Since we’re beginning a new gardening year let’s consider a few resolutions for 2015.
(We’ll continue the Pruning Series next week.) There are a few rather critical items that if done on time in the landscape and garden will provide gratifying results with a lot less effort. Like a lot of things in life, timing in gardening is everything. Take weeds in the garden for starters, they are a lot of trouble and if not controlled will take all the fun out of gardening. We have more “tools” than ever before to make gardening rewarding. If we can just manage some of these key items on time our yards will look great with a lot less time and sweat, and we are all up for that.
A few of the elements in gardening that must be done when the timing is correct are:
1) Feeding the lawn- The one thing that “makes” a landscape is a thick, dark green turf of good grasses that is mowed regularly. When this is accomplished we save money and time and can avoid applying most weed control products to the lawn. 2) Controlling weeds in the landscape beds and vegetable garden- today we have some very good preventive weed control products and contact sprays. When these products are applied at the right time along with mulch we can eliminate upwards of 90% of the weed problems in our landscape beds and vegetable garden. 3) Watering turf and newly planted plants- water deeply when you water, applying a least an inch of water a week, when we don’t get a similar amount of rain. Use a pie pan to check how much water your sprinkler is putting out. Time how long your sprinkler has to run to collect an inch of water in a pie pan, just one time, then you can be confident that you are doing the job correctly each time you water in the future.
When these 3 items are done on time, gardening will be more fun and rewarding with beauty and the satisfaction of a job well done. There are a number of other things that need to be done in the yard like pruning, spot spraying for some harmful insects and diseases, but none of these are as critical in their timing as those just mentioned.
There are 4 feedings to you lawn that will keep it green and relatively weed free- St. Patrick’s Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day and Thanksgiving.
To control weeds, apply your weed preventer to your weed free landscape beds using something like Preen at these times- St. Patrick’s Day, July 4th, October 1. In your vegetable garden you have to wait until any plants starting from seeds are up and growing and then you can apply corn gluten meal. Once vegetable or flower seedlings are established, it is safe to apply. Corn gluten also provides a low level of slow release fertilizer as a side benefit.
Lastly, proper watering during drought periods will keep your turf looking good and any newly planted trees, shrubs, flowers or vegetable plants growing well. Avoid waiting until severe stress is noticed.
Now let’s resolve together, that we are going to do a better job at timing so we get a bigger bang out of our bucks with less effort. Go ahead, say it, I ___________, resolve to do my critical gardening items On Time in 2015.
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30 years of growing
Meadow View Growers
www.meadowview.com
