2008

It's the 100th anniversary of the first idea of celebrating moms on Mother's Day, thanks to Anna Jarvis (May 10, 1908 in Grafton, WVA). In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation to declare the first nation Mother's Day, and it was to be the second Sunday of May. And from there, the rest is history. For all of us in the gardening business, Mother's Day weekend has also become the unofficial kick-off to the "annual gardening season". So Mom, if it's okay with you, "Let the annual gardening begin!"

[A mother understands what a child does not say. -Jewish proverb.]

Whether It's The Weather

weather

Looks like rainfall is headed our way, and possibly heavy at times. Other than that, it truly has been a wonderful spring so far. We really couldn't ask for much better than what we've experienced this year. I'll take it! How about you?

[There is only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it. -Chinese proverb.]

What's Bugging You?

bug

Still haven't had many buggy encounters in the yardboy's garden, but am certainly seeing a lot of Eastern tent caterpillar nests showing up in the ornamental trees! Just in case you're not sure, its the white silky bag you see in the branches, with all the caterpillars moving in and out of the bag, feeding on the trees leaves. Remember that if you can reach them, simply smash the nest with your hand, knock them out with a stick, or blow them out with a strong stream of water and do the Buggy Joe Two-Step on them. No sprays needed! Don't forget our promise this year - to never spray for a bug or disease problem until we know what it is, if it does damage, if so, how much, if spraying is needed, and if so, what are the options and what's the most eco-friendly way to spray? Don't forget! :)

This week, Buggy Joe Boggs is reporting garlic mustard invading many landscape beds, fence rows, etc, squirrels chewing off the tips of tree branches (why do they do that?), sawfly leafminers are now flying about, Elm flea weevils are back, clover mites still climbing the walls, pine sawflies out and about, Buckeye petiole borer now appearing on Buckeye leaf petioles, Oak flower midge falling out of oak trees (like raining white Mexican jumping beans), gypsy moths beginning to feed, termites are swarming, ground nesting bees are out and about (do more good than harm so leave them alone if you can), pine needle scale crawlers are crawling, powdery mildew already showing up on a few annuals, dog vomit fungus appearing on some mulches, skunks digging holes in lawns looking for grubs and earthworms, loads of Black Knot on Prunus and Cedar Quince Rust on Hawthorns (similar in appearance), dandelions everywhere (spot treat with a water soluble dandelion killer if needed - best time is at puff ball stage or wait until October), more and more cicada chimneys appearing (woo-hoo!), and one last thing from BJB. As you mow the lawn this year, do not scalp your turf! For Ky bluegrass and Perennial Ryes, mow around 2 to 2 1/2 inches high. For turf type tall fescues, mow around 2 1/2 to 3 inches high. Scalping a lawn reduces the grass plant's capacity to manufacture carbohydrates or food, and reduces its ability to compete with weeds. Proper mowing height is just one step in helping to create a thick healthy lawn, and as we all know, a thick healthy lawn means fewer weeds, insects and disease.

Last minute addition! For you grape growers who have had problems with Black Rot, make sure you are spraying a fungicide now. Mancozeb does a pretty good job helping to control Black Rot on grapes, as well as a great spray for roses, and for helping to control Black Knot in plums and cherries.

-Catch the Buggy Joe Boggs Report Saturdays at 8:42am on 55KRC Thee Talk Station.

[The mother's heart is the child's schoolroom. -Irish proverb]

Question Mark & The Mysterians

mystery

"What is your opinion of the hanging planters where tomato plants are grown upside down?" -Every time I see then, I ask myself "Why didn't I think of that?" Because you see, as best as we can determine, my father, Ed Wilson, was a pioneer in developing the first upside down tomato. The original was planted in a 10 inch hanging basket (planted for us by Paul Koester and Danny Grant), which we found out very quickly was way too small (had to be watered 2-3 times a day or more!). After the first year, my dad upgraded to 5 gallon pickle buckets, and eventually we used 12 and 14 inch hanging baskets for selling them in Natorp's Garden Stores. Grants Greenhouses grew them for years for us to resell. It was a few years after that the word began to get around, and the next thing you knew, the Topsy Turvy was invented. Which, by the way does work. If you'd like to try it on your own, I've included the tip sheet in this week's newsletter. As far as I'm concerned, cherry tomatoes work best upside down! :)

"Is it possible to grow "Sunny" Knock Out rose in a container?" -Absolutely YES! Sunny is the new yellow / slightly fragrant Knock Out, and yes, as with all the Knock Outs, will grow quite nicely in a large container. Yes, you will have to water and feed a bit more, and will have to help protect it over the winter, but makes as great a container plant as it does a great in-ground plant. Now, if you visit the garden stores and they don't have any in stock, more are on the way. The growers release them in stages, so there will be more coming! By the way, don't forget to check out the new Drift Roses, which are ground cover roses, good disease resistance, great all season bloomers, and again will do quite nicely in containers, hanging baskets, or in the ground.

"I have two purple plum bushes that are larger than expected and would like to trim them back after finished blooming. How far back can I go?" -Close your eyes and cut. Seriously, they respond very well to a serious cut back. Remember where you cut them back is where most of the new growth will come from, so cut back a bit harder than you originally planned.

"What do I do to protect the ornamental trees I planted last fall from the cicada's coming this month?" -Wait until you see the red's of their eyes. Then if the populations are high, you may want to consider covering the canopies of the trees with cheesecloth, or grow covers, and tieing it at the trunk of the tree sealing off the canopy from the cicadas. But you may be surprised and not have many or any at all, especially if you live in a new development where the soil has been disturbed over the past years.

"Do peonies get old and not bloom anymore? I have no ants - is that the problem?" -If peonies don't bloom (or stop), several things to consider. Lack of sunlight (need 6-8 hours or more), competition with other plants for sun, water, nutrients (they do not like competition), low nutrients (feed with a garden food and feed to the sides not on top), planted too deep (the major culprit), and a late freeze will affect peony flowering. Remember, the ants you see on the blooms are there for the sweet nectar like juices secreted by the peony flower buds, and have no affect on flowering.

"I notice you and Buggy Joe talking about treating for dandelions when they're getting ready to blow seeds everywhere. Why is that? Won't I have those seeds to deal with later?"

-Good question! Spot treating dandelions at the puff ball stage is one of the best times as they are more susceptible to the herbicide - the other being October when they are most susceptible to herbicides. If your lawn is good and thick, dandelion seeds cannot grow in the lawn. Seeds blow in all the time, but with a thick lawn, they cannot grow - they need room. So, you see them pop up the most in thinner areas of the lawn, thin lawns, along sidewalks and driveways (where the lawn has thinned out) etc. So spot treat at puff ball stage, re-spot treat other weeds in mid to late May as they come up, and again, work to get that lawn thicker, as we all know, a thicker lawn means fewer weeds, insects and disease. (Check your mowing height as well!) NOTE: By the way, don't forget that dandelion blossoms are a favorite or many bees, so leaving them to flower will help the bees! Another reason to wait until puff ball stage to treat with a liquid herbicide!

"Why do cats like catnip?" -It's called "nepetalactone" which has a hallucinogenic effect on cats, and catnip has it. Cats will react differently to it, including neutered or non-neutered cats - lions, pumas and leopards like it. Cats getting a buzz from this is harmless, and non-addictive, so don't worry about your cat becoming a catnip junkie.

"When should I prune my lilacs?" -Within 2-3 weeks after they finish flowering. Go light on the Korean lilacs as a heavy pruning may delay flowering for 2 years.

"I am suddenly over run with voles in my landscape beds! What do I do to get rid of them?" -Vole populations have simply exploded over the past few years in the landscape. And they can cause a tremendous amount of damage in the landscape and in the veggie garden. (Voles look like a stub-tailed field mouse with a snoot of the front. Do not confuse these with moles.) Best defense is using mouse traps baited with peanut butter and a few sunflower seeds. Also, try to disguise the trap so other critters (birds, dogs, cats, etc) don't see it. I have heard of some gardeners also having luck with the sticky traps. Place either one next to their surface runs or trails.

"Can I use a rainbarrel's water to water my lawn?" -Water from a rainbarrel can be used to water anything in the yard. The issue would be getting the pressure to use a sprinkler to water, which would involve using a pump of some type. I think rainbarrels will make a major statement in gardening very quickly. Easy way to save rain water to supplement watering without using 'city water'. And there are so many choices today in sizes and styles!

"What's the name of the larger faster growing arborvitae you were talking about last week?"

-It's called 'Spring Grove' or 'Green Giant'. 10-15 feet wide, 30 feet plus tall, and fairly quick grower for an evergreen. I like the looks as well.

"You told about the combination of plants planted in your containers that faced southwest. What were they again?" -Glad you asked! In the planters (gets all afternoon hot baking sun) I used Perila Magilla, Euphorbia Diamond Frost, Goldilocks Lysimachia, Margarite Sweet Potato vine, and Millionbells. They all did exceptionally well! All A+! I had also planted Sedum 'Angelina' in the ground below these planters, and it is the same way. I love that plant as a groundcover or in containers. Golden yellow in the summer, orange yellow in the winter.

[My mom is a neverending song in my heart of comfort, happiness, and being. I may sometimes forget the words, but I always remember the tune. -Gracie Harmon]

Success Tip of the Week

tip

We have 2 success tips for this week. One is "growing tomatoes upside down", and the second is a list of suggestions for gifts from the garden for Mom! Mom's love gifts from the garden, you know!

Tip #1

Growing Tomatoes the Upside-Down Way!

Here's a look at a really different type of container gardening. It doesn't take up any floor space, and it turns the world of container gardening upside down! It's the upside down tomato, originally grown in our area by Mr. Ed Wilson. And it's exactly that; a tomato grown in a hanging basket, upside down. Here is what you'll need:

-One tomato plant (cherry, yellow pear or grape)

-One parsley, bouquet basil or chive plant

-One 12-14 inch or larger hanging basket (without a saucer) - 2-3 gallon buckets or even picklebuckets work well!

-Soil-less Potting Mix / Soil Moist / Osmocote - pre mixed and ready to use

-Miracle Gro for later feedings

-8 inch square of fabric with a 2 inch slit cut in the middle

-Take the basket or container chosen and drill a 1 ½ to 2 inch hole in the center of the bottom of the container. Place the fabric inside, so the slit is directly over the hole.

-Gently massage the root ball of the tomato until it fits through the hole. Push the plant, roots first, through the hole and slit in the fabric. Leave about 1/3 of the plant foliage sticking out the bottom, the rest of the plant inside the pot.

-Now, fill the container with your pre mixed soil-less potting mix. Gently tamp the soil around the roots so that it holds the tomato firmly in place. This is a bit awkward, so 4 hands may be required for this part of the planting!

-Once the tomato is securely planted, and the container is full of the soil-less mix, then plant either the parsley or chive in the top of the pot.

-Hang your upside down tomato in a sunny spot, water well, and water as needed throughout the season. Be sure to use the Miracle Gro as a fertilizer supplement throughout the growing season.

Now be sure to hang your basket high enough to allow the tomato to vine as it normally would. M-m-m-m. fresh cherry tomatoes on the bottom, with fresh parsley, bouquet or chives on the top. What more could you ask for?

Another option is the new Topsy Turvy II. It's a hanging tube, hole in bottom, and ready to be planted with your tomato in the bottom!

Tip #2
Mother's Day Gifts - You really can't beat gifts from the garden for Mom, so let us give you a few suggestions to consider this year.

-Roses, but not just any rose. Easy to care for roses like all of the Knock Out rose series, including the new "Sunny" Knock Out. Don't forget the new Drift Roses, as well as one of the 2008 Award Winners, "Dream Come True" developed right here in Cincinnati by Dr. John Pottschmidt!

-Hydrangeas are great, including Endless Summer, Blushing Bride, and the new Pinky Winky!

-Tropical Plants are true winners for potted summer colors. Hibiscus, Mandevilla, Golden Shrub Daisy, Passion Vine, or even a Banana Tree!

-Colorful Hanging Baskets are a winner for moms, with so many selections to choose.

-Ornamental trees like Snow Fountain Cherry, Dogwoods, Redbud (weeping, too!), Canada Red Cherry, Japanese maples, and don't forget to look at Black Lace Elderberry and Tiger Eyes Sumac!

-Custom Planted Containers are great gifts, and can be filled with mom's favorite perennials, annuals or both. And don't forget herb planters, tomato and pepper planters, or even the upside down tomatoes.

-Mom's also love Bionic Gardening Gloves (the best glove around), Hummingbird Feeders, Wind Chimes, Radius Garden Tools, Adjust o rakes, garden art / bird baths / statuary, Ray Padula's new watering wands, and so much more!

-Still not sure? Then how about a Natorp's Gift Card? Then mom can redeem her card whenever she wants, for whatever she wants! Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

[A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people promptly announces she never did care for pie. -Tenneva Jordan]

From the Garden to the Kitchen

Rita

Yardboy, Mother's Day brings back such nice memories of my own childhood along with that of my kids'. When we were little, we picked Mom a bouquet of wild violets that grew in a small field at the end of our street. My kids used to bring me a bouquet of wild flowers, as well, and it didn't matter to me if their grubby little hands clutched the bouquet so tight that some of the flowers wilted before I could put them in my best vase. I would always pick a few edible flowers from the bunch to decorate cupcakes they helped me make. Here's a wonderful recipe for little (or big) hands for that special mom. [And be sure and tell Nell, your mom, Happy Mother's Day from me, as well.]

YUMMY CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES
1 package devil's food cake mix

1 tablespoon cocoa

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup canola oil

1/2 cup water

3 large eggs, room temperature
3/4 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350. Line 18-20 cupcake pans. Blend everything together in large mixing bowl for one minute. Increase speed to medium and beat two minutes more. Pour into pans, filling each one three quarters full. Bake 28-30 minutes, until they spring back when lightly pressed. Let cool for 5 minutes. Decorate as desired. Edible flowers like pansies, violets, rose petals are nice. (Make sure they have not been sprayed).

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 / PT Witchdoctor -Maker of Strange Potions / www.abouteating.com

[The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness. -Honore' de Balzac.]

Yardboy's "Plant to Ponder"

plant

This week, there are so many plants we would love to highlight due to Mother's Day, its hard to chose! One plant that is getting ready to flower, which always provides a great spring show of colors as well as nice season-long foliage, is Iris sibirica, or Siberian Iris. Early to mid season bloom, slender leaves which add a nice vertical effect in the landscape or perennial bed, and the flowers are absolutely wonderful! 'Caesar's Brothers' is one of the most popular, with its very showy dark purple flowers, but you'll also find other selections including lavendar pinks and whites. These also make a great cutting flower.

Special Herbs - If you're planting herbs this spring, whether in the ground or in containers which is the way I grow herbs, here are a few special herbs you may want to consider adding to your herb list.

If you like dill, try growing Dukat Dill. It's a straight and clean growing plant, with denser foliage that lasts longer than most dills. The flavor of Dukat is mild and sweet - grows about 12-18 inches high, perfect for container gardens.

Hot and Spicy Oregano - this one looks like Italian oregano, gets 12 - 18 inches tall and wide, but the flavor is an intense, hot and spicy oregano. I like this one to spice up those spaghetti sauces!

I love cilantro, and here's one that won't bolt so soon in the heat. It's called Delfino Cilantro - it was a 2006 All American Selection. Unlike other Cilantros, Delfino has a fern like foliage - easy to chop up and still the great cilantro flavor. Now when it does bolt and flower, keep the seeds. Those are coriander, which is also used in cooking.

If you like to grill, and love the flavor of Rosemary, here's your herb. It's called Barbeque Rosemary - reason being the stems grow long and straight, very solid, and perfect to be used as a skewer for barbequing!

And last but not least, if you're looking for an herb to be used as an all natural sweetener, this is it. It's called Stevia, or sometimes "Sweetleaf". Easy to grow, especially in containers, Stevia leaves are naturally occurring sweetners, and is used as a sugar substitute - it's actually much sweeter than sugar, and perfect for diabetics looking for a natural sweetner. Now the sweetness in Stevia just gets better as the days get longer and warmer. One large leaf can help sweeten a quart of tea. I love the flavor!

If you haven't grown herbs before, this is the year to get started. And as far as I'm concerned, the best way to get started is growing them in containers! Right, Rita? :)

[I looked on child rearing not only as a work of love and duty, but as a profession that was fully as interesting and challenging as any honorable profession in the world, and one that demanded the best that I could bring. -Rose Kennedy]

A Little Bit of This,
A Little Bit of That

Things my Mother taught me:

My mother taught me RELIGION - "You'd better pray that comes out of the carpet", as well as IRONY - "Keep crying and I'll give you something to cry about."

My mother taught me about OSMOSIS - "Shut your mouth and eat that corn", as well as about STAMINA - "You'll sit there until all that corn is gone."

My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION - "Stop acting like your father!", as well as about GENETICS - "You're just like your father."

My mother taught me about LOGIC - "Because I said so, that's why", as well as MORE LOGIC - "If you fall out of that tree and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."

My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION - "Just wait until we get home" or "you just wait until your father gets home", as well as about RECEIVING - "You are going to get it when we get home (or when your father gets home)."

My mother taught me CONTORTIONISM - "Look at that dirt on the back of your neck!", as well as all about the WEATHER - "Your room looks like a tornado went through it!"

My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE - "If you and your sister are going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning the house."

My mother taught me HUMOR - "When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me", as well as all about my ROOTS - "Shut that door! Do you think you were born in a barn?"

And last but not least, my mother taught me JUSTICE - "One day, you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out to be just like you!" (Well, mom, I did, and justice was served. Fortunately, they got their 'smarts' and 'good looks' from their mom, but sometimes, they 'act' just like me! :)

OBKB. That's it for this week. It is Mother's day weekend, so I would like to suggest this. No matter what you get your mom for Mother's Day, be sure to give her a big hug and tell her you love her. And if your mom is no longer living, go share some of those great memories you have of her, with your friends and family. Now, do yourself a favor. Go out and have the best weekend of your life. See ya. RW, the Yardboy.

"Happy Mother's Day, Mom!"