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 Greetings! Thank goodness the sun is out today. Yesterday's 30° temperature swing was bone chilling. The wind was biting with its teeth making it pretty unbearable. It is hard to swallow the cold days since we've been spoiled with so many warm, spring-like days. I don't know about you but I'm getting pretty use to those warmer days. So much so that now when I look at the extended forecast I am anxiously looking for our next 50° day. I know we have been lucky so far but at some point the question becomes, "If the winter weather remains mild through the rest of January, what is it going to be like in March?" Is anyone else thinking that or am I the only one?
Sure would be great to have some moisture soon. I worry the wind we've been experiencing is starting to take its toll. Rain or snow (can't believe I'm saying that) would suffice.
For those of you who attend the Kansas City Garden Symposium every year now is the time to get it on your calendar. The event, "Grow the Good Life" kicks off February 17th, 2012 and is sponsored by the Friends at Powell Gardens and the Kansas City Garden Center Association. To register on-line click here, and for information about speakers and a daily itinerary visit here.
Sounds like a great way to spend a weekend! |
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Pelleted Perfection...
You may find yourself perusing a seed catalog and come across something called pelleted seed. Some mail order seed companies offer pelleted seed of lettuce, carrot, and a few other small-seeded crops. Pelleted seed is like any other seed except that it has a special coating that makes it larger. While almost anyone will appreciate the convenience of larger seeds it is especially valuable for children and gardeners with arthritic hands, weak eyesight, or poor coordination. When using pelleted seed, plant in moist soil and keep it moist as the coating has to dissolve before the seed can germinate.
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Heave, Ho...
 We've seen some interesting swings in temperatures lately. While most of us appreciate the days above freezing, our plants may be less than thrilled. The freezing and thawing of the ground can force shallow-rooted plants out of the soil. This is called "heaving" and should not be a problem if you mulched well at the onset of winter. If you see any signs of heaving among your plantings simply replant any that have heaved and mulch with 2 inches of organic material. Those leaves that seem to linger all season are perfect!
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A Gentler Approach To Houseplant Pests...
 Insects on houseplants are a major pain. Not only are they hurting your plants but control measures using chemicals are pretty undesirable to a lot of homeowners. Here are three control approaches that minimize risk to you and your housemates.
- Physically pick-off caterpillars, slugs, and other larger pests.
- Swab pests with a small brush or cotton swab moistened with rubbing alcohol. This method is feasible when plants are small and infestations very light. It is tedious and must be done once a week over a period of time.
- Plants can also be washed in a diluted mixture of water and insecticidal soap, or gently spray-washed with lukewarm water. Repeated washings over a period of time are necessary to gradually reduce infestations.
If the infestation is severe, it may be preferable to discard the plant and replace it rather than attempt chemical control. Source |
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Care For Amaryllis...
This time of year our readers often ask about the ongoing care of an amaryllis received during the holidays. Here are some quick tips:
- Remove any spent flowers after blooming.
- Place the plant in a bright sunny window to allow the leaves to fully develop.
- Keep the soil evenly moist, not soggy.
- Feed occasionally with a general purpose houseplant fertilizer.
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Viability Verification...
So, you're getting ready to start some seeds indoors and don't know if last year's leftovers are still good. Well, you can start by checking the typical viability of 20 popular vegetable seeds in the table below:
| Vegetable | Viability
(Years) | Vegetable | Viability
(Years) | | Beans | 3 | Muskmelons | 4-5 | | Broccoli | 3-5 | Peas | 3 | | Brussels Sprouts | 3-5 | Peppers | 2-3 | | Cabbage | 3-4 | Pumpkin | 4-5 | | Carrots | 3 | Radish | 5 | | Cauliflower | 3-5 | Spinach | 5 | | Corn, Sweet | 2 | Squash, Summer | 3-4 | | Cucumbers | 5 | Squash, Winter | 4 | | Lettuce | 5-6 | Tomato | 3-4 | | Lima Beans | 3 | Turnip | 4-5 |
To be absolutely sure here's a trick we use to determine if seeds are still good:
- Take ten seeds from the package and place them on a paper towel that you have moistened with warm water.
- Fold the paper towel over to cover the seeds.
- Keep the towel moist and warm (on top of the fridge usually works for warmth) until they start to germinate.
- If less than six seeds (60%) germinate you might as well throw the rest away.
- If six or more germinate it will be worthwhile to plant the rest.
- Don't waste your test seeds! The ones that germinate should be carefully moved to your preferred seedling container and cared for until ready for transplanting outdoors.
Source
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All Set For Onions...
Onions are one of the earliest crops that can be planted in the garden - late March in most of eastern and central Kansas. As they usually require 6 to 8 weeks of growing time before transplanting they should be started indoors now.
- Plant onion seeds fairly close together - ½ to ¾ inches apart in a pot or flat filled with commercial seed starting mix (a lot of onion plants can be grown in a small area).
- Place the container in a warm (75º to 80º F) location until the seedlings emerge. When the seedlings are 1 to 2 inches tall, move them to a cooler (60º to 65ºF) location with plenty of natural or artificial light.
- After the onion seedlings are 2 to 3 inches tall, apply a soluble fertilizer with each or alternate waterings.
- When they are 4 to 5 inches tall "give them a haircut" by trimming the ends of the leaves to produce a shorter, stockier plant.
- In early March, move the plants to an outdoor, protected location for a few weeks prior to actual transplanting.
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Finally...
"Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home."
~ Edith Sitwell
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