Category: Seasonal Information
New Garden Vegetable Cultivars for 2003
It’s that time of year when seed catalogs arrive just in time to cure the winter blues and blahs! Each season, plant breeders tempt us with better, healthier and unique new spins on familiar crops. Here’s a look at what’s new for vegetable gardeners in 2003. Bean ‘Heavyweight II’ sets a bountiful harvest of 8-inch pods on 18-inch, bush-type plants, ready to harvest just 53 days from seed. Available from Burpee Seed. Eggplant ‘Calliope’ is […]
Thirst Aid for Houseplants
It looks like cold weather is here to stay, so keep in mind that the typical household in winter is a hazardous place for houseplants. Although we grow them indoors, most houseplants are outdoor plants in their native climates. Tropical and subtropical species can be damaged by temperatures below 50 F, but being too warm in winter can also be a problem. The air in most homes becomes extremely dry as furnaces force warm air […]
Recycle Your Christmas Tree
Though it may give you the blues to take down your holiday tree, you can find solace in recycling your tree in the landscape. Winter birds will appreciate using the tree for cover in your backyard, especially if you decorate it with bird food ornaments. Be sure to remove tinsel, plastic and other non-recyclable ornaments. Suet, molded seeds or disposable birdseed hangers should be readily available from garden centers and bird supply shops. Homemade treats, […]
Harvest Holiday Greenery from Your Landscape
Give your home the festive mood of the holidays by bringing a bit of your landscape evergreens indoors. Wreaths, swags, garlands and centerpieces can all be made from plants that are commonly found in the home landscape. Some of the best materials to cut include balsam and Douglas fir, yew, holly, boxwood and juniper. Pines boughs are attractive in arrangements, but this is not a good time to prune them. If pine branches cannot be […]
All America Winners for 2003
This year brought a bumper crop of new garden plant introductions. Ten ornamental garden plants and two garden vegetables have been awarded the prestigious honor of All America Selections (AAS) for 2003. These new cultivars have been judged as superior in their class based on their performance in test gardens all over the country. Carnation ‘Can Can Scarlet’ was selected for its fragrance and versatility as a bedding plant, as well as a cut […]
Gardening Online at Purdue University
Gardeners will find a wealth of information at their fingertips from the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service. And the best part is, thanks to the Internet, this information is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays! Several departments at Purdue have Web sites of interest to gardeners. Horticulture offers a broad range of information on the Consumer Horticulture Web site, including current news releases, Extension publications, upcoming events and a list […]
Pears Best Ripened Off the Tree
One advantage to growing your own fruit trees is that you can get tree-ripened fruit, a real rarity in the grocery store. But, unlike other fruits, pears will reach their best quality when ripened off the tree. When left to ripen on the tree, most cultivars of pears leave something to be desired in terms of texture and flavor. Tree-ripened pears often turn soft and brown at the core and have an excessively grainy texture. […]
Look for Fall Color
Just as sure as you try to predict the weather, it is likely to change. But going out on a limb, I predict that we will have an early fall regarding color display this year. Not a very risky prediction, considering that many plants already are starting to display their fall colors! And to go even farther out on that limb, I’ll predict that the colors won’t be as brilliant as perhaps they were in […]
When Tree Roots Surface
Much to the dismay of homeowners, landscape trees sometimes grow roots on top of the surface of the lawn or possibly even buckle sidewalks and driveways. These surface roots can be quite a nuisance to lawn mowers and running feet. There are several reasons why the roots come to the surface. Some tree species seem to be more prone to surface roots than others, most notably silver maple, poplar and willow. But almost any large, […]
Dividing Perennials
Late summer or early autumn is the best time to divide perennials that bloom in spring and summer. But not all perennials need to be divided. Generally, perennials should be divided to rejuvenate an old, overgrown planting or to increase the number of plants in the garden. Plants such as peonies, iris, hosta and daylilies are among the most common garden perennials that are easily divided. Making divisions is a simple task, but should be […]