Forest Corners Quarterly » Gardening

YOUR WINTER GARDEN 1-2011

FCQAdmin — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 16:23:01 +0000

JANUARY: Do the paper work. Plan new and revise old ones, DO NOT remove frost damage as this could encourage new growth that would be killed by additional freezes.
FEBRUARY: Buy your seeds. Figure out how long to germination & first leaves and start your garden inside.
MARCH: After the 17th clean your garden, add compost and harden your seedlings so you can add them to your garden.
Enjoy Spring is here.

Winter Gardening

FCQAdmin — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 14:07:49 +0000

Gardening in Oct.
Clean, then store root crops in cool, dark place. Never refrigerate potatoes and apples together: apples give off ethylene gas which will spoil potatoes.

Gardening in Nov.
Prune grapevines, keep long vines to make wreaths. Work bonemeal into soil around rosebushes. Check for and remove weak tree branches that could come down in a storm.

Gardening in Dec.
Prune roses, crepe myrtles. Dead plants should not be used as mulch, as they may be diseased.
Use this time to repaint fences and lawn furniture.
Poinsettias should be in bloom now.

For the coming year the Old Farmers almanac predicts that Old Man Winter will display a split personality.

The eastern third of the country can expect colder than normal winter temperatures.

A storm swath from Texas to Georgia will produce copius amounts of precipitation, while the Great Lakes will experience a snowier than normal winter. Florida will have more rain than usual but not as many cold days as last year.

SUMMER GARDEN TIPS

FCQAdmin — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 00:21:40 +0000

Summer time is when you rest from your garden and just enjoy the view. Granted there are chores to be done but it is not as labor intensive as other seasons.

JULY
Okra and Southern peas can go into your garden now. You,,shouldhaveprunedyourazaleasby now. Ifyou haven’t prune them during the

Ist week in July, no later. Mow y our lawns at a higher height than you normally do. 3 to 4 inches helps the lawn survive the heat.

AUGUST
Now is when you start your fall planting. Pole beans, broccoli, collards, okra and sweet com can be planted for autumn gathering.

Prune poinsettias up to Labor Day for full plants come December.

SEPTEMBER
Plant southern hybrid bulb onions for a Spring harvest. Do last pruning of shrubs, Apply your fall
application of fertilizer to landscape plants and to your lawn.

BEWARE THE STINGING NETTLE

Weeds or wildflowers members of the nettle family can pack a mean wallop. The downy hairs that cover the plants inject a severe irritant when bothered. Stinging nettles can grow quite tall and have green flowers. The Spurge Nettle can be seen growing in people’s yards. A short plant with attractive white blossoms that can cause pain, swelling and a rash if brushed against. Be on the safe side and learn what plants can hurt before you get stung.

Earth Woman’s Spring Time Garden Time – June

FCQAdmin — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 15:03:53 +0000

Summer is here! Pinch back new growth on plants you pruned in May for fuller, bushier shrubs. Check your orchids and re-pot if needed. Move your shrubs.

Earth Woman’s Spring Time Garden Time – May

FCQAdmin — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 15:01:52 +0000

This is a good month to plant trees and shrubs. Wait until after the first rain soaks the ground and be sure to water as you plant. Prune plants that are done blossoming. Prune your poinsettias.

Earth Woman’s Spring Time Garden Time – April

FCQAdmin — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 14:58:27 +0000

It is too late to start from seeds for a spring garden. Use seedlings. You can start plants from Cuttings. Be sure to select twigs from healthy, new growth. Root prune any shrub you plan to move in June.

Gardening in June

FCQAdmin — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:48:39 +0000

Thin the fruit trees by leaving 1 fruit blossom every 6 to 12 inches on the branch. The higher the leaf to fruit ratio the sweeter the fruit. Plant carrots for late fall crop; stake and pinch suckers on tomatoes. Don’t pick green beans when it’s raining or rust will appear on the beans. Prune rhododendruons after they flower.

Gardening in May

FCQAdmin — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:45:33 +0000

Weed perennials, top dress with compost. Trim climbing roses, scatter crushed egg shells in a thick ring around bushes. Prune suckers from fruit trees before they get ahead of you. Plant any remaining vegetables by the light of the moon.

Gardening in April

FCQAdmin — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:42:31 +0000

Tomatoes and peppers should be in bloom. Dust with baby powder. Rake and remove all old mulch from the rest of the garden. Scatter poppy seeds to grow where they are. Don’t fertilize strawberries in the spring. Plant rose bushes now.