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Celebrating Beauty in the City of Lathrup Village |
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Ask Green Thumb |
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To contact us: Nancy Bacinski, President Barbara Tuohey, Secretary The Village Gardeneers Webmaster
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When I have garlic that is no longer fresh, I toss it in the flower beds in the hope that it will repel critters. As a result, I have garlic volunteers. When and how do I harvest the garlic? Garlic is ready to harvest when the foliage has died off, or mostly died off. If it’s very wet near harvest time, lift the garlic a bit early and dry it under cover. Left in wet soil, the outer parchment often rots; and if there is disease in the root plate, the bulb may fall apart when lifted. Rocambole garlic is almost always ready to harvest a month or so before common garlic. But the state of the foliage is the indicator, not any particular date. Is there a local source for rare plants? For the truly rare, try Saguaro in Whitmore Lake or Arrowhead Alpine in Fowlerville. Don’t rule out Telly’s, Bordine’s, or Goldner Walsh; they are at the forefront when it comes to new, unique varieties. For really hard-to-find rare varieties, consider mail-order, and when in doubt…Google it!!! Is trillium a good plant for a rain garden? Green thumb would probably not use trillium in the rain garden because its shallow root system will not provide much assistance to the proper drainage for the rain garden. You may want to reserve the rain garden real estate for a plant with a more substantial root system and save the trillium for another spot in your garden. Can I propagate hellebores from seeds? Yes, but the plants may or may not be similar to the parent. If you propagate through division, the plants will be identical to the parent. It might be fun to start with seeds and see what you get! According to garden expert Graham Rice, “sow in July, and no later than August. Although a few growers sow seed direct in the open ground, sowing in pots is altogether more dependable. The seeds need room to develop, and their young roots can be very vigorous, so use large pots; 5-inch plastic pots are ideal, and give room to space out the seeds.” The edges of the leaves on my tree peony turned yellow. What caused this? Is it a threat to the plant? Your problem could be either a nutrient deficiency or a watering problem (too much or too little). Get a soil test. You can do this through the MSU Extension office (248.858.8080 or msue.oakland@county.msu.edu) for a nominal fee. The analysis with tell you what nutrients your soil lacks for the type of plants you want to grow. It’s smart to have a soil test for new beds as well as for existing beds as nutrient levels may change over time. Monitor the plant; make sure it’s located in the correct site and gets proper drainage. Do not crowd the plant, and protect it from the hottest afternoon sun. Most perennials require an inch of water per week in the summer. Keep the area around the plant free of debris. Make sure you use proper sanitation and destroy dead and fallen leaves. Fertilize the plant as required. I don’t want to dig up and store my tuberous begonias indoors for winter. If I bring the plants in, will they survive as houseplants? Yes, bring them indoors and treat them as houseplants. Next spring harden them off by exposing them to outdoor temperatures a few hours each day and gradually increasing the exposure to reduce thermal shock. I’ve heard of indoor composting with earthworms in the winter. Can you tell me how? The following website has everything you need to know to create and maintain an indoor compost bin: www.gardenguides.com/articles/worms.htm How often should I fertilize bulbs and what should I use? When planting bulbs, put high-phosphorus plant food, such as, super phosphate, in the bottom of the planting holes. Thereafter, use a balanced fertilizer in early spring when shoots emerge and again after flowering to fuel foliage and bulb growth, or apply bulb booster (a slow-release formula) in the fall. It’s important to remember that bulbs should be planted in an area with good drainage and should not be planted in an area that continuously gets watered throughout the summer because they may rot. I have what appear to be wild grape vines in my yard. They are extremely fast growing and rapidly kill off desirable plants. How can I get rid of them? Begin by cutting them back and pulling as much as possible. Then use a product specific to your need such as Brush Be Gone and apply it with a paint brush so as not to touch other desired plants. With determination you will kill the entire plant. Also check with your neighbors to see if any of them have the same problem. What should I consider when buying perennials? Consider your site conditions. Don’t even think about buying a perennial unless it will thrive in your garden. Then, buy whatever appeals to you. When should I divide perennials? Fall or spring is good, but anytime you have the time is okay. Divide them when they get crowded or stop growing well. How should I prepare soil for plantings? Make the drainage good, add three inches of compost, do a soil test as soon as you can, and remove all the weed roots. How often should I fertilize my annuals? Every two weeks if you use a water-soluble 20-20-20. Why do my container plants die? Most often it’s a water problem. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. How do I know if a plant is a weed or a flower? If it’s not a plant you want in your garden, it’s a weed. When should I start annuals from seed? One month before you plant your annuals. How can I have a no-maintenance garden? There’s no such thing. The easiest gardens are where the plants match the site. |
Sondra Kesler |
Richard Reeves |
