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NO MISTAKES IN GARDENING...JUST LEARNING EXPERIENCES
There are no mistakes in gardening, only learning experiences. Think of gardening not as something that happens monthly or at one-year intervals but rather as an endeavor spanning decades or a lifetime.
If you planted a perennial flower, shrub or tree last year or several years ago and it's doing poorly, move it. Maybe it doesn't like the soil, wants more or less sun or simply desires new neighbors.
If the orange daylilies look garish next to the pink hibiscus, move one or the other to create a more eye-pleasing color scheme. If an arborvitae looks scraggly after the tough winter and is not showing signs of rejuvinating, dig it out and plant something fresh and exciting in its place. Consider each new project or alteration as a learning experience that will enhance your future understanding and enjoyment of gardening.
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You started your tomatoes from seed or bought healthy transplants. By early June, plants had shot up to 3 feet and, in recent weeks, yellow blossoms turned into promising small green tomatoes. Only weeks, now, until you'll be enjoying real tomato flavor! But, egad, why are the bottom leaves turning brown?
Most likely, the problem is a fungal disease called septoria leaf spot. If conditions are right, the disease can spread up the plant and kill all the leaves and stems.
You can minimize loss from septoria leaf spot and other blights by avoiding overhead irrigation. If this is the only way you can water, do it early in the day so the plants dry quickly. Remove infected leaves and apply a registered fungicide such as chlorothalonil.
A friend raises her tomatoes over black plastic that has the double benefit of controlling weeds as well as soil-borne blight/wilt diseases. My brother put black landscape fabric under his plants this year and it appears to be controlling the severe blight problems he's experienced in years past. The fabric makes sense because it allows moisture to pass through.
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Our primary Carver/Scott Master Gardener fundraising activity is selling the beautiful Minnesota Gardening calendar. The 1997 calendar will soon be available and can be purchased at the county or state fair, the Arboretum or direct from a Master Gardener. Cost is under $10.
The calendar is loaded with stunning color photographs and monthly lists of useful garden and landscape tips written specifically for our climate. The 1997 edition includes a page on raised-bed gardening and a page of maps showing frost-free dates and USDA plant hardiness zones.
If you're interested in ordering one or more calendars, send me a note in care of the address below.
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Pumpkin Update: My pumpkin plants are growing on a recently excavated mountain of rich black soil. The plants are nestled amidst a forest of 3- to 4-feet annual weeds - pigweed, ragweed, thistle, lambsquarter and thistle. Not an ideal growing environment, perhaps, but it was the only rich soil available to me in sunshine. Small pumpkins have formed and the plants seem happy as long as I control the weed competition and pour on plenty of water and fertilizer. The countdown is on - it's only 79 days to weigh-in (Saturday, September 28) at Chaska Farm & Garden and Bob's Country Garden Center.
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PUTTING DOWN ROOTS:
A Delightful Blend of
Gardening Wisdom, Wit
and Whimsy
$10 + $2 for shipping
by Cliff Johnson |
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