Tips and Tricks for the Garden
CARING FOR SUCCULENT PUMPKINS
Since you are not cutting into the pumpkin, it will likely last for a few months as long as you give it the right conditions and mist it regularly. It's important to keep the whole pumpkin and succulents from getting too much water or the succulents and pumpkin may quickly rot.
1. Spray the succulent cuttings at least once a week to hydrate the moss and to encourage any new roots that might form. Try to avoid allowing water to pool near the stem.
2. The amount of water needed varies depending on your climate, but generally misting every few days, getting the moss moist but not soaking wet works best.
3. Treat the succulent pumpkin arrangement as though it is a houseplant. Place it in a spot that gets bright light (not direct, hot sun) – near a window indoors, or on a sheltered porch or deck.
Growing Succulents
You might discover that the cuttings will start growing into the moss and they might even attach themselves to the actual pumpkin. Once the pumpkin starts to break down, carefully cut off the top. You may either plant the pumpkin piece with the succulents into a pot that will hold it, or cut the pumpkin top into pieces supporting each succulent and plant them into smaller pots.
Since you are not cutting into the pumpkin, it will likely last for a few months as long as you give it the right conditions and mist it regularly. It's important to keep the whole pumpkin and succulents from getting too much water or the succulents and pumpkin may quickly rot.
1. Spray the succulent cuttings at least once a week to hydrate the moss and to encourage any new roots that might form. Try to avoid allowing water to pool near the stem.
2. The amount of water needed varies depending on your climate, but generally misting every few days, getting the moss moist but not soaking wet works best.
3. Treat the succulent pumpkin arrangement as though it is a houseplant. Place it in a spot that gets bright light (not direct, hot sun) – near a window indoors, or on a sheltered porch or deck.
Growing Succulents
You might discover that the cuttings will start growing into the moss and they might even attach themselves to the actual pumpkin. Once the pumpkin starts to break down, carefully cut off the top. You may either plant the pumpkin piece with the succulents into a pot that will hold it, or cut the pumpkin top into pieces supporting each succulent and plant them into smaller pots.
TIPS AND TRICKS FOR PLANTING SPRING BULBS
Planting spring bulbs requires thinking ahead: spring-flowering bulbs need to be planted in fall in order to bloom come show time. The bulbs need a certain amount of time to get established before winter's freezing weather sets in, and they need enough time exposed to cool soil temperatures to be properly chilled.
Planting spring bulbs requires thinking ahead: spring-flowering bulbs need to be planted in fall in order to bloom come show time. The bulbs need a certain amount of time to get established before winter's freezing weather sets in, and they need enough time exposed to cool soil temperatures to be properly chilled.
How to Make Personalized Plant Markers
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DIY WITH LAVENDER
Lavender Wands are a fun way to enjoy the fresh scent of lavender throughout the year.
Lavender Wands are a fun way to enjoy the fresh scent of lavender throughout the year.
NATIONAL GARDEN ASSOCIATION RESOURCES
Plants Database- The plants database is one of the most complete databases of plants in existence. Collaboratively developed, it is rich with information, comments, photos, growers performance reports, and much more. Our plants database is at the core of our plant-specific educational resources.
Learning Library- The learning library contains detailed gardening guides covering basic plant care, food gardening, weeds and pests, educational curricula that is useful for gardeners of all ages, and a vast treasury of articles covering every aspect of gardening.
Kids Corner- Fun downloads for children include scavenger hunts and a weekly wildflower coloring page.
Plants Database- The plants database is one of the most complete databases of plants in existence. Collaboratively developed, it is rich with information, comments, photos, growers performance reports, and much more. Our plants database is at the core of our plant-specific educational resources.
Learning Library- The learning library contains detailed gardening guides covering basic plant care, food gardening, weeds and pests, educational curricula that is useful for gardeners of all ages, and a vast treasury of articles covering every aspect of gardening.
Kids Corner- Fun downloads for children include scavenger hunts and a weekly wildflower coloring page.
PLANTING AN EDIBLE LANDSCAPE: CHOOSING APPROPRIATE HERBS
SHADE: Sweet Woodruff, Mints and Violets
PARTIAL SHADE: Angelica, Bee Balm, Catnip, Chamomile, Chervil, Chives, Costmary, Feverfew, Geraniums, Lemon Balm, Lovage, Parsley, Bay, Sweet Cicely, Tarragon and Yarrow
DROUGHT TOLERANT: Artemesia, Germander, Horehound, Lambs ears, Lavender, Old Roses, Rosemary, Sage, Santolina, Thyme and Yarrow
FRAGRANT: Bee Balm, Costmary, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Lemon Thyme, Marjoram, Mints, Oregano, Old Roses, Rosemary and Scented Geraniums
TEA GARDEN: Bee Balm, Borage, Catnip, Chamomile, Costmary, Lemon Balm, Lemon Thyme, Mints, Parsley, Rosemary and Sage
CULINARY GARDEN: Basil, Bay, Chives, Dill, Garlic, Lovage, Marjoram, Mints, Nasturtiums, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Savory, Sorrell, Tarragon and Watercress
GREY & SILVER GARDEN: Artemesia, Catmint, Germander, Gray Santolina, Horehound, Lambs ear, Lavender, Sage, Silver Thyme, Wormwood and Yarrow
FLOWERS: Bee Balm, Calendula, Chamomile, Feverfew, Lavender, Old Roses and Yarrow
EDGING: Chives, Dwarf Rosemary, Dwarf Sage, Hyssop, Santolina and Thyme
HANGING BASKETS: Catnip, Marjoram, Mints, Rosemary and Thyme
SHADE: Sweet Woodruff, Mints and Violets
PARTIAL SHADE: Angelica, Bee Balm, Catnip, Chamomile, Chervil, Chives, Costmary, Feverfew, Geraniums, Lemon Balm, Lovage, Parsley, Bay, Sweet Cicely, Tarragon and Yarrow
DROUGHT TOLERANT: Artemesia, Germander, Horehound, Lambs ears, Lavender, Old Roses, Rosemary, Sage, Santolina, Thyme and Yarrow
FRAGRANT: Bee Balm, Costmary, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Lemon Thyme, Marjoram, Mints, Oregano, Old Roses, Rosemary and Scented Geraniums
TEA GARDEN: Bee Balm, Borage, Catnip, Chamomile, Costmary, Lemon Balm, Lemon Thyme, Mints, Parsley, Rosemary and Sage
CULINARY GARDEN: Basil, Bay, Chives, Dill, Garlic, Lovage, Marjoram, Mints, Nasturtiums, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Savory, Sorrell, Tarragon and Watercress
GREY & SILVER GARDEN: Artemesia, Catmint, Germander, Gray Santolina, Horehound, Lambs ear, Lavender, Sage, Silver Thyme, Wormwood and Yarrow
FLOWERS: Bee Balm, Calendula, Chamomile, Feverfew, Lavender, Old Roses and Yarrow
EDGING: Chives, Dwarf Rosemary, Dwarf Sage, Hyssop, Santolina and Thyme
HANGING BASKETS: Catnip, Marjoram, Mints, Rosemary and Thyme
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PLANTING BULBS IN A CONTAINER
1. Reuse Broken Pots: Choose a container with good drainage holes and then cover them with broken terracotta pots or tiles. They prevent the holes from getting clogged up with compost, which would stop water from draining away. 2. Good Drainage: Some sun-loving bulbs, such as tulips, need really good drainage as they need to be kept fairly dry when dormant. They will not do well if sitting in moist soil. When planting these, add a layer of gravel to aid drainage further. 3. Fill Container with Compost: Fill the pot with compost (use bulb-planting or multi-purpose), to within 6 in (15 cm) of the rim. If using multi-purpose compost, improve its drainage by mixing in one part horticultural grit to every three parts of compost. 4. Plant Bulbs Pointed Up: As a rule, bulbs should be planted at three times their own depth. Make sure the shoot (the pointed end) is facing upward. Then top up the pot with compost to within 2 in (5 cm) of the rim, to allow for easy watering. |
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STAKING - Staking a tree should only be done when necessary, such as when roots are not solid in the planting hole or where the tree could be dislodged by high winds. In most instances, the weight of the root ball is normally sufficient to hold the tree in place. Trees with trunks up to two inches in diameter can be supported with a 1" x 1' stake driven firmly into the ground at a 45 degree angle close to the trunk and attached to the tree with plastic ties designed for this purpose or with twine. Wrap the trunk of the tree to protect it from rubbing against the stake. Trees with trunks larger than 2 inches in diameter may require 2 to 3 stakes or guy wires anchored into the soil. Be sure to remove the stakes and wires after one growing season.
TREE SELECTION - A number of factors need to be considered when considering the type of tree to plant. 1. Why is the tree being planted? What function will it serve?; 2. Is a small, medium or large size tree best suited for the location and available space considering what its size is projected to be at maturity?; 3. What are the soil conditions? Is enough soil available of sufficient quality to support mature tree growth?; 4. How will necessary maintenance be provided? Will someone water, fertilize and properly prune the tree after it's planted? Answering these basic questions will help to ensure choosing the right tree for the right space.
PET-SAFE PLANTS - The following is a partial list of plants that have been reported by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals as being non-toxic to dogs. It's strongly suggested that you do not allow your pet to eat any plant regardless of its toxicity level. For a complete list of plants go to www.aspca.org
Annuals: Alyssum, Amaranthus, Celosia, Bachelor's Buttons, Common Snapdragon, Common Begonia, Crosssandra
Perennials: Catmint, Catnip, Baby's Tears, Coral Bells, Coreopsis, Blue Daisy, Holly Fern, Boston Fern
Deciduous and Evergreen: Daylily, Butterfly Iris, Lemon Bottlebrush
Annuals: Alyssum, Amaranthus, Celosia, Bachelor's Buttons, Common Snapdragon, Common Begonia, Crosssandra
Perennials: Catmint, Catnip, Baby's Tears, Coral Bells, Coreopsis, Blue Daisy, Holly Fern, Boston Fern
Deciduous and Evergreen: Daylily, Butterfly Iris, Lemon Bottlebrush
MARCH MADNESS - Now is the time to being planning the vegetable garden. Add 3 inches to 6 inches of organic material, till and add a source of nitrogen.
Do you have fruit trees? Now is the time to prune fruit trees and other deciduous trees removing only 25% or less of the plant material. Be sure to remove disease, dead and dying branches, in addition to cross branches, sucker and sprouts. Clean up the garden beds and be sure to mulch perennial beds and newly planted trees.
Do you have fruit trees? Now is the time to prune fruit trees and other deciduous trees removing only 25% or less of the plant material. Be sure to remove disease, dead and dying branches, in addition to cross branches, sucker and sprouts. Clean up the garden beds and be sure to mulch perennial beds and newly planted trees.
WINTER WATERING - Maintaining the health of your trees, and keeping them adequately watered, is important year-round. Without regular moisture (snow and rain) in the winter, trees and shrubs in Northern Nevada need to be watered.
- If your trees have not received water for two to four weeks - at least one inch of precipitation, you'll need to begin watering with a hose.
- New trees especially need some supplemental watering.
- Be sure that temperatures are above 40 degrees and don't water too early or too late in the day so the water/ground doesn't freeze - this can cause damage to the tree.
- Be sure to water at the drip line of the trees and don't get water on the tree's trunk to reduce the risk of frost and other water injuries.
- Make sure the water penetrates at least 6" to 8" for shrubs and 8" to 12" for trees.
- It's always useful to put a 3" to 4" deep layer of organic mulch around your tree to keep the soil moist.
