patio or deck with assorted containers, or growing herbs in the kitchen window, it’s clear that “Mother Nature” is back in all we do!! So grab the kids and enjoy the fresh air and beauty around us. Start planning your spring gardens NOW……………

I cannot wait to get out and enjoy in the garden… see you next time.

Sandi Hillermann McDonald