Rosie Lerner

rosie@purdue.edu

716 articles by this author

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  Greetings readers! I’d like to introduce myself to you as your new “In the Grow” columnist. I’ve been answering Indiana gardening questions since 1984, when I joined the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service. I grew up in Chicago, Ill., and was an urban gardener for most of my life but now live on five partly wooded acres heavily populated with critters and insects. I’ve never seen such a diverse array of wildlife all in […]
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Mild Weather Pushes Up The Bulbs

It’s not unusual for Indiana weather to have trouble deciding what season it is. Recent warm spells have had many gardeners wondering what to do about bulbs — and, perhaps, a few other plants that are poking their foliage through the soil. As I write this article, temperatures started out in the 50s and are expected to drop to the upper 20s by tonight! Just what should gardeners do about daffodils, dianthus and daylilies poking […]
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New Garden Vegetables for 2006

Perhaps the only thing gardeners enjoy more than tending their crops is making plans for the coming growing season. Garden catalogs fill the mailbox, and online seed houses come alive with tempting photos of luscious ripe harvests. This is a perfect time to plan the spring garden! Here’s a look at what’s new for vegetable gardeners in 2006. Carrot ‘Purple Haze’ will surely jazz up your salad with long dark-purple roots with bright-orange centers. 2006 […]
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Dear Gardeners, Here’s a rebellious break from the usual question-and-answer format of this column! With mixed emotions, I’m retiring as head gardener of the “ In The Grow” column. I’ve enjoyed discussing topics from hated weeds to beloved plants with you all for the last 18 years, but I’m ready to move on to new pursuits. By far, the most common question to this column is, “Why doesn’t my ____ bloom!” If your ______ doesn’t […]

Winter Gardens to Visit

While a thick blanket of winter snow might keep even diehard gardeners out of yard work for now, a visit to one of the many Midwestern glasshouse gardens may help you get your plant fix. In addition to seasonal plant displays, many of these gardens offer classes, art exhibits and other ways to beat the winter doldrums. Indianapolis: White River Gardens, 317-630-3252 Visit the “Holiday Trainland” exhibit in the Hilbert Conservatory through Dec. 30. The […]
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Shrubs to Behead

Many shrubs can benefit from occasional or even routine pruning to remove damaged stems, keep the plant in size, rejuvenate for greater flower production or to maintain a formal shape. But there are a few species that should routinely be cut to the ground, at least in our Midwestern climate. Some shrubs will actually dieback to the ground most winters and then send up new twigs the following spring, effectively performing as if they were […]
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Q. Do tomato hornworms turn into a pretty butterfly? I won’t feel so bad squishing them if they don’t. Also, I had some moonflower plants (the poisonous kind that are related to the wild variety, which grow in pig/cow pastures). Anyway, I had some kind of green hornworm eat every leaf off every plant. How can a hornworm eat a poisonous plant and not die? — Linda W., Plymouth , Ind. A. Tomato and tobacco […]
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All-American Selections New Flowers and Vegetables for 2006

This year brought a bumper crop of 11 new All-America Selections (AAS) garden flowers and vegetables judged to be superior based on their performance in test gardens all over the country. Dianthus ‘Supra Purple’ was selected for its early and prolific blooming and improved heat tolerance. The 1.5-inch, fringed, purple blooms literally cover the 12-inch plants. ‘Supra Purple’ also makes excellent cut flowers and performs best in full sun. Diascia integerrima ‘ Diamonte Coral Rose’ […]
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Thankful for Cranberries

Although the cranberry is native to the northeastern United States, it requires a rather unique acid bog habitat, which restricts its commercial production to just a few states. The ideal soil pH is 4.0-5.5, quite acidic compared to other horticulture crops. A large supply of fresh water and sand is also required. Cranberries belong to the family Ericaceae and are related to rhododendron, blueberry and heather. Known botanically as Vaccinium macrocarpon , cranberries grow on […]
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Q. I have several peonies that are 80-plus years old located in an old farmstead. I would like to transplant them to a more suitable area. What would be the best way to transplant them? What do I need to do as far as fertilizer and water needs after the plants are moved. — Rich Unger, Terre Haute, Ind. A. Peonies are incredibly tough plants! Select a location for the transplants where they’ll have good […]
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