March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers, so runs the old saying. A little hard work helps, too, and if the first two arrive on schedule the spring work will be well under way.
photo credit: Allie_Caulfield

It also takes good soil to produce flowers but what to add and what not to add to make it good is often a problem. Should it be manure, bone meal or lime?

Every garden needs fertilizer in some form in the spring and when the second crops go into the soil in summer the plant foods need to be replenished. Farmyard manure, particularly cow manure, is still considered an ideal fertilizer by many gardeners.

For flower and vegetable gardens it should be fresh manure, not rotted. A good organic dry fertilizer is favored by many in preference to chemical fertilizers.

Dry fertilizers are best used in combination with liberal amounts of rotted compost. Theyre available everywhere, and frequently are specially prepared for various kinds of plants and flowers as well as vegetables.

Lime is often beneficial and sometimes necessary but it is usually not needed every year. Low lying, heavy wet soils are likely to need it every second year. Average soil requires lime once each three or four years.

However, outside of the lime belt it might be needed more frequently. When in doubt about the needs of your soil your state experiment station or local farm bureau will test it for you or you can purchase a simple home soil testing kit that will provide all the needed information.

Superphosphate

Superphosphate should be added to the soil when cow manure is used, since the latter generally lacks phosphates or at least enough for best results.

Perennial Borders

Perennial borders need a little extra nourishment in the spring as soon as there is sufficient growth to show where all the plants are. Manure and bone meal or dry fertilizer should be dug in. Perennial borders properly fed and cared for will grow along for years.

Large clumps of perennials can be separated now unless they are the spring blooming kind but fall is the better time for this job if there are many plants to be divided.
photo credit: audreyjm529

Gall on Spruce Trees

Spruce tree gall is caused by a midge that lays its eggs on the young tips of the spruce tree, and the developing young within the plant cause the formation of galls or burrs. Affected trees should be sprayed with a miscible oil spray that has been diluted according to instructions for use on evergreens.

Shaded Corner Garden

A shaded corner in the garden or a northern exposure is ideal for tuberous begonias. Start them in flats in an enclosed porch or in the greenhouse in equal quantities of sand, leafmold or peatmoss and soil.

Plant with the rounded end down and about one-third of the tuber exposed. When they have made an inch or two of growth and there is no danger of frost they can be planted out into well-prepared soil in the shade. They can also be potted into 4 or 5-inch pots and put outdoors later on. (This is safer where there is danger of a late frost.)

Gladiolus

Plant gladiolus as soon as the ground is ready. To do their best gladiolus should have rich soil. Plant about 4 inches deep and for a longer season put in succession plantings up to July 15. To control thrips spray the plants every two weeks with malathion. Do not plant gladiolus in the same spot two years in succession.

Planting A Strawberry

Strawberry plants should be planted this month to bear fruit next year. To be sure of a good crop of berries prepare the bed with liberal quantities of manure or compost and dry fertilizer and water well in dry weather. Either young plants from an old bed or purchased plants may be set out. It does not pay to keep a bed past its second fruiting year.

For best results dig one old bed under each year after taking the young runner plants from it. Then start a new bed with them. Start the new bed in a spot that has not had strawberries in it for at least two years.

Vegetables

Vegetables to sow. Seeds suggested for March sewing, if not already in, can still be sown new. In late April or early May put in succession planings of lettuce, beets, carrots and radishes, and the first sewing of green beans. Even a first sewing of corn could go in if the garden is in a favored spot and you wish to take a chance.

Small frequent succession sewings assure a constant supply of first class vegetables. Also in late April plant out all hardy vegetables – broccoli, cabbage, lettuce and cauliflower. Do not put out tender plants till after May 15 to 25.

Annuals

Start annuals now including marigolds, zinnias, cosmos and asters, all fast-growing plants. These if can be sewn indoors or outdoors late in April and May in the locations where they are to flower. After germination thin out the seedlings. These annuals often flower best when sewn outdoors directly but these sewn indoors and then set out flower earlier.

Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemum cuttings for fall flowering may be taken in April and May. Take the tops of strong, healthy growth and root in sand. Use a rooting hormone. It is also a good time to divide outdoor patio plants with several stems, taking a small piece of root with each part. Such a division is called an “Irishmans cutting” and can be started in a soil mixture in pets or flats. This is particularly good for outdoor chrysanthemums or where there is no greenhouse.

Outdoor chrysanthemums should be lifted each spring, broken up in this manner, and then started off again as separate plants. They will need to be pinched several times to make them branch. Plants net divided become thin, weak and flower poorly.

Harden off plants before setting out. Seedlings started in a greenhouse, hotbed or perch are tender and must be hardened off before planting out time. Even such hardy types as lettuce and cabbage freeze easily if taken from the warm indoors and immediately planted into the garden.

Place the plants on a cool porch or in a cold frame for about 10 days, allowing the temperature to become quite low and give plenty of ventilation. On extremely cold nights they need covering to keep out frost.

Technorati Tags: backyard garden, container gardening, creative gardening, fertilizer, garden, plants

Ground covers will cut down on your backyard and gardening maintenance. These handy plants  will also control erosion and are great for those hard to plant areas of your yard, like banks and under shady trees. There any many different ground cover varieties so finding a ground cover to meet your climate and gardening needs should be relatively easy.
photo credit: put_the_needle_on_the_record

This last summer I went to an auction at a greenhouse and picked up eight different varieties of ground covers. I placed them in a holding garden until I would be able to use them this spring. The weather is finally improving in my zone 5 growing climate so next week I should be able to divide the ground cover and start re-designing the backyard and garden areas.

I have a terraced bank I will use some of the plants in and empty spaces along a storm pathway. I will also be using some under the row of trees in the front yard. These trees have roots that want to pop out of the ground making mowing dangerous so I plant to mulch the area and add mostly round covers and a few shade loving perennials for added color and as focal points.

Ground Cover tips

• Ground covers work well near the house in front of shrubs and bushes, and in areas you do not want to mow.  And if you choose a tight-growing ground cover it will help to suppress weeds.
• If you plan to use ground cover to suppress grass or weeds make sure the ground is grass and weed free first. This will help the ground cover to grow and acclimate to its new home faster plus the plants will form a cover to help keep weeds and grass choked out for years to come with little work
• When choosing ground cover make sure to find plants that grow in you climate and check to see what lighting requirements they have.
• Ground covers come in low growing varieties that don’t need mowed and taller varieties. They may or may not have flowers. The only precaution I know of is that some ground covers will spread, so again check growing instructions or ask your nursery for information on the plant.
  photo credit: D G Brown

One of my favorite ground covers is thyme. I like the fragrance it emits when you walk on it. There is also a pretty moss ground cover that looks wonderful in rock gardens and on stone walls.And by adding flowering bulbs or a few annual flowers in the ground cover you will create a inviting look with very little work or care needed.

Ground covers will add to the beauty and ease of your backyard garden tasks. You may want to consider adding them to your garden design.

Technorati Tags: gardening tips, plants

Shade gardens add color and enjoyment to you yard and garden areas. On hot day it’s relaxing to head to a shady spot and take in the beauty of your surroundings -or sip a cool drink. By adding color and texture with plants you can create an area that is also pleasing and restful to the eyes. 

Here is a list of some of the more popular shade plants

1. Begonias
2. Day Lilies
3. Ferns
4. Hostas (many colors and sizes available)
5. Impatiens (many colors available)
6. Lilies of the Valley
7. Violets

photo credit: ClatieK

Shade gardens have a more realistic look if you take the time to look around your yard and neighborhood to see what plants naturally grow in shade. Take a few suggestions from Mother Nature and you will notice a difference between the sun loving plants and shade plants.  You may even consider digging up a few found or foraged plants from the woods or roadsides.

You should be able to find day lilies, ferns, violets, lambs ears, violets and many more wild plants. These perennials thrive in the shade and multiply with a little care. Collect a few of these kinds of plants for your space and then add other perennials and annuals to the collection.

Tips for arranging and planting shade plants .

• Silver leafed plants like lambs ears or the annual Dusty miller will add contrast to the dark green leaves of hostas.
• Textures like feathery ferns will lighten heavy canna leaves and add a feel of air and depth to a garden.
• Impatiens come in a variety of color and look great mixed in with mint.
• If you keep the colors muted it will add a calming affect. An example would be purples and blues and whites and pinks to contrast with the different shades of green.

To plant a shade theme garden first prepare the soil and get out weed and rocks. Place your bigger plants that add emphasis to the garden. Larger plants usually look better in the background of your garden where they will emphasis the small plants in front.

Once you have several plants down, mulch with a well ground root mulch. This will serve as a moisture retainer during dryer spells and add a polished look to the garden area. Do not use wood chips in a shade garden.

If you add rocks, driftwood, or garden art you give the area a touch of you own personality. Stepping-stones and hummingbird feeders will also help add to the charm of the garden area. These creative gardening ideas will  add fun and surprises to your yard

With proper planning, those shady areas of the yard that sometimes can be hard to manage turn into one of the most pleasing and restful places in the yard.

Tips: Herbs and edibles like kale and lettuce and also add color and interest into your shade garden

Technorati Tags: creative gardening, plants, theme garden