New Lawn Equipment

New planting

When it comes to planting new trees, shrubs, woody climbers and fruit, a lot of people leave it until Easter is approaching, since that’s their first real opportunity to get to grips with the garden. Although autumn is the traditional time for planting anything with bare roots, now is perfect for pot-grown plants. Two groups in particular benefit from being planted at this time of year: evergreens and perennials. Evergreens always take best when planted at the start of their growing season, and perennials die down in winter, so it’s only now that they’re making new growth – which means you can see what you’re getting with no risk of buying a “dead pot”. Plant now and they will become established in time to put on a good show, even though it’s their first season. 

To get new pot-grown plants off to a flying start, dig a planting hole that’s roughly twice the size of the pot, then work plenty of well-rotted compost (or bought soil improver) into the base of the planting hole, along with half a handful of general fertiliser such as blood, fish and bone. If you are planting roses, or you’ve just bought a rare, unusual or expensive shrub and want to give it the best possible start, it’s worth using a product containing mycorrhizal fungi when you plant it. These products are sold in garden centres, in sachets or packets, and the contents act in partnership with the roots in exactly the same way as trees and fungi work together in woodlands. Treated plants become established quickly and the fungus helps them take up nutrients from the soil more efficiently, so they grow better and stronger. For best results, don’t stir the stuff into the soil. Sprinkle the dose on top of improved soil in the base of the planting hole, then tip the plant out of its pot and sit it on top so the base of the root ball is in direct contact with the product. 

Make sure the plant is at the right depth: as a general rule, the top of the root ball should end up just buried (especially if you’ll be surrounding the plant with mulch afterwards). But in the case of clematis, plant so the surface of the root ball is two or three inches below the surface of the soil, so it can recover if the above-ground stems are killed off by careless hoeing or clematis wilt.

Fill the gap between the root ball and the edge of the planting hole with some of the soil you originally dug out, mixed with more organic matter. Next firm and (if needed) stake, then finally water it well in. A couple of pieces of broken paving laid around the stem will give a clematis the cool root-run it loves.

I’ve compiled a list of my favorite tips to keep you growing in the right direction. And, thank you to my friend, Vincie, in Denver for some of them.

• Use a plant pot or pail and dry sand to store your trowels and other small tools in. The sand will keep them standing up and free of rust.

• If you’re constantly making trips back to the spot where you keep your garden tools (although that’s good exercise), get an old mailbox and decorate it. Put it on the opposite side of your yard from where you store most of your tools. Then store small tools, gloves, hand cream, etc. in it; so now you have two spots for your stuff.

• If you have some old leaky buckets, don’t toss them in the trash, as they make great slow waterers for trees and shrubs.  Set a filled bucket near a plant and leave it there.  The water will leak out of the holes slowly into the soil, where it will help the plants instead of running off the top.

• When planting seedlings, it is difficult to water the roots without dousing the tiny plant. You can make a reusable collar for them by cutting up short sections from corrugated plastic drain tile. When placed around the plant, it will act as a small reservoir and deter some critters. It can be left on the plant all season, so no need to remove it.

• Use an old salt shaker to sow small seeds. It will distribute them more evenly.

• Save the string sacks that onions, oranges and potatoes come in to dry and store flower bulbs at the end of the season. Never store them in plastic bags as they will rot.

• Never transplant a seedling until it has at least four leaves. This second set (called true leaves) is needed to help withstand transplant shock. Never transplant on a sunny day.

• Remove the flowers from lilies as soon as they begin to fade. This not only makes the plant more attractive, but also prevents seed formation, and allows the plant to concentrate its energy on renewing the bulb. You should cut off the flowers, but leave the foliage because the leaves are important for efficient photosynthesis. Wait until the leaves turn yellow before you cut them.

On another note: The Cooperative Extension’s third Saturday workshop is scheduled for April 19 at 10 a.m. The program will focus on centipede grass maintenance and problem solving. As always, we’ll meet in Craven County Agricultural Building. This event is free and open to the public and no pre-registration is needed. Also, don’t forget about the one-hour third Monday plant discussion on April 21 at 5:30 p.m. at the same location.

 

Judi Lloyd lives in River Bend and can be contacted at judilloyd@yahoo.com.

 

ASHLAND —
In my couponing classes, I always had fun with everyone by telling them gross restaurant stories. In encouraging them to eat at home more and save their money, I was also teaching them how much cleaner it is. According to a source, who is a food service inspector (not here in Ashland), there are many things you simply don’t want to know about eating out.

Soft-drink machines are often cleaned inside about once a year. In the filter can be dead mice, roaches and filth you can’t imagine.

Gas-station coffee depends on the heat of the coffee to kill germs. Ever wonder why it’s so hot you can’t drink it for 20 minutes? I always ask people who have worked in the food-service industry what happens behind the scenes with the food. My favorite question is: “Do they really spit in food if they don’t like the patron?” Well, little evil smiles abound in the room.

Things to notice: Does the waitress/waiter have fingers on the plate during serving? Does he or she handle money or debit cards? There are lots of germs on money and credit cards to get on a plate. Does your fork or knife have a fingerprint on it? How about fingers on the rim of a glass when serving? This is where your mouth will be.

Many items are reheated over and over again. Most foods are microwaved and employees simply heat and stir. Food at most “chain” restaurants is trucked in and microwaved onsite to keep the taste consistent with other restaurants. You can microwave a meal at home much cheaper.

Movie-theater popcorn usually is delivered in huge bags. You don’t really know how old it is or what it has come into contact with.

In the South, including North and South Carolina, restaurants must post their cleanliness ratings on the drive-through window. They have good incentive to keep ratings high.

If a restaurant restroom is dirty, I believe the kitchen probably is, too. Other things to look for: filth under appliances and dirty counters, tables and floors. Also look for food set out, flies, roaches, bread dough in containers on the floor white worms in the salad.

By cooking at home in large quantities, you can freeze meals to fix quickly. We know if it was handled in a safe, clean manner. Demand better from the restaurant where you dine. We all have to eat out sometimes, either on vacation or because things are hectic. Hospital cafeterias rate as some of the cleanest places.

Read the food-service inspection reports in The Independent, and then decide whether or not to eat at a particular business.

Plan a garden

Eat something healthy! Some are planting sugar snap peas and kale now. If you have a problem with deer eating your plants, think of investing in an electric fence. Lowe’s has them. This is not a cruel thing. The fence simply snaps and scares the deer away.

Blood meal also works, but it has to be put down every time it rains. If a deer smells the blood meal, it thinks it isn’t safe, believing something was killed there. This also works for rabbits. Simply line the perimeter of your yard or garden with the meal.

Garden tilling is a needed job in the area. It would be a lucrative business in the spring. Lots of people want a garden, but are unable to till soil, or they don’t have the money for a machine tiller. A backyard garden is a real money saver, and it allows your family to eat quality food.

Kohl’s

Since we are getting a Kohl’s next year, we need to research how to shop the store. Kohl’s Cash is earned on the amount of purchases after discounts.

You can “stack” at Kohls, just like you can at CVS. Imagine a clothing and housewares store that stacks! My friend, Nancy, bought a red Kitchenaid mixer for $120. It normally would be in the $350 range. By using a 30-percent-off coupon and Kohl’s cash, she got a great deal.

The Kohl’s Reward Card adds up your points. Be sure and save your coupons from the newspaper when Kohl’s starts running ads. Every month, if you have a Kohl’s charge card, you will get coupons of 15 percent to 30 percent. Birthday time will net you a $10 Kohl’s Buck. You can earn Kohl’s Bucks on limited-time promos. You can stack a percent off and Kohl’s Cash. You can earn Kohl’s Cash by shopping online, too. If you shop Ebates, you’ll earn even more.

New products

Oxi has new line, including New Oxi Clean with White Revive, and  a $1 coupon. It’s advertised to work on dirty socks, old vintage linens, quilts and lace.

Oxi Clean Detergent: $2 coupon

Tide with Oxi

Gain with Oxi Boost

Oxi Clean Baby Stain Soaker with a pink lid

Oxi Clean Dishwasher Booster: 75-cent coupon

Clorox Disinfecting Spray, which reduces allergens

Oxi is great for more than laundry. Put your oven racks in the tub and soak them in Oxi. You can clean tubs, grout and charcoal grills. It removes rust stains, stains from coffee pots, tea stains in mugs or china, kitchen sinks and mildew.

Last weekend, I took on the project of pruning my roses, nicknaming myself “Marianne the Merciless.” I showed no mercy to my roses that had not been pruned correctly for several years because I had negligently waited too long each spring to get in there and get the job done right.

I pulled on my rose gauntlet gloves, picked up my sharpened loppers and hand pruners, and went to work. It was not an easy task. Roses grow terrifically well in our region, and mine had grown to a height of almost 6 feet last year. When I was done, I had mountains of rose prunings and bushes that hopefully will perform better this summer.

Satisfied with a job well done, I was amazed that I did not look like I had tangled with a vicious animal. I wore long sleeves and my new rose gauntlet gloves. The glove hands are made of leather and the “gauntlet” cuffs are made of canvas that reaches almost to my elbows. They kept my hands and arms free of pokes and scratches.

I purchased my pair at a local garden store, but they can also be ordered online. If you have a lot of roses or raspberries, you should consider investing in a pair of all-leather rose gauntlet gloves.

My new gloves were stiff when I started and a little tight. If you purchase a quality pair of gauntlet gloves, make sure they are the right size for your hands. Many of the companies selling quality rose gloves have size charts to guide you.

The other thing that made my job easier was having sharp pruning tools. It is difficult to cut out thick, woody old canes with dull loppers. If you know how to sharpen your tools, do it before taking on your spring pruning chores.

Rich Redekopp, one of our Master Gardener rose experts, told me about another pruning tool for taking out tough old dead wood or thick canes. Redekopp recommends the cordless Milwaukee Hackzall Reciprocating Saw fitted with a pruning blade. He pruned some roses outside our office and his saw made quick work of the gnarly old dead growth in these neglected roses.

Roses are forgiving. You can prune them incorrectly (or not at all), and they will still produce beautiful blooms. However, with correct pruning, your shrubs will not grow out of control, and the rose blooms will be bigger.

Helen Newman, Master Gardener rose expert and Tri-Cities Rosarian, notes that your goals are to remove the “dead, diseased, damaged and dinky” canes. Experts call them the four “Ds” of pruning roses. You should also remove shoots that are old and gnarled, growing in the center of the shrubs or crisscrossing each other.

— Marianne C. Ophardt is a horticulturist for Washington State University Benton County Extension.

EASY GARDENS FOR SMALL SPACES

Cactus can survive in a wide range of hydration, light and heat environment. But, if you are able to provide the optimum conditions, it will be the better choice for your cacti. While considering cactus gardening in pots, you have to keep an extra eye on the variety of cactus that you are selecting, the type of pot, soil and the light availability. Since potted plants are easy to handle, you are free to move it to any comfortable place as per demand. Here, we may discuss some easy and effective cactus gardening tips that may help you.

Selection of cactus: Selecting the most suitable variety of is one of the most important cactus gardening tips. This is more important if you are thinking of cactus gardening in pots. Try to make the perfect choice that matches with the ambiance of your indoor.

Shallow pot: Select a pot or bowl for growing indoor cactus depending on the expected size of the plant. It is better to opt for a shallow variety of pots, around 10 inches deep. This will help give the needed support for the plant.

Potting soil: One of the important cactus gardening tips is to use formulated soil. There are commercially available formulated soils that are specially designed for growing cactus in pots. Soil, gravel or sand with nitrogen and phosphorus is the most common among them.

Sun exposure: While considering cactus gardening in pot, you have to opt for a place where there is direct sunlight. Place the cactus in a sunny location and if not, make sure that the potted cactus will get 4 to 6 hours of sunlight each day.

Watering: One of the main advantages of growing cactus is that you don’t have to water it every other day. Cactus needs watering about once in a month. Take care not to overdo it. Make sure that the water is draining through the holes properly.

Fertilising: Apply fertilisers once or twice a year. Consider the size of your cactus while using fertilisers. Prefer houseplant food with nitrogen and phosphorus. Take extra care while fertilising your potted cactus as overdoing it may damage your plant.

Add creativity: Planting cactus offer you an opportunity to use your creativity as well to make it more attractive. You can plant cactus in a wide container and can give the ambiance of a desert in it. Plant more varieties of cactus in the container and place a camel sculpture. All set!

TIPS TO TRIM YOUR GARDEN

Gardening in hot weather needs different tips and extra care for the plants. Gardening ideas for hot weather include some handy tips on how to maintain your garden in hot westher. This article also deals in gardening ideas in hot weather.

1. New plants – The most important gardening ideas for hot weather includes building shelters and shades for new budding plants. The budding plants are delicate and need care. The harsh temperatures can be a reason why the plant may dehydrate and die. Therefore, use a shade for the new budding plants and water them enough to keep them alove and boost their growth. This is one tip you could use for gardening in India as we are having hot temperatures here right now.

2. Use a watering stratergy – Summer time needs more water for gardening and frequent watering is also needed as the plants dry easily. A gardening idea for hot weather includes making a proper watering stratergy for your plants. The stratergy actually means a timetable for watering your garden. This would prevent both inadequate and excess watering to the plants. Gardening in India in hot weather can get difficult as there is water shortage in many areas, so you must use water according to the availability.

3. Nutrients – A good gardening idea for hot weather includes proper distribution of nutrients in the garden to enhance the growth of the plants. You ahould add fertilizers to the garden to increase the quality of the garden. You can use natural manures like cow dung and kitchen waste to increase the productivity of the soil. Naturally made ferrilozers are much better than the chemical made fertilizers. Gardening in India is easy as cow dung and other natural fertilizers and manure is quite easily and cheaply available.

4. Keep it Cool – Another good gardening idea for hot weather is using a mulch layer around the pots and plants. Mulch layer is nothing but mud and dried leaves together bound together by water. If this layer is applied around the plant the heat reaching the plant or the roots is dissipated. The heat is absorbed by the mulch layer keeping the plant cool and saving it from any damage by heat. This is also one good gardening idea for hot weather and can be used in India.

5. Trim and Cut – The dried leaves and plants that are in the garden should be trimmed and cut regularly to increase new growth. Summers have high temperatures which may cause plants to dry. Cutting the dry parts of a plant would boost growth of the newer plants. Gardening idea for hot weather includes regular andplanned trimming and cutting of plants to remove the dead and dried parts.

By Dianne Venetta for GalTime.com

Organic gardening is the method of gardening that utilizes only materials derived from living things, ie. all natural plant foods and pesticides. Once you know the basic tenets of this practice, organic vegetable gardening is simple. And the payoff is enormous: no toxic chemicals, no waste, better for the environment as a whole, and not to mention a crop full of natural, delicious vegetables. Remember these 10 steps and you’ll have a successful crop in no time!

Soil. It all begins here. Amending your soil with organic material such as composted manure or yard and kitchen scrap compost will get your dirt off to a good start. The inclusion of organic material provides a solid basis of nutrients for your plants which helps to cut down on the need for commercially made fertilizers and improves soil structure making it easier for your plant to absorb the important minerals they need. Sandy soil will not hold its moisture well. Heavy clay soil may prove too dense for healthy root development.

Fertilizer. In addition to compost, your plants will enjoy a healthy dose of other organic foodstuffs like worm poop and pee (we call this worm tea), eggshells, Epsom salts, bone meal, blood meal…the list goes on, but the key word is all-natural. Mother Nature knows what she’s doing and these sources provide essential vitamins and minerals for your plants.

Beneficial insects. When planning your garden, educate yourself on which plants repel insects, which plants invite them, and what each bug eats. For instance, ladybugs eat aphids, which is a good thing because aphids will suck the life from just about any plant! By inviting ladybugs into your garden you are employing a natural form of pest control and not toxic chemicals.

Layout. When designing your garden, it’s important to adhere to spacing guidelines for your plants. By keeping them close, their leaves will shade the ground beneath them. This not only cuts down on weed growth, but also helps the soil retain water, cutting down on water usage. Organic gardeners are excellent custodians of the environment. Too close, and you’ll invite the growth of fungus and disease.

Companion planting. Including a wide variety of plants in your garden and planting them according to their relationship with others helps in many ways. For instance, bean plants fix nitrogen into the soil, which corn plants use to produce healthy cobs. Corn provides support for the climbing vines of the bean family. Add squash to the base and you have instant weed control!

Crop rotation. This is the practice of rotating a plant’s location from season to season. Relocating your plants cuts down on soil depletion and disease infestation. In addition, plants like beans will actually put nutrients into the soil that can be used by the next crop, ie. corn. Disease will be reduced because the organisms that infect one plant pose no harm to the next, so rotating eliminates the likelihood a disease will spread.

Water. Conserving water is a key component of organic gardening. Good watering practices include the capturing and storing of rain, the use of drips hoses, and plenty of mulch. With a sprinkler system, a large amount of water can be lost to evaporation. If sprinklers must be used, it’s best to water in the early morning or early evening hours. Using mulch around your plants is another way to conserve water because it keeps the soil moist longer, requiring less water to be used.

Weeds. Weed removal is best done by hand, without the use of chemicals. While tedious, this duty can be cut down tremendously by the use of smart planting. Remember, keeping plants close helps prevent weed growth. Natural mulch is another great method. Not only does it help prevent weeds, it has the added benefit of providing nutrients into the soil as it breaks down.

Cover crops. These are the plants you grow in between seasons. They help to replenish the soil with vital nutrients and prevent soil erosion. They can also be used to feed the beneficial insects in the absence of your vegetable crop and keep weeds at bay.

Seeds. Organic gardening is all about using sustainable methods and what better way to be self-sustaining than to use your own seeds! The practice of saving seeds has been around for centuries and ensures you “know what you grow.” But to ensure purity and avoid cross-pollination, you must keep some distance between the same plants of different varieties. You don’t want to be disappointed when you plant those tomato seeds next year and discover the result is a hybrid–and not the decadent beefsteak tomato you were looking forward to. Only heirlooms can produce the original fruit, not hybrids.

Organic vegetable gardening is all about sustainable practices. It’s conservation at its best, because you are using what you have and what you can find in nature. From fall leaves to leftover food, you waste nothing in an organic garden. Plants help each other, insects play a role…why even Mother Nature helps by delivering an extra shot of nitrogen in every rain drop!

But more than being a good steward of the environment, organic gardening makes for a healthier you.

More from GalTime.com:
What the Flowers You Love Say About You
Eco-Herb Plants Make Great Gifts
Got Sprouts? Transplant With Success
What Are You Waiting For? Get Your Garden Going

By Dianne Venetta for GalTime.com

Organic gardening is the method of gardening that utilizes only materials derived from living things, ie. all natural plant foods and pesticides. Once you know the basic tenets of this practice, organic vegetable gardening is simple. And the payoff is enormous: no toxic chemicals, no waste, better for the environment as a whole, and not to mention a crop full of natural, delicious vegetables. Remember these 10 steps and you’ll have a successful crop in no time!

Soil. It all begins here. Amending your soil with organic material such as composted manure or yard and kitchen scrap compost will get your dirt off to a good start. The inclusion of organic material provides a solid basis of nutrients for your plants which helps to cut down on the need for commercially made fertilizers and improves soil structure making it easier for your plant to absorb the important minerals they need. Sandy soil will not hold its moisture well. Heavy clay soil may prove too dense for healthy root development.

Fertilizer. In addition to compost, your plants will enjoy a healthy dose of other organic foodstuffs like worm poop and pee (we call this worm tea), eggshells, Epsom salts, bone meal, blood meal…the list goes on, but the key word is all-natural. Mother Nature knows what she’s doing and these sources provide essential vitamins and minerals for your plants.

Beneficial insects. When planning your garden, educate yourself on which plants repel insects, which plants invite them, and what each bug eats. For instance, ladybugs eat aphids, which is a good thing because aphids will suck the life from just about any plant! By inviting ladybugs into your garden you are employing a natural form of pest control and not toxic chemicals.

Layout. When designing your garden, it’s important to adhere to spacing guidelines for your plants. By keeping them close, their leaves will shade the ground beneath them. This not only cuts down on weed growth, but also helps the soil retain water, cutting down on water usage. Organic gardeners are excellent custodians of the environment. Too close, and you’ll invite the growth of fungus and disease.

Companion planting. Including a wide variety of plants in your garden and planting them according to their relationship with others helps in many ways. For instance, bean plants fix nitrogen into the soil, which corn plants use to produce healthy cobs. Corn provides support for the climbing vines of the bean family. Add squash to the base and you have instant weed control!

Crop rotation. This is the practice of rotating a plant’s location from season to season. Relocating your plants cuts down on soil depletion and disease infestation. In addition, plants like beans will actually put nutrients into the soil that can be used by the next crop, ie. corn. Disease will be reduced because the organisms that infect one plant pose no harm to the next, so rotating eliminates the likelihood a disease will spread.

Water. Conserving water is a key component of organic gardening. Good watering practices include the capturing and storing of rain, the use of drips hoses, and plenty of mulch. With a sprinkler system, a large amount of water can be lost to evaporation. If sprinklers must be used, it’s best to water in the early morning or early evening hours. Using mulch around your plants is another way to conserve water because it keeps the soil moist longer, requiring less water to be used.

Weeds. Weed removal is best done by hand, without the use of chemicals. While tedious, this duty can be cut down tremendously by the use of smart planting. Remember, keeping plants close helps prevent weed growth. Natural mulch is another great method. Not only does it help prevent weeds, it has the added benefit of providing nutrients into the soil as it breaks down.

Cover crops. These are the plants you grow in between seasons. They help to replenish the soil with vital nutrients and prevent soil erosion. They can also be used to feed the beneficial insects in the absence of your vegetable crop and keep weeds at bay.

Seeds. Organic gardening is all about using sustainable methods and what better way to be self-sustaining than to use your own seeds! The practice of saving seeds has been around for centuries and ensures you “know what you grow.” But to ensure purity and avoid cross-pollination, you must keep some distance between the same plants of different varieties. You don’t want to be disappointed when you plant those tomato seeds next year and discover the result is a hybrid–and not the decadent beefsteak tomato you were looking forward to. Only heirlooms can produce the original fruit, not hybrids.

Organic vegetable gardening is all about sustainable practices. It’s conservation at its best, because you are using what you have and what you can find in nature. From fall leaves to leftover food, you waste nothing in an organic garden. Plants help each other, insects play a role…why even Mother Nature helps by delivering an extra shot of nitrogen in every rain drop!

But more than being a good steward of the environment, organic gardening makes for a healthier you.

More from GalTime.com:
What the Flowers You Love Say About You
Eco-Herb Plants Make Great Gifts
Got Sprouts? Transplant With Success
What Are You Waiting For? Get Your Garden Going

In my last article I talked about giving up the ideal of the English-style perennial border in your garden. This doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to having a beautiful garden – quite the contrary. It is simply a matter of changing your perspective.

Our goal should be to have a garden that doesn’t need constant primping but yet remains interesting and attractive through four seasons.

This means incorporating evergreens into your garden beds and embracing shrubs, for their flowers, yes, but mainly for their volume and foliage. We must think about covering ground in our new, easier garden with plants that will largely manage themselves.

That brings me to the notion of embracing green. Blue-green, chartreuse, variegated greens, even rich forest green – all of these can contribute to a rich display in any garden, without the constant labour that flowering perennials demand.

With all this in mind, here are some concrete tips for getting started with your new, more manageable garden:

1. Choose conifers wisely Do this by picking dwarf or miniature cultivars that won’t become monsters. The nest spruce, globe cedar, dwarf golden false cypress or ‘Blue Star’ juniper will all fit nicely into a small space. Pick a dwarf mugo pine carefully: if it’s not a cultivated variety with a name like Pinus mugo ‘Slowmound,’ ‘Sherwood Compact’ or ‘Mops,’ it will likely grow into a giant. Or if you’re looking for height but not so much density, try growing a weeping conifer like the weeping Norway spruce (Picea abies ‘Pendula’) or the weeping European larch (Larix decidua ‘Pendula’).

2. Make ground covers your best friend Covering larger areas with plants that are not grass will fulfil several requirements in your new garden: first, this area will not need mowing or any other type of exhaustive maintenance besides occasional fertilizing; second, it will suppress weeds; and third, it will provide an area of visual calm. Choose broadleaf evergreens like Japanese spurge (Pachysandra terminalis), bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) and euonymus (Euonymus fortunei cultivars) or actual evergreens like spreading junipers, yew (Taxus cuspidata ‘Monloo’) and Siberian cypress (Microbiota decussata). If you’d like a bit more colour, select flowering perennials such as mother of thyme, big-root geranium, Canadian ginger, sedum or a host of others.

3. Embrace deciduous shrubs There are many new shrubs on the market that have been developed for small gardens. Where we had to choose the unwieldy bridal wreath spirea (Spirea x vanhouttei) in the past, we can now purchase the much better-behaved Spirea nipponica, notably the cultivars ‘Halward’s Silver’ or ‘Snowmound.’ Or if we want foliage colour, we can pick gold, chartreuse, purple or variegated versions of many shrubs – look for elderberry, barberry, sumac, dogwood, mock orange, arctic willow, weigela, ninebark and smoke bush. But beware of shrubs that when given an inch take a mile: without either cutting them right down every spring or some heavy pruning, elderberry, dogwood, arctic willow, ninebark and even the so-called dwarf burning bush can become giants. There are a number of new shrub cultivars on the market that are colourful as well as dwarf and well-mannered: Hydrangea paniculata ‘Bobo,’ Weigela florida ‘Spilled Wine’ and ‘My Monet,’ as well as Syringa x ‘Penda’ (known as ‘Boomerang’) and Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Seward’ (also known as ‘Summer Wine’) are all good choices.

4. Reconsider tender plants in your perennial garden Annuals and tropical plants are really the new frontier for tired gardeners. Yes, they need planting every year, but the punch they give to our gardens is well worth the small effort. Many newer annuals can be used as colourful fillers at the base of shrubs, at the edge of pathways and obviously in planters: look for those known for their foliage such as coleus, sweet potato vine, euphorbia, ornamental kale and annual grasses.

Tropical plants such as croton, elephant ears, Mexican petunia, Persian shield (Strobilanthus dyerianus), cannas and purple heart (Setcreasea pallida) all lend colour and drama to the garden.

5. Choose perennials that won’t mock you If you’re going to be tending them, make sure they’re in the appropriate place and make stellar choices such as bluestar (Amsonia), false indigo (Baptisia), gas plant (Dictamnus), creeping phlox, peony or hosta, among others. No divas please.

If you shift focus in your garden this year, I think you’ll find you even have time to sit and ponder your good sense and resulting good fortune.

Ailsa Francis’s blog can be found at hortus2.wordpress.com