June 13th, 2008
For those of you who are enjoying Encore Azaleas in your gardens, the Encore Azalea company sent TheGardenLady this email with advice on summer care. Encore Azaleas are the azaleas bred to bloom in spring and throughout the summer.
The heat of summer can be harsh on all plants, and we at Encore Azalea(R) would like to help you prepare.
Keep a watchful eye on the moisture level of the soil around your Encore Azaleas. The shallow fibrous roots like to be moist, but not saturated. A mulch of pine bark will help hold moisture near the roots, as well as
protect the roots from the harsh rays of the sun.
This is your last chance to prune for the season. Any heavy pruning should be done immediately after your Encore Azalea’s spring bloom cycle. Remember only to prune lightly in high heat.
Best Regards,
From your friends at Encore Azalea(R)
Related Content:
May 30th, 2008
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Sustainable Lawrence Presents: An Afternoon with WHYY Radio Host Mike McGrath “You Bet Your Garden”
A Rare Sighting in the Greater Princeton Area
Organic Gardening, composting, Organic Lawn, & Organic Tomato lovers
Come to hear, see, and ask questions of Mike McGrath - Lecture
and Demonstrations, Q &A, A Book Signing Organic Afternoon
WHYY/NPR Radio Host of the Nationally Syndicated Garden program
“You Bet Your Garden” Tomato and Compost Expert Supreme
MIKE McGRATH
“Get Your Lawn Off of Drugs” and Container Gardening, Compost, the Best Organic Tomato Plants…..
Former Editor in Chief of Organic Gardening Magazine
Garden Editor of WTOP Washington DC
Columnist for GreenPrints Magazine
Author of McGrath’s Book of Compost; You Bet Your Tomatoes, and
Kitchen Gardening
June 7th 1 PM – 3 PM
The Lawrenceville School – Kirby Arts Center
Rt. 206 Lawrenceville Boro
$5.00 donation at the door
Rain or Shine
For more info go here.Â
Related Content:
May 28th, 2008
TheGardenLady received this question from Pat:
I am getting ready to plant Knockout Roses in my garden in northern South Carolina, and wonder how to best prepare the soil? We have very dense red clay mixed with some sand. Any recommendations on how to get these roses off to their best start in this type of soil?
Sorry it took so long to get back to you with a response, but TheGardenLady went right to one the sources of KnockOut Roses (see here) to get you the answer. I added a link to Permatill, a product mentioned in this column.
Here is the advice from a spokesperson for Novalis Plants that Work:
Keep reading →
May 28th, 2008
                                                     Alternaria
TheGardenLady received this question from Helen.
I just put in marigolds next to my tomatoes, as companion plants. I think I’ve overwatered them and it’s been rainy in Ithaca this year…White spots are forming on them. I don’t have a digital camera handy, or I’d show you what they look like. My daughter says they have the chicken pox! Do I dig them up and replace them with new ones or do I just try to dry them out? I worry if they stay, that they are diseased and will just get worse-maybe
attracting pests… What’s your advice?
Not seeing your marigold plants TheGardenLady thinks you have diseased marigold plants. Heavy rains and winds can carry a disease called alternaria to ornamental plants.  See here.
Even though TheGardenLady has not seen the marigold plant and the problem, TheGardenLady would pull out the sick looking marigolds which are cheap to replace. The reason for this suggestion is because you might get a similar fungus, a fungus in the same genus, on your tomato plants and this alternaria or Tomato Early Blight damages the tomato plants and fruits. See here.
Keep reading →
May 13th, 2008
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TheGardenLady received this question from Leah:
Isnt the Oklahoma rose the state flower for oklahoma?
According to all the websites on Oklahoma, in 2004 the Oklahoma Rose became the state flower. Oklahoma Rose is Rosa Odorata, a hybrid tea rose. This is a very fragrant rose developed at Oklahoma State University.
Oklahoma also has a state floral emblem - Mistletoe- Phoradendron serotinum This became the state floral emblem in 1893, 14 years before Oklahoma became a state. See here and here.
And Oklahoma has a state wildflower - the Indian Blanket Gaillardia pulchella. See here and here. Â
