Garden Solutions - December 2014

            Fall will turn into winter this month, and it is not the happiest time for us gardening enthusiasts, but yet a necessary evil. It is also a time for us to gear up for next year’s seasons and study the new and improved plants coming onto the market. And believe me, there are many exciting new plants from all plant classes including annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs.

            We at Hillermann Nursery have been chosen as an AAS (All American Selections) display garden location for 2015. We will be one of 179 locations in North America including Canada, and one of very few in the Midwest. We are so very excited to have been chosen to bring the best and newest plant selections to you! We will be starting many of these plant selections in our greenhouses and we will keep the progress of the display gardens on our website and in our newsletters. Hope you have the chance to check it out next spring.

 

           I also like to promote the National Wildlife Federation and the Backyard Wildlife Habitat program that they sponsor. I have my home and our business certified as Backyard Wildlife Habitats with the NWF. It is easy to do and a great educational tool. Our feathered friends are great for the environment. Not only for pure enjoyment, but because they also help with pollination issues and are natural insect predators, helping with a sustainable lifestyle and living chemical free. So consider helping your feathered friends through these tough winter months by offering them food and heated water!

 

           One new trend coming to light is growing by aeroponics or hydroponics. This is growing with water as the medium and in much less space than conventional ground gardening. The nice thing about aeroponic/hydroponics is the fact that they can easily be grown year round with the addition of light during the winter months inside. There is a display aeroponic garden growing system indoors now at Hillermann’s filled with fresh edible garden greens. You can’t beat that freshness!

            Here are some items of garden interest for December:

• Thoroughly water all trees, shrubs and especially evergreens just before the ground freezes to protect the roots from frost damage. This may need to be done again if the temperature warms up and there is no snow to help insulate the ground (mid January).
• Hollies may be trimmed now and the trimmings can be used in holiday decorations.
• Use caution when spreading salt or calcium on ice or snow packed walks and driveways. Salt can damage lawns and plantings, calcium is much safer to use. Be sure to designate areas to be piled with snow from plowing in advance to prevent damage to trees, shrubs and lawns.
• Clean and oil all garden hand tools before storing for the winter.
• All power equipment should be winterized before storage. Change the oil and lubricate moving parts. Either drain fuel systems or mix gas stabilizing additive into the tank.
• You may continue planting bulbs until frost in the ground prevents you from digging.
• Perennial beds and roses should have been put to rest for winter by now. If not, cut back, clean up and mulch. Roses should be mulched 10-12” deep.
• Continue to feed our fine feathered friends and place heated birdbaths out with fresh water.
• Keep the dish for your fresh Christmas tree filled with water.

      I wish you and your family a very Blessed Christmas season.  Let’s get to work on planning those beautiful garden scenes for next year!!!

See you in the Garden………..

Sandi Hillermann McDonald

     

Garden Solutions - November 2014

           It is hard to believe we are ending another summer and fall season. Below is a list of things you can do on warm fall days to prepare for winter.  The days are quickly getting shorter, so dig into these tasks listed below and enjoy the outdoors as much as you can!

ü      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.

ü      Mulching is an important step but the purpose is not to keep plants warmer, rather to keep soil temperatures from fluctuating so much.

ü      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.

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

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

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

ü      Plant tulips and other spring bulbs now through December.

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

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

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

ü      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.

ü      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.

ü      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.

ü      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.

ü      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.

ü      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.

ü      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.

ü      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, 2015! 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

 

  

Garden Solutions - October 2014

FALL-THE PERFECT TIME TO GARDEN:

            Fall brings cooler air temperatures, continued warm soil temperatures, and more consistent rainfall - the perfect time to plant and transplant just about anything (especially trees) - and it is easier on us gardeners too! Tree planting is the most effective when it is done in the fall. This is because the tree roots continue to grow until the ground freezes and will grow again in spring allowing extra time for the tree to become established before our brutal summer weather hits. Trees should be fertilized towards the end of October, and tree fertilizer spikes placed at their drip line are a perfect choice. Use one tree spike per one inch of tree trunk diameter. This will make for beautiful foliage next spring!  (The diameter of the tree is a measurement found at a cross section of the trunk 12” above the ground.) Be part of the Hillermann Tree Challenge! Join a program to enhance the Washington Missouri’s 175th Anniversary. The Parks Department hopes to plant 175 trees in city parks. Donors receive a 25% Off Hillermann tree coupon for later use. Hillermann’s will donate one additional tree for every 25 trees bought by October 31, 2014. Contact the Washington Parks department for a donation form.

            Fall is also the best time to divide and transplant perennial clumps. Any spring or summer blooming perennial plants can be divided now. Make sure you prepare the area where the plants will be transplanted using some type of organic material, like cotton burr compost. Use compost at the rate of 1/3 compost to 2/3’s native soil for your garden projects. Cut back spent flower heads and foliage as it starts to die back for its winter dormant period. Leave ornamental grasses alone until early spring as their dried foliage will add a wispy, interesting texture to your winter landscape.

            Lawn seeding should be finished by October 15^th to insure germination and plant growth yet this fall. Choose a seed mix for your specific lawn area: sun, shade, sun/shade, play, drought, etc. Fescue mixtures are best for durability for our area. Fescue blends should be spread at a rate of 5 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. on bare ground, and 2-3 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. on a lawn with a 50% stand of grass. Be sure to aerate and renovate your yard when over seeding for the BEST results. Without these steps, it is like throwing grass seed on to concrete because our soil has such high clay content and compacts so easily.

            It’s time to plan and plant for next spring’s bulb show! Tuck bulbs into your perennial border, mingle them amongst your ground cover, naturalize them around trees, or they can stand by themselves in beds and planters. Plant for a succession of blooms; start with the ‘early birds’ which include crocus and snowdrops, follow with an abundance of narcissus and hyacinth, and finish with a flourish of tulips and irises. When planting, fertilize with Dutch Bulb Food or Bone Meal and make planting easier by using bulb planters or bulb augers that fit your drill. For holiday blooms, buy paperwhite and amaryllis bulbs now to force blooms inside during the month of December.

            DON ‘T take your hummingbird feeders down before mid October. The bird’s biological clock tells them when to migrate south. THEY ARE NOT dependent on us removing the feeders at a certain time! Hummingbirds who have started their migration from up north will appreciate finding your feeders along the way.

            With winter coming, remember that gardening is not just confined to outside. Start an herb garden on a sunny windowsill and enjoy freshly snipped herbs or salad greens all winter long. Bring color and texture to any room-with blooming and foliage houseplants and cacti. Bring tropical plants that have spent the summer outside indoors before the night temperatures drop below 45F. Be sure to check carefully for signs of pests or diseases first, and treat as needed.

            In October, you also need to prepare your water gardens for winter. Cut back dying foliage of hardy water plants and sink pots to the bottom of the pond. Cover your pond with a mesh netting to protect it from the buildup of falling leaves. In the winter, install a de-icer or pond heater to keep a hole in the ice for the fish to breathe. This will let the ammonia gases escape the pond. Stop feeding your fish when the water temperature reaches 55F.

            Evaluate your summer plantings of annuals and vegetables while they are still fresh in your mind. What varieties worked well and what did not? Which varieties gave you the best flower display or yield? Remember that spring is just around the corner! So begin planning for next spring’s flower and vegetable gardens now.

 

Enjoy your yard and garden in every season!

Sandi Hillermann McDonald

Garden Solutions - September 2014

 
            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. There are many simple tasks you can do now, that will save time in the spring when you are twice as busy.

            The kids are back in school and off to college. That makes it a good time to get back to work in the yard and garden. Especially if you have put your outdoor living projects off this summer because of bonding, vacations and sports programs.

            With the hottest month of the year now behind us, there is no better time to renovate and reseed than during the month of September. In fact, the perfect window of opportunity for lawn growth is August 15 - October 15. Even though it may be hot and dry, it is the perfect time of year to aerate and over seed established yards.

            The process should be done as follows: Cut the lawn a little shorter than normal (2-3 inches). Then run over the yard with a core aerator (this machine pulls plugs out of the ground about the size of your little finger). This whole process works best after a good rain or a deep watering. The core aeration process helps with the soil aeration, lessens soil compaction and makes for better, stronger grass root systems. Now, run a renovator over the area. This machine slices the ground with many little teeth and will break down the dirt clods from the core aeration process and bring up any dead thatch in the area.

            After the aeration process is completed, you are ready to sow your grass seed (use a 50% spread rate for a 50% stand of grass) and add fertilizer (a starter type fertilizer that is high in phosphorus is best). For a 50% stand of grass or less, you will not need additional cover such as straw. If you are over seeding bare areas or new lawn areas, you will need to straw these areas to hold moisture for seed protection. For the specific grass seed type, shop for seed specific to your area of need: shade, sun, part-shade and sun, etc. Check with your local independent garden center for special grass seed mixes that are specially blended for your region for the best performance.

            Once you have sown the grass seed, you can apply a starter fertilizer. Then, add a Winterizer fertilizer to the entire area in late October or November. This whole process will “promise” you a beautiful strong lawn for spring of next year. Water is, of course, essential for this growth if Mother Nature does not cooperate. New lawn installations are also best at this time of year as well. 

 

NOW 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. Plus, our fall and spring rains help do the work in establishing your plants so you don’t have to do as much. During this time, there is also fewer pests and disease problems to attack your plant while it is young.

            Planting trees in the fall of the year is perfect timing to get better results. Choosing varieties for that special spot should be given some thought. The Washington Urban Forestry Council has developed a “Tree List” that can be found on the City of Washington’s website (http://www.ci.washington.mo.us) under City Departments, Parks & Recreation, and Urban Forestry Council. The list is broken down into different categories that make choosing a tree variety very easy. So plant a tree this fall. You will help the environment, lower your electric bills, and enhance your property value.

            Now turn your focus to Fall Decorations….and change the Curb Appeal of your yard by giving it a face-lift for fall. Change out those summer containers and flowerbeds with fall bedding plants that work long into the fall season, which in our case here in Missouri can be thru mid November. You should be able to find such plants as pansies, ornamental cabbage, kale, Fall Magic annuals, ornamental grasses, hardy garden mums and MUCH more. Don’t forget to add in straw, corn stalks, pumpkins and gourds to give it a complete look. Extend the look of your outdoor room and enjoy the extended season.

            Fall bulbs are available now and should be considered for spring color in your garden! So start thinking ahead to next year and get in on the action now.

            *For additional information about fall gardening and tips, check out the following website: www.hillermann.com.

 

Time to go………..See you in the Garden

Sandi Hillermann McDonald

 

Garden Solutions - August 2014

            August brings us the dog days of summer... there is no doubt about that. If you have not started enjoying “Outdoor Living,” it is NOT TOO LATE. There are designers in the landscape industry to help you with ideas that will turn your yard into an outdoor oasis. More and more people are retreating to their own backyards. Look for inspiration at every “independent lawn and garden retailer.” Consider adding a water feature to “cool” things down a bit.

            Here are a few health benefits of enjoying the outdoors. To the non-gardener or hard-core athlete, gardening may seem like a sedentary activity, but it is not. Activities like carting mulch around in a wheelbarrow, digging in the soil, plus all that bending and lifting involved in planting really does burn calories. Studies show that depending on the activity, gardening can burn between 250 and 500 calories per hour. For many people gardening is a creative outlet, for others it is the change of scenery from the daily grind that makes a difference. Still others find that the satisfaction of reaping the rewards of their efforts (those tasty fruits and vegetables, and beautiful flowers) is what helps to reduce stress levels. So try it out and let me know what you think. I would love to hear your gardening stories. You can email me at sandi@hillermann.com.

            You desperately need to continue watering in your gardens and landscape during this month. There are many ways to supply water economically and easily, just ask the experts. In-ground irrigation systems are available as well as drip irrigation systems. Drip irrigation systems are very easy for the homeowner to install. Wildlife in your yard, as well as all new and established plantings, need your help during hot, dry summer days. Deep root watering is the most beneficial for established plantings. If you want to learn more about this procedure, ask the experts.

            Visit the Washington Town & Country Fair this year on August 6 through 10, 2014. Don’t miss these two educational booths: Agri-Land and Hillermann’s Garden Solutions booth. Both of these booths offer fun, hands-on learning opportunities. See the creative displays and get helpful plant, landscaping, and item information, and enter contests for a chance to win prizes at the Gardening Solutions booth.

Here are tips for the heat and drought period of August:

Ÿ         You should apply lawn insecticides until August 15 to guard off grubs, fleas, ticks, etc. in the yard.

Ÿ         Japanese beetles can be eliminated by trapping. Beetle traps are available and safe/organic to use.

Ÿ         Think “green” and recycle your planting containers.

Ÿ         Keep deadheading spent annual and perennial flowers for continued bloom.

Ÿ         Feed garden mums and asters for the last time.

Ÿ         Monitor plants for spider mite activity. Hose affected plants off with a forceful spray of water, or spray with Bonide Eight (with Permethrin). To check for spider mites, hold a white piece of paper under a suspected branch. Tap on the branch and then run your hand across the paper. If you get red streaks, you have spider mites!

Ÿ         Roses should receive no further nitrogen fertilizer after the end of August to prevent the production of late tender growth that could be damaged by fall frosts.

Ÿ         Soak shrubs periodically during dry spells with enough water to moisten the soil to a depth of 8-10 inches.

Ÿ         Prune to shape hedges for the last time this season.

Ÿ         Once bagworms reach full size, insecticides are ineffective. Pruning off and burning or discarding of large bags provides better control.

Ÿ         Watch for fall webworm activity. Apply Fertilome Bagworm and Tent Caterpillar Spray when spotted.

Ÿ         Cultivate Strawberries and apply weed preventer immediately, after fertilizing to help with fall germinating weeds such as henbit or chickweed.

Ÿ         Protect ripening fruits from birds by covering plants with bird netting. This is a black mesh netting and is readily available at Garden Centers.

Ÿ         Pinch the growing tips of gourds once the adequate fruit set amount is achieved. This directs energy into the ripening fruits, rather than vine production.

Ÿ         Broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower transplants should be set out for the fall garden. Also, sow seeds of lettuce, radish, beans, beets, spinach and turnips now. (Spinach may germinate better if the seeds are refrigerated.)

Ÿ         For additional information about garden tips for summer and all seasons, check out this website www.hillermann.com.

Time to go...  See you in the Garden!!

Sandi Hillermann McDonald

 

Garden Solutions July 2014

            Summer is officially here, so get out and soak up some of that vitamin D.  The sun is not just good for plants, but we need it too!  So now the tip for the month of July—Sit Back and Relax!!  For many of us, the 4^th of July date marks the beginning of the entertainment season.  And what a season it is!   We plan, we phone, we shop, we decorate, we mow, we clean, we check supplies, we shop again, we cook, we carry lawn chairs and coolers outside, and we fret about the weather.  When the guests arrive, it all starts over.  Pouring, serving, clearing, fetching, and recycling can fill hours, if we let them.  So part of the planning needs to include ways to have some time for you to sit back and enjoy your party, too.  Maybe an e-mail sent to everyone with one push of the button can replace two hours of phone calls.  Making your event a potluck will eliminate much of the shopping and cooking.  Be sure to have everyone bring their own beverages, table service and lawn chairs.  And finally, don’t mow.  Your lawn will do better with foot traffic if it is left a little bit longer.  With all that settled, all that’s left for you to do is enjoy a good time!  Now that we have talked about having parties and enjoying your yard and garden at home, let’s get down to other tasks at hand for July.

            It’s not too late to plant shrubs, perennials and annual flowers, but you will need to give them a little TLC for the summer.  If you haven’t been pinching back your garden mums all summer, cut them back by half as soon as possible and feed them.  This task shouldn’t be done much after the 4^th of July.  This will help them to grow bushier and bloom in the fall when anticipated until Thanksgiving for late blooming varieties.  Avoid applying weed killers, insecticides, fungicides and fertilizers to plants when the temperatures are above 90 degrees.  Spray treatments early in the morning when temperatures are below 85. 

            If Japanese beetles are attacking your plants, you have several options for controlling them, from handpicking (not my favorite) to trapping (the safest) or spraying them.  Japanese beetle traps are readily available and do a fantastic job of eradicating the problem naturally.  Remove infected leaves from roses and pick up fallen leaves.  Continue fungicidal sprays as needed on these beauties.  Keep deadheading spent annual and perennial flowers for continued bloom.  Keep weeds from making seeds now.  This will mean fewer weeds next year. 

            Hot, dry weather is ideal for spider mite development.  Damage may be present even before the webs are noticed.  With spider mite damage, leaves may be speckled above and yellowed below.  Evergreen needles appear dull gray-green to yellow to brown.  Spray with permethrin to control this critter.  Sweet corn is ripe when the silks turn brown.  Blossom-end rot occurs on tomato and peppers when soil moisture is uneven and the calcium level in the soil is not right.  Liming the garden will help these issues next year.

            Water conservation is of the utmost importance during our dry summer months.  These following simple tips can save time and money.  Water where it counts - water at the roots, not the leaves.  Drip irrigation systems in landscape beds do wonders for water conservation.  Drip irrigation systems are easy for the homeowner to install.  Trees and shrubs would also benefit from a deep root watering this time of year.  You can use a deep root feeder (without the fertilizer) for this purpose.  Water them around the drip line of the tree for best success.   Doing this every 2-3 weeks will keep your trees stress free.  Water frequently enough to prevent wilting.  When you mow your grass, cut it less frequently and at a higher level.  Cutting it short promotes growth, and growth promotes water consumption.  Longer grass blades shade the soil and conserve moisture.  Plant drought tolerant, native plants where possible.  Native plants are becoming more readily available in nursery settings. 

            Check your plant containers daily for water.  Put your finger at least one inch down in the soil, if it is dry, water thoroughly.  Hanging baskets will need a drink at least once a day, sometimes even twice a day, depending on the weather.  Provide water in the garden for birds during dry weather and they will repay you with wonderful antics and bird song.  Enjoy nature and your gardens this summer.  You won’t regret it.

See you in the Garden,

Sandi Hillermann McDonald

Garden Solutions - June 2014

 

            Let’s talk PERENNIALS! June is National Perennial Gardening Month.  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.  Remove any grass or weeds from the area you wish to plant. Good drainage is essential for successful gardens. Amend the soil with Missouri Botanical Garden Compost, also known as Black Gold, 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.

            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. 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. 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 www.perennialplant.org.

 

Here is a list of other duties to you can attend to this month:

·         Watch for the outbreak of bagworms on garden plants, especially junipers.  Then spray affected plants with Permethrin.

·         Deadhead bulbs and spring perennials as blossoms fade.

·         Repeat plantings of corn and beans to extend the harvest season.

·         Fertilize Zoysia grass now while actively growing.

·         Renovate strawberries after harvest. Mow the rows; thin out excess plants; remove weeds; fertilize and apply mulch for weed control.

·         Plant tropical water lilies and lotus when water temps are above 70 degrees.

·         Prune spring flowering trees and shrubs before month’s end.

·         Spray roses with a fungicide to prevent black spot disease.

·         Continue pinching back mums till July 4^th to promote bushy growth and good fall color.

·         Water turf as needed to prevent drought stress.

·         Mow lawns frequently enough to remove no more than one-third the total height per mowing.

·         Continue enjoying the antics of the wildlife in your yard and gardens by continuing to supply food and water sources for them.

·         Change hummingbird nectar weekly to prevent fungus (1 part sugar to 4 parts water—no food coloring please).

            Enjoy your harvest………………………….see you in the garden.

Sandi Hillermann McDonald

Garden Solutions - May 2014

        Gardeners, start your containers!! Spring has sprung! The weather has begun to turn warmer and the sun is beginning to hang around a little more each day.      It is time to grow your own groceries!  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. 

Something NEW to consider is growing aeroponically.  With this method, you can grow plants vertically using “only 6 square feet of space, 90% less water AND land”.  To learn more, check out www.sandimcdonald.towergarden.com.  This is the way of the future to save resources, time and space.  It has been greatly received in larger population cities and on each coast.  With a little planning and attention, container gardens and aeroponics can produce like mini farms.

Container color gardening continues to be a trendy thing. The many choices, styles, shapes, and colors of containers make great accent pieces for inside or out. Let your imagination soar and express yourself. Use imaginative containers you pick up at flea markets and auction yards.  Learn to mix annuals and perennials for great combinations. Try hostas with begonias and impatiens….or hydrangeas with groundcovers. These containers can make great accent pieces on the front porch, the back deck, in a flower bed, around the pool, or at the end of the driveway.  And you can rearrange them as often as you wish.      

        Take your houseplants outdoors once the evening temperatures will remain above 50°. Move sun-loving plants (hibiscus, gardenias, mandevillas, etc.) gradually to sunny locations, as they have not had full sun in your home and will need to be acclimated to those conditions.

        Plant summer bulbs now and fertilize with bone meal or bulb food. Pinch hardy garden mums back now and continue to do so until July 4 to insure proper fall blooming. Treat slugs in your garden with organic diatomaceous earth. This powder product is food grade 100% safe, and is good for the treatment of slugs, ants, fleas and ticks outside, as well as roaches and ants indoors. This organic product is very safe to use and a good one to have on hand. “Natural Gardening” with eco-friendly products is a very SAFE thing to do for your own health as well as the environment. Check out the chemical-free options available to you today. Then sit back and watch your kids and pets enjoy the beautiful outdoors.

        “Coming home” at the end of a day can be even more important to us now than ever before. Times are changing and everyone is busier than before with kids to coach, meetings to attend, and work to do. In addition, the cost of gas makes us want to leave the car parked when possible. So, enjoy daylight savings time and extend your living quarters to your yard and garden. Think of your outdoor spaces as an extension of your home. And in doing so, consider the floor, walls, and ceiling per se. Adding resting areas is easy to do… hang a hammock in a tree, set a bistro set in the perennial garden, or put benches in your Hosta beds.  Add a fire pit, BBQ gill or Pizza oven. Then invite friends over and have a cook out. Let the nature in your yard tickle your senses with the sounds of birds, fragrance of flowers, sounds of running water, and splashes of color. Hardscapes can enhance your outdoor rooms by adding a “floor” to your area of enjoyment. 

        Until next month… Enjoy connecting with nature and….see you in the garden….

 

Sandi Hillermann McDonald

Garden Solutions - April 2014

            Vegetable gardening is making a comeback since food has made dramatic price increases over the past year.  This is also because of 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 permits.  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 flower beds or as a small addition to the landscape.  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.

            The lengthening of daylight also seems to brighten peoples’ spirits and relieve some stress as we can now move outdoors and enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer. Therefore, I invite you to go outside and “dig in.”  Here are other areas of consideration:

·         Remove winter mulch now from your rose bushes. Trim out dead and diseased canes. Cut all other green wood to about 18” on Floribunda and tea rose varieties. A 24-30” height is good on shrub roses.

·         Fertilize your roses with a slow release fertilizer and begin fungicide treatments to control black spot disease.

·         When Crabapples are in bloom, hardy annuals can be planted.

·         Transplant trees, shrubs and perennials early in the month for best success.

·         Spots and bare patches in the lawn can still be over seeded if you did not apply a Crabgrass Preventer. During spring there are more issues to be aware of when seeding a lawn rather than in the fall. Talk to a professional about seed choices and procedures.

·         Easter lilies can be planted after they finish blooming. Set the bulbs 2-3” deeper then they are in the pot.

·         Liquid weed control should be applied this month to control dandelions, henbit and other broadleaf weeds. New grass from seed MUST be mowed 3 times to make it strong enough to withstand weed chemicals.

·         Prune spring flowering shrubs after they finish blooming.

·         Asparagus and rhubarb harvests begin. Keep your hoe sharp!!

·         Start cucumber, squash, cantaloupe and watermelon seeds indoors this month.

·         Shrubs such as Crepe Myrtle, Butterfly Bush, and Hardy Hibiscus can be pruned back to green wood this month. REMINDER—that these plants leaf out very late (early May) and should not be considered to have died or be replaced until after Mother’s Day.

·         Termites begin swarming. Termites can be distinguished from ants by their thick waists and straight antennae. Ants have slender waists and elbowed antennae.

·         Apply Bayer Advance Insect Control this month to control borers in shade trees and shrubs.

·         Remove old tree wraps from trees planted last fall so you don’t make a place for insects to harbor.

·         Mole young are born in chambers deep underground.

·         Protect bees and other pollinating insects. Do not spray insecticides on fruit trees that are in bloom. Bees are in danger and it is very important to be careful around them.

·         Ornamental Pear trees need to be sprayed “during” the flowering stage to prevent “Fire Blight” disease.

·         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 bacteria and barley bales now to begin the natural cycle of pond clean-up.

·         Hang out hummingbird feeders the first of this month. Use a solution of 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. Change the solution frequently to keep if from fermenting. Food coloring is not needed nor is it recommended for the hummingbirds.

·         The last week of April is a good time to try an early sowing of warm season crops such as green beans, sweet corn, etc. Transplants of tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, and sweet potatoes can also begin being planted outdoors.

·         Container gardening is good choice for flower and vegetable gardening if space is in short supply. It can be done by anyone, anywhere, check it out!!

·         “Natural Gardening” is a wave of the future………..keep your family safe and check out what organic options are available to you when gardening this year. There are many.

 

Well, time is running short…see you in the garden

Sandi Hillermann McDonald