AHHH…spring has arrived. I got so excited I wet my plants.

Gardening Guru

E-18-2014 mccmc (Rothrock - Gardening Guru - NEW)By Ron Rothrock

(April 2015)  After this brutal winter it’s nice to get out and see what survived the winter and now it’s time to get those hands dirty

I have some gardening tips to make life in the garden a little simpler and easier.

When cutting flowers from your garden, also gather some greenery for bouquets, leaves of hostas, heuchera, or herbs help complete any arrangement.

Sow your seeds sparingly because overcrowding will compromise seedling health.

Put seeds in a small salt shaker with a small amount of sand, and then sprinkle your seeds.

Some vegetables do better when they can climb a fence or cling to a support. If you have limited space use you fence or supports for cucumbers, peas, pole beans and squash.

Carry a bucket of water to the garden when cutting flowers. Much flower vitality is lost in the first few minutes after cutting.

To keep weeding chores from becoming overwhelming, spend just 10 minutes a day pulling weeds.

Step lightly in your garden, avoid tromping on the soil. Compacting the soil eliminates air pockets and the growth and health of the plants will be affected, use stepping stones or a wide board between the rows.

Set up a low- pressure sprinkler or drip irrigation system on a timer, install it yourself and over time you’ll recoup the costs in water saving.

Divide, transplant and plant plants on cloudy days and water after completing these tasks to help them recover quickly.

Help bedding plants continue their season-long show by shearing them to one-third of their size in mid summer. Fertilize the plants and watch them bloom with renewed vigor.

If you grow herbs generally most herbs don’t need to be fertilized to grow well. Fertilizer promotes growth at the expense of flavor.

Nurturing soil is the best thing you can do for your garden to enable its health and productivity. Adding organic materials, such as compost as chopped leaves or aged manure each year improves the soil. Earthworms feed on organic matter, aerating the soil by tunneling through it and fertilize it with their rich castings.

Now get out there and enjoy the fresh air and happy gardening.

Ron Rothrock is a USAF retired Master Sergeant who has many years of experience in landscaping and gardening, growing berries, vegetables and fruit trees. He loves tinkering in his greenhouse, specializing in perennials. 

 

 

By martha

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