I have found, on the many visits I make to homeowner’s residence and other properties, the questions follow a trend. I call it the consciousness of the week – Everyone I meet seems to flow in the same stream of consciousness – though many are unaware of the rest of the multitude asking the very same questions. I find this very interesting and file it as the “true” gardening trend – What do I accomplish in the garden and when?
You are becoming more curious about your outdoor space. Wanting to understand its inner workings, hence take command of your property like a trapeze artist – with the greatest of ease, If only.
A garden is the perfect place for continued learning. You have had to heard someone tell a parent at some point in time to buy a young child a plant or small pet such as a fish so the youth may learn responsibility, buy them a terrarium, have them grow vegetables – a sunflower.
The word Garden is short for – unexpected events may affect the course of this outcome – You make plans and God laughs or Experiment in progress. Mind you, many have mastered many garden tasks such as growing the largest juiciest tomatoes, the sweetest corn, longer production, organic pest practices, water saving practices, one day you will still be taken by surprise – and you will learn – we will all learn – To garden is to learn – patience – joy – sorrow – technique – endurance – communication – awareness – worth and yes commitment. To me, understanding your garden is the closest class you will ever find to help you understand life. Life itself is a garden worth tending.
Sometimes the flowers in your garden need deadheaded, such as your Rhododendron or Azalea. After your Azaleas are finished blooming they will set bud rather quickly for next year’s blossom. Trim them once they have finished blooming. If you like to keep your Azalea in a tight ball or certain shape, you can use a clean sharp pair of electric, gas or hand shears to trim and shape them. Though I believe if at all possible – hand trim – hand trimming is much easier on the plant, less stressful and can accomplish the same outcome. Hand trimming does take longer than using the shears – here is a garden lesson in endurance.
If you do not want to trim your Azalea, you can always freshen up their appearance by deadheading them once they are finished blooming. Do this by hand, reach in and pull out the dead blossoms gently; it is tedious on larger shrubs but well worth it aesthetically.
Your Rhododendron benefit from deadheading as well, not only do they look nicer, it eliminates the chance of the blossom rotting on the stalk and causing some kind of an issue. It is always best to hand trim a Rhododendron after it has finished blooming. It sets blossom for the next spring shortly after this springs bloom as well. To deadhead a Rhododendron you will need to look closely at the dead blossom – you will notice new tender green and fuzzy leaves emerging from the side of where the blossom seems attached – this is the new growth. Grab the blossom at its base, above the new growth. Twist and pull at the same time and the blossom should come right off. You can dispose of this in the compost pile unless your plants are treated with an insecticide or other chemicals.
Are there any unwanted guests in your garden?
Listed below are some of the questions I have been asked in regards to pests and conundrums some are experiencing in the garden and landscape:
- Small red bumps on a maple leaf – Leaf miner on a Sunset maple – usually non-threatening – use Bayer 3 in 1 disease and insect control
- Funny pieces of dead debris hanging from the Cypress tree – Bagworm in a cypress tree – remove all bags by hand and burn or suffocate.
- Iris are dying back and the tubers are
slimy and gooey – Iris Borer in the Iris – remove any infected tubers and Iris leaves – burn infected plant material or suffocate to eliminate spreading borer
- Dwarf leaves on many trees newly planted last fall – This is a little trickier without seeing the tree up close and personal – first guess though – lack of water and nutrients last season in effect of the drought, inadequate precipitation over the winter – Water well at least once a month and feed up to four times this year. Many other virus and disease create symptoms such as dwarf leaves. If you are experiencing this with one or more of your trees it is always best practice to have a professional on site to diagnose the problem and offer recommendation.
- White dust on groundcover euonymus – Scale – treat or remove plant – If removing, burn the plant material so you do not contribute to the spreading of scale.
Are you inspired by your garden or tormented by it? I have spoken with someone today who wants to plow his garden over and turn it all to lawn. Have you felt this way before? I have also spoken to many who tell me their garden saved their lives. A garden, as anything, is viewed in perspective, so what is your angle?
