Plant Feeding Tips

Plant diets. Yep, we’re talking fertilizer. Just like our food, it comes in many forms. And there isn’t a “one fertilizer fits all” solution. It’s label reading time. There are 3 numbers on all labels. The first one tells you the amount of Nitrogen in the product. Nitrogen feeds foliage. So with a high nitrogen number, you can expect faster leaf/plant growth. Think lettuce. The second number is for Potassium. This element promotes healthy flowers and fruit. Think veggies. The last number is for Phosphorus that keeps plants healthy and strong. By looking at these numbers, you have a better idea of what your plants need. But know your plant needs as well. Some plants actually prefer lean, infertile soil (ex. Feeding tall sedums makes the stems weak and floppy and lavender along with some herbs just plain aren’t happy with rich, well fertilized soil). Get your glasses out – it’s time to read labels! Time release fertilizers like Osmocote are great for several months worth of fertilizing, but they also have specific blends for specific plant needs.

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Pest Watch: Squash Vine Borers

Let’s talk about one of my most hated pests: Squash Vine Borers. Hateful little suckers. Vines will look great one day and collapse the next – have they visited your garden? Adult moths lay eggs on the lower part of the leaves and tiny larvae bore holes into the vine. Eventually, they will kill the plant as they eat their way through the inside of the stem. If you had them last year, there’s a darn good chance they will be back this year as the larvae burrow into the ground and overwinter in the pupae stage to emerge as an adult in the spring.

Your best defense? Remove all garden debris. LOTS of bugs and disease overwinter in that. Second, till the soil to expose the cocoons to freezing temperatures. In late spring when you plant, spray every 7 days with insecticidal soap or neem oil (Bt also works). Make sure you get the undersides of the leaves as that’s where the adults are laying the eggs. Two plantings a couple of weeks apart also helps. Good luck!

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Gardener Gifts

Folks are always asking me about gift ideas for gardeners. Here are some of our must-haves while working in the Greenhouse.

Find a nice durable tote, bucket, or basket that has a handle. Even better if it is mesh or has drainage.
Shop for a set of measuring spoons – plastic works best for measuring fertilizers, etc.
Find some garden twine. I like the kind that comes in a can with a cutter on the top. Can’t get tangled up. Or plastic plant ties. Again…. The kind with a cutter on the package.
Grab a roll of duct tape. Yep, even for gardeners, it’s true. Duct tape fixes a LOT of things.
Find a putty knife. It removes weeds between pavers; gets mud off boots.
Pliers. Cheap ones. They are great for pulling out stubborn weeds. They’re my “go to” for walnut seedlings that appear EVERYWHERE when our resident squirrels can’t remember where they put their winter stash.
Rooting hormone. I can NEVER find that little bottle when I need it.
Insect repellent – one with sunscreen preferably.
Hose washers (at Gary’s request).
Pruners. I like small ones around here. They’re great for deadheading or minor pruning.

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Rosemary-Infused Housecleaner

Vinegar has been used as a household cleaner for ages. Created by the fermentation of diluted alcohol products, vinegar features an acidity that makes it an amazing cleaner and disinfectant. However, it doesn’t smell that great. Use a few sprigs of rosemary from the garden and some lemon to create a lovely scented homemade cleaner!

You’ll need:

2 sprigs rosemary
Peels of 2 lemons
2 cups water
2 cups white vinegar
1 quart jar

To make:

Add all ingredients to your jar and let them rest for 10-14 days in a cool location to let the oils infuse. Once infusion is done, strain your ingredients and put the liquid into a spray bottle. If you prefer, you can keep the lemon and rosemary in the spray bottle.

Note: As with any acidic product, avoid using this cleaner on porous surfaces.

Need rosemary? Pick up a few plants here at the Greenhouse!

Clematis

You know you’re in trouble with a plant right off the bat when you don’t know what to call it! Do you pronounce it Clem-a-tis or Clem-a-tis? Whatever…we all know which plant we’re talking about. Here’s one time tested piece of advice: Keep their heads in the sun and their feet in the shade.

The truth is that clematis like their roots cool and moist, but they grow best in a sunny location. You can accomplish that a number of ways. Place mulch at the base of the plant or plant other perennials that don’t compete (ex. iris aren’t deep rooted). Decorative rocks also help shade the soil.

There are lots of cool varieties in many different colors these days. Heck ,they are even bush cultivars now! No old-fashioned garden is complete without them.

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