About Pacific Northwest Planting in June The coastal areas and in around Puget sound tend to (or at least they used to) be a bit drizzly yet mild in the spring, but in the mountainous regions of the Pacific Northwest temperatures may still be closer to freezing at night. That means waiting to plant the garden, or having a greenhouse. All that said, if you are not already growing your crops you need to start ASAP....
How to Grow Rhododendrons for Zone 5 When you are planting rhododendrons in zone 5, you need to recognize that rhododendrons have very specific growing requirements. If you want your shrubs to thrive, you need to take their sun and soil preferences into account. Rhododendrons are called the queens of the shade garden for good reason. They are flowering shrubs that require a shady location to grow happily. When you are planting rhododendrons in zone 5, partial shade is fine, and full shade is also possible....
What Causes Root Bound Plants? Oftentimes, root bound plants are simply plants that have grown too big for their containers. Healthy growth will cause a plant to develop a root system that is too big for its container. Occasionally, a plant may be put into a container that is too small to begin with. This will also cause a plant to become quickly root bound. In short, a root bound plant is just that, a plant whose roots are “bound” by some kind of barrier....
Assessing Skeletonized Leaf Damage Plants use their leaves to harvest solar energy, which they then turn into carbohydrates for fuel. The process, photosynthesis, relies upon open leaf surfaces filled with chlorophyll. When there are numerous skeletonized plant leaves, overall vigor is significantly reduced. It also doesn’t help the appearance of prized foliage plants whose presence in the garden is due to their spectacular leaf displays. One of the primary reasons for skeletonizing leaves is larval feeding....
Information about Snowdrops Bulbs Snowdrop flower bulbs are small bulbs that are often sold “in the green” or undried. They can very easily dry out, so they won’t be happy sitting around for weeks on end waiting for you get around to planting them. You will want to purchase your snowdrop bulbs and plant them immediately after you receive them. Snowdrops are a pest-free plant. Rabbits and deer won’t eat them either, and most chipmunks and mice will leave them alone....
One of the most crucial parts of growing evergreen container plants is the soil. Your evergreen tree pots need to be filled with soil that will not only meet the nutrient and water needs of your evergreen container plants, but provide stabilization for your container tree as well. Soil Mix for Evergreen Plantings The first thing to consider is the weight and size of your container. If your tree container is very heavy and very wide, than you probably do not have to worry too much about the possibility of the tree and the container falling over in the wind....
Now that we are all locked into a stay-at-home pandemic mode, it may be time to pack up gifts of your own to send to those you miss but haven’t been able to meet up with. Whether or not they are gardeners yet, soothing gardening gifts can help them develop love for making things grow. COVID Self-Care Gifting For many people, 2020 has been one of the loneliest years on record as we all were urged to hunker down....
Spanish Peanut Information Spanish peanuts are one of four main types of peanuts grown in the U.S. and are distinguishable from their other counterparts (Runner, Valencia, and Virginia) by their smaller kernels, reddish brown skin, and higher oil content. Depending on the cultivar selected, Spanish peanuts can take 105 to 115 days to mature. Of the Spanish peanut varieties available, ‘Early Spanish’ is the easiest to find and, as the name suggests, is on the lower end of the days to mature spectrum....
Foraging for Wreath Making A quick tour around your yard, the local park, or other green spaces should provide you with all you need. Pine cones, evergreen boughs, willow or hazel for the form, holly, berries, rose hips, ivy, privet, pyracantha, and the list goes on. You might even want seed heads to add interest. Whatever interests you is suitable. Try combining your outdoor elements with fresh or dried fruits, nuts, and even Christmas tree balls....
About Stalk Rot in Sweet Corn Rotting corn stalks can be caused by fungal or bacterial pathogens. The most common cause of sweet corn with rotting stalks is a fungal disease known as anthracnose stalk rot. This fungal disease is caused by the fungus Colletotrichum graminicola. Its most common symptom is shiny black lesions on the stalk. Spores of anthracnose stalk rot and other fungal rots rapidly grow in hot, humid conditions....
Preserving broccoli harvests is fairly simple and can be accomplished in a few different ways. Read on to learn what to do with your broccoli harvest. Storing Broccoli in the Refrigerator Broccoli can only be stored in the fridge for up to two weeks. The longer it’s stored, the tougher the stems get and the more nutrients it loses. That’s why learning what to do with broccoli post-harvest will allow you to retain maximum flavor and nutrition without wasting food....
Store Fresh Green Onions Spring onions and green onions won’t store long. They can hold in the refrigerator crisper for a week or possibly more, but are best when they’re fresh. These onions are used for their stems as much as the ends. The stems must be kept green and crisp for the best taste. Store green onions that still have their roots in 1/4-inch (6 ml.) of water in the refrigerator to keep the onions fresh longer....
Bonsai Basics Although it can be done (by experts), it is more difficult to cultivate bonsai trees indoors. Bonsai can be accomplished by growing seeds, cuttings, or young trees. Bonsai can also be made with shrubs and vines. They range in height, from a couple inches (5 cm.) to 3 feet (1 m.) and are trained in various ways by careful pruning of the branches and roots, occasional repotting, pinching of new growth, and by wiring both the branches and trunk into the desired shape....
Succulent Planting Time in Northwestern U.S. If you’re willing to devote a little extra time (sometimes a lot) to them, northwest succulent gardens are possible. They’re more unusual too, because you won’t find one on every corner. You may also devote your planting skills to making wreaths and various arrangements that you can move around to protect them during the rainy seasons. Of course, you may plant new succulents as you purchase them, but the best succulent planting time in northwestern U....
Why Do Pots Need Drain Holes? With the exception of a few aquatic plants, plant roots don’t like to sit in water. They need to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide with the air, and excess water closes off the air pockets in soil. Plants in pots without drainage holes are prone to becoming overwatered. Even if the soil surface appears dry, the soil at the bottom of the pot may be sopping wet....
Fern Transplant Info Most ferns are easy to grow, especially when all their basic needs are met. Most varieties grow well in, and even prefer, shady areas with damp, fertile soil, though some types will thrive in full sun with moist soil. Before taking on any type of fern transplant, you’ll want to be familiar with the particular species you have and its specific growing conditions. Ferns make wonderful additions to woodland gardens or shady borders and contrast well with hostas and other foliage plants....
Signs You Need to Transplant Iris There are a few signs that you should consider dividing iris plants. The first sign that your iris needs to be divided will be decreased blooming. Overcrowded iris rhizomes will produce fewer flowers than uncrowded iris rhizomes. If you have noticed that your iris are blooming less than they usually do, you may need to transplant the iris in your garden. The next sign that you should consider transplanting your iris is if the rhizomes start heaving out of the ground....
Common Diseases of Gardenia Most common diseases in gardenia plants are caused by fungus, and easily prevented by creating a well-draining environment with good air circulation. Proper watering and pruning further helps to keep gardenia plant diseases in check. Among the most common diseases of gardenia are root rot, powdery mildew, stem canker and bud drop. Treating gardenia problems like these is a task most gardeners can handle. Root Rot Root rot is common in plants that are chronically over-watered or are growing in poorly draining soil....
What is Southern Pea Mosaic Virus? Mosaic virus in southern peas may be caused by several viruses which may found alone or in combination with others. Some southern peas are more susceptible to certain viruses then others. For example, the pinkeye purple hull is extremely susceptible to black-eye cowpea mosaic virus. Other viruses that commonly afflict southern peas include cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus, common bean mosaic virus and many others. It isn’t possible to determine exactly which virus is causing the disease based on symptoms alone; a laboratory test must be done to determine the viral identity....
What is Tobacco Ringspot Virus? Tobacco ringspot virus is a pathogen that in addition to tobacco can affect several crops including: Blueberry Grapevines Cow peas Beans Peas Clover Cucumber Soybeans While the disease is caused by a virus, the virus is transmitted by dagger nematodes, microscopic worms as well as by tobacco thrips and flea beetles. In commercial farming, this disease can be a big problem for growing soybeans, although grape producers in the northeast also battle tobacco ringspot virus....
