July 22, 2009 |
725 Olean Rd. |
|
Hi there! I'm watching Food Network's "Chopped" while I'm supposed to be writing this newsletter. All of the fresh ingredients the chefs are using are making me think about the veggies that are ripening in my garden right now. I'm also thinking about the rabbit that is sure he's going to get my peas... |
||
In the Garden
Daylilies
(Hemerocallis sp.) Daylilies are a natural near a garden pond or waterfall, and look best when planted in clumps. They require almost no maintenance and are extremely cold-hardy. Most varieties reach heights between 24" - 36", but there are a few great dwarf varieties available for smaller spaces. We have some great new varieties in stock this year and they are all blooming now, or just about ready to pop. A bit of daylily advice (do as we say, not as we do), protect your daylilies from deer. Please see the Q&A section for our horror story. |
||
Trick of the Trade Deadheading
Most gardeners are familiar with the term "deadheading" as it applies to flowering plants and know this has nothing to do with touring around the country, following a hippie jam band (though I'll admit Grateful Dead songs make for some great background music while puttering around the garden). Why is deadheading so important? Most annuals and many perennials benefit greatly from deadheading and will rebloom. Removing spent flowers will force more vigorous plant growth and a more compact overall shape as well. |
||
| In the Pond Plant of the Week
This dependable, fast growing bog plant is very easy to care for and will grace your pond with spikes of soft blue flowers from early summer until fall. It does equally well in full sun or partial shade, from very shallow water to depths of up to 18". Plant two or three clusters together in a large container for the best effect. Blue to mauve or purple flowers are the most common but white and pink flowering pickerel is also available. Pickerel rush is named after Italian botanist Giulio Pondeteria (just in case you were wondering).
|
||
Trick of the Trade Plants are an important part of a balanced ecosystem and an attractive, natural looking pond. When choosing plants for your water garden, resist the temptation to mix too many different marginal plant varieties together. While they may all look great individually, often they don't look so good all together in one area. Mass plantings of the same or very similar looking plants will give your pond a more natural and better balanced look. |
||
In the News Actually, yes. And we think it's pretty fantastic. If you have a pond in your yard, you know the amazing growth rate of algae. While this is a major source of frustration for a homeowner who wants to be able to see the pretty fish in their pond, it is actually something on the forefront of green energy.
"Replacing fossil fuels with algae, a renewable resource, to make biodiesel is an exciting possibility. Before we dive into the subject of algae biodiesel, let's get to know more about algae. More than 100,000 different species of plantlike organisms belong the algae family. They come in various forms and colors, from tiny protozoa floating in ponds to huge bunches of seaweed inhabiting the ocean. Algae are easy to grow and can be manipulated to produce huge amounts without disturbing any natural habitats or food sources. Algae are easy to please -- all they need are water, sunlight and carbon dioxide. |
 |
Find Us On  |