Another growing season is about to end in the more northerly parts of our country, and frosts can soon be expected in New England, upstate New York, and the Great Lakes and northern Great Plains. Therefore, it is not too early for gardeners to reminisce over the past outdoor gardening season and begin planning for … Read more
Colorful bulb displays will appear at garden centers by the middle of the month. Even though you may not be planting for a few more weeks it’s a good idea to order early, right now! By so doing you avoid picked-over bulbs and can plant them on time. In Southern California and Arizona, it is … Read more
Red ripe strawberries, mouthwatering and packed with flavor, firm and without blemish—how long since you have had really good berries? Perhaps you are fortunate and are treated to the surplus from your neighbor’s garden. But if you are less lucky and must rely on the nearest supermarket for your supply, you know how seldom really … Read more
Autumn in the North comes much earlier than in other regions of the country. September ushers in our fall planting season, the time to put in lawns, trees and shrubs, hardy bulbs, and perennials. Plant Evergreens in Early Fall It is wise to plant evergreens in early fall, when free from their spring task of … Read more
September is a busy and important month in our gardens. Complete lawn programs, especially seeding, by mid-month to allow for 6 weeks of growing weather before frost. Light Top Dressing of Good Soil A light top dressing of good soil will correct uneven slopes or surface variations in the lawn. Work this soil into the … Read more
The latter part of September is a good time to plant seeds. Cool nights and warm, humid days allow quick germination. Hardy Seeds Seeds to be sown now, either with or above the bulbs, are poppy (both California and Shirley), candytuft, larkspur, Texas bluebonnet, calendula, and Phlox drummondi, cornflower, viola, stock, and sweet alyssum. All … Read more
This is the time of the year when your lawn demands special attention. Cool-Season Grasses During the hot months of July and August, our cool-season grasses were semi-dormant. As the weather cools they enter a second stage of growth, storing food for winter. Fertilize your grass now for a better lawn next season. Has your … Read more
Divide peonies if roots are too crowded for good bloom. Plant in a sunny, well-drained location. Choose early, midseason, and late-blooming varieties when buying new plants. Set out balled nursery stock and water newly-set evergreens up until freezing weather. Set out bare-root deciduous stock after leaves have fallen. Fill in around the roots with topsoil … Read more
June is a busy month in the flower and vegetable garden. It’s time to sow late cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, kale, and celery to provide plants that may be set out in July for late fall use and winter storage. Sowing the seed in soil mixed with peat moss is an excellent idea to encourage better … Read more
“What’s a shall it?” a lady asked me at question time following a talk at a garden club. Or so it sounded, but when she added that it is often mentioned in recipes, I recognized a variant pronunciation of shallot, more familiar when sounded like allot, not a ballot. The word is the French eschalote, … Read more