Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Plant Bulbs Now for Blooms Next Spring

It's time to plant ... spring blooming bulbs!


It's that time of year ... the days are getting shorter and the nights are comfortably cooler. Garden and landscaped areas around your home probably look a bit tired now and no doubt the heat and humidity of this past summer have you feeling a bit tired too!

We know that fall rains will refresh lawns and spirits for many though. One of the easiest, most reliable ways to have a beautiful garden next spring is to plant bulbs in the fall. As the days grow shorter the air temperatures begin to drop. (You might even find yourself reaching for a jacket in the mornings as you head out for the day!) But the soil stays remarkably warmer than the air for many more weeks. Warm soil + cooler temps ... that's an ideal combination for nurturing plants and bulbs. Cooling soil promotes root growth, while cooler air means less heat stress.

If you crave variety in your spring garden it's best to shop now! Some of the more unusual colors of tulips and hyacinths often sell out early in the season. Most experts agree that it is fine to plant daffodils in early September. So if you are anxious to get out in the garden and dig in the dirt ... go ahead and plant your daffodils now. But ... those same experts recommend waiting for consistently cooler daytime temps before you put tulip bulbs in the ground.

Remember to pick up a bag of bulb food too. Use it at planting time and then again after the blooms have peaked and begun to fade next spring. Like any other plant, bulbs require nutrients in order to perform well. Bulb food provides the complete, correct fertilizers to encourage optimum bloom the FOLLOWING year.

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Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful. They are sunshine, food and medicine to the soul.
Luther Burbank

Wednesday, May 01, 2013

May Gardening Calendar

Courtesy of:
Missouri Environment & Garden
MU IPM Program

ORNAMENTALS:Weeks 1-4: Apples, crabapples and hawthorns susceptible to rust disease should have protective fungicidal sprays applied beginning when these trees bloom.

Weeks 1-4: Pinch azaleas and rhododendron blossoms as they fade.  Fertilize azaleas after bloom. Use a formulation which has an acid reaction.

Weeks 1-2: Canker worms (inch worms) rarely cause permanent damage to ornamentals. Use Bt if control is deemed necessary.

Weeks 1-2: Don't remove spring bulb foliage prematurely or next year's flower production will decline.

Week 1: Continue monitoring pines, especially Scotch and mugo, for sawfly activity on new shoots.

Week 1: Begin planting gladiolus bulbs as the ground warms. Continue at 2-week intervals.

Week 1: Plant hardy water lilies in tubs or garden pools.

Weeks 2-4: Scale crawlers are active now. Infested pines and euonymus should be treated at this time.

Weeks 2-3: Plant summer bulbs such as caladiums, dahlias, cannas and elephant ears.

Weeks 3-4: Begin fertilizing annuals. Continue at regular intervals.

Weeks 3-4: Trees with a history of borer problems should receive their first spray now. Repeat twice at 3-week intervals.

Weeks 3-4: Bulbs can be moved or divided as the foliage dies.

Week 4: Pinch back mums to promote bushy growth.

VEGETABLES
Weeks 1-4: Place cutworm collars made from cardboard strips around young transplants.
Weeks 1-4: Growing lettuce under screening materials will slow bolting and extend harvests into hot weather.

Weeks 1-4: Slugs will hide during the daytime beneath a board placed over damp ground. Check each morning and destroy any slugs that have gathered on the underside of the board.

Weeks 1-2: Plant dill to use when making pickles.

Week 1: Keep asparagus harvested for continued spear production. Control asparagus beetles as needed.

Week 1: Begin planting sweet corn as soon as white oak leaves are as big as squirrel ears.

Week 1: Isolate sweet, super sweet and popcorn varieties of corn to prevent crossing.

Week 1: Thin plantings of carrots and beets to avoid overcrowding.

Week 1: Control caterpillars on broccoli and cabbage plants by handpicking or use biological sprays such as B.t.

Week 1: Set out tomato plants as soils warm. Place support stakes alongside at planting time.

Weeks 2-3: Place a stake by seeds of squash and cucumbers when planting in hills to locate the root zone watering site after the vines have run.

Weeks 2-3: Remove rhubarb seed stalks as they appear.

Week 2: Watch for striped and spotted cucumber beetles now. Both may spread wilt and mosaic diseases to squash and cucumber plants.

Weeks 3-4: Set out peppers and eggplants after soils have warmed.
Week 4: Make new sowings of warm-season vegetables after harvesting early crops.

http://ipm.missouri.edu/MEG/2013/4/May-Gardening-Calendar/

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Garden Seminar Schedule

Hosted by Wickman's Garden Village
1345 S. Fort Ave, Springfield MO


All seminar sessions offer FREE instruction, but costs do apply for workshop materials. Please call 417-862-3707 if you would like additional info on these events.


January 26 – Terrarium & Fairy Garden Workshops (10:00 & 1:00 session) presented by Nancy Caplinger

February 2 – ‘Cooking with Fresh Herbs’ (1:00 session) presented by Bill Griffiths of the Farmers Gastropub
Not only a bar and far more than just a restaurant, Farmers Gastropub is a British-style hybrid that strives to serve the finest and freshest food available. Bill Griffiths believes the fresher the food, the better it tastes. That’s why Farmers Gastropub is committed to naturally raised, local and sustainable foods, and the farmers who produce them. 
(Please note - This session was limited to 40 participants and is already filled.)

February 9 – ‘Gardening in Raised Beds & Containers’ (1:00 session) presented by Jeannie LeJeune
An expert gardener and former Garden Center Manager, Jeannie is a teacher at heart and covers topics thoroughly.  Come prepared to take notes, ask questions and learn how to grow food in raised beds! 
Tuesday, Feb 4th Update ... our 1:00 seminar session for 'Gardening in Raised Beds & Containers' is already almost filled.  We are considering adding a 10:00 am session in order to give more people the opportunity to attend.  If you are interested in attending a 10:00 am session please call soon. 

February 16 – Come see us at the SPRINGFIELD LAWN & GARDEN SHOW!
We'll be bringing 100's of Succulents along with some unique examples of succulent plantings and Fairy Gardens that showcase fun ways to use succulent plants.  If you are intrigued by the news of all the health benefits offered by fresh blueberries be sure to stop by Wickman's display.  You'll find plenty of info on growing your own blueberries plus a special price on 'Bountiful Blue' and 'Sunshine Blue' blueberry plants for the Springfield L&G Show!    

February 23 – ‘How to Make Your Own Plant Mobiles’ (1:00 session) demonstration presented by Linda Siler, of O'Quinn's Orchid's & Water Gardens
Plant Mobiles are a fun and artful way to grow orchids, tillandsia air plants & more using Cork bark & other natural mediums. "Plant people always love to  try something new ... these fun, inexpensive gardens are sure to become as popular here as they have been on the west coast!" 

March 2 – ‘Organic Gardening Solutions’ (11:00 session) presented by Lisa Grant, of Dr. Earth Inc.
The nutrition your fruits & vegetables provide for you is only as good as the nutrition you provide for your soil – it’s time to go organic. Every gardener has taken one of the first steps on the path to good health and a healthy world!  Whether or not you believe that organic fruits & vegetables contain more nutrients, the benefits of not ingesting unwanted chemicals are clear.

March 9 – Learn from a Garden Pro! (1:00 session) Dan Bigbee of Fassnight Creek Farms & KY3’s Garden Spot
When to plant & harvest? Timing is an important aspect of gardening. As one of over 100 vendors at Farmer's Market of the Ozarks, Farmer Dan has opportunity & incentive to trial & endorse many seed varieties. The history of Fassnight Creek Farm goes back most of a century!  Dan and wife, Kelly, are the 4th family to operate the property as a vegetable farm. 

March 16 – ‘Growing Fruit – Trees, Bushes & Brambles’ (1:00 session) presented by Jeannie Lejeune
Placement, pruning, pollination … learn about the do’s & don’ts of ‘home grown’ fruit production.  Fresh fruit is a healthful, but sometimes costly food.  Home plantings make cents ... and save dollars! 

March 22, 23, 24 – SPRING OPEN HOUSE & ½ PRICE GERANIUM SALE @ WICKMAN'S
Talk to Bob Balek - Wickman’s ‘Answer Man’ about your lawn & tree troubles!  We'll also be offering 4.5" size pots of all colors of  Wickman's 'cutting grown' geraniums at 1/2 Price.
Plans for Open House are not complete ... there is definitely more info on Open House specials and activities to come!

April 6 – ‘Landscaping … Formal to Edible!’ (1:00 session) presented by Becky Nicholas, Landscape Designer for Wickman's Garden Village                                                                                   Creativity, a superlative knowledge of plants and appreciation for the beauty of nature are the attributes of a good Landscape Designer.  Becky draws upon these skills to create aesthetically pleasing,  functional areas that meet the needs of Wickman's retail customers and her landscape clients.   

April 13 – Wickman’s ‘Container Workshop’ (10:00 & 1:00 sessions) 
Hosted by the Greenhouse Staff at Wickman's Garden Village, Springfield location
Bring your own container or choose one from our extensive retail inventory in the garden center. Sessions offer free instruction, but costs do apply for materials of your choosing (container, soil, plants, etc).

April 20 – ‘Hardscapes & Landscapes’ (1:00 session) presented by Ed Colby, Landscape Designer for Wickman's Garden Village
If you've visited Wickman's in the past year, walked across the bridge, admired the water feature that greets you as you approach the Garden Center ... you are familiar with Ed's work! 

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