KRT Wire | 03/09/2006 | Gardening Q&A

KRT Wire | 03/09/2006 | Gardening Q&A: "Gardening Q&ABY NANCY BRACHEYKnight Ridder NewspapersQ: When do I prune my shrubs?A: The timing for pruning shrubs remains a constant puzzlement for many gardeners. Those who get it right are rewarded with shapely, well-grown plants that aren't hiding the windows or swishing against cars in the driveway. Those who get it wrong get no flowers and wounded plants.Most gardeners understand that shrubs they expect to bloom this spring, notably pieris, azaleas, rhododendrons, forsythias, camellias and spireas, should be pruned after they bloom. Pruning while the flowers bloom to create bouquets is another option.But many ornamentals, including ligustrums, boxwoods, hollies and nandinas, benefit from late-winter pruning before the plants put out new growth in spring.Shearing certain plants, including Japanese and Chinese hollies, ligustrums, cleyeras and others with dense foliage, used as formal hedges is useful.It encourages an even amount of new growth that maintains the hedge effect. This is where you use sharp hedge clippers to cut back the plant to the chosen height and width.Do not cut off more than one-third of the plant. Still, give the plant room to put out new growth without running into sidewalks, driveways or adjoining property.Shearing, however, is not good on plants growing solo, particularly boxwoods. It creates an unnatural look popularly derided as 'Meatballs.' There is a better choice.

Thinning is one of the most useful pruning skills a gardener can possess. It is particularly useful on deciduous shrubs that produce long, arching stems that create graceful fountains of flowers.Thinning rejuvenates older plants by letting sunlight reach the interior and making space for new growth to rise neatly from the base.

The Seattle Times: Home & Garden: Container gardens for veggie lovers

The Seattle Times: Home & Garden: Container gardens for veggie lovers: "Container gardens for veggie lovers
By Sandy Dunham
Seattle Times desk editor
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'INCREDIBLE VEGETABLES FROM SELF-WATERING CONTAINERS USING ED'S AMAZING POTS SYSTEM'
Edward C. Smith's book explains self-watering containers and offers a 'recipe' for a compost-based potting soil.



So you love the idea of a garden, but you hate the idea of the work involved in gardening.
But what if you could grow your own yummy veggies without a gigantic plot of land, without constant watering and without weeding?
Sounds like a too-good-to-be-true infomercial, but in his new book, Edward C. Smith makes it sound plausible and possible. The key, he says, is the revolutionary self-watering container.
So in 'Incredible Vegetables from Self-Watering Containers Using Ed's Amazing POTS System' (Storey Publishing, $19.95), Smith explains the concept (instead of a hole in the bottom of the pot, there's a reservoir for water and a means for getting it to the plant) and shows how to make your own container.
(He and his wife have experimented with more than 200 self-watering containers and report that they water less often and grow better vegetables.)
He also explains his POTS System, with tips for growing bigger, better vegetables with less work:
P is for portable. If your containers are on wheels, you can move them easily.
O is for organic. Smith's methods are all-natural, which is healthier for your plants, your veggies and you.
T is for trouble-free. Self-watering containers allow you to water as little as once a week and weed even less often.
S is for secret soil formula. Smith shares his organic formula for tasty containe"

Local master gardener says hobby is about fun

Local master gardener says hobby is about fun: "Local master gardener says hobby is about fun

By HILLARY S. MEEKS, Features Editor

Sunday, March 05, 2006
'Gardening is not a secret handshake.'
At least, that's according to the philosophy of local master gardener Floyd Anderson. He is the one responsible for brightening up a portion of Lafayette Street with extensive landscaping. Chances are most locals are familiar with his large, yellow Victorian-style home situated close to the downtown square.
All along the sidewalk in front of his butter-colored house are rows of perky, bright petunias, and in front are beautiful winter vegetables such as cabbage and spinach. A tire swing hangs from the branches of one large tree, and a snow white cat pokes its nose around a variety of plants surrounding the structure.
While Anderson's garden is a pretty sight for the eyes, it's just not one of those sculpted, tightly-controlled gardens. There's a certain amount of respect he holds for his plants' inherent tendencies which makes the landscape seem more natural. For example, he admires instead of abhors the little winter onion weeds in his grass because he knows, soon enough, the grass is going to take over as the temperatures rise.
He knows all the names - scientific and layman - of his beloved foliage, as well as origin, background and of course, each plants preferences.
Actually, between last year's drought and a long absence from his home, Anderson said his garden is in worse shape than ever. Though he does say, with a tinge of excitement in his voice, 'Just wait until May, you're mouth will drop open like a two-dollar suitcase when you see it.'
Despite the fact he earned a degree in agr"

Special Ferns

Wonderful Plants

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Your Dream Garden Starts Here!: "Apeldoorn Mixed Darwin Hybrid Tulip

Tulipa darwin hybrid 'Apeldoorn Mixed'"

Nature Hills Nursery Gardening Question & Answer Library

Nature Hills Nursery Gardening Question & Answer Library: "Question: Hi, I live in Zone 7 of Eastern Shore of Maryland and this winter we had a very Mild Winter we haven't had snow more than 6 in. and not enough cool weather for my flowering bulbs. This April as soon as the bulbs such as Tulips, Daffodils, etc... Didn't flower this year just some of them..they're not over crowded and last year we had a very cold winter they bloomed freely but this year they didn't...What happened is that a Warm Winter we had that didnt give them the right amount of chill? Thank you.
Answer: There are several possible explanations for poor repeat performance. While a shorter chilling period could conceivably have an effect, if your neighbors plants are doing well then that would not be the problem. Probably the most common problem is that the foliage was not allowed to grow and mature long enough the previous year. This process is critical to rebuilding the bulbs strenth so they can bloom again. It is best to allow the foliage to grow and wither and dry up before you remove it, even though this can be a bit ugly during the process. Failure to do so will reduce the ability of the bulbs to bloom. Another common problem is planting varieties that do not perennialize or naturalize well. For example, the larger hyacinths and most of the taller varieties of tulips do not rebloom well after the first year. For reblooming you would want to plant the little rockgarden or cottage tulips and for hyacinths, the little grape hyacinths will usually thrive. Crocus are another good bulb for increasing from year to year. Another problem can be watering, both too much and too little. During the time the bulbs are dormant, many bulbs truly prefer to be left high and dry during the summer. Then in the fall when it is time for them to wake up and root, they need moisture. They also need moistu"

Your Dream Garden Starts Here!

Your Dream Garden Starts Here!: "Annabelle Hyacinth

Hyacinthus orientalis 'Annabelle'"

Your Dream Garden Starts Here!

Your Dream Garden Starts Here!: "Angelique Double Late Tulip

Tulipa double late 'Angelique'"

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Your Dream Garden Starts Here!: "Ambassador Yellow Triumph Tulip

Tulipa triumph 'Ambassador Yellow'"

Fall Bulbs

Blossom Peacock Double Amaryllis