Spring into summer - green gardening made simple
What to do with all this rain? Soak it up.
With this rain does come a few minor problems
- Rust
- Black spot
- Fungus and mildew
- Mosquitos
For all the above except mosquito control here are a few simple tips
Make sure your plants have good drainage. If you didn’t prep your soil beforehand it is not to late to amend now. Dig out the clay around the root ball and add organic matter. Best to use compost that is not completely broke down. A good value product for this is cotton burr compost which we carry in a 3 cubic foot bale.
Add some lava sand as well. In extremely poor drainage cases amend with grow core or any brand of ground coconut shell. This is a wonderful way to bring air to the roots of your plants.
To treat the fungus use corn meal, don’t confuse this with corn meal gluten. Use an agriculture grade and couple this with a quality garlic product. I have found garlic gp to work the best. This may take a few applications to see results.
Pray for dry, sunny days, but not too many.
Given all this rain, our plants have been growing rapidly unlike most years. With rapid growth, a lot of them are probably hungry. I have never experienced a spring with so many big fat gorgeous blooms. I trust my deadheading and second spring feeding will prove to be a good choice. I love Rabbit Hill Farm rose food, and fresh compost tea that we make on the premises to get the job done.
Besides, roses give all your blooming plants a second helping; and if you didn’t get around to early spring feeding, what are you waiting for? Don’t starve your plants—feed the earth and let the earth feed them. I get great results from mixing composted cattle manure with green sand and bud and bloom. That way, I also stretch my dollar.
Now is a great time to plant those heat loving plants. Here a just a few of my favs:
- Tropical blue plumbago, which is really hard, and if well protected in the winter with mulch should come back;
- Hardy hibiscus;
- Rock rose (she needs a lot of room though and makes gads of babies);
- Ice plants (I have an orange one!);
- Hawaiian blue eyes;
- Upright phlox.
Take time to gather with friends in your outdoor living space—a garden.
Wish you all a beautiful growing season.