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In the Garden...with Ron Wilson |
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Week 7 (4/25/03) What a crazy week! Enough said, now on with the newsletter. (By the way, this weeks quips are 'Great Quotes from Great Ladies'.) [I refuse to think of them as chin hairs. I think of them as stray eyebrows. -Janette Barber]- Up and down temperatures reminds us that a couple 70 and 80 degree days means nothing, other than a tease to get you to plant flowers! Heavy frosts around the tri-state Tuesday night, scattered on Wednesday. But, fortunately, cooler temperatures have kept that new foliage from being too tender, and it looks like frost damage was minimal if any at all. As we approach the month of May and officially begin the annual planting season, if there are frost warnings, we'll try to alert you via email. But, as usual, listen to the weather reports just to be sure what's being predicted. Rains have been predicted, but have been light in some areas. If you have planted new plants this spring, or new grass seed, be sure to check for proper moisture in the soil. Funny, huh? This time last year we were begging for the rains to stop! [If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning. -Catherine] *WHAT'S BUGGIN' YOU? - Eastern tent caterpillars continue to put up their tents and camp in ornamental trees around the area. And yes, pine sawflies are having their way with mugho pines and other selected pines. Keep your eyes open for these needle-looking critters. One day your evergreen has needles, the next day it will look like a sheared poodle. Buggy Joe Boggs (OSU Extension Agent) is reporting Honeylocust Plant Bug on the prowl, which are easy to see on the new foliage of locust. Tiny green insects that run like heck when you look at them! BJB is also reporting calls about Clover mites invading homes. Speaking of mites, BJB reminds all you Alberta Spruce owners to be on the lookout for spruce spider mites. Last weekend's rain may have reduced populations a bit, but they recover quickly! And, as usual, BJB would like to remind us as we approach the buggy season, to never spray for bugs, unless you know what it is, if it even needs to be sprayed, and what would be the best insecticide or natural means of control. So many times we react to the sighting of bugs with an all purpose spray (some times a fungicide which controls fungus not insects, or a spray for indoor use, not for plant foliage) not knowing what we're spraying, what we're spraying with, and whether it should have been sprayed in the first place. Good examples would be ladybug larvae. They look like these gross little alligator like things running around the stems, when in fact they are and continue to become a very beneficial insect for the garden. Pruning off praying mantis cocoons and throwing them away, not really knowing what it is, but that it looks gross. Or killing Assassin Bugs, which really look like bad news, when in fact they love to eat pine sawflies and many other bad bugs. These are the predators ... the good guys. So before you spray, look for these 4 common characteristics of insect predators: 1. ) Usually solitary creatures 2.) They are very mobile 3.) They exhibit hunt behavior with their fangs and claws, long forward thrusting mandibles, raptorial appendages (Joe likes to use this type of terminology to impress folks. Impressed?), as well as other killing equipment. Like what Joe? Machine guns and machetes? If you're still not sure, take a bug sample to the garden stores where we can tell you whether it's a good guy or bad guy, whether you need to spray, or whether you need to run like heck! (Catch the Buggy Joe Boggs report Saturday mornings at 8:20 am on 55KRC radio with Ron Wilson.) [I'm not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I'm not dumb - and I'm also not blonde. -Dolly Parton] *QUESTIONMARK & THE MYSTERIANS -Here are a few gardening questions from this weeks email news bag: "Can I still apply a pre emergent crabgrass control to my lawn?" You sure can! Although we've had a few reports further south, for the most part, crabgrass has yet to rear its ugly head in most areas. "I sowed grass seed during the winter, but haven't seen any coming up, yet? Is it gone?" Not necessarily. Lot's of grass seed hasn't germinated yet either! So you could be okay. Give it more time (and more consistent warm weather). "What are the clumps of grassy looking stiff coming up in my lawn?" Probably Ky31 fescue, but could be ryegrass. And don't forget that Annual Bluegrass has started growing in the lawns, too! "Any suggestions for a hardy vine for the shade? I would like flowers, but realize this is a tough area." No, no it's not! The perfect vine for you is Climbing Hydrangea! Very hardy woody vine, slow at first then comes on strong, great glossy foliage, wonderful white flowers, loves the shade. How's that! "Can I still cut back my butterfly bushes? Can I still cut back my roses? Can I still cut back my Russian sage? Can I still cut back my spireas? Can I still remove lower branches from my trees? Can I still plant potatoes in a basket? Can I still apply pre emergent to my landscape beds (Preen)? Is the Reading Road store open? Can I treat my lawn for dandelions, henbit, chickweed, and the rest at one time with one product (Trimec)? Can I still cut back Liriope? Are you crazy?" YES! [In politics, if you want something said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman. -Margaret Thatcher] *HEY MRS. N, WHAT'S LOOKING GOOD IN YOUR YARD THIS WEEK? - Actually, Mrs. N says this is what's looking good in the nursery, and this weekend, Mr. N will be planting them in her yard! It's Flowering Dogwoods (Cornus florida), one of the most desired spring blooming ornamental trees. Mrs. N is having Mr. N plant them on the edge of a wooded area in her back yard, and making sure he uses pine soil conditioner to mix with the backfill. Exactly where dogwoods 'naturally' want to grow and the type of soil they want to grow in! There are many varieties today for you to consider when choosing a dogwood, pinks, whites, and dark pink (or sometimes called red). For pictures and more information about Flowering Dogwoods (including varieties), click on Mrs. N's picks. Lookin' good, Mrs. N! (Tell Mr. N to put on his YARDGLOVE before he starts planting. Quicker cleanup, you know!)- Maryon Pearson] *MOW-TIVATION - Now matter what the temps, the grass is definitely up and growing. May be a bit thinner than last year, but growing. I say that because I think we're seeing more weeds this year than in the past, due to lawns thinning and having more bare spots, thanks to last year's summer heat and drought. And, with the way the weather has been, they're all running a bit ahead of schedule! Lot's of reports about clumps or patches of quicker growing different colored green grass growing in the lawns. Could be one of 3 things right now: annual bluegrass, Ky. 31, or ryegrass. If you're having this problem, take a clump top the garden stores and see if someone could id what it is. If you need to treat the lawn for dandelions (puff ball stage is when they're most susceptible to weed killers) and all the other goodies coming up now, use Bonide's Lawn Weed Killer with Trimec. Read the label for restrictions and how to use the product properly. Just a reminder that there is another option to many of the weeds in the lawn. You could eat them! Now, don't go out in the lawn with a bottle of Ranch dressing and start grazing, but if the lawn has not been treated with non-edible herbicides and insecticides, technically there are many of the weeds that can be eaten. And, they're usually very high in nutrients. Dandelions, chickweed, onions, chicory, white clover, plantain, lamb's quarters, violet flowers and more can be eaten. DISCLAIMER: You have to do this, you know! I am just telling you they are edible. I am not suggesting you eat them. Do not eat them if the lawn has been treated with non-edible chemicals. Do not eat them in excess as they may give you a stomachache and more. And you know what 'more' can be! As a matter of fact, the more I think about it, forget that I even told you about this! Keep mowing on a regular basis (remove 1/3 of the grass blade each time), change directions each time you mow, throw the clippings back into the turf, and keep those mower blades as sharp as possible. [The phrase "working mother" is redundant. –' Jane Sellman] *FROM THE GARDEN TO THE KITCHEN - HEY RITA, WHAT'S COOKIN'? Well yardboy, I'm going wild in the kitchen! I just finished picking wild violets and redbud tree flowers (yes, they're edible) to make jellies. Violas can be used, as well (just make sure they haven't been sprayed with harmful chemicals). Violet and Red bud jellies have a slight citrus taste. They are beautiful shades of lavender and pink. To make these jellies, you'll need 2 cups of tightly packed washed flowers (no leaves, no stems). Pour 2 cups boiling water over them and let them sit for 12 hours to infuse. Strain and pour in big pan. Add < cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, strained, and 1 package of powdered pectin. Bring to a boil, while stirring constantly. Add 4 cups sugar all at once. Keep stirring constantly. When mixture comes to a hard boil (one that cannot be stirred down), cook exactly one minute. Pour into sterilized jars (boil in water 15 minutes and keep hot) and cap with a sterile lid. Store in cool, dry place away from heat and light. Elegant on scones, biscuits, ice cream, or as a filling between tea cookies. Thanks to my friend Nancy Bentley, for sharing this recipe with us today! -Rita Heikenfeld, CCP Culinary Home Professional The Great Indoors 346-1506 (cooking and special classes) Note: Natorp's Preferred Gardeners Seminars have Rita and Ron with their classes "From the Garden to the Kitchen", April 30th (sorry, full), May 7th Florence, May 28th Florence, as well as Rita's class during Yardarama, June 7th, Mason store. You can also join Rita and Ron and Jamie Natorp at The Great Indoors for 2 special classes on growing, landscaping and cooking with herbs. $35 and Pre registration is required (346-1506). [I am a marvelous housekeeper. Every time I leave a man, I keep his house. - Zsa Zsa Gabor] *EASTER FLOWERS NOT JUST A THROW AWAY! –' If you received Easter flowers this year, many of them can be replanted in the garden. Potted tulips and daffodils, hydrangeas, azaleas, mini-roses, mums, Easter lilies are just a few of the many that can planted outside and continue to grow in the garden. Easter lilies (one of the most popular holiday plants) should be deadheaded when finished flowering, and as soon we get more into the month of May, cut it in half, and replant it in the perennial garden. It will regrow, and possibly re-bloom this summer, as well as for years to come! One last note about Easter lilies; they are highly toxic to cats! Seriously toxic! So be cautious when having them indoors. If you detect that the cat has eaten some foliage, immediately notify the vet. They can treat them if you react quickly. [Whatever women must do they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult. -Charlotte Whitton] That's it for this week. Don't forget to put on your YARDGLOVE before you work in the garden. Now, do yourself a favor and have the best weekend of your life! See ya! RW, the yardboy. [Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission. -Eleanor Roosevelt] Catch Natorp's own grown Ron Wilson every Saturday morning "In the Garden" from 6-9am on 55KRC Thee Talk Station. You'll also find Ron on WKRC 12NEWS Thursdays at 5:50 pm, as well as Friday and Saturday mornings. Watch for Ron's monthly gardening column in your local Community Press Papers. |