Poppy's Veggie Garden-Progress Report

Looking Good!
Wouldn't it be great if every seed you planted germinated? It just doesn't work that way though. Cucumbers have been my greatest challenge. It took three re-plantings to get a descent stand going.

Here is what is growing- green beans, cucumber, sweet corn, yellow squash, zuccini, cantaloupe, muskmelon, watermelon, peppers, okra, tomatoes, butter beans, field peas, and peanuts. Around the perimeter are zinnias to attract bees and butterflies to help with pollination and unwanted bugs.

Sweet corn was the easiest. Almost all of the seed germinated and growing great. Squash was the next best with an 80% germination rate.

The most aggravating of all was some seedlings purchased from a local "feed & seed". I bought some tomatoes, egg plants, peppers, and more. All but one died!

Overall, the garden looks great. Everything is growing well and haven't had any problems so far with any diseases or pests. We are looking forward to having enough to do some canning this year. Sound like fun?

Share some of your experiences and what you've got growing.

Til next time,

Poppy

Ornamental Grass In Your Landscape?

Muhlenbergia capillaris
(click for more info)
Ornamental Grasses make a great way to trim out your landscape! Best of all- low maintenance! Most grasses can tolerate drought, heat, and poor soil conditions. Add just a little TLC and you will be well rewarded.
Ornamental grasses look great in groupings by themselves or added into existing beds to add interest. Use them to separate groupings of other plants, background, or trim.
You can get just about any size or color you want.
Ornamental Grass Collection
(click for more info)
Ornamental grasses contrast with broad-leaved plants beautifully, create pleasing movement with the lightest breeze, and perform beautifully even in less-than-ideal conditions.
'Karley Rose'
(click for more info)
Can't be beaten for hardiness, foliage, bloom color, growing season and inflorescence!




Pennisetum Foxtrot
(click for more info)
This splendid pink-flowered Giant Fountain Grass is a joy from midsummer right through fall, sporting masses of swaying, shimmying plumes AND eye-catching golden fall foliage!



Try'em, you'll like'm

Til nest time,

Poppy

Some Pruning Tips

Spring Bloomers
The best time to prune spring bloomers is as soon as the plant has bloomed out. On younger shrubs, prune branches back to nonflowering shoots or back to healthy buds pointing in the direction you want the shrub to grow -- typically away from the center. Always cut back diseased or weak stems to healthy wood. Disinfect the blades with a 10 percent solution of bleach between cuts to prevent spreading disease.

New Shrubs
Young, newly planted shrubs, require cutting back after their first bloom. The trim helps them to grow a stronger framework and bloom more profusely later. Some species, such as Forsythia Y intermedia or beautybush (Kolkwitzia amabilis), may not bloom heavily their first few years, but they still need weaker growth and wayward branches cut out; their main shoots should be trimmed to a strong bud or pair of buds.

Established Shrubs
Older shrubs can get out of shape and new growth slows down. Dead limbs can become diseased. Trim back to create new growth and remove all dead wood. You may sacrafice some blooms the following season, but it is well worth the trim in the coming years.

Exceptions to the Rule
Knowing your plants comes in handy when pruning. Some plants produce new shoots during the growing season but will not bloom the following season. Hydrangeas are one of those, therefore requiring minimal pruning. If you aren't sure when is the best time or how certain plants should be pruned, check it out on the internet or with your local agricultural extension agent.

Til next time,

Poppy

Time to Deadhead and Prune

My azaleas have bloomed out- now what?

When the azaleas and rhodies have bloomed out, it is time to deadhead, prune, and fertilize. Dead heading azaleas and rhodies is nothing more than removing what few blooms that have died out, but are still hanging on to the stem. Removing helps to allow for new growth sooner and keeps down possibilities of disease. Also clean out the fallen blooms from beneath. The collection underneath is "hot bed" for incubating all kinds of bad stuff!

Selectively prune back lanky limbs and stems. This will give the plant better shape (if done carefully) and promotes more branching for a fuller appearance for your plants.

It is a good time to fertilize now that the azaleas and rhodies have bloomed. I made the mistake of fertilizing before they bloomed once long ago. I learned my lesson not to fertilize before they bloom because they won't!

I have a technique for fertilizing my azaleas. After cleaning out below, I will use a small cultivator fork to losen the soil about an inch deep. Depending on the size of the plant, I'll sprinkle a handful or two of a balanced 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 slow release fertilizer. Then I'll work in (mix) the ferilizer into the soil. This helps the "food" get to the root system sooner and doesn't get washed away after watering. By the way, it is good to water after feeding.

Til next time,

Poppy

P.S. Now is a good time to deadhead any other plants. For mums, pinch off the last inch or so of the branches until July to assure bushy, well-flowering plants. While you're at it, cut back asters and other tall, floppy, late-summer bloomers by about one-third once they're a foot or so high. They'll be sturdier and flower better.

April Garden Tips Continued

Plants and Trees
Continue to plant container-grown trees, shrubs, perennial herbs, groundcovers, and perennial flowers.

Time to Mow?

It is time to mow when you can't stand looking at a ragged lawnscape any longer. Once you start, mow regularly and at the right height. It's the best thing you can do to control weeds and keep grass thick and healthy. Now, during cool weather, mow cool-season lawns such as bluegrass, ryegrasses, or fescues at 2 inches or so. Raise the mower blade to 3 inches once temperatures hit the 90s F. Mow warm-season grasses such as Bermuda, St. Augustine, and zoysia at approximately 2 inches all season long.

We have a tendancy to overlook the benefits of aerating the lawn. Aeration helps remove thatch build up that provides a nesting place for lawn diseases. Aeration also helps with soil compaction. Grass does much better when the roots can spread easily. Most rental centers have aerators for rent making the job much easier.

Mulching

Mulching is good for your garden and for YOU! Mulch helps to hold much needed moisture in the ground for the plants. It helps to retard the growth of weeds at the same time. The results- less watering during dry spells and less work removing unsightly weeds. Good for You!

Add appearace to the benefits of mulching. Mulch gives your beds definition between the bed and the surounding area- setting it apart. That gives you opportunity to become creative with shapes, directing traffic flow through the garden, and highlighting your favorite plants. The contrast of mulch color and texture between the plants and the surounding environment can be eye catching.

Til next time,

Poppy

Garden Tips for April

Refer to Frost Map
First tip- don't get ahead of your frost zone! Check out your area for the best time to plant (or whatever your chore) to ensure the best success.

The gardening tips for April are for Southern gardens. However, you can use these tips in your area- here is the trick!

Determine your frost zone first. Lets say that you live in an area where last year's frost occurred between April 30 to May 30 (the green zone). That means you have at least a few more weeks to plan. Your gardening schedule follows the Southern schedule by the difference in the Frost Map.

It is not too late to move bare root plants. If you can work the ground (free of ice), you can still relocate these. After your perennials have bloomed out, this would be a good time to divide the ones that have become crowded and effected their growth or blooming.

Speaking of Spring bloomers, like azaleas, wait until they have bloomed out before fertilizing. Fertilization brings about new growth which will push off the blooms prematurely. Be patient and enjoy the blooms while you have them.

Follow the planting instructions on seed packs if you are planting corn, peas, beans, etc. Again, patience! The soil needs to warm after the last frost in order for the seed to germinate. Seed germinate best between a soil temperature of 40 and 60 degrees F for warm weather plants. It can take a while for the soil to warm depending on weather conditions.

I'll talk about annuals, mulching, prunning, and maybe more.

Till next time,

Poppy

Give Your Landscape Some WOW!

Clematis 'Niobe'
(click for more info)

Dress up your landscape and give it some "WOW" at the same time! Like that mailbox that stands starkley in the very front of your house- one of the first things people see? Or maybe you have some porch columns that could use some help. Perhaps you would like to "screen out" some area of your landscape that just doesn't quite fit in.

Now is the time to make things POP with the Clematis 'Niobe'.
'Niobe' is simply the best red Clematis available, its crushed-velvet blooms glowing with rich color from the moment the buds open. Their initial shade of nearly black matures to a deep ruby, offset by a slender, prominent center of bright yellow.
This gorgeous, easy-to-grow climber blooms heavily over a long summer season on compact, manageable 6-foot vines, creating an unforgettable display.

How do I take care of my 'Niobe'?

Clematis 'Niobe' grows readily in rich, well-drained, alkaline soil with plenty of room for the roots to spread. Water well but avoid keeping its "feet" wet, and feed it each spring with an organic fertilizer. Prune 'Niobe' in early spring by cutting the vine back 6 or 8 inches to the nearest pair of strong leaf axil buds.

What are some good companion plants for my new 'Niobe'?

Roses
Roses are classic Clematis companions, especially climbing varieties with complementary bloom colors. The rule of thumb for these vines is to keep the roots cool and the tops warm, so pair them with bushy perennials that will shade their feet while providing extra color! Whatever companions you choose, be careful not to overcrowd Clematis or plant it with anything that would compete for moisture or nutrients.

Lavandula 'Munstead'
(click for more info)


Phlox divaricata 'Manita'
(click for more info)







Til next time, go forth and do great things!

Poppy