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News & Notes
Hewson Landscape, Inc. June 2012 |
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Message From The President, |  I guess the rain is making up for no snow during the winter months! It's a little challenging to get work done when the soil is so saturated. It usually takes about two to three days for things to dry out before we can put any earth moving machine on the soil, to avoid getting stuck. In terms of recycling, I've changed my composter to one that's above ground and spins. The previous one was stationary and it was hard to get in there with a pitch fork to move things around so they will decompose. I'll keep you posted (no pun intended) on how this one works for me. I'm looking for that black gold to add to my garden and flower beds. I'm amazed at the amount of raw debris that accumulates from my kitchen and that will be kept out of the landfills. Have an enjoyable summer, and we'll speak next month.
Shelly |
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Wood Ashes |  Should I put Wood Ashes in my Garden or Compost? Yes. Wood Ash is an excellent source of lime and potassium, in addition to providing trace elements that plants need to survive. Wood Ash is best used lightly scattered or thrown into your compost pile first. Its best used this way because wood ash produces lye and salts if it gets wet. It will not cause problems in small quantities but in larger amounts it could burn your plants. Oak and Maple ashes will produce higher nutrients and minerals versus softwood such as pine or fir (which I do not recommend burning in your fireplace or wood stove due to creating higher creosote, which in turn could create a chimney fire). Wood Ash is also useful for pest control, killing snails and slugs. It just needs to be sprinkled around the base of the plants. If the ash gets wet, it will need to be re-applied as the water leaches away the salt, which is the effective ingredient for pest control. Wood Ash will also raise the PH and lower the acid in the soil. Avoid spreading around acid loving plants such as Rhody's, Azaleas and Andromeda's. |
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Knockout Roses |  Knockout Roses are easy to grow and do not require special care. They are the most disease resistant roses on the market. They have stunning flower power with a generous bloom cycle (about every 5-6 weeks) that will continue until the first hard frost. These roses are self-cleaning so there is no need to deadhead. They are winter hardy to USDA Zone 5 and heat tolerant throughout the entire U.S. They thrive in almost every area of the country. In the coldest regions, they will need winter protection (check with your local garden center to see what method is best for your area). If un-pruned, they can easily grow to be more than 3-4' wide x 3-4' tall. A once a year cut (to about 12-18" above the ground) in early spring (after the last hard frost) is also recommended for maximum performance. The Knockout rose can fit any landscape. Plant them individually among shrubs, annuals and perennials in mixed beds and borders. Plant them in large groups to create a colorful hedge. Plant them along a foundation to provide a bright border. You can prune your rose bush in early spring, never in the fall and never in the winter. Check your rose bush from time to time as spring moves along and when you start to see new shoots growing from the canes, that's a good sign that it is time to prune. You will need a few basic tools when the time comes to prune your roses: gloves, because of the thorns; Lopping sheers, for some of the heavier canes that are going to be difficult to cut with some of the smaller sheers. Small hand sheers, for some of the finer work, and a pair of hedge trimmers to get the job done quickly. Determining how high you want to prune depends on how high you want your rose bush to finish. Your rose bush will usually triple in size after pruning, so cutting it back to about a foot will leave it at 3 feet when it's finished growing. Your rose bush will need at least 6 hours of sun each day, so choose a sunny spot to plant. Dig a hole that is about twice as wide and as deep as the container. Work the soil at the bottom of the hole with your shovel so that it is loose and aerated. Remove it from its container and use your hands to gently loosen the roots at the bottom of the plant. Place the plant in the hole ensuring that the base of the plant is level with the soil. Add soil back to the hole around the plant. Crumble the soil so that it is nice and aerated. At this point you can add in any soil amendments if you wish, such as manure or potting soil. Water your Knockout rose thoroughly around the base of the plant allowing it to soak in and repeating as necessary. For the next couple of weeks, check in and water plant as needed to ensure it stays healthy and mulch around the plant to help retain moisture and reduce weeds. |
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Frances Williams Hostas |  Frances Williams Hostas The giant blue-green leaves almost look quilted, they are so heavily corrugated. A mature size plant is 22" tall X 48" wide and the white flower will appear in the mid-summer. The leaves are very wide and consist of a combination of chartreuse and shades of yellow. The foliage of Frances Williams is very tough, sometimes described as leathery, which makes it very slug resistant. The water requirements for Hostas of this size will keep you constantly dragging out the hose. The optimal growing spot for Frances Williams Hostas are to locate the plants out of direct evening sun. Hostas prefer partial to full shade and a good rich garden soil that is moist but well drained. Hostas are available in hundreds of cultivars with a wide range of colors, sizes and textures making them very valuable to the gardener or landscaper. Use plenty of mulch to help conserve soil moisture and keep roots cool. Feed in early spring; just as new growth begins to peak through the ground with composted chicken manure and a hand full of bone meal. Liquid feed at least twice during the growing season with seaweed extract or fish emulsion. Do not feed Hostas at least 6 weeks prior to the first frost. This ensures that any new growth has time to harden up before cold weather arrives. Slugs and snails can be problem in the spring - especially during very wet weather. |
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Quote of the Month | |
The greatest gift you can give another is the purity of your attention.
Richard Moss
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Flag Day | |
In the United States, Flag Day is celebrated on June fourteenth. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened that day by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777. Flag Day is not an official federal holiday, though on June 14, 1937, Pennsylvania became the first and only U.S. state to celebrate as a state holiday. However, it is at the President's discretion to proclaim officially the observance. The week of June 14 is designated as "National Flag Week." During National Flag Week, the president will issue a proclamation urging U.S. citizens to fly the American flag for the duration of that week. The flag should also be displayed on all Government buildings. |
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