Garden Tips

Container Gardening Tips

"You are only limited by your imagination".

Be creative in your selection of containers. Anything that will hold soil will grow plants.

Allow for drainage: drill holes and add 1 to 2 inches of coarse rocks.

It is a good idea to use new sterile soil. There are several good soil less mixes available. These mixes help to keep the pot lightweight and disease and pest free.

Container gardens need a lot of water!!! Frequent inspection is essential. Mulch will greatly reduce evaporation. Try incorporating a hydro gel (super absorbent) into the potting soil. A drip or tube irrigation system can be custom designed for convenience.

Mix a time-release fertilizer into soil mix. Supplement with regular applications of a water-soluble fertilizer according to plants needs.

Remember that anything goes! Annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, trees, shrubs, houseplants, topiary, and vines can be successfully grown in containers. Try the newest form of container gardening Pot-et-Fleur; potted plant material combined with fresh cut flowers and vegetables. Whatever you decide to use be creative and have fun!

Tips for Growing Daylilies

Daylilies do best in full sun. The more sun, the more flowers. They will take partial shade but should have at least 6 hours of sunlight.
Daylilies like well drained, loose soil. Add compost, peat moss, loam or manure to improve conditions.
Dig planting hole larger than roots. Make a mound in the center of the hole and spread roots on either side of mound.
Try to plant the daylily at the same depth as it was originally growing. There is usually a whitish band at the base of the foliage where the soil covered.
Space plants about 2 feet apart.
Provide 1 inch of water per week during the growing season.
Fertilize in spring with 5-10-5.
Mulch daylilies for conservation of water, winter protection, and for weed control.
Deadhead faded flowers for prevention of seed formation. Cut back stalks immediately after plant has finished blooming. Leave foliage on as long as possible.

Tips for Growing Herbs

Herbs love to grow in full sun, well drained soil with a bit of compost added.
A level plot is best.
Use a border of either plants (lavender, parsley, santolina, chives, germander) or materials (shells, rocks, boards, bricks) to unify the garden.
Fertilize sparingly. A light application of a water soluble fertilizer should be applied as perennials are emerging from the ground, and after annuals have been in about a week.
Water to provide one to two inches in spring to get plants off to a good growing start. Most herbs are native to the Mediterranean so they will take a hot dry summer but water if they start to wilt.
Your best bet for pest control is to look the other way! Many of your herbs are for consumption and it is best not to use any pesticides. Traps, hand picking and soap solutions are the best methods.
Remember, herbs are for everyone. They are a wonderful addition to the landscape whether in a special garden, incorporated into the landscape or just growing in pots by your door!

Tips for Growing Hosta

Hostas are extremely long lived perennials.
They take 2 to 3 years to really show their true color and form.
Hostas grow in almost any soil conditions, however they prefer soil with lots of organic matter.
Hostas love growing in the shade. Dappled light is best. The blue varieties hold color better in shade. The variegated or gold types will take more sun.
Be sure to plant at the same soil level at which the plant is growing.
You really don't have to fertilize; however, if you want to give the plant a little boost, fertilize with a slow release type in the spring.
Be sure to water plants well in the morning for the first few years of growth.
Slugs are the big pests of hostas. Put out traps. Dregs of beer in shallow containers like tuna cans work well. Hand picking and putting bugs in a jar of vinegar or salt water is also effective. Spreading a little bran on the ground is also a slug control. When they eat the bran, the cereal swells and the slugs explode.
Hold off putting down mulch until the spring rains are over. This will also help with slug problems.
Division is easy in early spring before the leaves unfurl or late fall before the plant dies back for the winter. Clumps can get quite big so a strong back is helpful.
Hostas with their beautiful, cool, green leaves provide natural serenity to the garden.

Tips for Growing Rhododendrons

The ideal site for growing rhododendrons is one that is protected from strong winds and has dappled light.
The soil should be acidic and well drained.
Be sure to plant at the same depth at which it is already growing. A shallow planting hole is best.
The current thinking is to plant in native, existing soil.
Water heavily after planting. Newly planted rhododendrons like lots of water the first season. After the plant is established, 1" of water a week is usually sufficient.
Fertilize in the spring with 5-10-5. If the plant is showing any signs of stress try using Hollytone.
Mulch well, 2" to 4", with pine bark, wood chips, or seaweed. Use anything but whole leaves or peat moss.
Rhododendrons love to be pruned. The more you prune the better the flower and vegetative growth. Prune after flowering and always go back to a branch union. You can also pinch out new growth to encourage bud breaks and prevent legginess. Deadheading, or the removal of faded flower parts, helps the overall vigor of plants less than 5 years of age.