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 […]
Sultry summer weather is not only tough on gardeners but on our plants as well. In addition to garden and landscape plants gasping for water, some vegetable crops have trouble producing when under stress. Tomatoes, peppers, melons, squash, pumpkins, cucumbers and beans often drop their blossoms without setting fruit when day temperatures are above 90 F. There’s not much you can do but wait for cooler temperatures to prevail. As more favorable conditions return, […]
Try to have a discussion about hydrangea among your gardening friends, and you’re likely to start a rather lively debate. What type to grow, when to prune, why doesn’t it flower and how can I change the flower color from pink to blue are among the most frequently asked hydrangea questions. There are many different species of hydrangea, not to mention cultivars of those species. So, these questions are a bit difficult to answer, unless […]
It may seem a bit late to be planting Halloween jack-o’ lanterns, but there’s still time to plant if you get growing quickly. The key will be to choose a cultivar with a relatively low number of days to maturity when planted from seed. There are early-, mid- and late-season cultivars of pumpkin, ranging from about 85-120 days to maturity. You’ll want to look for those in the “early-season” (around 90 days) category. While it […]
Asparagus and rhubarb may be the earliest garden crops to be harvested, but may also be the first crops to stop harvesting as well. Because of their perennial nature, asparagus and rhubarb must be given a chance to rebuild food reserves so that a bumper crop can be produced again next year. A good rule of thumb is to stop harvesting asparagus about the middle of June, allowing the spears to produce large, fern-like […]
Pin oak trees can be a beautiful asset to the landscape. Their pyramidal form, pendulous lower branches and reddish or bronze fall color are striking. Unfortunately, most pin oaks planted in the Midwest are plagued by a yellowing of the leaves known as chlorosis. Other landscape plants are also susceptible to chlorosis, including rhododendrons, river birch, holly and sweet gum. Chlorosis gets its name from the lack of chlorophyll, the pigment responsible for healthy plants’ […]
This summer’s heat wave is bringing the vegetable garden to maturity a bit earlier than usual in some areas. So many of our typical fall-harvested items may be ready sooner than you’re expecting. Winter squash is so named because it is harvested in the mature stage, when flavor is rich and the rind is tough, making it suitable for winter storage. Summer squash is harvested in the immature stage, when the rind is still […]
The strawberry harvest may be over, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to forget the plants. Post-harvest care is an important part of keeping your patch healthy and productive. With yearly renovation, strawberry plants can remain productive for 10 years or longer. Ideally, you should renovate the strawberry bed immediately following the last harvest. The work can still be done now, though it would be best to finish up before the end of July. […]
Although many gardeners think of grass as that plant that has to mowed every week, there are many species of grass that rival any garden flower for beauty and grace. Many ornamental grasses have attractive form, foliage, flowers and color-or even all of the above. Grasses can be used as ground covers (that do not have to be mowed), specimen plants, hedges, perennial borders, naturalized plantings and even rock garden plants. Perennial grasses that are […]
It has been quite a year for Indiana gardeners already, and it has only just begun! We’ve had just about the whole range of possible weather from drought to flood and late frost to blazing heat. Recent cold weather has frustrated many vegetable gardeners. Plants such as tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash, cucumbers and melons must be successfully pollinated in order to produce their fruit. Extreme temperatures, below 55 F or above 90 F, will dramatically […]