 We’re officially in that time of the growing season when perennial shrubs are looking a little…tired. And roses probably look the worst. Time to prune!
But it’s hot, you say. And it’s humid. And I don’t want to make things worse. Fear not! Late-August to mid-September are excellent times to get in a healthy prune. With the right tools and techniques, you can convince those beauties to flush new growth and finish the gardening season strong. Just follow these steps:
Your roses may look a little “stark” after a good pruning. You might think, Oh no…what have I done?? Just know that roses will leaf out within days, looking fresh and happy, and not at all irritated with their late-summer cut. And within weeks, you’ll be rewarded with flowering beauty.
0 Comments
 It’s that time of the gardening season where our hard work potting up beautiful plants, flowers, vegetables and herbs come to the rapt attention of…critters. Yes. Those naughty, curious, destructive, insistent chipmunks, squirrels, voles, mice, bunnies, raccoons, armadillos—you name it—just cannot leave our pots alone!
What can we do about the destruction, short of posting “No Critters Allowed” signage everywhere these persistent non-readers gather? Here’s what I find works:
As usual, the chemical deterrents work best. But if you’re chemical-adverse, give the DIY options a shot. Hit or miss, your wildlife will appreciate the challenge.  If you live in or near the woods, like I do, a constant Battle for the Plants rages between humans and wildlife. And the most notorious contestants? Deer.
Hostas, impatiens, daylilies, lavender, yarrow, catmint, lamb’s ear, hydrangeas, ageratum—even thorned roses—are all delectable treats for nibbling deer lips. And sometimes even your more genius deterrent efforts fail. Your best long-term solution is redirecting their paths with fencing, lighting, lawn sprinklers, and wind chimes. But for short-term solutions, consider these:
By Fall, you may just be tired of the deer battle and resort to deer-resistant plants. But if you really, really, really want those hostas in your shade gardens, a smattering of creative solutions may do the trick!  If you’ve ever grown hydrangeas, you know they crave one element more than any others: water. With “hydra” as part of their name, you can probably guess they are not drought-tolerant plants. Plus, their shallow root systems lose moisture quickly. On average, hydrangeas need water at least every other day, and deep watering once/week.
BUT…some varieties can do better in the hot, rainless, dog days of summer than others. Try these Zone 3-8 options:
So if you’re in the market for hydrangeas—but worry about watering needs—choose panicle varieties like these. Then relax on your porch, deck or garden bench and enjoy the show!
If you’re a seasoned party host, you dread that doorbell about 15 minutes before the first guest is due to arrive. Why? Because it’s 15 minutes before the first guest is supposed to arrive, and you’re in the zone! You’re mentally checking off to-do items, tidying up the kitchen, checking your lipstick, and generally attempting to adopt a serene look that says, “We were just sitting around, sipping champagne, killing time.” *DING-DONG* will clang all over your forced serenity.
To adapt smoothly to early guests, I leave a few easy chores undone. That way, when your early guest asks, “How can I help?” …you’re ready to assign these duties.
Not every party guest is comfortable milling about, making small talk at party kickoff. This is a great time to let them:
During the party, an antsy or bored guest might need a job. They might like to:
When the party starts to wind down, but a few guests linger in deep conversation, a spouse/partner/child might need a task to stay engaged. Consider letting them:
Bottom line: A great host can do it all, no help needed. But a savvy host is always ready to engage guests in every situation, ensuring each attendee feels welcomed and appreciated from the first DING-DONG!  Wasn’t spring grand? All those cool, breezy months of budding trees, unfolding tulips, raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens. Ahhh… And then BAM! Almost overnight, we blasted into the dog days of summer—those cloudless, parched, blazing hot, brutal days that suck the energy out of both humans and vegetation. The dog days are when your outdoor containers really need the workhorses of plants. The persistent sun and heat can dry out soil in even the best-made pots, so filling them with drought-tolerant flora will save you from twice-daily watering and summer-plant fatigue. Give these a try in your thrill, fill, spill combinations:
 Ground covers often get a bad name, because next to them you’ll inevitably find the word “invasive.” But that may be exactly why you need them! When a creeping plant “invades” a space, it chokes out weeds and can even suppress erosion on hilly landscapes. They spread by either underground runners from the main plant or by developing roots along their stems.
Consider these hardy beauties:
 My best pruning shears were not special order. They weren’t pricey, and a cool leather sheath was not included. I had to polish and inspect the blade for the brand just now, because I’m pretty sure I bought them from a big-box store. Turns out, they’re Melnor hand pruners and make the rounds with me in every garden outing. Why? Because they’re so comfortable to use, they feel like an extension of my hand. And that’s how I would kick off my list of…How to Select Pruners for your Garden Tool Collection
 Ah, March—that temperamental month that strikes joy and fear at wild intervals in every gardener’s heart. The sun comes out, temperatures soar into the 50s, garden centers restock, tulips push through the dirt, birds chirp happily. And then, at the zenith of your false-Spring delight, the local forecaster utters two nasty words: hard freeze. Almost immediately, gardeners in every region all over the world have very, very strong opinions about whether you should protect your tender plants. In fact, they might even argue your plants aren’t actually tender. “Look at the daffodils going strong!” they crow. “My hyacinths survived four inches of snow last year!” they remind us. “Tulips are tough! These were my grandmother’s!” Well, except…these are YOUR tulips. YOU pored over the bulb catalogs last fall and delighted in some exotic selections. YOU fought off the naughty voles and gophers and chipmunks by nestling your beauties into wire planting baskets. YOU sprinkled repellent into the holes and onto the ground to deter digging. YOU amended the soil. YOU paid more for organic products. YOU fertilized with Bulb-Tone. Maybe you planted in pots this year and focused on watering just enough, but not too much. And after all that, you crossed your garden-stained fingers. So guess whose opinion about frost protection matters? YOURS. It’s your bulb, your garden, and your decision. Don’t let the naysayers on either side of this hot, hot issue get to you. If you decide to throw caution to the nor’easter wind, good for you! If you like to hover like a hummingbird, go for it! And if--if—you dare to protect your beauties from moody Mother Nature, here are some tips:
With this kind of weather prep, you should practically guarantee a showy spring. Now, go remind Mother Nature who’s really the boss of your garden.  For as far back as my childhood memory allows, my family’s holiday table had a chair reserved for strangers. They were missionaries, foreign college students, pastors, traveling musicians, and roommates eager to experience a Norman Rockwell moment.
See, I grew up on the Michigan equivalent of Walton’s Mountain—farm families gathering together for food and fun on any occasion. Everyday grandparents. Cousins galore. Board games and ice skating and cookie-making and croquet. We had a revolving door of guests who jumped right into whatever we had planned for the day. Planting and harvest were the biggest draws, but the holidays with their farm-food buffets and handmade gifts were a close second. As children, we were fascinated when foreign exchange students from far-off countries like Turkey sat at our Thanksgiving table. (Plus, it was giggly-funny.) A Michigan State student from Yemen joined us for Christmas. Summers brought kids from Japan and Mexico. Strapping teenage German boys joined us one spring. And what I find most fascinating on reflection of these glory days is how well everyone adapted. Guests tried new foods. We tried new languages. We never talked about politics or religion or anything controversial. We just laughed and ate and played games and enjoyed each other’s company. And really—isn’t that how it should be anyway? This holiday, I encourage you to invite a stranger to your holiday table—a student, a recent transplant, a widow, an immigrant. You might be surprised how many people near you have no holiday plans, but would really like them. And just like that, you could be the difference between a long day of sorrow or joy. |
Christine SchaubA Michigan farm girl transplanted to the South offering hospitality hacks. Categories
All
Archives
December 2024
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed
