Author: Laura Christensen

In the Ornamental Garden:

• Plant summer-loving bulbs like Gladiolus, Elephant Ears and Caladium now.
• Plant dahlias after mid-May.  They will start blooming in July until hard frost.
• Clematis need full sun but their roots need to be kept cool with mulch and preferably Continue reading “Horticulture Report – May 2014”

What to Do in the Garden in April
In the Edible Garden
• Erect climbing material for vining crops like peas, pole beans, gourds and cucumbers.
• Add compost to soil.
• Plant fruit trees, grapes, raspberries and blackberries.
In the Ornamental Garden
• Place stakes around plants now so plants can grow through stakes. The cheap green tomato cages sold in most garden centers work well to support many plants.
• Divide perennials when they resume growth. Divide poppies, peonies and iris in late summer to early fall. 4-inch diameter sections work best. Rake back mulch around roses Continue reading “Horticultural Report – April 2014”

The Ornamental Garden:
• Prune woody plants to remove any dead, weak, diseased or crossing branches.
• Trim back Russian Sage and Butterfly Bushes to a height of 6” – 8”.
• Prune yews (Taxus) in late March. Continue reading “Horticultural Report – March 2014”

The Ornamental Garden:

• Plant spring-flowering bulbs as long as the ground is not frozen.
• Protect evergreen trees and shrubs with an additional watering this month.
• Prune deciduous shrubs and trees.  Once leaves have fallen it is much easier to see the Continue reading “November Horticulture Report”

In the Ornamental Garden:

• Rake up leaves, twigs from crabapple trees to reduce apple scab.
• Dig up dahlia bulbs after a hard frost.  Cut back the tops.  Dry in warm sun for 2 days and brush off the soil.  Dust with a fungicide and store in vermiculite.
• Lift and harvest tender bulbs and corms such as cannas, caladiums, gladiolas, and Continue reading “October 2013 Horticulture Report”

In the Ornamental Garden

• Divide perennials. Dig up the plant; cut it into sections; plant and water.  Keep well watered for first several weeks after transplanting.
• Plant perennials.  They need 3 to 4 weeks of mild weather in order to become established before winter.
• Plant trees and shrubs.  But wait until spring to plant the following because they are susceptible to winter damage:  dogwood, tulip tree, sweet gum, red maple, birch, hawthorn, cherries, plums and many oaks. Continue reading “What to do in Your Garden in September: Zone 5”