Posted: Friday, April 4, 2014 1:08 pm

Gardening Tips: National Volunteer Week

By Matthew Stevens

The Daily Herald, Roanoke Rapids, NC

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Sunday through April 12 is National Volunteer Week. I would like to take this time to recognize the group of volunteers I work most closely with: The Roanoke Valley Master Gardeners, for all the time, effort and knowledge they have donated to Halifax County over the past year. The Master Gardeners are a group of volunteers who, after a period of training through the Halifax County Extension Service, donate their expertise to the community in the form of volunteer projects.

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Friday, April 4, 2014 1:08 pm.

2 hours ago  | Mobile Reader | Print 

For gardeners who are just getting into gardening as well as those finding themselves having to replant after last year’s brutal winter, there are plenty of new plants to consider this year. However, local experts say the basics of setting up a garden that will last for years comes down to good planning.

Both Jennifer Osburn, owner of Martin’s Nursery in Luling, and Henry Hunter, general manager and horticulturist for Banting’s Nursery in Bridge City, said gardeners should be sure to check out information provided by the LSU AgCenter both online and in their local office located at 1313 Paul Maillard Road in Luling.

“They keep really good track of new and up and coming plants and they deem some of them ‘Louisiana Super Plants’ for which they have done all of the work. They have tested them out and made sure they are going to grow here. That is the first resource to tap,” Osburn said.

Before setting out to build a great garden, Hunter said there are a few things every gardener needs to know.

“Whenever you are starting you are going to get what you put into it. I would suggest starting off with a good soil quality,” he said. “You can work with soil to improve it. The LSU AgCenter can give you a soil test.”

Next, a gardener needs to plan their planting and map out the shape of what they hope their garden will look like once it is fully grown.

Osburn said a gardener must determine the concept behind their garden.

“The thing to determine in your home garden is do you want your plants to be annual or do you want them to be perennial?” she said. “Perennials are things that come back year after year and annuals are plants that you plant annually. In Louisiana we could say we have two seasons, a warm season and a cool season. So in Louisiana, you’d have two plantings for annuals, warm and cool. That’s what you have to determine in your own garden.”

Osburn said there are many options when considering new plantings.

“Things that are perennial here in Louisiana are lantanas, blue days, Mexican heather, which all good blooming plants that usually come back year after year. Some examples of annuals would be petunias, periwinkle or impatiens depending on how cold we get,” she said.  

However, Osburn said the annuals available at local nurseries vary from week to week.

“There are many, many to choose from, and it all depends too on what week you go to the nursery. For instance, now I don’t have everything just yet because it is still not warm enough for some of these things to have sprouted out. So if you came to the nursery today you would find Louisiana phlox for instance, you would find delphinium, but if you come in three weeks those things will be finished,” she said

For gardeners who are planting for the first time or coming back from the cold winter, Osburn encourages them to build the garden with a foundation of evergreen plants that will last through cold winters and then fill the holes in with annuals, whose life cycle is only one season.

“Set up a foundation. I’d suggest three or four plants to set up a foundation planting. Indian hawthorn, loropetalum, amelias, azaleas, something like that for instance and then leave pockets in the bed for annual color,” she said. “Leave areas open for annuals, but definitely set up an evergreen foundation.”  

This year Hunter said new plants are being recommended, especially due to the historically cold winter, and should become more popular with local gardeners.

“Especially after this winter people are going towards things that are evergreen and hearty,” he said. “People are leaning more towards azalea, camellia, Indian hawthorns and hydrangeas. For their landscapes people are still doing tropical things, but maybe it is a better idea to do tropical plants in planters so you can bring them inside when it gets cold.”

Gardeners should also take into account the placement of plants. Hunter said researching growth patterns of each plant will provide gardeners with a good idea of how the plants should be arranged in the bed.

“Of course tiers are going to be the best way to go. They need to be arranged by height, you don’t want anything growing taller in the front than something that is going to grow smaller in the back,” he said. “Pay attention to growth pattern as well as the sun and light requirements.”

In addition to selecting the proper plants and arranging them, gardeners should also keep in mind garden bed preparation and maintenance.

Hunter said doing the right things in the beginning of the planting process can save a gardener from doing a lot of work on the back end.  

“Bed prep is where you want to start for sure,” he said. “After you get everything planted, mulch is the second most important thing. You really want to lay a heavy coating of mulch to keep those weeds down. That is the secret to being successful, doing it right the first time. That will keep from a lot of labor in June or July.”

Gardeners should also keep in mind that even hearty plants need to be cared for the first month or so before they can grow on their own.

“The first year you plant anything you are going to want to water every other day for the first couple of week and then once a week for the first couple of months and then you are on you own,” Hunter said. “You are going to have to take care of it for the first couple of months before you let it go. The key to success is not just planting, you need to follow up.” 

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Just because you live in a small space doesn’t mean you have to forego a flourishing and productive garden! With a little creative planning, you can have a vibrant garden that doesn’t crowd your lifestyle. Here are 5 ideas for maximizing your gardening space when your space is limited:

1. Think Tall and Skinny

Tomatoes, bamboo, onions, lemongrass, beans, and other vine plants are ideal for small spaces, since the bulk of their growth goes up. Plant in skinny containers on the floor or table top, and guide vines or stalks to more available real estate above.  Or try planting small varieties of citrus trees that use smaller pots, have slender trunks, and take up most of their girth with their bushy leaves and fruit up top. Sunny, sweet blooming citrus trees are a sure-fire way to brighten up any space, large or small!

2. Think Small and Compact

Most herbs are perfect for small spaces because they generally grow in smaller, compact bunches, and are trimmed regularly when used in cooking. Basil, thyme, and other small herbs, strawberries, micro greens, as well as bush and dwarf varieties of vegetables like beans and cucumbers are perfect for a countertop planter in a sunny kitchen. Succulents are also a lovely idea for limited space, since they grow slowly, take up little room, and are fairly low maintenance.

3. Be Creative with Space

Think outside of the flower pot on the floor or herb box on the kitchen counter. Take a look at your living space and see if there are any ways to creatively maximize what’s available.  Try stacking pots, hanging recycled plastic bottles, canning jars, re-purposed shoe organizers or bags, filling small dresser drawers or wooden pallets with plants, or hanging them on the wall like this succulent wreath. Or you can try to combine two types of plants in one pot, like tall, skinny tomato plants in the same pot as low, bushy basil. Both can grow together without encroaching on each other’s space, and since they are companion plants, will aid in the flavor and growth potential of one another.

4. Go Up

You may not have much available space on your floor or walls, but you can easily hang plants from the ceiling in pots, or try making some beautiful string gardens. Many plants do well in hanging containers, though they may need a bit more frequent watering. Grow plants on top of bookshelves and armoires as long as they get enough sunlight.  Also, there are special planters on the market, such a the Polanter or terra cotta strawberry pots (not just for strawberries), that are specially designed to grow plants vertically. If you are crafty, you can try making tower containers at home out of PVC pipe or a small flower pot, wire fencing, and landscape fabric. And if you’ve got some handy construction skills, why not create a vertical salad garden out of your wall?

5. Hang Out

Don’t forget to account for the space you may have access to outside of your home. Build or attach planters to windowsills, and balcony railings to have fresh green growing things right outside. If you have any exterior walls, try affixing old rain gutters and filling them with shallow-rooting plants. Check indoors for any staircase railings that might be ideal for planting boxes.

So don’t despair if you’ve a hankering to plant, but lack the space. A little creative planning is all that stands in the way of a lush garden in your home!

 Image source: Maja Dumat / Flickr

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There was dirt in places that there probably should not
have been at Helen Deem Kindergarten yesterday.

It was all over the St Clair-based kindy’s floor, in
children’s pockets, even in one pre-schooler’s ears.

The children were putting potting mix into recycled fizzy
bottles and planting broad beans, as part of a gardening
workshop with television personality and award-winning
landscape designer Xanthe White.

Anytime there was dirt involved, children would play with it,
she said.

The workshop was part of the Daltons Sunflowers in Kindys
project which gave youngsters the opportunity to plant their
own seeds, take care of them and learn about how plants grow.

Ms White said the main aim of the workshop was not only to
show children how plants grew, but to make sure they
understood the pleasures of gardening.

”There’s a whole world underneath the top layer of ground.

”It’s magical watching these brown seeds grow roots and then
sprout out of the ground.”

Ms White hoped the project would help grow a whole new
generation of gardeners in New Zealand.

”So many kids these days think vegetables are made at the
supermarket.

”This lets them see it for themselves.”

Posted: Wednesday, April 2, 2014 12:00 am
|


Updated: 12:20 am, Wed Apr 2, 2014.

Health tips for gardening

Dr. Wendy/Hayden Health

The Coeur d’ Alene Press

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As the weather warms up, many people will spend more time outside working in the yard. Gardening can provide a great workout, but with all the bending, twisting, reaching and pulling, your body may not be ready for it.

A warm-up and cool-down period is as important in gardening as it is for any other physical activity. It is important to stretch your muscles to help alleviate injuries, pain and stiffness.

Before stretching, here are a few tips to keep in mind. Breathe in and out slowly throughout each stretching exercise. Stretch gently and smoothly with no bouncing or jerking. Try the following stretches for the back, legs and shoulders:

1. Stand up and prop your heel on a step or stool with your knee slightly bent. Bend forward until you feel a slight pull at the back of the thigh (hamstring). Hold the position for 20 seconds. Repeat with the other leg.

2. Stand up and put your right hand against a wall or other stable surface. Bend your left knee and grab your ankle with your left hand. Pull your heel toward your buttocks to stretch the front of your thigh (quadriceps). Hold the position for 20 seconds. Repeat with the other leg.

3. Weave your fingers together above your head with your palms up. Lean to one side for 10 seconds to stretch the side of your upper body, then reverse. Repeat two or three times.

4. Hug yourself. Wrap your arms around yourself after letting your breath out, and rotate to one side as far as you can go. Hold it for 10 seconds. Then reverse. Repeat two or three times.

Be aware of your body technique, form, and posture while gardening. When working in the yard, avoid twisting motions. Bend at the knees, not the waist, as you pick things up. While raking leaves, use a scissor stance: right foot forward and left foot back for a few minutes; then reverse. Alternate your stance and movements frequently.

If you have already hurt yourself, apply a cold pack on the area of pain, and see your chiropractor!

For more information, contact Dr. Wendy at haydenhealth@gmail.com.

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Wednesday, April 2, 2014 12:00 am.

Updated: 12:20 am.

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Gardening,

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Body,

Hold,

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Foot

For those who enjoy working in the lawn and flower gardens, the vacation is over. Our long, hard winter is over! It’s now time to get up and get busy; start doing some planning: Are you planning a landscape renovation? Rebuilding some beds? Planting new annuals in the flower gardens? Resodding? Fertlizing?

ANNUAL FLOWERING PLANTS: Although it may be tempting to go for the “bargain,” those truck loads of cool-weather annuals that are now marked down may not be such a good purchase. Their season is nearing the end. These annuals, such as certain varieties of petunias, probably won’t bloom through the heat this summer. Now would be a good time to start watching for warm-season, heat tolerant plant material.

LAWNS: We fertilize to make the turf grass grow; then we mow it make it short. It’s a vicious cycle. Mowing becomes a more frequent job this month, though perhaps not as often as will be necessary in another few weeks. See that your mower blade is sharp, and raise the blade so that no more than 1/3 of the turf grass is removed. For St. Augustine lawns, we set our blades at 3”.

FERTILIZING: Plants are living organisms, and therefore require food and water in order to thrive and grow. Feed now, if you have not already done so. We recommend using a broadcast spreader. Applying by hand or with a drop-spreader may not provide an even and uniform application. Shrubs can be fed with a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer.

Andi MacLeod in the garden at the Boys Girls Clubs of San Dieguito’s La Colonia Branch. Photo/Kristina Houck

By Kristina Houck

A former art instructor and high school teacher, Andi MacLeod has always enjoyed teaching others. From children at the Boys Girls Clubs of San Dieguito to her peers in the Solana Beach Garden Club, today MacLeod spends her time teaching others about gardening.

“I love the feeling of sharing knowledge,” said MacLeod, a resident of Solana Beach for 27 years. “I wouldn’t call it imparting knowledge so much because someone always comes up with something that adds to the day for me.”

Although she always had a passion for gardening, MacLeod didn’t truly learn the tricks of the trade until she took a compost class at the Solana Center for Environmental Innovation five years ago.

“I learned so much,” she said. “When I learned how easy it was, I got all excited.”

MacLeod shared her excitement with Katie Pelisek, president of Seaweeders, the local garden club. Also the landscape architect behind the Boys Girls Clubs of San Dieguito’s Center for a Healthy Lifestyle, Pelisek encouraged MacLeod to share her gardening skills with children at the facility.

“A week later she had a row of kids in front of me,” MacLeod said. “That’s the way it’s been ever since.”

Opened in April 2009, the Center for a Healthy Lifestyle at the Harper Branch features a teaching kitchen, classroom space and an interactive garden, offering after-school programming and summer camps for children, as well as classes for adults. MacLeod spearheaded “Garden Ambassadors,” an intensive six-week organic gardening program for children in second through sixth grade at the center.

“Kids come to the garden for different reasons,” said MacLeod, who served as garden education coordinator at the center. “Some come in because it’s beauty and that’s what they want in their lives. Some come in because they’re like junior scientists and they study the bugs. Some come in because they’re excited about the food. They’re all excited about growing things. It’s still that fresh miracle for them.”

After being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis last year, MacLeod shifted gears. She is now an active volunteer at the Boys Girls Clubs of San Dieguito’s La Colonia Branch, which opened its own garden in November 2012.

“Ever since I helped put the garden in here, I have just been pulled in this direction,” she said. “It’s an adorable design, and it’s very easy to use and manage for someone who is recovering from something.”

From an hour or two to several, MacLeod spends five days each week tending to the garden. She works alongside children of all ages, who plant fruits and vegetables, which they get to eat during Garden Snack Wednesdays.

“When the kids built it, I was just awestruck,” she said. “There were kids of all ages who built these beds. They did it themselves.”

The Garden Ambassadors program has since been incorporated into the branch’s leadership program. Through the program, older kids develop their green thumbs and share their knowledge with younger kids.

“It’s a natural for kids who are already looking for ways to take charge and make a difference in their community,” MacLeod said.

When she’s not volunteering at the La Colonia Branch or working in her own garden, MacLeod is often beautifying Solana Beach with her friends and fellow members of Seaweeders. The club, which reformed in May 2012, enables members to share information, hold garden tours and collaborate on beautification projects in the city.

The club’s next meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. April 2 at the Center for a Healthy Lifestyle, located at 533 Lomas Santa Fe Drive in Solana Beach. MacLeod will talk about “Vegetable Gardening with Water-Saving Strategies” and answer questions from attendees. The meeting is open to the public.

“People have fun in the garden,” MacLeod said. “It’s a chance to laugh, share ideas and know you’re making a difference.”

For more information about the Boys Girls Clubs of San Dieguito, visit bgcsandieguito.org.

For more information about Seaweeders, visit solanabeachgardenclub.org.

Related posts:

1. ‘Vegetable Gardening with Water-Saving Strategies’ topic of SeaWeeders Garden Club meeting in Solana Beach
2. Solana Beach center turning kids into ‘Garden Ambassadors’
3. Center for a Healthy Lifestyle to start hosting field trips for Solana Beach students
4. ‘Gardenporium’ plant sale, open house at Solana Beach center
5. Solana Beach Center offers after-school gardening classes for students

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Join Al Yooung for ideas and suggestions for high altitude gardening in Jackson Hole and Teton Valley. Site selection, site preparation, garden maintenance, harvesting and common gardening pitfalls will be discussed. She will offer suggestions for what plants do well in the mountain climate zone, and discuss growing season, cool weather crops, companion planting and transplanting.

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tetonparksandrec.org

Posted: Saturday, March 29, 2014 12:30 am

Florida flora

By Bob Beyfuss
For Columbia-Greene Media

thedailymail.net

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I picked a great 4 months to spend in Florida. By all accounts from my friends and family you have had a terribly cold and snowy winter. Winter here, is not nearly so traumatic. It does get cold in Tampa and occasionally there is even frost, but I have not seen snow since I left NY. Cold fronts push through on a regular basis and when it rains, the winter precipitation is usually in the form of showers. I can recall exactly two days, in four months, in which rain has fallen for most of a single day. I have had the opportunity to travel all around this big state, which now has more people then NY and observe the plants and various habitats they occupy. It has been a great learning experience.

Right now the azaleas are either just about finished blooming in the Tampa area, or just coming into bloom on the Panhandle. The local pines here in Bradenton are shedding prodigious amounts of yellow pollen, much to the dismay of allergy sufferers. The pine “candles” are now fully elongated, a sight we will not see until June in NY. I recognize magnolia trees in bloom and a few others that we have up north, such as choke cherry, red maple, redbud and Bradford Pear, but most of the many other spectacular flowering trees are still unknown to me. It is really not so easy to appreciate spring down here, since it is not nearly as spectacular as springtime in the Catskills or the Hudson Valley. The arrival of spring in my beloved Mountains is like a warm, wet kiss on the lips, while it is more like a passing wink down here.

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Posted in
Weekly gardening tips

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Saturday, March 29, 2014 12:30 am.