Crape-myrtle

                                                                                
                            CRAPE-MYRTLE                                
      (Lagerstoemia)

Crape Myrtles come in many colors including a deep purple

Mid-summer brings a spectacular display of color when Crape-Myrtle shrubs come into bloom. Clusters of flowers in pink, purple, white, red, blue and even bi-color varieties add incredible color to yards, gardens and on road sides.

Many have a gold center and they can be found with more then
one color on the flowers.

 

Originally from China and the tropics, Crape-Myrtles have been popular in the south as far north as Baltimore for many years. These subtropical plants were not able to survive our winters until recent years. Now with more hardy hybrids available they are quickly becoming standard for gardeners in the northeast.

Careful pruning helps develop an elegant plant that
can be enjoyed all year.
  
Crape-Myrtle are deer resistant, 

attracts butterflies and are easy to care for.  

Planted in full sun you should plan on enjoying
 your new shrub for many years to come. 

The biggest problem with Crape-Myrtles is 
deciding which color to choose.

The incredible bark would make Crape-Myrtles popular even if they didn't bloom  

When the leaves drop in autumn, the beautiful exfoliating bark adds interest to the garden all winter long.  

Crape-Myrtles bloom in early summer on 'new wood', so when pruned in the early spring they produce more flowers. 

Pruning is best done in March or early April to keep the shape and size in check.  Actually crape-myrtles benefit from a "heavy" pruning every few years.

A heavy pruning every few years helps create more flowers which
blooms on new wood.
Caution: this type of drastic pruning should not be done every year. 

A good time to buy your Crape-Myrtle is when they are in bloom so you are guaranteed the color you want. Keep your new plant in the pot until planting in September when the heat breaks.  Be sure to mulch it well after planting and give it extra tender care the first year.

Blooming at the same time as Rose-of -Sharon , Crape Myrtle does not have the
"volunteer seedling" problems that Rose-of-Sharon has.

Be patient in the spring because Crape-Myrtle break dormancy long after most other plants, usually when Dogwood are blooming.  Give them time and you will be rewarded with summer color when few other shrubs are flowering.

Happy Summer,
James

African violets

                        AFRICAN VIOLETS                             (Saintpaulia)

Flowers have five petals with yellow centers.

African Violets have long been the most popular flowering houseplants in the country and will continue to maintain this distinction far into the future. African Violets are not  "true" violets but are a genus "Saintpaulia"  related 

to Gloxinia, originally from Kenya and Tanzania, Africa.

New varieties have flowers that can be ruffled or multi-colored.

One reason for its popularity is its ability to flower in indirect light and easy care. African violets are short plants with rounded or slightly pointed leaves with flower  stalks emerging from the center. Flower colors range from white, pink, red, purple and blue with a yellow center. There is also a trailing variety which is less well known. Flowers have five single petals although now double flower are available as well as fringed and multi-colors varieties which seem to be created every day. Even variegated leaves of white and green can easily be found.

 With short periods of rest, Africans violets flower throughout the year.

The abundant flowers bloom well with indirect sunlight all year long which help make African violets as popular as they are. They also prefer modern indoor temperatures of around sixty five degrees which is ideal. Most houseplants prefer cooler temps at night. Additionally a fully mature plant only requires a three to six inch pot making them ideal for window ledges, shelves or coffee tables. All these traits make African violets perfect flowering houseplants for almost everywhere in an apartment or house with enough indirect sunlight or  artificial fluorescent light.

Use the correct size pots as plants grow to help the roots to adjust.

Considered an easy to care for plant, it is important to remember that African violets come from a warm climate. Water them with room temperature water. Cold water causes yellow spotting on the leaves . Also avoid wetting the leaves when watering. Watering plants from the bottom is a good practice and lets them dry out between watering. Over-watering can cause root rot, the most common cause of death of all houseplants. Also avoid drafts. Move away from cold drafty windows and air conditioners.

Easy and fun to propagate, you can take a leaf with the stem from the center of the plant and root it in water or potting soil. The outer leaves are too thick and do not root easily. Once rooted African violets grow quickly to flowering size.

Once plants have rooted it's time to move them into the soil. 

Off shoots from the main plant are best removed and to their own pots.

Requiring a rich soil mixture, you can purchase African violet soil premixed or you can *blend your own, but they will not grow well in regular potting mix.

As the new plants grow you can add them to your collection or give them to friends as gifts.
African violets are excellent Mothers Day gifts. 

           For more information on African violets visit the website of the                            'African Violet Society of American' 

www.avsa.org 

Happy Indoor Gardening, 

James 

Ornamental Kale

ORNAMENTAL KALE
FLOWERING CABBAGE 

Brassica oleracea

Plantings of Ornamental Kale and Flowering Cabbage add
drama to this city scape on a rainy winter day.

After Chrysanthemum flowers fade away and squirrels have eaten the pumpkins, ‘Ornamental Kale’ or ‘Flowering Cabbage’ still brings color to the late autumn garden. These beautiful plants are prized for their brightly colored foliage which becomes more intense when temperatures drop below 50 degrees. 

As the tempatures drop,below 50  colors in the leaves become more intense. 

Ornamental Kale is in the same family as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and collars.  Although flowering kales are edible*, it is not delicious and is best used as a garnish on the bottom of the plate.

Flowering cabbage is easy to indentify by the rounded leaves with
resemble our common ediable cabbage. 

When you buy Ornamental kale at your local garden center select plants close to the size you want them when mature. Once root bound they will not grow much more than they already have in the pot.

Ornamental Kales have many different leaves with more being introduced every year. 

When you bring it home, plant them in the ground or transplant into another pot. Bury stems so that the lowest leaves are flush with the soil surface.

Ornamental kale requires a sunny location in a moderately moist rich soil.        Keep the plants moist. Kale and cabbage do not do tolerate drying out and will lose vigor quickly. Fully grown plants are approximately 15 inches tall and one foot wide.

The key to longivity is regular watering. 

When colder weather arrives pigments in the leaves will brighten, white pink or red. This is when they at the peak of their display. In addition to color kale leaves have many shapes, curly, frilly or ruffled.

The pure white leaves of this Kale would be the focal point of any winter garden. 

There are many different cultivars available today, ‘Peacock’, ‘Pigeon’, ‘Osaka’ and the ‘Tokyo’ to name a few. Home gardeners have a large selection to choose from. Pick the plants most pleasing to your eyes.

It is the colors and patterens on the leaves of Flowering cabbage  that gardeners find appealing. 

You can start seeds ten weeks before the expected frost date or purchase plugs at your local garden center. Growing them can be fun but you will have to battle beetles and insects to prevent them from chewing holes in the leaves. I only have space for a few pots so I use this opportunity to support my local garden nurseries.

If they survive the winter both the kales & cabbages will flower in the spring.

*As noted above, ornamental kale and flowering cabbage plants are edible, but they are tough and bitter.  To reduce their bitter taste, boil them, discard the water and then boil or sauté them in olive oil prior to serving.

The information in this article is from University of Wisconsin-Extension Garden Fact s (XHT1163) Susan Mahr, UW Horticulture Agent.

Happy gardening,

James

Thriller, filler, spiller

THRILLER, FILLER, SPILLER,

FLOWERS IN CONTAINERS

A beautiful container arrangement is a welcome sight to friends
visitors and even ourselves when we arrive home.  

Beautifully arranged potted plants add an eye catching focal point to any area in your garden. Making them yourself is not as difficult as you may think and is very rewarding.

The most important thing is to make sure all the flowers and plants in the container require the same care, sunlight, soil and water. Otherwise there is a chance one will not survive, leaving an empty space where flowers should be growing. Read the directions on the plant marker or ask knowledgeable greenhouse personnel for suggestions.

For everyone who believes you can't have color in the shade, try a container
full of  caladiums and coleus. 

If your plant is root bound gently open the bottom with a blade or your finger tips before planting. This will permit the plant to better absorb water and minerals.

A common problem with all nursery stock, even trees and shrubs, a bound 

root ball will stunt plants which cannot easily absorb water or nutrients.

The mantra for a successful flower display is “Thriller, Filler, Spiller”.

 The ‘thriller’ is the plant in the center of the pot that adds height and interest. Usually this is a tall spike such as Dracaena (dra-SEE-na) with can be green or purple, or some type of ornamental grass.

The ‘filler’ is the flower around the center of the pot which is the most dramatic color. You can use more than one color flower if you wish. It’s your creation so have fun with it. 

Remember you want to see all the flowers in the center so they should all grow to the same height or one will crowd out the others by midsummer.

The ‘spiller’ will grow over the pot edge and give the entire container a fuller appearance. Many folks use variegated vinca, ivy or asparagus fern for this. If you have plenty of sun hanging geraniums, also known as ‘ivy geraniums’ will give your pot a knockout punch.

For those who don't have time or space to 'Garden With Children' a beautiful container
arranged together will help teach them an appreciation of gardening that may last a lifetime.

Although directions may say plant 6 to 8 inches apart, you want your pot to look like it is full immediately, so place plants much closer together. This ‘British’ technique works wonderfully in containers of annuals that will only survive one season.

Proper watering is essential for potted plants to survive. If your pot is on the ground it should be watered every day. If it is hanging, monitor it daily as it may need more frequent watering. On hot summer days it may need to be watered twice.

When creating your container you are only limited by your own imagination.
Although there are no flowers this display adds drama . 

When creating your containers you are only limited by plant requirements and your imagination.

Please support our local farms, greenhouses and supply stores. They have the largest selection and the best tended plants to choose from and they depend on our seasonal business.

Happy Gardening,   

 James

Spring Bird Feeding

SPRING BIRD FEEDING

This male cardinal has caught his own reflection in the camera.
Luckily this devoted father will continue to feed his young.

Almost all mating birds feed insects to their young because the high protein encourages rapid growth.

When winter ends, many winter bird enthusiasts rapidly take down their feeders.  They clean and store them until next winter. Their intentions are honorable.  These actions encourage wild birds to seek other sources of food and not become overly dependent on humans.

When he is ready to leave the nest in a few weeks this young sparrow
will be almost as big as his parents.

On the other hand, many other back yard birders continue to feed high protein foods to birds throughout the mating season. These include: black oil sunflower seeds, peanuts and suet*.  Apples are also valuable due to lack of other fruit naturally available.

Cardinals nest on the ground and in thickets making them easy prey
for cats and other predators  

While the parents incubate the clutch until they hatch, this nearby and available source of high protein food supplies dependable nourishment. This also remains true for the adults as they feed their hungry young.

After the nestlings have left the nest and become fledglings the adults often have only a few days to teach the young how to survive before they are left on their own. 

A chore from sunrise to nightfall, the parents devotion to their offspring has
ensured the survival of birds from the age of the dinosaurs.  

You will often see baby birds following the mother around, wings flapping, begging for food at feeders.

Some of the birds at this winter feeder were born the spring before.

This lesson is crucial for survival when winter comes in just six months.

These Hairy Woodpeckers are a common sight in the northeast
using backyard feeders all year long. 

Early in the season we get to comfortably watch birds close up as they perform their mating rituals. The female cardinal sings while the male feeds her, demonstrating he can be a good provider for their offspring which they will raise together. The male cardinal cares for the first brood while the female incubates their second clutch. During the summer the entire cardinal family will visit your garden.

Perhaps the favorite of all garden birds, it is easy to keep cardinals coming
to your garden. Gray striped and black oil sunflower seeds will do the trick. 

Generally, I let the wild bird seed run out so I don’t waste it, which is mainly millet and corn, low protein fillers for overwintering birds. Wild bird mix doesn’t store well over summer and can attract unwanted visitors or insects to your storage area.

Crows are so intelligent that the young need to stay with the parents for two years to
learn everything they need to know for survival. 

  

Additionally, water is essential. Many birds will come just for clean water. Wrens prefer running fountains while many others prefer still water that they can bathe in. I supply both. Keep your water clean for healthy birds and insect control.

A mother flicker (center) takes advantage of a bird bath to teach her young how to visit them.
For mosquito control empty and clean your bird baths a few times a week.

*Suet is made from fat which becomes rancid at high temperatures. 
If you have extra it can be frozen until next autumn.

Happy Spring,   

James

Chemical Weed Control

USING WEED CONTROL CHEMICALS WISELY

Take a ride around your neighborhood on a hot summers day and it won't take long to see someone spraying weed control on their lawn wearing short pants and sandals.  I have seen this happen while the children were playing  just a few feet away.

Chemicals are so available is easy to forget they are all toxic.
Read and follow the directions on the label.


 Chemicals are so readily available and abundant in America we take them for granted. This is as true for the sellers as it is for us, the consumers. We are encouraged by the manufacturers to use their chemicals as often as possible.  

Caution is the least dangerous, escalating to Warning and then Danger.
No weed killers are labeled 'safe'.
  

Sadly many people use these chemicals without taking the time to read the label.  If they did read the label they would know that these weed control chemicals become less effective as the temperatures get higher.  The grass and weeds undergo stress and stop absorbing the chemicals.  The toxins slowly evaporate creating a mist over your lawn where your children are playing.  By the time the temperature reaches 90 you might as well throw your money away.

These chemicals work by attaching themselves to the weeds and then become absorbed into the  cell tissues, working their way into the plant and finally the root system. When you apply them in short pants you are exposing  your leg's cell tissue to the same chemicals.

Deep rooted weeds may take more than one treatment.
To use less chemicals remove all but 2 leaves and spray only them. You will get the same result.
If they grow back repeat the same process. 

Removing weeds from your garden beds has multiple benefits. Weeds compete  with garden plants and vegetables for space, nutrients, sunlight and water.  

Worst of all for many gardeners, weeds make your beds look messy and untended.  Basically weeds are plants growing where you don't want them. This can apply to wildflowers, shrubs and even trees, such as the Norway Maple.

The beautiful Norway Maple is so successful it is now labeled a weed tree.
Manual removal with a pick ax is quick and dependable.

Whenever possible use safer weed control practices such as hand weeding and mulching in the spring.

USE AND STORAGE OF GARDEN CHEMICALS

Never buy chemicals that are stored wrong, such as these kept out in the sun.
The price remains the same but the effectiveness is greatly diminished.  

Read and follow the directions on the label.  

Store all chemicals properly as directed on the label.  

Don’t let liquids freeze or get too hot and don’t allow dried chemicals get moist.

If you go to a store and their chemicals are sitting in the sun or are not properly stored,  go to another store.

Keep gardening safe,

Happy summer,

James

Earthworms in the Garden

       EARTHWORMS

         (Lumbricus terrestri)

Good garden soil should have ten earthworms per square foot.

The reddish-gray colored common earthworm, often called a night crawler in the United States, is familiar to anyone with a fishing rod or a garden. They are indigenous to Europe, but are now abundant in North America and western Asia.



Earthworms are vital to soil health because they transport nutrients and minerals from below the surface via their waste.  Their tunnels aerate the ground. An earthworm can eat up to one third its body weight in a day. A 'healthy' garden soil should have approximately ten earthworms per square foot.



Although not native to North America, earthworms are sign of healthy garden soil. 

Earthworms  burrow during the day, typically keeping close to the surface, but are capable of digging down as deep as 6.5 feet.



An earthworm can live six years in the wild.

Contrary to playground legend, if a worm is cut in half, two will not grow.  Therefore you are better off leaving your earthworm undisturbed to get the best results.  Amazingly earthworms can live up to six years in the wild.

Worm castings, also called ’vermicast', worm humus or worm manure, is the end-product of the breakdown of organic matter by an earthworm. These castings have been shown to contain reduced levels of contaminants and a higher saturation of nutrients than do organic materials before vermicomposting.

You can purchase worm castings or let your worms make it for you. 

To encourage as many earthworms in your garden as possible, add organic materials such as compost to your 
soil.  Scatter it on top or rake it in and the worms will do 
the rest.  This practice adds nutrients to your garden which 
is as good for your plants as it is for your worms. 

Earthworms help water move into the soil closer to the root systems of your plants. 

Most importantly limit the use of pesticides and insecticides as they can harm or kill your earthworms as well as your intended targets.

Although not the cutest critter on the planet, earthworms are worth their weight in gold. 

 The next time you dig up an earthworm while gardening
remember how essential they are and rather than just
tossing it to the side - cover it back up.  Earthworms 
wither and die quickly when left in the sun.

 Happy Gardening,

James

For more information on earthworms and other amazing creatures visit the National Geographic website