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SPRING GARDENING CLAS ES

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time clean them up and repo1 The typ~ of oil you use i Lhe mosL important thing Dont use cheap potting Boil It re rds to nol be sterile leading to insect and disease problems UAB 11 good soilmiddot lels mix to repot your plants If they ore fairly small plants dont move trem up moru than one or two pot s izeR Large pJantb Cwl be POtlto into pots several inches Jar~r Make S IJl( you loosen up Lhe rools around

I---- htt utampid of the root hall Water the ~oil thoroughly Remove Ilny dead or -yellowed leaves and trim up le~1O plant eHpecially hanging baBke~ Wipe off or rinse lbf foliago and cbfck for any inRtletS It is also Lime to lltart fertilizing YOW houseplants again Water with 8 hquid lortilizer every couple weeks or apply Osmocote lowmiddotreloase fertilizer Move your plants outdoors 8S Boon 8S a1I chance of f108t is past

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There was just a wonderful articleBethlehem Sage o r Lungwort in tile Tribune-Review about one facet

Bethlehem sage is a great little shade Pulmonaria species

of mulching Im sure you have all plant Only growing to 10-12 Inches it seen the mulch piled up around the makes a nice plant for the front of the bases of trees and shrubs otherwise bed They bloom in April and May so know as Volcano Mulch Do not do they are nice combined with fall bulbs tlUs rt will kill your plants Never and other early perennials They can mulch right up to the trunk or crown flower white pink deep blue or there ofa plant There should always be a are varieties that change from one color

space around the plant that is mulch to another as the flowers age Most

free This is true with all plants varieties have deep green leaves Perennials annuals herbs vegetabJesspotted with silver Some have almost trees and shrubs all can be damaged ifall silver leaves This gives them interest the mulch is put right up next to themthroughout the summer They do well in This causes them to rot and willpart to almost full shade eventually kill them Ifyou or a landscaper has done this in your yardCoupon go out and pull the mulch away from15 off all your plants I watches 3 beautifulAny one full-priced item mature trees slowly die from this at

In the Garden Center my bank Dont let this happen to youlunited I1J stock on hand Hand-crafted

Itfms not Included Expires +30-16 plants

Gardening11ps

Remove old foliage from bearded iris to control borers The borers overwInter on the foliage

Dont prune spring flowering shrubs until after they bloom or you will cut off the flowers

White flowers make the other colors look blghter so plant them throughout your beds or pots

Make a nursery bed in your yard It gives you a place to plant extra perennials from your beds or new purchases until you find a permanent spot for them

Ants become busler cows huddle and birds become silent when a storm is approaching

Pastel colors like whIte pale yellow and pale pink show up well at night So plant them eau1et~ owlpatio ere _ they can be seen at night

Stake perennials early in the season before they start to get tail Putting Grow-thru supports or a ring of stakes with twine crossed between them in early allows the plant fOliage to hide the staking

After the leaves are on the trees take a couple days to observe where the sun hits In all your beds Make note of how many hours of sun each area gets This will enable you to make informed decisions when buying plants

day pots wick water from the soil So if you have trouble keeping your plants moist try plastic or fiberglass pots

Keep the dead flowers trimmed off your perennials This does two things It keeps them from reseeding which can become a problem Second some will rebloom is they are dead-headed

Try new and unfamiliar plants both perennials and annuals It Is one of the best things about gardening

Perennials are up and ready to sell You should have fresh chives coming up Unfortunately its still too early to put them up on the display benches in your garden so I thought this would

We will be happy to get anything you want or you ~e welcome to w~nder be a good recipe the coldframes to your hearts content There will stIll be more vanetIes yet Mushroom and Chive Bisque to come in but if you need your first plant fix for the season come on in y cup butter

2 cups fresh button mushrooms sliced Blueberries Red amp Black Raspberries ~ cup flour

~ tsp dry mustard Rhubarb and 1 tsp salt

3 types of Seedless Grapes are available 2 cups chicken stock 2 cups heavy cream now ~ cup sherry wine (optional)

Asparagus will be available soon ~ cup finely chopped chives

------------------- Melt butter in large pot Add mushrooms

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and saute until limp Add flour mustard and We are scheduling Landscape Consultations right now Beckie salt Cook for 1 minute and then remove will come out to your house and you can pick her brain for an hour from heat Gradually add chicken stock about your yard What to keep what to get rid of Planting bed while stirring until well blendeduse a whisk design What plants to plant Pruning of all trpes of plants Plant to prevent lumps) Return to heat and stir

until thickened Add cream sherry and identification The cost is $50 for an hour Give us a call at chives Cook over low heat until hot Serve724 836-2255 with croutons Makes 4-6 bowls

We are also scheduling programs for garden clubs and other groups for the Flowers and plants are silent presences theyremainder ofthe year We have many topics for you to choose from We nourish every sense but the ear Mary Sarton

also can do programs here at the garden center It allows your members to Start applying Deer and Rabbit wander around and ask lots of questions about the plants

Repellents now The lush growth in yqur garden_batsan1hing___Dont fmgetJ f you want to get your stamps on your green gift

certificate card you must pay with cash or a check We stili take else they can find Youll also train

Master Card Visa Discover and debit cards but we cant give them to go elsewhere to eat

stamps for those sales

Spring Planting We will have Annuals As gardeners we all get over anxious when spring arrives We want to get out there and start planting For Herbs and Vegetables

perennials trees and shrubs this is all right Trees and shrubs can actually benefit from early planting because available by Mothers Daythey have more time to get established before hot weather Annuals are a different matter Planting them too

If you would like them early can really set them back for the season Traditionally planting of tender annuals and vegetables was never done until close to Memorial Day This earlier please read the

date is when we are almost guaranteed to be frost-free We have had hard frosts in recent years on Memorial article to the left Our Day weekend In years past it was only close to this time that you could by tender plants With the advent of the herbselection will be as big retailer these Sfu~ plants are becoming available in April People are unfortunately falling for this and

good as always We willbuying their plants way too early In many spring seasons even mid-May is too early to b~ planting also have lots of annualMost annuals do best when soil temperatures are 65-70 degrees In soil temperatures less than this they can

have many problems Basil for example is much more susceptible to diseases of the roots and stem Almost all flowers Our vegetable basil planted early will die This is why we dont get ours ready for sale before mid-May Rootlt ofother plants selection will increase this may die from the cold wet soil This means that when the conditions become acceptable for growth the plants year again We will have have been set back They will have to overcome the root loss before they are able to grow So in reality you may hybrid and heirloombe further behind rather than getting ajump on the season Cold soils also can cause nutrient deficiencies

tomatoes peppers Nutrients in the soil are less available to plants in cold soil Leaves can turn yellow or purple blooming can stop and plants can become stlmted This is especially true for tomatoes Oncc again the plants will have to eggplants and many overcome these problems before they can start to grow again squashes cucumbersetc

Frosts or even just cool temperatures can cause many problems also Annuals again grow best at 65 to 70 There will also be broccolidegree air temperatures Even though you cover the plants to protect them from frosts they can suffer damage cauliflower cabbage and that may not even be visible You have the same problems that occur with cold soils

brussel sprouts Stop out So you may think you are getting a jump on your spring planting but you may actually be further behind If you feel that you have to purchase your plants early to get the best selection do so But keep them in a protected and see us for your Spring location You may even have to bring them into a heated area if the temperatures are going to drop Keep them plants fertilized so they stay healthy If you still are having problems with them you may have to pot them into larger containers to keep them happy Know yourself Dont accept your

Ifyou can restrain yourself it is better to wait until into May to buy amp plant your annuals You will probably dogs admiration as conclusive evideme that you are wonderful be further ahead in the end

Preparing your Garden Soil

The most important thing your can do when putting in a new garden is to prepare the soil correctly The clay soil that is prevalent in our area is very difficult to grow plants in [t stays very cold and wet in the spring and becomes similar to concrete in the summer when it dries out Because of its very fine particle size it packs down This means that there are no air spaces in the soil which are essential to plant growth Plants grown in containers are in loose well-draining soil mixes They have II hard time adjusting to clay soils As a matter offact in some cases the plant roots will actually spiral in the planting hole as ifit is in a pot The plants continue to grow in the soil that is easy to push roots through rather than spread into the more tightly packed soil To combat this problem you must loosen up the soil The best way to do this is by adding organic matter

Organic matter is anything that used to be a living plant Compost peat moss soil conditioner fall leaves grass clippings mushroom manure or animal manure all constitute organic matter By adding any of these to the soil you open up the soil structure and make it drain better It waons up earlier in the spring takes up water better when dry and drains well in wet weather Choosing which amendment to use depends on its availability and how much you need How much you need depends on how poor your soil is Apply several inches to your garden and turn it in to the top 12 inches of soil See how much it improves the soil texture Jfyou feel it needs more add it Ifit seems fairly good leave it for now You can always add more organic matter by mixing it in every time you plant new plants or QlvJde old ones Also nature will help you The freeze and thaw cycle will cause mulch and other decaying matter to work into the soil Insects such as earthworms will also move organic matter into the soil And the more organic matter in your soil the more earthworms you have

Availability is going to be a big factor in what you use Compost is a good amendment Ifyou make your own thats great If not it is something that can be purchased in large quantities at some local nurseries The same with mushroom manure Peat moss is agood amendment but can be expensive ifyou need a large amount Only use the baled peat moss not the peat humus Peat humus is already broken down too much to be helpful Soil conditioner is a composted bark and sand mix that is very effective in breaking up clay soil We have sold it fOT years and our customer feedback has been extremely positive Fall leaves and grass clippings can be added without composting if they are added to the soil at least 6 months before planting Horse and cow manures are very good but make sure they have been composted thoroughly or you will end up with a bumper crop ofweeds

You can nevergo wrong by getting your soil tested It is a simple procedure through the Extension Service Get a kit follow the instructions and in a couple of weeks wHi get your results They are very easy to understand You will get both fertilizer and lime recommendations Liming is very important and is an inexpensive way to improve your soil Annuals perennials vegetables and lawns like a soil pH close to 7 or neutral Lime will raise our normally acid pH to closer to neutral

Be careful to not work your soil too early in the season when it is still wet [fyou work wet soil a lot ofyour hard work in amending your soil will be wasted Working wet soil will compact it again Also dont overwork your soil Rototilling it multiple times a year will also breakdown the soil structure again

It is exceptionally important to prepare the soil correctly in the beginning You will have much more success with your plants and gardening will be more pleasurable If the soil is not prepared well to begin with you will have to try to do it after the fact This means trying to amend the soil between the plants at best or digging up the whole garden and starting all over This is definitely the worst Good soil preparation came mean the difference in having an beautiful established garden in as little as 3 years or waiting much longer Starting out right will give you years of gardening pleasure

Early Spring To-Do List

bull Lime lawns and gardens bull Clean and sharpen tools bull Prepare new garden beds

bull Start summer bulbs like cannas and dahlias in the house

bull Start a compost pile bull Weed and trim up perennial herb and

shrub beds

bull Clean up and repot houseplants and start to fertilize them again

bull Prune roses when they start to sprout bull Evaluate your gardens Decide what to

add move or get rid of

bull Start a gardening notebook Dont count on your memory

bull Get your staking materials on your perennials before they get too big

bull Fertilize fall bulbs bull Label your perennial and herb gardens

ifyou remember what you have bull Divide or move perennials

bull Start seeds bull Plant trees shrubs roses perennials and

fruits

You are-probably out weedlng -your- perennlar-ner or shrub beds After you get them weed free and before you mulch them you may wan to put down some Organic Preen Weed Preventer It will help to keep the weed seeds from germinating thus reducing future weeding It is completely safe for pets and people

We started carrying a new product last year that I think is great It is Biodegradable Paper Mulch It is made from recycled paper and looks like brown paper bag material The absorbent paper will stop weeds and help retain moisture It is recommended for around annuals and vegetables At the end of the season it can be tilled into the soil I think it also can be used in new perennial and shrub beds for the same purposes Just mulch over it and let it eventually rot away It comes in 3 50 rolls

Help Wanted We are looking for part or fun time employees for garden centerl greenhouse

work which includes weeding planting watering and possibly waiting on customers We are also looking for nursery workers This includes mowing and trimming moving plants watering and loading Stop out and fill out an application 724 836-2255

Fertilize your fall bulbs now with a complete bulb food such as BulbshyTone Feeding your bulbs should help them come back year after year Dont cutback bulb foliage until it has started to tum brown Also dont pin it down or braid it The bulbs need time to make and store food for next year

_---shy

We have a good supply of Soil Conditioner in stock Its great for breaking up clay soils and generally improving the growability of your soil Mix it into new beds or work it in around-existing plants It also makes a really nice mulch As the old timers used to say shyDont plant a $50 plant in a 50 cent hole Improve your soil

Soil test kits are available at the Extension office on Donohoe Rd for $900 They are worth every penny Know whats going on with your soil It makes gardening a lot easier Their phone is 724

837-1402

Preparing your Garden Soil

The most important thing your can do when putting in a new garden is to prepare the soil correctly The clay soil that is prevalent in our area is very difficult to grow plants in [t stays very cold and wet in the spring and becomes similar to concrete in the summer when it dries out Because of its very fine particle size it packs down This means that there are no air spaces in the soil which are essential to plant growth Plants grown in containers are in loose well-draining soil mixes They have II hard time adjusting to clay soils As a matter offact in some cases the plant roots will actually spiral in the planting hole as ifit is in a pot The plants continue to grow in the soil that is easy to push roots through rather than spread into the more tightly packed soil To combat this problem you must loosen up the soil The best way to do this is by adding organic matter

Organic matter is anything that used to be a living plant Compost peat moss soil conditioner fall leaves grass clippings mushroom manure or animal manure all constitute organic matter By adding any of these to the soil you open up the soil structure and make it drain better It waons up earlier in the spring takes up water better when dry and drains well in wet weather Choosing which amendment to use depends on its availability and how much you need How much you need depends on how poor your soil is Apply several inches to your garden and turn it in to the top 12 inches of soil See how much it improves the soil texture Jfyou feel it needs more add it Ifit seems fairly good leave it for now You can always add more organic matter by mixing it in every time you plant new plants or QlvJde old ones Also nature will help you The freeze and thaw cycle will cause mulch and other decaying matter to work into the soil Insects such as earthworms will also move organic matter into the soil And the more organic matter in your soil the more earthworms you have

Availability is going to be a big factor in what you use Compost is a good amendment Ifyou make your own thats great If not it is something that can be purchased in large quantities at some local nurseries The same with mushroom manure Peat moss is agood amendment but can be expensive ifyou need a large amount Only use the baled peat moss not the peat humus Peat humus is already broken down too much to be helpful Soil conditioner is a composted bark and sand mix that is very effective in breaking up clay soil We have sold it fOT years and our customer feedback has been extremely positive Fall leaves and grass clippings can be added without composting if they are added to the soil at least 6 months before planting Horse and cow manures are very good but make sure they have been composted thoroughly or you will end up with a bumper crop ofweeds

You can nevergo wrong by getting your soil tested It is a simple procedure through the Extension Service Get a kit follow the instructions and in a couple of weeks wHi get your results They are very easy to understand You will get both fertilizer and lime recommendations Liming is very important and is an inexpensive way to improve your soil Annuals perennials vegetables and lawns like a soil pH close to 7 or neutral Lime will raise our normally acid pH to closer to neutral

Be careful to not work your soil too early in the season when it is still wet [fyou work wet soil a lot ofyour hard work in amending your soil will be wasted Working wet soil will compact it again Also dont overwork your soil Rototilling it multiple times a year will also breakdown the soil structure again

It is exceptionally important to prepare the soil correctly in the beginning You will have much more success with your plants and gardening will be more pleasurable If the soil is not prepared well to begin with you will have to try to do it after the fact This means trying to amend the soil between the plants at best or digging up the whole garden and starting all over This is definitely the worst Good soil preparation came mean the difference in having an beautiful established garden in as little as 3 years or waiting much longer Starting out right will give you years of gardening pleasure

Early Spring To-Do List

bull Lime lawns and gardens bull Clean and sharpen tools bull Prepare new garden beds

bull Start summer bulbs like cannas and dahlias in the house

bull Start a compost pile bull Weed and trim up perennial herb and

shrub beds

bull Clean up and repot houseplants and start to fertilize them again

bull Prune roses when they start to sprout bull Evaluate your gardens Decide what to

add move or get rid of

bull Start a gardening notebook Dont count on your memory

bull Get your staking materials on your perennials before they get too big

bull Fertilize fall bulbs bull Label your perennial and herb gardens

ifyou remember what you have bull Divide or move perennials

bull Start seeds bull Plant trees shrubs roses perennials and

fruits

You are-probably out weedlng -your- perennlar-ner or shrub beds After you get them weed free and before you mulch them you may wan to put down some Organic Preen Weed Preventer It will help to keep the weed seeds from germinating thus reducing future weeding It is completely safe for pets and people

We started carrying a new product last year that I think is great It is Biodegradable Paper Mulch It is made from recycled paper and looks like brown paper bag material The absorbent paper will stop weeds and help retain moisture It is recommended for around annuals and vegetables At the end of the season it can be tilled into the soil I think it also can be used in new perennial and shrub beds for the same purposes Just mulch over it and let it eventually rot away It comes in 3 50 rolls

Help Wanted We are looking for part or fun time employees for garden centerl greenhouse

work which includes weeding planting watering and possibly waiting on customers We are also looking for nursery workers This includes mowing and trimming moving plants watering and loading Stop out and fill out an application 724 836-2255

Fertilize your fall bulbs now with a complete bulb food such as BulbshyTone Feeding your bulbs should help them come back year after year Dont cutback bulb foliage until it has started to tum brown Also dont pin it down or braid it The bulbs need time to make and store food for next year

_---shy

We have a good supply of Soil Conditioner in stock Its great for breaking up clay soils and generally improving the growability of your soil Mix it into new beds or work it in around-existing plants It also makes a really nice mulch As the old timers used to say shyDont plant a $50 plant in a 50 cent hole Improve your soil

Soil test kits are available at the Extension office on Donohoe Rd for $900 They are worth every penny Know whats going on with your soil It makes gardening a lot easier Their phone is 724

837-1402