Dry Shade

Growing plants in dry shade can be a problem. 

The Spotted Dead Nettle (Lamium maculatum) thrives In the dry shade of our old French Lilac. I moved the dead nettle two or three years ago.  They are starting to fill in and provide bright leaf and flower color.

Thirty cultivars provide a diverse plant list to choose from.  Among Glories of Snow and Grape Hyacinths (above), 'Purple Dragon' on the left shows a lot of silvery leaf.  'Elizabeth De Haas' to the right has a silver stripe.  The flowers are almost identical.

Lamium 'White Nancy' differs only in flower color.

This yellow-leaved cultivar was a pass-a-long from a friend.  I don’t know its name but it could be ‘Aureum’.  It has yellow leaves with a white stripe.  No flowers yet.

Lamium maculatum is rabbit and deer resistant.  I haven’t noticed any damage from slugs or chewing insects.  They are easy to hoe out if they spread too far.

Simple to maintain and brightly marked, dead nettle is a good plant for the dry shade where not much will grow without constant watering.

Plant Evaluation Notes from Chicago Botanic Gardens here.  

Spring Ahead

Spring ahead means more this year than a change to daylight saving time. Spring in the garden this year is weeks ahead of schedule.

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PJM Rhododendron (above), usually blooms in the middle to end of April. It wasn’t bothered by below freezing temperatures the other night. Last spring, I trimmed about 1/3 off and I’ll cut it back by another third when it’s finished blooming this year. It’s just getting too big for the space.

About ¾ of the mulch has been spread. The Helleborus’ (Lenten Rose ‘Royal Heritage’) nodding blooms continue their long bloom time. Mulch makes it all look pretty.

Daffodil season is winding down and some daffs are ready for dead heading.

Pieris Japonica ‘Mountain Fire’ is finishing its pretty winter bloom. When the blooms are gone, new growth will be bright a burgundy. This is what I call a bonus plant – winter bloom and summer color.

The mop head hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Venice”) is leafing out dodging the frosts so far. I cut it for shape last summer. I will only need to cut off the dead branches this spring. We’ll see how well it blooms this year after last summer’s haircut.

The early spring makes me feel like I need to hurry to catch up when, in reality, I need to slow down. The last frost date here in zone 6 is around May 15. Over a month till it’s time to put out tender annuals and vegetables. It’s also important that the soil be warm enough to promote healthy growth.

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The coleuses will have to wait for their outside debut.

More Philly Flower Show Photos

From the tiny scuba tanks to the little hanging baskets, Miniature Setting winner Irene Sobotincic’s “Taking the Plunge” scuba shop captured a still life of homegrown Hawaiian commerce.

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Anthurium and red lights mimicked a lava flow in the popular display “Pele” by Schafer Designs.

A few of the thousands of orchids in the displays.

Temple University Ambler School of Environmental Design is always an environmental treasure trove. This year a rain garden accompanied by a handout with a diagram and plant list was another testament to Temple’s attention to detail.

A model of Philadelphia City Hall and surrounding gardens was presented by Philadelphia Water Department’s “Green City, Clean Water” “Islands of Green in an Urban Sea.”

As always, there was lots to see at this flower show!

Philadelphia International Flower Show

HAWAII, ISLANDS OF ALOHA

If ever my digital camera is going to give me problems, you can bet it will be at the Philly Flower Show. I’ll post a few of the less grainy pictures later.

I must say I was a little disappointed with the show. I couldn’t put my finger on what didn’t quite work. Finally it came to me - Hawaii is bright and colorful - The convention center was dark as usual. I think this is one time overhead lighting would have enhanced the show. Despite thousands of colorful orchids and hundreds of stately palm trees, the displays never seemed to capture the essence of Hawaii.

Of course it may be impossible to capture the magnificence of the real thing.

Perfect Weather for Spring Cleanup

before

after

Thank you Mother Nature.

The beautifully warm days recently have given a jump start to spring garden cleanup. I am feeling very organized this year. Last fall I did a better than average fall garden cleanup so there’s not as much to do this spring. Add a week of heavenly spring weather and I’ll be ready for mulch next week.

Another help to move the cleanup along is the tool I bought at the Philadelphia Flower show. It’s

called a Leaf Lifter from Better Garden Tools.

It's saving my old back.

Crocus

Is it my imagination or are the crocuses prettier than usual this year? They are definitely a couple of weeks earlier. I planted hundreds of crocus between 2003 and 2005.

I remember walking around the garden in spring and sticking tongue depressors in the soil as markers so I would remember where I wanted to plant more bulbs in November. I remember digging all the little holes on chilly November days. I remember watering them in and sprinkling the soil with cayenne pepper to try to fool the squirrels.

It was definitely worth the effort.

"Tomato Growing Secrets"

Tomato Growing Secrets by Doug Green

Doug Green is a semi-retired Canadian nurseryman with years of experience in the garden. According to Amazon this “award winning garden author, brings a down-to-earth style and easy gardening systems to his lifetime of organic garden achievements.”

I always enjoy his writing. Tomato Growing Secrets is no exception. So if you think you know everything there is to know about growing tomatoes, think again. This book contains hints and tips for growing a good crop of tomatoes. Some tips include: how to warm the soil for early planting, how to increase a late crop of tomatoes, how to get a ripe tomato before your neighbor (a must read for you competitive types).

Pests and diseases are also covered. A chart to compare with your plant’s symptoms tells what you can (and can't) do about it.

Other books by Doug Green: Tender Roses in Tough Climates, Vegetable Gardening in the North, Successful Organic Lawns and many more. (Some books are offered only as ebooks) Doug’s Website “Doug Green’s Garden”

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Brochure for Master Gardener Spring Garden Series
http://extension.psu.edu/lehigh/events/files/spring-garden-series
See January 8, 2010 post - http://bethlehem-pa-gardening.blogspot.com/2012/01/before-we-know-it-spring-gardening.html

JOIN THE FUN!

ADVENTURES IN AGRICULTURE

Talk about your garden, learn to grow better tomatoes, pick up information sheets, enter to win a soil test kit, have the kids plant bean seeds and pick up coloring pages and crayons.

Join the Master Gardeners at Palmer Park Mall near Easton PA this weekend.

Lots more to see throughout the mall.

Adventures in Agriculture

Starting at 4 pm on Friday 2/10/12 and through the weekend, Palmer Park Mall will host its annual shop, play and learn event - Adventures in Agriculture. Penn State Master Gardeners, Northampton County Farm Bureau, 4-H of Northampton County and much more! Merchants will be on hand with local farm production for sale.

Learn about local food, 4-H Activities, ecology, antique toys and farm implements, animals. Fun and games for children are scattered throughout the mall. A mall-wide scavenger hunt is always popular.

Want to grow great tomatoes? The Master Gardener display includes “Tomato Time” covering tomato diseases and growing methods. The kids can learn “How seed Grow” and plant bean seeds. Gardening question? Ask a Master Gardener. Pick up free information fact sheets. A free raffle drawing for a Soil Test Kit will take place at the end of the show. Sign up any time. You don’t have to be present to win.

Get out of the cold. Come in and enjoy the displays and the great store sales that usually accompany Adventures in Agriculture.

Vegetable Garden Quiz

True or False?

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Plant tomato seeds indoors 5 to 7 weeks before last frost date.

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Determinate tomatoes produce fruit in a batch and indeterminate tomatoes produce fruit continuously until frost.
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Leggy tomato stems can be planted in a trench leaving the top of the plant above ground and they will grow roots along the stem.

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Potatoes are actually underground stems.

Cucurbits include cucumbers, muskmelons, watermelons, pumpkins, summer squash, winter squash, and gourds.

Beans are nitrogen fixing plants.

Blossom end rot on tomatoes is a calcium deficiency caused by anything that interferes with the supply of water during fruit development such as drought or long periods of heavy rain..

As you know, all of the above are true.

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If you are planning your 2012 vegetable garden and want a refresher from Penn State College of Agriculture, check out the “Vegetable Gardening – Recommendations for home gardeners in Pennsylvania” here.

2012 Spring Garden Shows & Classes

Before we know it spring gardening season will rush in.
There are a lot of local events to look forward to before the real gardening begins. Mark your calendar and be sure to join the fun.

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Adventure in Agriculture
Feb. 10, 11,12,2012
Friday - 5-9pm, Saturday - 10am-9pm and Sunday - 11am-6pm
Palmer Park Mall
123 Palmer Park Mall
Easton, PA 18045
Phone: 610-258-6017
Some local exhibitors: Penn State Master Gardeners, Northampton County Farm Bureau, Becker Honey Farm, Smith Krekk Alpacas, 4H clubs and much more! Fun for kids and adults.


Valley Flower and Garden Show
March 2, 3 and 4, 2012 –
Ag Hall, Allentown Fairgrounds
302 North 17th Street
Allentown, PA 18104
Description:
Since 1973. Beautiful flowers and horticultural exhibits to make you feel that Spring is on it's way


Master Gardener Spring Garden Series – Brochure
http://extension.psu.edu/lehigh/events/files/spring-garden-series
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”Vegetable Gardening: From the Ground Up."
(call 610-391-9840 for more information)
Classes to get ready and get in the mood for Spring.

in Northampton County at the Bethlehem Township Community Center, 2900 Farmersville Road, Bethlehem, PA. 18020
- March 14 “Plan Before You Plant” 6 p.m.; “Seeds and Transplants” 7:15 p.m.
- March 21 “Garden Maintenance: The Endurance Stretch” 6:00 p.m.; “Maximize Your Efforts” 7:15 p.m.

in the Lehigh County Agricultural Center, 4184 Dorney Park Road, Room 104, Allentown,
PA 18104-5798
- March 22 “Plan Before YouPlant” 6:00 p.m.; “Seeds and Transplants” 7:15 p.m.
- March 29 “Garden Maintenance: The Endurance Stretch” 6:00 p.m.; “Maximize Your Efforts” 7:15 p.m.

Philadelphia International Flower Show – Islands of Aloha
March 4 – March 11, 2012
What can be better than gardens of Hawaii?

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and for fall 2012 - Workshops for the Gardener: September 15, 2012, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Nazareth.
(Contact 610-391-9840) Save the date!

Nature Apps

We have an abundance of information these days. The technology is evolving fast making it easy to get answers on your phone wherever you are. Here are some of my favorite nature apps.

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Bird identification: iBird Backyard – ”iBird Backyard Plus covers 234 birds, including all 149 common backyard feeder birds of North America, plus 86 common shorebirds and raptors.”

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Tree identification – Leafsnap – " Leafsnap is the first in a series of electronic field guides being developed by researchers from Columbia University, the University of Maryland, and the Smithsonian Institution. This free mobile app uses visual recognition software to help identify tree species from photographs of their leaves.”

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Plant database – Landscaper’s Companion – “Landscaper's Companion is your mobile plant reference guide. It fits in your pocket or in the palm of your hand. It's great for simple browsing, selecting plants for lands, gaining greater plant education, or just viewing beautiful high quality images of flora. Landscaper's Companion is perfect for casual gardeners, landscapers, or aspiring botanists.”

What are your favorite apps? Leave a comment and share them with the all of us.

The Christmas Pickle

The myth: A very old Christmas tradition in Germany was to hide a pickle [ornament] deep in the branches of the family Christmas Tree. The parents hung the pickle last after all the other ornaments were in place. In the morning they knew the most observant child would receive an extra gift from St. Nicholas.
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Good friends gave me this Garden Pickle Christmas Ornament. He’s too cute to hide.

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I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year filled with bountiful gardens!

Chia Hussy

In October, while looking for something that might work as a quick project for kids, I tried making a Chia Pet.

I collected a knee high stocking, potting soil, some grass seed from the garage and various cups, funnels, spoons and markers. I stretched the stocking over a plastic cup and put in about two tablespoons of grass seed.

Then I filled the stocking with potting soil.

I tied a knot in the end of the stocking, cut off the excess and turned it over.

I drew a face with permanent markers, watered the chia head and stood it up in a plastic bathroom cup. I thought she looked a like a bald lady of the evening.

In about 7 days she started growing hair and here she is after her latest haircut –

a chia hussy with a spike.