Yard and Garden Tips

Grow Your Own Vegetables

By RAY PRIOR , Coweta County Master Gardener

Maybe it’s the high price of food. Maybe it’s the economy in general. Maybe it’s the delightful thought of having a slice of  home-grown tomato on your BLT. For whatever reasons, a lot of people have asked about starting their own vegetable garden. Good idea.

You don’t need a lot of space. My plot is 12′ x 12′ and at any given time during the summer you will find tomatoes, beans, bell peppers, cucumbers and parsley which I grow mainly for Swallowtail Butterfly caterpillars to munch on in September. I still have room for a row of marigolds across the front, gladiolas along the fence and a small “nursery” where I experiment with clippings from roses and shrubs.

The soil is moist, and it is warming up. Now is a good time to start your own garden. First, pick a spot in full sun, and if possible, near your water supply and near the house for your convenience.

Finally, get rid of the weeds and till the soil to a depth of several inches. Good drainage is important. Work in some organic matter. Once the plants are in place, mulch with leaves or other organic materials to reduce water evaporation and discourage weed growth.

Using composted material in your garden improves the texture of the soil and adds organic matter. One of my favorite compost materials is kitchen scraps. To learn how to compost kitchen scraps and other material ask for the “Composting & Mulching” publication. For more information visit the Extension office or call at 770 254 2620.

Curtesy: Times-Heard.com

When you are buying or receiving plants from someone there are a few things that you need to look at before deciding to plant them in your garden.

You will generally get a better quality plant from a garden center and it will be less likely to have disease or other problems that could spread to other plants in your garden.

There is still the possibility that the garden center plant might not be the healthy specimen that you might expect so you should still check it out before parting with your money.

The first thing you need to do is look at the plant and see whether it looks healthy.
This might seem very obvious but we often assume that buying from a garden center will assure us of a healthy plant when in actual fact even garden centers can have problem plants and you don’t want to be the new owner of their problems.

Plants are very good at showing any signs of distress so a plant that doesn’t look healthy, generally isn’t.

Check the conditions of the leaves, stems and roots of the plant where possible.
You should also look at the condition of the soil that it has been growing in, as this will have had an effect on its health.

If you are buying flowering plants it is always best to buy the ones that have yet to flower, as they will withstand the trauma of transport and transplanting better than those that already have flowers.

If there is no alternative but to buy or receive plants that already have flowers then many people suggest that you should remove all the flowers to give the plant a better chance of survival.

While you might be reluctant to do so, you will probably have a better plant that will produce more flowers in the future.

If there is anything on the plant that concerns you seek advice or decide against having that plant in your garden.

There are many ways that you can add interest to a garden.
Anything that becomes a focal point will add interest and that can range from garden sculptures to the types of plants you choose.

Adding block planting of a particular specimen can become a focal point in the garden.
Even adding areas of variegated foliage can create a focal point in the garden.

Seats are another item that can add interest to the garden and additionally they can offer a nice place to rest and relax while you admire your work.

Mirrors that are strategically placed can enhance the garden in many ways.
They can bring reflected light to dark corners of the garden.
They can also give the impression that the garden is bigger or alternatively they can give the impression that the open space is bigger.

Placed at various angles, mirrors can add a lot of fun and interest to a garden and help to lead a visitor on to other areas.

Using hedges can also add interest to the garden while offering protection to the plants.
Hedges are also an excellent way to gain privacy without feeling closed in.

Water features are a favorite for many people and the sound of running water in the corner of a garden can add an atmosphere of calm and relaxation.

Water features can also be good for the birds in the garden particularly in the summer months when they might find it difficult to find water lying around to suit their needs.

As with sculptures, stones, rocks and pebbles can add interest and offer areas where you can walk even when the surrounding ground might be too wet.
Shells also make a good cover on the ground for paths that can remain dry in the wet season.

There are so many different things that you put in your garden to add interest.
Everything from old cartwheels to wind chimes, aviaries or anything else you can imagine.

Give Garden Gnomes consideration. View my favorite Garden Gnomes at GNOME FRENZY
 http://www.gnomefrenzy.com/

For a Greener Lawn…
1. Remove the debris –
One of the best things that you can do to get your lawn in shape for the coming season is the remove any debris; such as branches and rocks that may have accumulated over the winter. Not only will this help give your grass room to grow, but it will also prevent safety hazards once mowing season begins.

2. Do not over f ertilize with nitrogen – Traditionally, many people would prepare their lawn with high amounts of nitrogen-based fertilizer in the spring. Unfortunately, this often leads to a significant amount of damage to the grass. If you are going to use nitrogen, be sure to wait until you have mowed at least a few times before you fertilize with nitrogen and wait until there will no longer be frost on the ground.

3. Use controlled release fertilizers –
If you are going to use a fertilizer in the spring, then you are best to look for one that contains nutrients that are released slowly over time, rather than all at once. You should also consider fertilizing over time, so that you help your grass to grow slowly rather than all at once.

4. May 1st is a good date to start weeding out crabgrass –
In most areas of the country, crabgrass does not start to root until around the middle of May. Therefore, if you are going to apply an anti-crabgrass formula to your lawn it is a good idea to begin doing so around May 1st. Of course, this is not set in stone and if your climate is unusually warm or you notice crabgrass developing earlier, you can feel free to apply the formula earlier in the year.

5. Seed your lawn in the fall, not in the spring –
Although many people do prefer to seed their lawn in the spring, it is not as optimal as seeding in the fall. Although it may seem that new grass would have a hard time surviving the winter, it is actually more at risk of damage from the high heat and sunlight of summer. Therefore, consider seeding your lawn before winter this year!

6. For best results, use a blended fertilizer –A high-quality fertilizer should contain a small amount of nitrogen that is non-water soluble, potash and phosphate. The key to a balanced formula is knowing how much of each of the ingredients your lawn really needs. There are also other minerals that are frequently added to fertilizers – some lawns require these and some do not. Depending on your soil type, geographic location and climate, the fertilizer that you choose needs to contain the right amount of each nutrient. Check with your local gardening center to learn more.

7. The darker your lawn color, the better –Do you realize that your goal should be to get your lawn to the darkest possible color? With this goal in mind, you will have a way to determine how well your lawn and garden preparations are working. Of course, it may take you several seasons to determine the correct approach, but in the end your efforts will be rewarded.

8. Consider a mechanical seeder for best results –
If you find yourself needing to seed or re-seed your lawn, it may be more work than you are anticipating. Therefore, a mechanical seed spreader may be an investment worth making. Or, consider renting one from a local lawn care center. There are also seed sprayers, however they are not recommended for inexperienced landscapers because of the precision that must be applied to achieve proper coverage.

9. If you want f ast results on your lawn this season, consider sodding -If you don’t know what sod is, you probably have seen it and don’t realize it! Sod is simply instant grass. You can purchase sod in squares or rolls, or you can hire a professional to create your lawn. Sodding is best done in the late spring.

10. Find out how short you should be cutting your grass –
Before the mowing season begins, you should take care to find out what the best height is for your lawn. Most people who experience problems with their lawn burning are cutting it too short. And, those whose lawns get out of control between mowing may not be going low enough. A good rule to keep in mind is that you should never mow more than 1/3 of the visible grass when you are mowing in order to avoid damaging the blades.

11. Prepare a watering schedule –
Do you realize that when you water your lawn several times a day in short intervals, you may not be helping your grass to grow? Studies have shown that the best watering technique is to water for an extended period of time at infrequent intervals. Much like nature waters your lawn with rainfall. For example, if you live in an area with clay soil you really need to water for about 5 hours at a time a few days a week. Most people do not water this way, but for the best results this is what you should do.

12. Don’t skip spring lawn and garden preparation –If for some reason you opt not to do preventative spring maintenance on your lawn and gardens, you will undoubtedly pay for it for the rest of the year! While you may be able to take some shortcuts, be sure not to completely skip this important step.

13. Never skip raking –
It is just as important to rake your lawn in the spring as it is in the fall. Thatch is what accumulates on your lawn during the winter to protect the roots from snow and freezing temperatures. This thatch must be removed in order to keep your lawn healthy. Pros will tell you that even a half of an inch of thatch accumulating can cause serious problems with your lawn. So, don’t skip this important lawn care step!

14. Raking can show signs of more serious problems –You should rake your lawn deeply every spring, because when you do you are not only removing dangerous build-up, but you are also freeing any tangled grass blades. Additionally, if your lawn has been affected by snow mold or other problems over the winter, raking may eliminate the eventuality of bare patches.

15. Aeration is important when traff ic is high –If you have a high traffic lawn – or even just some spots that get a lot of foot traffic – you should aerate every spring to avoid a condition known as compaction. If you see a significant amount of moss build up in your lawn, then this is a sign that your lawn could be in need of aeration. You can get an aeration tool that is inexpensive at your local lawn and garden store.

16. Keep an eye out for moss –If you see a significant build up of moss in and around your lawn and garden, this could indicate significant problems including a need for aeration or a need to combat high acid levels in the soil. Both are simple procedures, which will not require a significant investment of time. However, it is important to address the problems as soon as possible to get your lawn healthy for the coming season.

17. Watch for bare spots –If you see bare spots developing throughout your lawn as a result of your pets, or high traffic, you can do what is called overseeding. Basically, you will be placing seed in the bare spots to sprout new growth. The best time to do this is late in the fall, when temperatures are mild and the sun is not as hot as in the spring and summer.

18. Use preemergent herbicides –
The difference between conventional herbicides and preemergent herbicides is that while conventional herbicides kill weeds as they are located, preemergent herbicides treat your lawn to prevent the growth of weeds, crabgrass and other irritants from the time of their application. There is a specific window of time in which the herbicides are effective when applied, check with your local lawn care center to determine the best time for your specific region.

19. Aerate first and then apply chemicals –If you intend to aerate your lawn or garden, do so prior to applying any chemicals, herbicides or fertilizers. Otherwise, you will be wasting the chemicals. Also, herbicides form a blanketing shield over the soil. Aeration will puncture this blanket, which may lead to problems.

20. Be on the lookout for dandelions –
Dandelions are probably the largest lawn pest known to man. If you want to keep them from spreading once they begin to appear, snap off the head of the flower before it turns to seed. Otherwise, you can expect to have a sea of yellow blanketing your lawn all summer long. You can treat dandelions upon emergence with a spot killer. Preemergent herbicides are generally ineffective
against dandelions.

21. Check out your mower –Spring is a good time to perform preventative maintenance on your mower, and to make sure that it is working in optimal condition. At the same time, you can take a few minutes to check your other landscaping tools to ensure that they are in good repair for the coming season.

It feels like spring. At least it does today in Chicago. We know this will not last long. The temps are going to drop this evening. However with the sun shining today, it makes me start thinking about my yard and garden. It’s never too early for you to srart thinking about yours.

Are you going to start a new garden or are you going to revive an existing one? How about the layout? Start now thinking about what you are going to do. You will have to decide on what you want to grow, taking into consideration on where exactly are you planning to plant. Is it a shady or sunny area? How is the soil? Situations like this must be considered so you can start choosing your plants now. I am not saying to buy the plants now, just know what you want and then plan from there.

If you are a newbie to gardening or a seasoned gardener, make sure you get a copy of the FREE report “Intro Into Gardening”. Look on the upper right side of this page to get your copy. And of course feel free to visit us here for more gardening tips.

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