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In This Issue
Weather It's The
Weather
What's Bugging
You
Questionmark and
Mysterian
Success Tip of
the Week
From the Garden
to the Kitchen
Plant to Ponder
Contact
Information
Up
Coming Events
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Brazenhead Irish Pub
Auction, Raffles, Door Prizes, Food and drink
"Great Time for a Great Cause"
513 266 4404
jennysdream.org
Quick Links
$10,000 Landscape
Makeover
Newsletter
Archive
Success Tip Sheets
Landscape Design Kit
Gift Cards
Rita's Recipes
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Whether It's The Weather
There
has definitely been some frost on the pumpkins over the past
few mornings! AND IT'S ABOUT TIME! So, as the foliage on
all those late annuals start to wither and brown, pull and
pitch into the compost pile. And, hopefully you've been
protecting those foliage and tropical plants from the
frost. Time to make the final move and get those inside for
the winter as well. Now, we have had some decent rainfall,
but we're certainly not out of the woods. Keep watering as
needed until we get consistently cold - and that includes
newly planted trees and shrubs, spring bulbs, fall flowers,
etc, as well as the established plants (especially those
evergreens!). Newly planted lawns will need good even
moisture as well, right up until it gets cold,
"consistently".
[Why was the skeleton afraid to cross the road? It had no
guts.]
What's Bugging You
We're
good in the yardboy garden. But I would like to take the
time and thank Buggy Joe Boggs (OSU Extension Hamilton Co.)
for everything he (and the OSU Extension Office) does for
all of us. Most all of the timely and updated horticultural
information that we share with you, comes from the research,
updates, and horticultural information given to us from the
OSU Extension, and for me specifically, Mr. Joe Boggs. And
I'm talking about the information that is shared from your
lawn care people, certified arborists, garden center
professionals, plant growers in the area, the radio show, me
- most all of it comes from OSU Extension and again, for us,
from Joe Boggs. So for that, I cannot thank Joe enough.
And, in addition to all that, Joe also takes the time out of
his busy schedule to give me reports for this newsletter, as
well as speaking with me during the radio garden show on
Saturdays, updating everyone on bugs and diseases, and how
to protect their plants. SO JOE BOGGS, THANK YOU EVER SO
MUCH, AND HAVE A GREAT WINTER HIBERNATION. LOOKING FORWARD
TO YOUR REPORTS IN 2008!
NOTE OF
CONCERN: Unfortunately, it looks like the proposed 2008
budget for Hamilton County does not have money budgeted for
the OSU Extension Office! A recent article in the newspaper
implied that eliminating Extension in Hamilton Co. will have
little impact. No way! OSU Extension has been in Hamilton
Co. since 1917, and if lost, would be the ONLY county
without an Extension office. OSU Extension - Hamilton Co
provides direct technical support and on-site visits to over
350 Green Industry individuals and companies! They are our
source for research based information, pest and disease
diagnostics (including Emerald Ash Borer), and new plant
production methods. They provide Educational workshops,
training programs, pesticide licensing training, plant
evaluations, a direct source of information to home
gardeners, the Master Gardener Program, as well as writing
over 140 articles for various Green Industry publications -
if the local papers need horticultural information, OSU
Extension Hamilton Co is one of thee sources. Oh, did I
mention that not only would Hamilton Co. lose all these
services, they would also lose the Hamilton Co. 4-H
program? Yep, that's a part of the OSU Extension Hamilton
Co. If you agree that this service should continue in
Hamilton Co., I urge you to contact Todd Portune, David
Pepper, or Pat DeWine, and let them know how you feel about
this proposed budget cut. Do it today - the budget will be
approved in early December. Oh behalf of Joe and the entire
staff at OSU Extension Hamilton Co., we thank you.
ashalert.osu.edu www.emeraldashborer.info
[What is a vampire's favorite holiday? Fangsgiving.]
Questionmark and the Mysterians -
Your Questions Answered
"Enjoy your emails, but need to correct you on one thing.
I'm a native Vermonter, and "Cabbage Night" was
traditionally the night before Halloween. It is the night
set aside for pranks." -Hey thanks for straightening that
out. I was wondering how I was going to prank and collect
candy all on the same night. Now, there's no pressure. I
have 2 nights! "Cheecheecheeee - Hawwwhawwwhaw!"
Rather
than answer more gardening questions, we are instead adding
our 'Fall Gardening Check List'. These are just a few of
the main things you'll want to get taken care of as the
season winds down. So, here you go!
Fall
Gardening Checklist
As
summer ends, and the regular gardening season begins to wind
down, there are timely garden chores that need to be done in
your yard and garden. At the top is providing good soil
moisture for your larger trees and evergreens, landscape
shrubs, perennials and lawn, as they go into the fall and
winter. If your yard receives less than 1 inch of rainfall
every 10 days or so, you need to supplement. Good moisture
in the soil as well as in the plants is a very important
part of how well your plants will make it through the winter
and into next spring. And that means watering until the
ground freezes.
Here's that fall checklist. Hope it helps keep you on pace,
as this season winds down.
Fall
Checklist:
___Late August and early September is the best time for core
aerating, seeding, and applying a starter fertilizer to your
new seed, applying the first fall feeding of the lawn, and
if needed, total lawn renovation. Timing for feeding and
core aerating can continue on into October if needed.
___Plant fall colors such as mums, asters, Montauk daisies,
pansies, cold hardy annuals, ornamental grasses, late -
blooming perennials, ornamental cabbage and kale, etc.
Change out the summer annuals in your containers for these
fall bloomers.
___Dig and divide most spring and early summer flowering
perennials as needed. Late summer is the time for iris and
peonies.
___Bring tropical plants that have been outside all summer,
indoors, before night temperatures reach mid 50's.
Acclimate them in the shade for 10 days. Then, be sure to
inspect and treat for insects and other critter before
bringing them indoors.
___Apply Preen in the fall to help prevent winter annuals
from germinating (chickweed, henbit, purslane).
___Continue to remove all dead foliage from perennials and
clean up left over annuals and veggie plants. Cut them off
and leave the roots. They will break down and add organic
matter back to the soil. Place disease free dead foliage in
the compost pile.
___Start a compost pile; it doesn't take much space.
Today's yard debris can become tomorrow's garden gold as a
soil amendment. Grass clippings, finely ground leaves,
small sticks, vegetable trimmings from the kitchen, spent
flowers and foliage, etc, can all be added to the compost
pile.
___Clean up areas around fruiting trees and plants to get
rid of fallen fruits, diseased leaves and branches, etc.
___Start (or pot from outdoors) herbs for growing indoors
over the winter.
___Keep those leaves from accumulating on the lawn,
especially newly seeded lawns. In mature lawns, feel free
to return some of those leaves back to the soil by mowing
them into finer pieces. Grass clippings and finely ground
leaves actually creates thin layer composting right there in
the turf!
___Check for cracks and crevices, torn or loose screens,
anywhere that winter invading insects can get into the
house, and seal those up! For added protection, create an
insect barrier around the foundation with an insecticide.
___Cover water gardens with nylon netting to keep leaves and
debris out.
___Keep planting trees and shrubs. As long as the soil is
workable and the weather is good, you can plant all through
the rest of the year. Fall is thee best time for planting
most trees, shrubs, evergreens, perennials, lawns, etc.
___Protect younger trees from deer damage (bucks rubbing)
with trunk protectors.
___Protect deer browse susceptible plants with DeerScram /
Liquid Fence.
___Transplant trees and shrubs and perennials that need to
be moved in the yard.
___Expect your evergreens to shed inner needled during the
fall. It's a normal process.
anemones, alliums, etc. Plant several in pots for bringing
indoors early next spring. October is the best time for
planting spring bulbs.
___Fall is the best time to go after those broadleaf weeds
in the landscape and lawns. Using a weed killer in the fall
works better as the weeds are taking in nutrients and
storing them in their roots for winter, so they take in the
weed killer as well.
___Dig, clean and store summer bulbs (cannas, tuberous
begonias, gladiolas, caladiums, etc.) in a cool dark place
for replanting next year. Let the light early frosts kill
the tops, then dig and store away.
___Keep mowing the lawn on a regular basis (change
directions each time you mow) until the lawn has stopped
growing. For the last 2-3 cuts, lower your mower one
notch. When the lawn has stopped growing for the season,
mow it one last time, and then feed with a high N
fertilizer. Then, go have your mower serviced!
___Gather frost affected fruits and veggies before Jack
Frost takes them out!
___Till the garden this fall. Exposed soils freeze and thaw
over the winter and helps to break up that heavy soil. Add
a layer of compost, pine soil conditioner, or finely ground
leaves and grass clippings before you till.
___Feed the trees in late fall. Vertical mulching or soil
injection with a Ross Root feeder works great.
___Feed the birds, and clean your feeders if it hasn't been
done recently. Make sure your birds have a source of water
over the winter, as well as landscaping for the birds,
including evergreens, plants with seeds or berries, and
thicker growing shrubs.
___Have your soil tested. Many adjustments can be made this
fall and early next spring.
___Clean, oil and properly store all garden tools when the
season is over. Also, drain and coil all hoses and store
where they won't freeze. Properly store all chemicals to
keep them from freezing.
___Empty or properly store containers and planters to
prevent freezing and damages to the pots.
___Clean out those gutters and down spouts to prevent ice
clogs during the winter.
___Brighten your holidays by planting amaryllis and
paperwhite bulbs. They take 6 weeks or so to flower, so
plan accordingly. Plant them on staggered times to have
colors all winter long.
___Spray evergreens (as needed) with WiltStop for greater
winter protection.
___Do
not cover roses for the winter until late in the year, after
the plants have gone dormant and the soil is close to or
frozen. Reduce long branches as needed, but save serious
pruning for next spring.
___Winter mulching should not be done until the ground is
frozen, or at least down into the lower 40's or colder.
Natorp07
[What is Dracula's favorite kind of coffee? Decoffinated.]
Success Tip of the Week
Attracting birds to your landscape is a great way to help
control insects in the summer, and a great way to liven up
those hum drum winter days. One of the best ways to attract
birds is gardening for birds, and it's a fun way to work
with nature, beautify your yard, and learn about wildlife at
the same time. Planting evergreens to provide year round
protection, planting deciduous trees and shrubs to provide a
habitat for the birds as well as a natural source of food,
and designing water in the garden, whether it's a small pond
or bird bath, are all ways to garden for the birds, as well
as creating an attractive landscape. Of course, the easiest
way to attract birds is by supplying them with a source of
food in a bird feeder. If you're already feeding the birds,
good for you! And if you aren't, it's never too late to
start. Now here are 3 very important tips about feeding the
birds: 1.) Always use a high-grade bird feed. Cheap
feed, although less expensive, has fillers most birds won't
eat, and actually becomes a waste of your money. 2.)
Always provide water for the birds. It's as important as
the food. 3.) Clean your bird feeders on a regular
basis; using 10% bleach, 90% water solution. Clean it well,
rinse well, let it dry, and refill with a high-grade bird
food. This process helps to eliminate moldy feed, which can
be life threatening to birds, as well as help sanitize the
feeder to prevent against unwanted bird diseases.
[According to witchdoctor Rita, over 30,000 werewolf cases
were tried in France between 1520 and 1630. Of she would
know, as she was there at the time.]
From the Garden to the Kitchen
"Hey
Rita what's Cooking?"
Yardboy, I had a feeling it would happen, and it did. Even
though I've shared this recipe before, lots of our readers
think of it as an autumn/winter soup and I've had a couple
of requests to share it once again. And since it's rainy and
cool outside, this is the perfect soup to cook up for family
and friends.
SPEEDY VEGETABLE SOUP
Thanks to my friend and great cook, Joanie Woodward, for
sharing the original recipe. Here is my adaptation. If you
have any stray zucchini or summer squash still in the
garden, Yardboy, toss slices of that in while you sauté the
meat.
1
pound lean ground chuck or round
1 generous cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon garlic
1 jar chunky style pasta sauce, 19-28 oz
2 cans beef broth
Water to taste (start with 1 soup can water)
1 can chopped tomatoes and chilies or plain diced tomatoes
if you want it
less spicy
1 bag, 16 oz, frozen soup vegetables, thawed
1/2 box, 10 oz, frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
Handful or so of quick cooking brown rice or barley (opt)
Couple handfuls of fresh greens - spinach, chard, bok choy,
escarole, etc.
(opt)
Cheddar for garnish
Sauté
meat, onions and garlic. Drain fat. Add everything else
but greens and cheese. Bring to a boil. Lower to simmer 15
minutes or until vegetables are tender. Toss in greens and
cook 1 minute. Makes 8-10 generous servings. Serve with
plenty of cheddar.
-Rita
Nader Heikenfeld, CCP / Macy's Regional Culinary
Professional / Herbalist / Author / Local TV and Radio
Cooking Expert / Adjunct Professor U.C. Clermont College /
Community Press Papers / Part time Witchdoctor / Maker of
strange potions /
www.abouteating.com
[What do you get when you cross a vampire and a snowman?
-Frostbite.]
Yardboy's "Plant to Ponder"
I
have two I would like to mention today. The first one, not
only came thru this summer with flying bright colors, right
now it is giving us one unbelievably spectacular show of
orange, red and maroon fall colors. It's the Tiger Eyes
Sumac. This summer, the bright yellow foliage couldn't have
been any showier, and right now, the fall show is truly an
eye catcher. And the good thing about this, the plant I'm
looking at was not watered once during the summer and fall,
besides what Mother Nature provided! Hat's off to you, Mr.
Tiger Eyes Sumac. Thanks for the show.
Secondly, I would like to remention another plant that needs
to be used more in the landscape, again after how well it
performed this summer, and the great show it has given this
fall (combo of yellows and red). Acer ginnala, or Amur
maple, is a smaller maple, usually multi-stemmed, and can be
used as a small ornamental tree, large shrub, specimen,
screen planting, mass planting, etc (15-20'). It even does
well in larger tree planting containers. It really does
deserve more attention in today's landscapes.
[Why does Rita use a broom to fly on? -She says vacuum
cleaners are too heavy.]
A Little
Bit of This, A Little Bit of That
Just a
reminder that Fall is for Planting, and yes, you can
continue to plant right on thru Christmas, weather pending.
So you still have time to replace weak or dead trees and
shrubs, add new trees or screen plantings, get your spring
bulbs planted, or freshen up those tired annual planters.
Fall is for Planting - so take advantage of this great time
and get planting!
[What did
the vampires order at the bar? -Two bloods and a blood lite.]
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