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