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Category: Plants

October “In The Grow”
In the Grow (Q & A)

Q. We’re novices to gardening but would like to grow statice and eucalyptus. We have lots of room for the plants. Our soil type is clayish. We live in Rising Sun, Ind. (Ohio County). When and how do we prepare the soil, location (sunny or shade), herbicides, pesticides, food (type and frequency of application), soil additives, etc.? Sheldon Boatright, Rising Sun, Ind. A. There is no way to give an accurate recommendation without having the…Read more about October “In The Grow”[Read More]

Pumpkins May Need a Temporary Home
Yard and Garden News

Autumn Gardening Stories

It seems that pumpkins often mature much earlier than we would like, and this year is probably even earlier than usual. The extremely warm growing season has brought the pumpkins on in a hurry. And unfortunately, the dry weather might contribute to an early end for the pumpkin plants, unless you’re able to irrigate on a regular basis. The conditions needed to store pumpkins until Halloween are pretty hard to find this time of year….Read more about Pumpkins May Need a Temporary Home[Read More]

September “In The Grow”
In the Grow (Q & A)

Q. Several years ago, we were in Michigan to attend a national REMC convention and, somewhere along the way, I bought a ‘Caveman’s Club’ gourd. It grows up to a foot in length and has a bumpy round part with a long neck. It is somewhat, but not exactly, like the dipper gourd. I ordered seeds of an ornamental mixed variety, but there wasn’t any seed like I wanted. As I remember, the seed’s shape…Read more about September “In The Grow”[Read More]

The Fall Vegetable Garden
Yard and Garden News

Summer Gardening Stories

Fall is an excellent time to grow many vegetable crops in Indiana when the gardener can take advantage of cooler temperatures and more plentiful moisture. Many spring-planted crops, such as radishes, lettuce and spinach, tend to bolt (produce seed) and become bitter in response to long, hot summer days. Fall gardening helps extend your gardening season so that you can continue to harvest produce after earlier crops have faded. Some vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower…Read more about The Fall Vegetable Garden[Read More]

Coneflowers for Late Season Color
Yard and Garden News

Summer Gardening Stories

If your perennials are looking a bit peaked this time of year, coneflowers may be just what the plant doctor ordered! The name coneflower actually refers to several different species of plants, but all have a similar type of flower structure. The flowers are in clusters that form a “head,” just like a sunflower or daisy type flower. Each of what appears to be a petal is actually an entire flower. Purple coneflower, known botanically…Read more about Coneflowers for Late Season Color[Read More]

August “In The Grow”
In the Grow (Q & A)

Q. We have moles all over our yard. I’ve tried mole beans, match heads, even moth Balls. Nothing works. We can’t walk in our yard without sinking down into a tunnel. Linda Bridges, Columbus, Ind. A. Moles eat earthworms, beetle grubs, ants and other animals that live in the soil. They generally do not eat,bulbs or the roots of plants. Still, the runways can damage our garden plants by exposing the roots to air and…Read more about August “In The Grow”[Read More]

July “In The Grow”
In the Grow (Q & A)

Q: I would like to plant a red rose bush this year, but I don’t know where to start. There is lots of red clay at my house, yet I figure a few bags of topsoil will take care of that problem. When should I plant them? — Ray Padgett, via e-mail. A: Bare-root roses must be planted in the spring, but container-grown roses can be planted any time during the growing season. Dig the…Read more about July “In The Grow”[Read More]

Propagate Trees and Shrubs from Cuttings
Yard and Garden News

Summer Gardening Stories

If you’d like to have a few more of those prized lilac shrubs in your yard, now’s the time to put your green thumb to work. Many ornamental shrubs and trees easily can be propagated by stem cuttings. Cuttings taken from the succulent, new growth that occurred this spring also are referred to as softwood cuttings. These cuttings usually root easier and faster than cuttings taken from harder wood later in the season. However, softwood…Read more about Propagate Trees and Shrubs from Cuttings[Read More]

June “In The Grow”
In the Grow (Q & A)

Recent columns about animals visiting your gardens sparked a great deal of mail. I’ll print some of the letters here, but I want to remind you that many of these suggested changes may keep the animals away for only a short time. If food supplies are scarce, your garden visitors will munch on soapy, hairy or peppered tomatoes. In addition, some home remedies can be dangerous. (Imagine the oft-repeated “remedy” concerning gasoline in mole holes!)…Read more about June “In The Grow”[Read More]

May “In The Grow”
In the Grow (Q & A)

Q. Last season, I spread about 6 inches of hardwood sawdust on my pumpkin, squash and gourd garden to control weeds. The sawdust is still there and will act as a mulch for this season also. By using the sawdust, do I need to add any nutrients to my soil this season? If so, what should I add? – Myrna Sowers, Crawfordsville, Ind. A. Uncomposted sawdust ties up the available nitrogen in the soil, so…Read more about May “In The Grow”[Read More]