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Carolina Gardening

What are you doing in your gardens now?

18 years ago

I'm just wondering what people are working on right now. I have trimmed back my salvia, clematis, and weeded and will remove some pretty ugly looking pansies I planted in the fall. I'm wondering when people will start fertilizing some of the plants. Is it too early?

Natalie

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Comments (18)

trianglejohn
18 years ago
Mostly I'm working with seedlings getting them ready for the garden (and the market, I sell seedlings at the flea market in town). Potting up a ton of cuttings that I grew all winter long in my hoop house. Getting a head start on Dahlia tubers and cannas by potting them and placing them in the hoop house (which is warmer than outside - except this week).

Outside in the garden I'm weeding the strawberry patch. Preparing a new raspberry patch - I am moving them from one side of the garden to the other. Waiting for signs of life in the asparagus bed. Waiting on the peas. Picking lettuce and radishes from the cold frames - eating lots of salad. Trying to keep the artichokes from winter damage hoping this year will be the year they make buds (if not, they're gonners. I run a tight ship. Its perform or die!).

I would think that as long as things are sprouting new growth it would be ok to fertilize them.
mrsboomernc
18 years ago
i've been planting shrubs & trees all winter, and now i'm cleaning up ... cutting the perennials' winter skeletons off & removing the usual collection of debris that's accumulated in the beds. The heat must've gotten to me today because i pulled the dormant brugmansias out of storage - i know i'll be pulling them back indoors a few times, but they were sprouting new growth and too thirsty to ignore. last fall, i emptied my front yard of all flora, mentally re-designed the whole thing over the winter, and now working on hardscape and amending the planting areas. meanwhile, i dither over my first massive (for me) seed-starting extravaganza. i learned a lot from last winter's seed-starting thread here - it gave me tons of courage :)
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Kim said... >My original obsession was outrageously out of hand and I loved it. [...] I'm keeping to the level area as much as possible. Weeding that slope is offensive enough without having to traipse up and down, sliding on every other step, to maintain anything down there. I know I will resent the ones which go on the slope and will eventually allow them to go the way of the Dodo, so I'm choosing to rid myself of them, instead. That's a LOT of roses, quite a few of which are seedlings either generated through my obsession or those shared with me by other "obsessives", but that is what it is going to take to keep this "fun", doable and prevent the water requirements from eating me out of house, home and desire. Weeding through them to maintain those which are just happier to be here with me and those which are endangered, has been a real chore. Now, if there was a ton of level land with high ground water. Hi Kim, Back in the Dark Ages we lived in California in just the sort of spot you are conjuring up as a high ground water fix. But native trees really like spots like that too... and our house had lots of shade, too much shade for most roses. Still, we wouldn't have dreamed of cutting down a tree. We didn't own the house, we like trees, and anyway, removing a tree was illegal without a good reason for a permit where we lived (a Monarch Butterfly preserve). Anyway, we were relative youngsters at the time and didn't know just how wet that property was until our vegetable garden was swimming in water during the winter months. It was fine, fine black silty sand that held on to the water pretty well too. Your post made me think about what we'd do if confronted with your lack of water problems back in California again. What you're doing makes a lot of sense. But I also am wondering whether a bank full of Renaes rambling around might not survive and also keep the weeds down once they proliferated and established themselves? They might take over the other remaining roses, but if you weren't still trying hard to keep those... A bunch of Renaes might not require so much watering once established? I don't think a big crowd of them would look bad at all, depending on personal tastes, of course. In fact, I prefer that kind of look. We've done that crowded thing in a pretty good sized area with azaleas and rhododendrons here; they all grow together and if there's a weed under there somewhere, well, you can't easily penetrate to find or see it. Once in awhile there's a tree sneaking in that will have to be pulled up, but basically it's too shady under all the plant thickness for most weeds to grow. And I adore the looks of those crowded plants! No, we don't have big problems with fungal diseases, even with the crowd. Maybe fewer than average problems, though phytopthera wilt sometimes does require some cutting back of rhododendron limbs. You know a big problem with azaleas and rhododendrons is that they aren't drought tolerant. Well, we have lost huge numbers since our drought problems began big time here around 2001. It's been wonderfully rainy most of the time during the last couple of years, but the next drought period is probably just around the corner... and if we lose some more azaleas and rhododendrons then, well, I'm thinking of trying to establish some Renaes and Annie Laurie McDowells in their place in the relatively sunnier spots... along with some more camellias, which are drought tolerant after the first year. (Though blooming is less than ideal if August and September are dry.) We lost our Annie Laurie McDowell to Rose Rosette Disease last year, but I am figuring that if it's anything like our Renae here, well, it's as no-care, no-worry a plant as any other plant of any kind we've ever had in our yard. Not a touch of blackspot or any other disease here thus far (though that may well change just a bit as we get more shade as the sun angle changes during the fall). Anyway, I'm hoping for another Annie Laurie McDowell eventually too. Ours is a no-spray all-organic yard for everything we grow and Renae fits well into that way of doing things. I think Annie Laurie McDowell will too. I know it hurts to cut back some on what you are able to continue doing, Kim. But I keep thinking mostly about your achievements and how much you have helped so many others in what you have already contributed. Thank you! Best wishes, Mary
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Thank you NC, I am happy to be back gardening and talking to the garden friends again.:) Thank you Anna for the warm welcome, it does make a big difference to be able to garden in our own backyards, it is very sad to eat only imported and expensive food like what I saw on vacation. The natives said that they actually come and buy things here that are affordable including food. The downtown area had shops like Gucci and others high end. I am glad that you are getting some sungolds they are usually the first to ripen for me. And was I surprised to see the dwarf container tomatoes when I came back, this tomatoes are the same in the green container, this is how they look now. The morning glories that are supposed to be black are a shade of purple And I got some corn for my african grey parrot Silvia
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Here's what I usually do in February: Order seeds not ordered in January. If seed-starting supplies are needed, get them now. Check supplies and begin buying whatever else is needed in advance of the growing season. Fertilize cool-season grasses. Fertilize spring-flowering bulbs. When they bloom, they are using energy stored from the prior growing season. So, fertilize them now for a good show of flowers next year. Supply food and water for the birds. If you help them get through the winter, they'll generally reward you by hanging around your yard and eating bugs the rest of the year. Clean out Purple Martin houses and stick plugs in doorways to keep other birds from moving in and building nests prior to the arrival of the Purple Martins. Remove plugs as soon as first Purple Martin appears, or check migration map and remove plugs when the birds are getting close to your part of the state. Spray fruit trees with lime-sulphur or any other fungicide that is labeled for use on fruit trees if peach leaf curl is an issue. Pull any winter weeds that have sprouted in beds and replenish mulch as needed so more weeds won't sprout. Water every 7-10 days if adequate moisture is not present. Rework/replenish veggie garden beds as needed. Remove winter weeds that have sprouted while they are still very small and easy to handle. Plant bare-root fruit trees, roses and fruits (berries, grapes) if this wasn't completed in January. Plant aspargus, rhubarb and horseradish. Do a soil test and amend soil as needed if this was not done in January. Prune grapes. Prune trees and shrubs, as needed, and if needed. Don't prune spring-flowering shrubs until after they have bloomed or you'll cut off all their potential flowers. Begin planting containerized trees and shrubs that are cold-hardy. Sow seeds indoors of cool-season crops early in month so they'll be ready to set out late in the month (can do it earlier in southern-most parts of the state). Sow seeds indoors of tomatoes, peppers and eggplant for transplanting in March and April. Start seeds of slow-growing flowering annuals, like petunias, in order to have sizeable transplants by planting time. Spray dormant oil as needed, especially on plants that have persistent problems with spider mites, scale and other pests. You don't spray any evergreens that have needles--only the broadleaf ones. Sow seeds of poppies and larkspur on soil surface as they need both light and cold weather to germinate if you did not do this in the Nov.-Jan. time frame. Remove dead tops of perennials and clean out any leftover dead plant debris in beds. Rake any leaves still laying around on the ground and compost them, or use them as mulch. They'll stay in place better and decompose more quickly if you chop or shred them first. If raising your own onions from seeds, start them in flats early in the month for planting later in the month or early in March. Check and do routine maintenance on garden tools and equipment, including handtools, cultivators (mini-tillers), rototillers, lawn tractors or lawn mowers, weed-eaters, chipper-shredders, water hoses, sprinklers, etc. Making any necessary repairs now leaves you in good shape for spring. Watch the weather. Although we usually plant "by the calendar" we also have to make sure the weather is cooperating. If it is unusually cold or wet, you'll have to adjust planting dates accordingly. Watch the plants. A lot of garden folklore relates to planting certain crops at the time that landscape plants are doing certain things. For example, one old folk gardening tip is to only plant your sweet corn after the oak leaves are the size of a mouse's ear (or larger). Or, since pecans bloom and leaf out very late in the season, don't plant warm-season plants until your local pecan trees start blooming or leafing out. This works for me about 8 years out of 10. Clean and sanitize seed flats and other containers that are to be used for seed-starting or for growing-on your seedlings once they are large enough to be transplanted out of the starter trays. Check seed-starting shelf or table and replace any dead bulbs, etc. so it will be ready when needed. Pre-order onion plants for delivery at the appropriate planting time, or watch for them to arrive in stores. Purchase and sprout seed potatoes for planting later in month. Find your gardening gloves if they've been "put away" all winter. If they've been stored in a garage, barn or shed, check the inside of the glove before putting them on. One winter, I found dozens of baby Black Widow spiders in the fingers of gloves that had been hanging on a hook. If spider webs are a problem in your garage, shed, barn, tornado shelter, covered porches, greenhouses, etc., spray now with Cobweb Eliminator. Periodic respraying may be needed. Check tires on all garden carts, wheelbarrows, etc. and make sure they are not flat. If you have a fenced veggie garden, check the fenceline and fill in any places where varmints may have dug under the fence while searching for food in the winter. That's about all I can think of at the moment. I am very far south, so some of you in more northern parts of the state will do some things a little later than I do. Am I on track or on schedule for Feb.? Yes, more or less. My onion plants are ordered, my raised beds are ready for them, and I have my seed potatoes and will start sprouting them in a few days for planting later in the month. I have cole crops, tomato and pepper seeds started. Tools and supplies are on hand and in cool condition. 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And, I think it is a truly lovely gift from your husband and shows that he truly loves you and understands you and he supports your gardening efforts. I'd much rather have a gift like yours that requires time, effort, caring and thought, than a dozen red roses picked up at Wal-Mart on the way home from work. : ) Not, of course, that there is anything wrong with giving someone cut flowers--I just like more 'permanent' gardening-related gifts. Dawn
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A year ago, on the date of this year's First Frost, it was 20F. So, I'm not going to complain. Still, it wasn't any 20F . . . Thank Heavens! I'm going to have to wait awhile before the dahlias can be cut back and the roots dug. That will be a major garden task. It isn't a lot to do but it will certainly take a day's work to get them down in the basement for their winter's nap. More effort will be expended digging out several beds to bury the plant debris from the little veggie and dahlia gardens. I'd like to do as little tilling as possible and killing whatever weeds (lawn grass) by moving dirt around with a shovel will be more effective than a quick pass over the ground with the tiller. As usual, there's a lot of stuff to carry over from the front and side yards, here at home. Bare dirt! I wanna see lots of bare dirt! I'll mow the front lawn today and when that is done at the lowest setting, it comes back much better looking in the spring. Even tho', that setting takes the grass down nearly to the bare dirt! The question is whether this will be the final mowing for 2010, or not. Hard to know what KBG will do even with temps falling into the 30's every night. Of course, if it really warms up, I might spray some broadleaf herbicide on that lawn . . . for the 1st time in, like, forever. The flowering plants in the borders will all be out of the way. Last year, I took my old lawnmower out to the big garden and just mowed over some of the plants with the machine set at the highest setting. I don't know if that old mower will start this year . . . kind of reluctant to use the new mower for such a task. Still . . . I already need a new blade on that mower, anyway. Steve ;o)
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rootdiggernc
18 years ago
Trying to decide which of the big project's' to start first. I did finish up some bulb planting and fed all the bulbs coming up. Went to the Riverbanks Zoo (LOVED IT!!!) in Columbia last week and now trying to decide where to plant the new babies I purchased from there. Also keeping an eye out for a decently priced Edgeworthia. That thing is gorgeous! I decided to not do as many seeds this year, but do still need to at least start some hot peppers and tomatoes. I'm waiting to start cutting back some things. Mother Nature could still have a surprise or two in store for us.
Natalie Skadra
Original Author
18 years ago
I think next year I'll start with seeds. I think this will be my first year with veggies at all. At least some tomatoes and cucumbers.
seedbandito
18 years ago
For the last week and a half I've been raking up the yard, mulching leaves for the compst bins, trimming back plants & shrubs. I'm moving unhappy plants around to other locations hoping they'll do better this year. Cleaning out birdhouses for the nesting season, also cleaning feeders.

I've WS'ed 160 containers and many have large sprouts that I've been transplanting into larger pots. I have lots of seedlings in the greenhouse which I'm happy to say they are doing wonderful. I've cleaned out my 6 raised veggie beds in our potager and have turnip greens, collards, broccoli & cauliflower sprouts that I'll be transplanting out soon & covering the rows with plastic.

I'll be starting on a cold frame soon so I can start hardening off some stuff from the greenhouse. I'd like to start more but greenhouse is slap full now!!

This year I wrote up a 'chore list' and am checking things off as I complete the tasks. It helps to keep me motivated & focused.

Nancy
rosebush
18 years ago
WSing loads of seeds - probably too many for a first-timer. Have many sprouts and am debating whether to go ahead and pot some up or plant. Just sowed tomatoes (San Marzano) to get a head start.
Clearing areas for new garden beds on the weekends and raking up leaves for mulch/compost, gathering free horse manure (very aged and composted)from a nearby stable, and transplanting a few shrubs. My garden is a wild thing in the process of being tamed. . .
Saw three iris buds in my flower bed today! Yippee!
limalady77
18 years ago
Hello all! I'm new to this forum and new to gardening, but I've learned a lot from reading everyone's posts. This weekend I'm building 3 4x8, and 2 4x4 raised beds for veggies and flowers. It's probably too much to start out with but I've waited so long to have a garden that I can't contain myself. I'm planning on using the square foot method, although I probably won't follow the soil mix exactly (too expensive). I've also started seeds for tomatoes, basil, parsley, lettuce, and impatiens. It's my first attempt at that too, so we'll see how it goes.

Does anyone know who delivers mulch in the Greensboro area?

Happy Planting! Wish these temps would stick around.....
rosebush
18 years ago
Welcome, limalady!
There are so many wonderful gardeners here who are willing to share their experience and tips. . .
Can't answer your question, but agree about the temps. This 75 one day and then 29 the next night is a bit nuts!
Good luck with your raised beds! Have fun and enjoy!
rosebush
beaucoup_fleurs
18 years ago
It was beautiful here yesterday and I stayed in the garden all day - what a joy(except for the chickweed - ugh!) I spent a lot of time trimming back a bunch of my variegated lariope. I used hand trimmers and I think I need a different tool....anyone have any suggestions? I can't mow them because they are BIG and on the edge of the bed. Would the weed eater shred the foliage? Hope some of you have some great ideas for this as I have a lot more yet to do!
rodger
18 years ago
rootdigger you must have entered on the west columbia side at the botanticle gardens entrance since that's were the edgewothia is. It is a gorgious plant I planted one two years ago and mine has been in bloom since the 4 of Feb. I'm guessing you picked up a cactus. and by chance what else did they have out? By the way each april the zoo has a big plant sell very reasonable prices on excess perenials shrubs etc. I'll post the dates later I'm at work and don't have them with me.
lynnencfan
18 years ago
WOW - where to start - between my husband (Solak on here) and I we have expanded 5 existing garden beds and lined them with formed brick edgers - revamped our stream bed and lined it with rock dug from the wooded area on the back of the property - cleared out more of the wooded area and discovered we had several highbush blueberries - thank you to those who identified them for us when we posted the pictures - cleared out an area for a new woodland garden back in the woods that has the most beautiful humus rich soil - wintersowed close to 300 containers for planting out a little later - have started to do some pruning and general cleanup. It is really really hard not to jump the gun on pulling away too much mulch with these really warm days - tended a winter veggie garden with cool season veggies available every week. It has been a very productive winter for us ....

Lynne
rivers1202
18 years ago
Quote: seedbandito
[For the last week and a half I've been raking up the yard, mulching leaves for the compst bins, trimming back plants & shrubs. I'm moving unhappy plants around to other locations hoping they'll do better this year.]

Yep. Exactly the same as seedbandito. And.....
I've been planting bulbs and trying not to dig up or step on my emerging asiatic lilies. I've got a large rosemary shrub that needs more sun and a location with better drainage. I look at it nearly every day and think, "gee, I really need to move that." But I've had rotten luck moving 2 other rosemary bushes, soooo for now...it stays put until I get up enough nerve.
I've re-designed the entire bed the runs along the foundation of our home, in the front. I edged it with big concrete pavers, dug out and tossed plants that were barely hangin' on in there, moved 2 fairly large nandina domestica shrubs, amended the soil, etc. WHEW! Considering that the "season" hasn't even really started, I've been a busy chica. Oh yea, and we're trying to rid ourselves of the evil honeysuckle TREES that are eating the chainlink fencing around our backyard. I swear, these things have trunks and runners from Hades!
Natalie, I've only fertilized things that I've recently planted - spot fertilizing, so to speak.

Renee
granite
18 years ago
Removing perennial tops and chopping leaves for compost.
Edging and weeding and refining the established beds.
Removing grass and preparing to lasagne the area along the new fence the developers placed at the bottom of my property. Unfortunately they just plopped the fence in without leveling the ground any...so there is a nasty uneven ditch weaving to and fro from one side of the fence to the other.
Cultivating in the veggie garden and planting onions, lettuce, and spinach. I'll probably get the peas in tomorrow.
Giving the weedy patches of dianthus pinks an evil eye and planning to pop them out....soon

Looking in seed catalogs and dreaming.
Making paper flowers with quilling.

you know, the usual.
:-)
Ralph Whisnant
18 years ago
I bought 2 potted (3-gal) blueberry plants at Finch's for $10 each and have been preparing an area to plant them plus a dozen or so blueberry sprouts that I dug at a relative's farm in Cleveland County. The plan is to have a 50 foot border of blueberries on the north side of the garden. Problem is that I don't have enough compost and will need to buy some more before planting all of these blueberry plants. Has anyone used the compost from the city of Raleigh's Yard Waste Recycling center? Someone at the JC Raulston told me that they do a good job of turning their piles, but I have also heard that there can be a lot of pieces of plastic and other trash in it.
I am also making 4 x 8 foot beds ala "Sq. Ft Gardening", but at the same time I am trying to deep dig and amend the soil per John Jeavons "How to Grow More Vegetables, etc. The Sq. Ft. Gardening soil formula not only is expensive, but will require more frequent watering, especially if our drought continues.
Earlier this week I repotted and separated a lot of the perennials that over-wintered outside in pots. I was able to get several new plants (to bring to the spring swap) from a variegated Toad Lilly (Tricyrtis formosa "Samurai") that I got at the JCRA plant giveaway last fall.
Like John, we are eating lettuce and mesclun greens daily from what was planted in two 4 x 8 foot beds in November, but have newly sprouted lettuce seedlings in the greenhouse.

Here is a link that might be useful: Finch Blueberry Nursery
rosebush
18 years ago
As I said on another forum, it's so nice to be among gardeners - people who understand the need to play in the dirt! :)Spent all day yesterday in the garden weeding - oh, my aching back! - and planting onions, spinach, lettuces & peas. Ordered blueberry plants (Ralph, I love Finch's!)and have been clearing more areas for new lasagna beds. Also moving nandinas and the phlox that is starting to come up near the old house. WS sprouts are doing well and some may be planted out today. Ain't it grand!
Claire Pickett
18 years ago
I can't believe I've had this many weeds in the past. Lots of chickweed and henbit, of course, at this time of year.

I bought a lot of foxgloves and hollyhocks at BB and will be putting them out soon. (I had a rust blight last fall that took all my plants and seedlings).

Found one of the roses on my must-have list. Double Delight...at Lowe's yesterday.

Still got to finish a bed I started last fall. Bought some of that soil conditioner ya'll been talking about. Got to amend all my beds before I plant. Wishin' I had a truck b/c I've been working near a poultry villa.

Was thinkin' yesterday how ironic it is that I picked this year to go to heroic lengths to protect my hydrangeas from the cold.
byrdlady
18 years ago
I am making daylily name tags for the 25+ daylilies that I said I WOULD NOT ORDER this year! They will be arriving in 2-3 weeks. Now I have to decide which ones to move to get these in. The butterfly bushes need cutting back too. Collecting leaves that have blown in from the neighbors is always an endless task as well. Ahhhh....spring.
dawgie
18 years ago
Here's what I've been up to in the yard:
-- Just fertilized, limed and applied crabgrass preventer to lawn.
-- Cut back all my ornamental grasses.
-- Finished planting/ transplanting perennials in a new bed.
-- Pruning shrubs and trees as needed.
-- Transplanted a few shrubs and trees in the yard while still dormant.

My next big task is to start mulching. Uggh! That's the biggest chore in my yard each year, but it pays big dividends once weeds start germinating and dry weather hits (which it has already done).

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