Q. I have a problem weed. It is rubbery with teardrop-shaped leaves. I’ve noticed it will reroot itself when thrown on the ground. It is very hard to kill. In fact, I think it thrives on Round-Up. Can you help? — Teresa Allman, United REMC A. The green, rubbery leaves of purslane are one-half to 1.5 inches long on thick, reddish-green stems. It sometimes bears yellow flowers, and the seeds are borne in a small…Read more about September 2003[Read More]
Although garlic is thought to have originated in Asia, it has become an integral ingredient in most every county’s cuisine. Garlic is usually grown for the flavorful bulbs that grow underground, but the green tops are used much like green onions in some countries. The flowers of the garlic plant are sterile and so do not produce seed. New plants are grown from the individual sections of the bulb known as “cloves.” Garlic for planting…Read more about Plant Garlic This Fall[Read More]
If battling the weather, weeds, and Japanese beetles in your own garden is growing weary, why not plan a visit to a botanic garden or arboretum? Indiana has a number of public gardens where you can expand your palette of gardening ideas. Botanic gardens and arboreta are essentially living museums with plants as the exhibits. Public gardens are great sources of information about plants that can be grown in your area. Many public gardens have…Read more about Gardening Getaways[Read More]
Q. My Siberian iris plants grow and bloom well, but the plants have a dead spot in the center of each clump. What do I do? — Caryn Hildreth, Lafayette, Ind. A. Many perennials, including iris, grow in an expanding circular pattern. This is their way of spreading to new locations. This growth pattern usually leaves behind a dead center, which works to the benefit of the plant since the new growth is more vigorous…Read more about August 2003[Read More]
This summer has been a challenging one for many Indiana vegetable gardeners. It started with a prolonged cold, wet spring, was followed by a couple of weeks of intense heat and drought, and then followed by torrential rains! Gardens that have been in a prolonged saturated condition may present some surprising symptoms, ranging from wilting, yellowing or drooping foliage to blossom-end rot. When soil is saturated for an extended period, roots are deprived of much-needed…Read more about Waterlogged Vegetable Gardens[Read More]
This summer has been a challenging one for many Indiana vegetable gardeners. It started with a prolonged cold, wet spring, was followed by a couple of weeks of intense heat and drought, and then followed by torrential rains! Gardens that have been in a prolonged saturated condition may present some surprising symptoms, ranging from wilting, yellowing or drooping foliage to blossom-end rot. When soil is saturated for an extended period, roots are deprived…Read more about Waterlogged Vegetable Gardens[Read More]
Q. How deep should mulch be at the base of a tree? I usually put a light coating around the trunk, in a circle, but I see some professional landscapers making big mounds. Does that keep more moisture in? — Shirley North, South Bend, Ind. A. Generally, a layer of mulch should be 3-6 inches deep, not a volcanic pile like you see around some trees! Even at this reduced depth, it should be pulled…Read more about July 2003[Read More]
Many Indiana gardeners are experiencing a new phenomenon in their potato patch. At least, it’s new to them. Potato plants appear to be producing little green fruit, about the size of a large cherry tomato. These round, green berries are actually the fruits of the potato plant. It’s not surprising that they look like tomatoes, since both plants are in the nightshade family. Most gardeners never see this fruit form on potatoes in Indiana. Cool…Read more about Potatoes Grow Tomatoes?[Read More]
Gardeners, mark Saturday, July 19, on your calendar for Purdue University Garden Day! This annual open-house event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Purdue University Horticulture Building and Gardens on the West Lafayette campus. The festivities will include guided tours of the ornamental gardens, a gardening information booth and gardening lectures presented by Purdue experts. Morning tours of the Horticulture Greenhouses also will be available. This year’s ornamental garden features…Read more about Gardening Ideas Blossom at Purdue Garden Day[Read More]
Q. My iris were beautiful with lots of flower buds this year, but just about the time they were in full bloom, the heavy rains came and knocked all the tall, blooming stems to the ground. Is there any way to prevent this? — Wendy Lacrosse, Fort Wayne, Ind. A. Many plants can be pinched early in the season to increase branching and reduce lodging, which is the fancy word for crashing to the ground….Read more about Jun 2003[Read More]