Gardeners have long used manure from various farm animals to fertilize and enrich their soil. However, recent public awareness of food-borne illnesses has left many gardeners wondering if using manure is safe. There are a number of pathogens, including E. coli, salmonella, and listeria that can be transferred to humans from animal manure. Some animal manure may also contain parasites, such as roundworms and tapeworms. If fresh manure is applied to the garden […]
The plants we call Holiday Cactus may be either Christmas cactus or Thanksgiving cactus. Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncatus) has oblong, bright green stem segments 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 inches long with 4 to 8 prominent sawtoothed marginal projections that point forward. The flowers have a short tube-like form with spreading, pointed petals, similar to trumpets. The plant bears deep pink, red, orange, or white flowers, up to 3 inches long, from late autumn to winter. The […]
When selecting gifts and wrappings, consider those that can be recycled. When giving (homemade) cookies, cake, candy, etc., place the cookies in a cookie jar that the recipient can keep. Or, use a plastic refrigerator box or a basket that the recipient can use later. To decorate a bottle, jar, or canister, make a miniature wreath of vines or use greenery to encircle the container. Give a healthy potted plant with instructions for its care. […]
Although tinsel, artificial snow, and plastic balls are attractive decorations, often they last only one season and are not biodegradable. There are many substitutions that can be made: Purchase a living tree with roots in order to plant it in the yard or garden later. Instead of tinsel or artificial snow, substitute sprays of tiny white flowers such as baby’s breath to insert among the green limbs. To reduce the number of electric lights on […]
Although some dedicated gardeners may have already planted their seed potatoes, for most of us, the ground has been a little too soggy. Some gardeners aim for planting on or around St. Patrick’s Day, while others of us will be lucky to have them planted by Mother’s Day! Potatoes are considered to be cool-season plants and can be planted just as soon as the ground has thawed and dried enough to safely work the soil. […]
Some landscape plants produce vigorous, upright stems that become troublesome as they out compete better-formed branches and shade out the rest of the plant. These remarkably fast growing upright stems are called “suckers” if they come from the root system, and “watersprouts” if they originate from other stems. Ornamental crabapples are among the most notorious producers of these unwanted stems, but many other trees and shrubs can be afflicted, including contorted filbert, peach, apple and […]
The Perennial Plant Association has selected Dianthus gratianopolitanus Firewitch’ (Feuerhexe’) as its 2006 Perennial Plant of the Year. Also known as a cheddar pink, the perennial dianthus is an excellent choice for use as an edging plant, as a rock garden specimen, to soften retaining walls, and in container gardens. Firewitch’ has hot pink flowers that bloom profusely in mid to late spring, with some repeat bloom in summer and fall if you deadhead faded […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
