Archive for February, 2010
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
Garden Success Tip of the Week
Having foliage plants indoors is back! They’re one of the hottest trends in indoor gardening and rightfully so! They look great, having indoor plants helps us to feel better emotionally, and they do something no other interior furnishings can do. They provide us with fresh air! Research at NASA has shown that having 2 medium sized foliage plants every 100 square feet or so, is enough to remove indoor air pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde, and many others I can’t pronounce. NASA put together a list of the best indoor air purifiers, and the interesting thing is, Most of the top air purifiers are also some of the easiest foliage plants to grow indoors:
Dieffenbachia, or Dumb Cane – beautiful wide leaves, some variegated for great indoor color.
Dracaenas - so many different dracaenas to choose from with green leaves, variegated leaves, and some that even look like corn plants.
Ficus - probably one of the most popular grown indoor plants.
Mother in Laws tongue – trust me, anyone can grow this one.
Pothos and Philodendrons – 2 vining plants that have been around forever and truly easy to grow.
Spider Plants – now tell me, who hasn’t had a hanging basket of spider plants at one time in their life?
Spathiphyllum or Peace Lily – definitely a favorite indoor plant with its shiny green foliage, and wonderful white flowers that keep coming on year round.
Rubber Plant – and oldie but goodie and the second best air purifier.
And the top air purifier and easy to grow indoor plant – Palms.
So there you have it – 10 indoor plants that are great to look at, make us feel better, clean the air, and are fairly easy to grow.
[A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking.]
Tags: indoor plants
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Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
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Buddleia Lo
Plant of the Week
Our plant of the week has just been given the title of best new plant and received a gold medal at the Salon Du Vegetal in France! Some of you may already be growing it, as it was available here last year. It’s Buddleia Lo & Behold ‘Blue Chip’, and is the only miniature butterfly bush with loads of lightly fragrant blue-purple flowers. This dwarf selection (24-30 inches high and wide) is drought and deer resistant, attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, flowers continuously (all summer long) without deadheading, and is great as a specimen, mass plantings, and compact enough to grow in containers. Hardy zones 5-9, loves the sun, and really is a low maintenance all summer flowering shrub (or woody perennial). Look for this “must have” in our garden stores this spring.
[If you think you're a person of some influence, try ordering somebody else's dog around.]
Tags: behold 'blue chip', buddleia
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Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
Problems in the Garden this Week
The problem in the garden this week is simple. Spring is still a few weeks away. But guess what? You can bring spring indoors early. One of the easiest ways to bring spring indoors during late winter is to force the stems of spring flowering plants into bloom for indoor display. These spring bloomers have gone through their cold weather requirements and should bloom indoors given the right conditions.
Three of the easiest to force are forsythia, flowering quince, and willows. And the process is simple. Take cuttings from your spring bloomers, generally 18inches to 3 feet long. Place the cuttings in a large vase or container filled with luke warm water.
Place the vase in a sunny location and then begin misting your cuttings once a day with luke warm water. Also, be sure to check the water in the container, to make sure it’s fresh. If it’s cloudy or smelly, replace it with new water. Using a floral preservative in your water may help keep it clearer.
The forsythia will probably bloom the quickest (takes about a week and a half), with the quince taking about 2 weeks or so. And the willow, well it’ll pop out within a few days, and after a couple weeks, guess what? They’ll even begin rooting in your vase!
Now just about any spring flowering plant can be forced indoors – fruit trees, ornamental pears, redbuds, mockorange, honeysuckle, even dogwoods and magnolias. So, if you’re getting tired of waiting for spring, head outside, and bring spring indoors a few weeks early.
[No one is listening until you make a mistake.]
Tags: spring bulbs, spring bulbs indoors
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Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
Garden Questions of the Week
“I want to treat my smaller Ash trees to protect against the Emerald Ash Borer. Can I do that now?” -Sorry, but it’s too early to be applying systemic insecticides to the trees and shrubs. You need to wait for the ground to be thawed, warming up, and the plants becoming active for the growing season. Let’s wait until April – usually anytime April thru May works great.
“I want to make sure I get my pre emergent herbicide down early enough to catch all those weed seeds from growing. Can I do that now?” -Sorry again, but it really is a bit early. Most weeds that you’re trying to prevent won’t start growing until the soil and air temperatures consistently reach 55-60 degrees. Pre emergent herbicides only last so long, so why not wait until we get closer to seed germination time to extend your protection. Watch the forsythia this spring…when they produce their yellow flowers, then the time has come for having your pre emergent herbicides in place.
“I wanted to dormant seed my lawn in mid February, but everything has been covered with snow. Is it to late to dormant seed?” -Nope, just wait until the snow disappears. We’ll still have the freezing and thawing which helps those grass seeds get down into the soil. By the way, for those of you who have dormant seeded the lawn this winter or plan on spring seeding, but yet want to apply a pre emergent herbicide to the lawn, make sure you use the pre emergent for newly seeded lawns. The other pre emergents will stop the weed seeds and your grass seed from growing. So use the one for newly seeded lawns. And yes, it’s too early for you to apply a lawn pre emergent. Be patient!
[The hardness of the butter is directly proportional to the softness of the bread.]
Tags: ash trees, pre emergent herbicide
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Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
From the Garden to the Kitchen
Yardboy, for those of us observing Lent, it’s important to have some non-meat items on the menu. Here’s a favorite that is so good. You can use either Tilapia, which is a mild white fish and a good source of protein, or Salmon, which we all know has those healthy Omega 3’s. PS – Don’t scrape off that little layer o dark fatty substance right under the skin of the salmon. That’s where most of the Omegas are!
BROILED FISH WITH TOMATO & CAPERS SALSA
4 pieces Tilapia or Salmon
To broil the fish, brush with a bit of olive oil, lemon juice and salt and pepper. Run under the broiler about 4-6 minutes, turning the fish over if it’s thick, until it flakes easily with a fork. You can also sauté the fish over medium heat in a skillet. Just don’t overcook it.
Serve with this yummy salsa:
2 cups chopped tomato
1/2 cup chopped parsley
1-2 tablespoons capers, drained (I like 2)
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar or rice wine vinegar
1 teaspoon anchovy paste (optional but very good)
1 scant tablespoon minced garlic
Several tablespoons of olive oil – go to taste
Salt and pepper to taste
-Rita Heikenfeld, CCP / Herbalist www.abouteating.com
[I never knew what real happiness was until I married Rita. But, by then, it was way too late. -Frank Heikenfeld]
That’s it for this Week
OBKB. That’s it for this week. Now, do yourself a favor. Go out and have the best weekend of your life. See ya! RW, the Yardboy. [Join us Saturday from 6-9am on our Saturday Morning Garden Party chat line - www.ronwilsononline.com. For those of you in central Ohio, come say hello to the Yardboy this Saturday from 10-12pm at the Columbus Home & Garden Show at the fairgrounds - broadcasting from the Ahlum & Arbor Booth (610 WTVN). Then mark your calendars for both Sundays (3/7 and 3/14) as Gary Sullivan and Ron Wilson will be broadcasting from the Cincinnati Home & Garden Show, 12-3pm, on 55KRC. Come say hello! And while you're there, be sure to visit the Natorp Landscape Booth #328. See you there!]
Tags: broiled fish with tomato and capers
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Wednesday, February 17th, 2010
Garden Success Tip of the Week
Growing Avocados From Seed – Well, we’ve looked at ways to recycle our produce by growing more, like growing green onions form the left over bottoms, and growing a pineapple from the left over tops, so here’s another easy plant to grow from the leftover seed – the avocado.
After eating your ripe avocado, the seed needs to be planted right away – or within a day or so. Rinse your seed, and let it dry for a day. If the outer parchment starts to peel, take it off before planting. If not, go ahead and plant as is. You have 2 choices for germinating your avocado seed. One is by poking 3 toothpicks in the side of the seed so it can be perched, halfway in water, on the rim of a glass. Make sure you change the water on a regular basis to keep it clear and replenished with oxygen. The other, the easiest and best way, is to plant the seed in soil-less potting mix. Either way, set the seed with its base (the wider part) down.
Your newly planted seed won’t need direct light to germinate (which could take a month or so), but it will once it starts to grow. Growing in soil less mix, Water about once per week, just making sure the soil doesn’t dry out totally. Once it begins to grow and reaches about 4 inches, cover the remaining exposed seed with the soil-less mix.
Remember avocados require a lot of sunlight, so the sunnier the spot the better. Lack of sufficient sunlight and too warm temperatures will result in tall leggy plants, so look for a really sunny yet cooler area for your avocado to grow.
As a matter of fact, as it begins to grow, occasionally pinch the tops out of your avocado plants, which will force the lower side buds to break out and grow. And if you’re expecting avocados down the road, well, don’t hold your breath. Plants grown from seeds like this rarely set fruit, and if they did, it could take as long as a decade before they start. Just enjoy the thrill of growing this great evergreen tree from a seed.
[I intend to live forever - so far, so good.]
Tags: growing avocados, growing avocados from seed
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Wednesday, February 17th, 2010
Plant of the Week
Each year, several plant associations will pick their plant(s) of the year, based on trials, evaluations, etc. And we will address many of those 2010 winners as we go thru the spring season. The AAS winners (All America) usually a mix of new annuals and veggies that deserve our attention. Here is the list for 2010: Gaillardia ‘Mesa Yellow’, Snapdragon ‘Twinny Peach’, Viola ‘Endurio Sky Blue Martien’, Zinnia ‘Zahara Starlight Rose’, Echinacea p. ‘PowWow Wild Berry’, Marigold ‘Moonsong Deep Orange’, Zinnia ‘Double Zahara Cherry’ and ‘Double Zahara Fire’, and Watermelon ‘Shiny Boy’.
BUT, a couple weeks ago, they had a last minute addition to their list! And it’s this new addition that really got my attention! ‘Cajun Belle’ pepper – There’s Cajun flavor in this southern belle. The peppers are both sweet and savory. The peppers look like small bell peppers, early to mature, and changes colors from green to scarlet to red. Compact plants (perfect for containers – 2′x 2′), has good disease resistance, and produces a high yield of peppers due to vigor and excellent fruit set. My kind of belle – sweet with a bit of heat! (Look for the seeds or possible plants for this first season of availability. Grows in full sun – plant after danger of frost – grows well in ground or in containers.) www.all-americaselections.org
[The statement following is true. The statement prior is false.]
Tags: AAS winners, cajun belle pepper, plant winners
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Wednesday, February 17th, 2010
Problems in the Garden this Week
Most folks would probably say the biggest problem right now is the constant snow! And even though I do enjoy the snow, it’s nice to get the usual breaks between storms (snow melts away) that we would normally have. The snow has its benefits – adding moisture to the ground below, acts as a winter insulator, etc, but it can have its drawbacks. When I see deeper snow for longer periods of time, I start thinking about what the voles and rabbits are doing to the plants below the snow line. I start to wonder about snow mold on the turf. I worry about the birds finding food. I wonder if the evergreen branches (deciduous plants as well) will be damaged from the snow weight, or if branches up in the tree’s canopy have been cracked due to the weight of the snow. And when I see all the frozen / clogged gutters and downspouts, I start to worry about when it starts to melt, will it run away, or seep into the basement or walls? Yikes! Oh well, if there’s a good thing about all the snow, its certainly making us yearn for spring to get here as soon as it can! Come on spring! (Visit www.garysullivanonline.com for tips / ask questions about your frozen gutters, down spouts, etc.)
[Always try to be modest and be proud of it!]
Tags: effects of snow in landscape, snow in the garden
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Wednesday, February 17th, 2010
Garden Questions of the Week
“Do you know if the hummingbirds will be tracked this year? The site still has the ‘09 map on it.” -Yes! But the tracking doesn’t start until the end of February. Great website to follow the hummingbirds as they migrate north. (www.hummingbirds.net)
“Why did my concord grapes not all ripen at the same time? We lost quite a few due to uneven ripening.” -Some grape selections are more prone to uneven ripening than others, and concord is one of them. Many factors can influence this – extremely warm summers, extended periods of cooler temps, lack of fertilization, competition from weeds and other vegetation, improper pruning, bugs, weed killers – these are some of the factors that can play a role.
“I heard you talking about planting sisters in the garden. What was that?” -It’s called The Three Sisters, and is a form of the original companion planting. Native Americans would plant a clump of corn. Then as the corn was growing, planted beans at the base with squash outside the beans. The corn was support for the beans, the beans fix nitrogen in the soil for the corn and squash, and the squash provided a root protection for the corn and beans. And when eaten together, they form a complete protein. Thus, The Three Sisters.
[The colder the x-ray table the more of your body is required to lay on it.]
Tags: growing concord grapes, hummingbirds, three sisters
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Wednesday, February 17th, 2010
From the Garden to the Kitchen
Yardboy, this weather has me indoors baking breads and rolls. Here’s a recipe from a reader which is perfect for anyone who is too busy to make homemade rolls in one day. The dough for these rolls stays good up to 3 days in the fridge!
Refrigerator Sweet Rolls
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine
1/2 cup warm water (105-110 degrees)
2 pkgs active dry yeast
2 eggs, beaten
4-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
Soft butter or margarine
Heat milk until bubbles form. Add sugar, salt and 1/2 cup butter; stir to dissolve and cool to lukewarm. Pour water into large warm bowl. Sprinkle yeast over water and stir to dissolve. With a wooden spoon, stir in milk mixture, beaten eggs and 2 cups flour; beat until smooth, about 2 minutes. Gradually add rest of flour, beating until dough is stiff, smooth and cleans sides of bowl. Turn into large greased bowl.
Cover bowl with sprayed foil and refrigerate for 2 hours or longer. Dough will rise to top. (Note from Rita: this usually means dough will double in size). May be refrigerated up to 3 days. To use, cut off amount needed, refrigerate remainder. Shape rolls and place in sprayed muffin tins. Cover loosely with sprayed plastic wrap. Set in warm place (85 degrees), free from drafts, until double in bulk, Preheat oven to 350 and bake 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. Recipe yields at least 2 dozen rolls.
-Rita Heikenfeld, CCP / Herbalist www.abouteating.com
[The secret to our long marriage is that we take time to go to a restaurant two times a week - a little candlelight, dinner, soft music, dancing. Rita goes on Tuesdays and I go on Fridays. -Frank Heikenfeld]
That’s it for this Week
OBKB. That’s it for this week. Mid 30’s on Friday, then more snow moving in over the weekend. This winter will give us plenty of ‘party conversation’ when we talk about the weather! Now, do yourself a favor. Go out and have the best day of your life. See ya. RW, the Yardboy. (Join us during our live chat line Saturday 6-9am (Saturday morning garden party with Joe and Ron) at www.ronwilsononline.com.)
Tags: refrigerator sweet rolls
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