In the northern hemisphere, people are beginning to bring their pot plants indoors. The pictures on this page show beautifully grown geraniums, African violets and hibiscus in Umeä, Sweden. It is amazing how tropical plants like hibiscus can bloom so well even in a country known for its low temperatures. However, when properly cared for, plants do surprise us. Good soil, sun and water make wonders...
Meanwhile, in the southern hemisphere, the opposite movement is going on, I mean, people are looking forward to springtime, and getting outdoors to start off the first steps to clean their gardens, prepare the soil, sow the first seeds.
If you are thinking of having a flowery garden next summer, you'd better begin now. Spring is a few days away only, and you may start thinking about or choosing which varieties you are going to grow this season.
Geraniums are a good choice as they are hardy enough to withstand transplanting while they have buds or flowers,
but transplanting a flowering geranium when there is still a risk of a
spring frost will kill the flowers. Check what Lisa Chinn has to say about planting and growing these beautiful flowers.
Nineteen days from now summertime will be knocking at our doors. Thinking about packing up and going somewhere to enjoy vacation with your family? Nice, but before doing that, take some time and look around your lawn and check (in case you haven’t done it yet ) whether it needs some maintenance. Oh, you might say, I’ll hire someone to take care of it, it’s so much work, a time-consuming task, I can’t do it myself.
Well, actually, it’s not as hard as you believe. Once you have a few guidelines and tips – and some spare time - you may easily get a healthy green lawn just in time for the first backyard BBQ of the season.
Let’s see what should be done :
1.Revive your lawn by fertilizing it properly. Fertilizer is the key to ensuring strong healthy growth of the yard grass which will grow greener and thicker.
Typically, you want to fertilize two times a year. If you’re less concerned about perfection, in the north you can get away with feeding just once a year: in the spring or fall. In the south, with its longer growing season, you will need to feed twice, spring and fall.
Start in early spring, approximately 30 days before the growing season begins in your area, continuing through the growing season until fall. But be careful, though: don’t use too much fertilizer.
If you’d like to fertilize organically, check out the variety of organic products at your garden center. Or, just rake 1/4 inch of compost atop the soil.
2.Mow your lawn properly, that is, do not cut too much off the grass top. Instead, set the mower to a mid-position so you won’t “scalp” the lawn, which can be disastrous. (Check out the post of May 6th)
3.Also remember to control the weeds by pulling or digging them, being sure to get as much of the root as possible. If you fail to get enough of the root, you will simply be doing a prune job. With dandelions in particular, it’s important to get at least the top inch of the plant’s long, narrow taproot.
With these tips you are ready to take care of your lawn and make it the perfect place for summer gatherings.
You may want to check out May 6 post for other ideas.
Thinking of planting one tree? Or maybe more? Then early spring is the ideal time to do that as your tree will have plenty of good weather conditions - ideally - to grow.
Besides, you will have to be careful as to soil preparation since this is a crucial element for your task success. The following steps are a must:
dig a hole 2 feet deep and at least 1 foot wider each way than the full spread of the roots. The bottom of the hole should be broken up with a pitchfork and thoroughly mixed with peat, leaf mould, loam, etc.;
manure should be used sparingly and only on the top of the hole as it burns the roots. The deeper you can cultivate your hole, the better for your tree. Once it is planted, you can cultivate around it but not under the roots;
having filled the hole to the depth required by the roots of the plant, flood it with water to settle the soil at the bottom; when this has drained away, place the tree in the position in which it is to grow and settle the soil about it;
after the tree is planted, cutting back is proper. Cut back sharply at least one-third, pruning the branches. It is necessary to brace the tree with wire ropes so that the roots will not be broken by the wind. Use a single wire around the trunk and three guy wires;
for the first year after planting, the more cultivation you can do the better. Keep weeds away, too, with straw or mulch, and straw manure mulch in the spring and fall will help keep the moisture in the ground.(Source: Hege Crowton - www.ezinecrow.com)
By planting a single tree or more, you will be adding to the UN The Billion Tree Campaign which has already reached the staggering figure of 7.4 billion trees worldwide. Quoting Prof. Wangari
Maathai, founder of the Green Belt Movement and 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate“When we plant trees, we plant the seeds of peace and seeds of hope.”
In the northern hemisphere, people are beginning to bring their pot plants indoors. The pictures on this page show beautifully grown geraniums, African violets and hibiscus in Umeä, Sweden. It is amazing how tropical plants like hibiscus can bloom so well even in a country known for its low temperatures. However, when properly cared for, plants do surprise us. Good soil, sun and water make wonders...
