Posts Tagged ‘plants’

Jump-start the Spring Growing Season

March 22nd, 2009


(ARA) – If you invest a bit of time now, you can ensure a bountiful harvest and a beautiful landscape to make this your best gardening season yet. Preparing a strong spring foundation means new plantings are better able to survive the heat, drought and pest attacks of summer.

“Start your garden off right by adding several inches of organic matter to the top 6- to 12- inches of soil,” recommends horticulture expert and author Melinda Myers. “Peat moss, compost, aged manure and other organic materials improve drainage in heavy clay soil and increase the water holding capacity of sandy soils.”

Incorporate a slow-release, low-nitrogen fertilizer like Milorganite before planting flowers and vegetables. “I like Milorganite’s low nitrogen formulation” says Myers. “This makes it goof proof so you will not harm young tender plants no matter what your gardening skill. Its slow-release nitrogen encourages overall growth without preventing flowering and fruit production that can occur when too much nitrogen is applied.”

Reduce weed problems and increase the health and vigor of your lawn by properly mowing, watering and fertilizing. “Mow high to encourage deep roots that are more pest- and drought-resistant,” Myers suggests. “Taller grass is better able to fend off weeds.” Mow often and leave the short clippings on the lawn to add nutrients, organic matter and moisture to the soil. Use a sharp blade for quicker recovery and a better-looking lawn.

Water thoroughly but less frequently to encourage deep roots. Water your lawn early in the morning to minimize water loss. If you allow your lawn to go dormant during drought, leave it dormant until temperatures cool, rains return and nature brings it back to life.

Use a low-nitrogen, slow-release fertilizer for your spring feeding. An organic nitrogen type fertilizer will not promote lush growth that is more susceptible to disease and requires more mowing. Plus if you stop watering or your community institutes a watering ban, it won’t damage the lawn. In fact, the fertilizer will stay in the soil until the weather improves and your lawn starts to grow.

Improve the health of trees and shrubs with proper watering and mulch. Water new plantings whenever the top few inches of soil are dry. Don’t forget about established plants. These need a helping hand during extended periods of drought. Always water thoroughly to encourage deep drought-resistant roots.

Maintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch around trees and shrubs. Woodchips, shredded bark and other organic materials help conserve moisture, suppress weeds and improve the soil as they decompose. Keep mulch away from the trunk of trees and crowns of other plants to reduce the risk of disease.

Myers suggests you create or expand existing mulch rings without the use of chemicals.  She says it’s simple, “Just edge the mulch bed, cut the existing grass short, spread a layer of newspaper or cardboard over the area and cover with woodchips or shredded bark.  The paper provides an extra weed barrier and eventually breaks down adding organic matter to the soil.”

Use an all-purpose fertilizer to give existing trees, shrubs and perennials a nutrient boost.  A low-nitrogen, slow-release formula encourages moderate growth that needs less pruning and is less susceptible to certain pests.

And don’t forget to take a moment to enjoy the beauty of spring while preparing your landscape for the season ahead.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Spring Planting

March 4th, 2009

Spring is such an exciting time.  Usually around this time, in early march  I start planting my lettuce, peas and radishes in my garden.  I was so eager for spring this time that I planted two weeks ago.  Now it is raining so hard that I am sure that the seeds will either rot or get washed away.  You are probably wondering why I would let you know of my mistakes as a gardener.  I guess it is because you might learn from my mistakes.  I know I never do.  I still hope for an early spring and plant early each and every year.  On of my favorite products is walls of water.  They are cylinders that have channels that you pour water into and they stand upright and shape to fit around you r plant.  I set mine up a few weeks before I plan on planting  anything so that they will warm up the soil.  our planting time is usually around the first of May for tomatoes.  I can put in my tomato plants at least three weeks early.  I can start watermelon or squash which are favorites in our family.  I usually buy them at the local garden center, like Lowes or Home depot, but since we don’t have those stores up here I  get them at Gurneys or gardens alive.

I often shop online because I live in a tiny community that does not always have all the plants that I would like to try.  Most of the online catalogs give a great guarantee.  If the plant doesn’t grow that you have ordered they will replace it for free.  I have taken them up on that and they have been very obliging about sending replacements.  One of my favorite flowers is flax and I have not had much luck with them and so they sent me more.  Hopefully this year will be the year that they will grow as long as all this rain doesn’t kill them.  It’s funny how too much rain is bad for the garden and not enough is bad too.

I looked out the window and I see that the rain is getting a little slushy.    My three boys are hoping for it to start snowing rather than all this rain, because then school will get canceled and they can go play in the snow.  I guess if that happens, I will go online and shop for plants for my garden.

I have decided to go shopping.  That means shopping from all my great catalogs.  I got a catalog from springhill nursery that gave 50 percent off any order no matter how big or small.  Of course I thought  I would start out small, but I am spending around 50 dollars and getting about 15 plants so the deal is pretty good if they all grow.  As you know from my previous blog, I try to save money on gardening and everything else, so I try to never pay full price. Springhill also claims a  100% guarantee, so we shall see.  I have decided to go with a red garden.  I enjoy the reds I have in my garden already and want to expand on them.  some of my favorites are : bee balm, carnations and penstemon.

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6 Indoor Plants That Love The Dark: Tips From The Garden Center

December 28th, 2008

It was a long search that took me more than ten years. But finally I found it – the indoor house plant that will brighten up the end of a corridor 5 meters from my front door. The Aspidistra, commonly known as the Cast Iron plant, has graced the drawing rooms of many an otherwise drab Victorian English manor, and now graces my suburban Sydney brick home.

Many gardening experts describe the Aspidistra as one of the toughest and most adaptable house plants. Its long blades of slender dark green or variegated dark green and white leaves shoot straight out from the soil but in clumps and up to 75 cm in height and 15 cm wide. Read the rest of this entry »

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