Showing posts with label Garden. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Garden. Show all posts

Monday, September 25, 2017

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Starting chives

Chives

Plant type: Herb
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Sun exposure: Full Sun
Soil type: Sandy, Loamy
Chives are a perennial member of the onion family
that sport beautiful purple flowers.
Chives are cool-season, cold-tolerant perennials that
 are planted in early spring.
Be mindful when planting this herb, as it will take
over your garden if the flowers are left to ripen
(the flowers scatter the seeds). However, this plant
is easy to dig up and move if it overwhelms your garden.

Planting

  • Chives prefer full sun.
  • Soil needs to be moist, fertile, rich, and well-draining.
  •  Before planting, incorporate 4 to 6 inches of 
  • well-composted organic matter. Apply 2 to 3
  • tablespoons of all-purpose fertilizer (16-16-8) per
  •  square foot of planting area. Work compost and 
  • fertilizer into the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches.
  • For a head start, start the seeds indoors 8 to 10 
  • weeks before the last spring frost. Transplants 
  • need good growth before beeing set in the garden.
  • If you are growing from seed, sow as soon as
  •  the soil is workable in the spring. For the best
  •  growth, the soil should be around 60º to 70ºF.
  • Plant seeds ¼ inch deep and final plant
  •  spacing should be 4 to 6 inches apart in all directions.

Care

  • It is important to give chives consistent watering
  •  throughout the growing season for high yields. 
  • Moisten the soil thoroughly when watering.
  • Use mulch to conserve moisture and keep the
  •  weeds down.
  • For good production, sidedress with fertilizer
  •  in May and July with 1 teaspoon of 21-0-0 per 
  • square foot.
  • Minimal care is needed for fully grown plants.
  • After the flowers bloom, be sure to remove them
  •  so that the seeds aren't spread throughout your garden.
  • Plants grow to be 12 to 24 inches tall and may
  •  spread a foot across. 
  • Remember to divide the plants every 3 to 4
  •  years in the spring. Chives are much more
  •  productive if divided regularly. Allow divided
  •  plants to grow for several weeks before harvesting.

Pests

  • Bulb rots (caused by soilborne fungi)
  • White rot
  • Mildew
  • Rust
  • Smut
  • Various fungal leaf spots (such as purple blotch
  •  and gray mold)
  • Onion fly
  • Thrips

Harvest/Storage

  • Harvest chives 30 days after you transplant or
  •  60 days after seeding.
  • Be sure to cut the leaves down to the base when
  •  harvesting (within 1 to 2 inches of the soil). 
  • Harvest 3 to 4 times during the first year. In 
  • subsequent years, cut plants back monthly.
  • The chive plant will flower in May or June.
  •  (The flowers are edible.)
  • Use chives when they're fresh or frozen 
  • (freeze the leaves in an airtight bag). Dried
  •  chives lose their flavor.
  • Store chives in a cool place in a reseable container.

Recommended Varieties

  • Garlic chives, to add a mild garlic flavor to any dish

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Planting ?Paper


You’ve might have seen seed paper recently.  It is homemade paper with flower seeds in it.  When it is planted in the ground and given lots of TLC it will bloom into beautiful flowers you can enjoy.  Here is a tutorial for a project using seed paper.
First, you need to make the paper.
Use paper you have around your house.  This is a great way to recycle old scraps.  Tear them up into small pieces and place in a blender.  Add enough water in the blender so the paper is covered and blend.

When your paper is nice and evenly blended  you can add your seeds.  Unplug your blender and use a wooden spoon to gently stir the seeds into the paper mush. Do not blend them!

Now it is ready to be shaped.  Place a colander in the sink and pour the paper mush into it. If you have large holes in your colander like I do, go ahead and place a towel in it to catch the pulp, but not the water.
Place a towel on the counter and if you have a piece of felt, place the felt on top of the towel.  Then gently pour your seeds and paper pulp on the felt and spread evenly out.
Take another towel and press it down on the paper pulp to help dry the excess water.  You can now blow dry the paper or let it sit out overnight to dry.
When your paper is dry, cut it out into a flower shape. Make a simple card with cardstock and glue the flower to your card.  Feel free to get creative here and draw, stamp, or cut out a stem.  If you don’t like flowers, make a cute butterfly or tree.  The options are endless and no matter what shape you choose–it will be a hit with the recipient of the card.
Make sure you add a message somewhere on your card to let the recipient know they can plant it!

Friday, October 5, 2012

Monday, June 25, 2012

Chinese Perennial Primrose


My daughter was asked to find me a perennial primrose and came home with this little darling.
I will be planting it in the front somewhere.




Primula -vialii
 ________________________________________________ 
Family: Primulaceae
Genus: Primula (PRIM-yew-luh) (Info)
Species: vialii (vy-AL-ee-eye) (Info)

Comman Name: Chinese Perennial Primrose

Category:
Perennials
Height:
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Spacing:
9-12 in. (22-30 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Sun Exposure:
Light Shade
Danger:
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Bloom Color:
Violet/Lavender
Bloom Time:
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Foliage:
Deciduous
Other details:
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
Soil pH requirements:
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
By dividing the rootball
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
Seed Collecting:
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Seed does not store well; sow as soon as possible

Friday, June 22, 2012

Tinkerbelle Lilac


I have two planted in the front yard and this is there second year.
The bees and butterflies spent weeks on them.
I recommend this little lilac and will be updateing photos

____________________________________________________
Tinkerbelle Lilac
Syringa "Tinkerbelle"
Syringa "Tinkerbelle" flowers
This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid
Height: 5 feet
Spread: 4 feet
Sunlight:    Full
Hardiness Zone: 3b
Group/Class: Fairytale Series Lilac

Description:
A new hybrid introduction related to the Meyer lilac, featuring showy spikes
 of spicy fragrant true pink flowers in late spring, small rounded foliage and
 a compact habit of growth; neat and tidy, an excellent garden shrub; full sun
 and well-drained soil
Ornamental Features:
Tinkerbelle Lilac is blanketed in stunning panicles of fragrant pink flowers at
the ends of the branches in late spring, which emerge from distinctive crimson
 flower buds. The flowers are excellent for cutting. It has dark green foliage
 throughout the season. The small pointy leaves do not develop any appreciable fall
color. The fruit is not ornamentally significant. The smooth gray bark is not
particularly outstanding.
Landscape Attributes:
Tinkerbelle Lilac is a dense multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with a more or less
 rounded form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants
 with less refined foliage.
This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and should only be pruned after flowering
 to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for
 attracting butterflies to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Tinkerbelle Lilac is recommended for the following landscape applications;
General Garden Use
Mass Planting
Hedges/Screening
Accent
Plant Characteristics:

Tinkerbelle Lilac will grow to be about 5 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 5 feet.
 It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer
plants in front, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate,
 and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years.

This shrub should only be grown in full sunlight. It is very adaptable to both dry
 and moist locations, and should do just fine under average home landscape
conditions. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban
pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments.

Monday, June 18, 2012

Decline of our Birds

Just me or can anyone else figure out if you take the food away the birds will die ??

Common Birds In Decline

What's happening to birds we know and love?
                   
Audubon's unprecedented analysis of forty years of citizen-science bird population data from our own Christmas Bird Count plus the Breeding Bird Survey reveals the alarming decline of many of our most common and beloved birds.

Since 1967 the average population of the common birds in steepest decline
 has fallen by 68 percent; some individual species nose-dived as much as 80
 percent. All 20 birds on the national Common Birds in Decline list lost at least
 half their populations in just four decades.
The findings point to serious problems with both local habitats and national
environmental trends. Only citizen action can make a difference for the birds
 and the state of our future.

Which Species? Why?

________________________________________________

Invasive Plants 


In some species, cultivars of a perennial are not as invasive as others. Use this list to check into the
plants you are considering for your garden.

List

Achillea spp. (Yarrow) - invasive roots
Aegopodium spp. (Goutweed) - reseeds, invasive roots, use in confined areas
Ajuga (Bugleweed) - invasive roots, excellent ground cover in shade, use in confined areas

Ajuga (Bugleweed) - invasive roots, excellent ground cover in shade, use in confined areas
Anchusa spp  - reseeds, invasive roots
Artemesia spp. (esp. Wormwood) - invasive roots
Borago officinalis (Borage) - reseeds, invasive roots
Campanula rapunculoides (Creeping bellflower) – invasive roots
Centaurea cyanus (Bachelor button) – reseeds
Cerastium tomentosum (Snow in the summer) - invasive roots, can overwhelm desirable plants
           in a rock garden.                        
Chrysarrthenium parthenium (Feverfew) - reseeds
Convollaria majalis (Lily of the Valley) - invasive roots, excellent ground cover if confined
Leucanthamum sp. (Oxeye daisy, Shasta daisy) - reseeds, invasive roots
Lunaria annua (Money plant) - reseeds
Lysimachia nummularia  (Creeping Jenny, Creeping Charlie) - invasive roots
Lythrum salicaria (Purple loosestrife) – noxious weed, DO NOT PLANT
Macleaya cordata (Plume poppy) - reseeds, invasive roots, use in large containers
Mentha  (Mints, esp. Catnip) - reseeds, invasive roots
Monarda didyma (Beebalm) - invasive roots
Myosotis (Forget-me-not) - reseeds
Oenothera spp. (Evening Primrose, esp. speciosa ‘Rosea’) - invasive roots
Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia creeper) - reseeds
Phalaris arundinacea var. picta (Ribbon grass) - invasive roots, confine in a container
Physalis alkekengi (Chinese lantern) - invasive roots
Physostegia virginiana (Obedient plant) - reseeds, invasive roots  
Polygonum cuspidatum (False bamboo, Japanese Knotweed) - invasive roots
Rosa (Roses, esp. wild roses, brambles) - invasive roots, use in native plantings or where
                                                                   the roots can  be confined
Sedum spp.  esp. ‘Golden Acre’ - this and other sedums drop pieces that will re-root
Stach’s bysantina (Lamb’s ear) - creeping stems root and spread
Tradescantia virginiana (Spiderwort) - invasive roots
Veronica spp. (Speedwells, esp. creeping speedwell) - invasive roots, pieces drop off and re-root
Viola spp. (esp. Viola odorata) - reseeds and becomes a problem in lawns
Yucca spp. - invasive roots

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Sea Thrift in the Little Yard


Armeria maritima
Common Name: sea thrift

Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Plumbaginaceae
Zone: 4 to 8
Native Range: Mountain and coastal areas in the northern hemisphere
Height: 0.5 to 1 feet
Spread: 0.5 to 1 feet
Bloom Time: April to May
Bloom Color: Pink, White
Bloom Description: Pink to white
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry
Maintenance: Medium
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Tolerates: Dry Soil, Shallow, Rocky Soil, Drought
Uses: Groundcover, Will Naturalize

Culture:
Best grown in infertile, dry, well-drained soils in full sun.
Foliage mounds tend to rot in the center if grown in moist,
 fertile soils or in heavy clay. Good drainage is essential.
 Deadhead spend flower stems to encourage additional bloom.

Noteworthy Characteristics
Thrift or sea pink is a compact, low-growing plant which forms a dense,
mounded tuft of stiff, linear, grass-like, dark green leaves (to 4" tall).
Tufts will spread slowly to 8-12" wide. Tiny, pink to white flowers
bloom in mid spring in globular clusters (3/4-1" wide) atop slender,
naked stalks rising well above the foliage to 6-10" tall. Sporadic
additional flowering may occur throughout the summer.
Flower clusters are subtended by purplish, papery bracts.
In the wild, thrift or sea pink commonly grows in saline environments
along coastal areas where few other plants can grow well,
hence the common name.

Problems No serious insect or disease problems.

The Little Pink Mounds in the back and around the tree is the Sea Thrift
Right on the tree trunk are chives ready to go to seed.
.

More on the Little Yard Boxwoods


Buxus microphylla japonica 'Winter Gem'

Excellent evergreen shrub for small hedges.
Among the hardiest of Boxwoods, the rich green foliage acquires
a golden bronze hue through winter, returning to green in spring.
Evergreen.

Botanical Pronunciation: BUK-sus mik-ro-FIL-la
Key feature: Hedge Plant
Plant type: Shrub
Deciduous/evergreen: Evergreen
Cold hardiness zones: 5 - 9
Light needs: Partial to full sun
Water Needs: Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat.
Average landscape size: Moderate growing 4 to 6 ft. tall and wide, when unpruned.
Growth rate: Moderate
Flower color: Yellow
Blooms: Inconspicuous
Foliage color: Green

 
Care Information
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep,
 extensive root system. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins
 in spring. For a tidy, neat appearance, shear annually to shape. Pruning time: summer
after flowering.

Design Ideas
This is the classic hedge plant. Its dense, evergreen growth makes it perfect for
shearing into a small, formal hedge. Ideal for defining different spaces in the garden
 or for a tidy foundation cover-up. It is especially lovely against red brick. Use as a
 partition to divide your front yard or driveway from your neighbor's. Also beautiful
as background foliage. Creates lovely topiaries, particularly in cone shapes if planted
where it snows. An excellent plant for parterres and hedge mazes. Keeps its color over winter.

Companion Plants
Boxwood is so versatile and offers a nice backdrop to a variety of low growing
shrubs and perennials. If kept more natural in shape, pair with Lilac, Burning Bush,
 Smoke Tree and Japanese Rose. For a formal appearance or knot garden, combine
 with topiary forms, fragrant plants and culinary herbs such as Germander,
Rosemary and Sage.

History
Also known as B. harlandii, this species is native to Japan. Boxwood is so
named because its very hard wood was valued in ancient times for making
 boxes and small containers.

My Little Yard this week June 17 2012





Monday, May 7, 2012

Not Time to Plant !





Sue Genovese knew vegetable gardeners misunderstood the calendar during a 10-day period in March when local temperatures topped 70 degrees eight times.
"People were expecting to find eggplant, basil and tomatoes," said Genovese, whose family owns the Garden Path in Scranton. "They were looking for all the wrong things. You kindly say, 'In this area, it's truly not time yet.' "

Read more :
http://citizensvoice.com/news/eager-gardeners-getting-an-early-start-1.1311415#axzz1uC4U0PJA