How do you keep your hosta's looking beautiful?
bishop5
9 years ago
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mac48025 ( SE michigan)
9 years agoRelated Discussions
How often do you up-pot your hosta?
Comments (12)but noticed some spectacular hostas being posted that WERE fertilized and figured it won't hurt to give them a few granules here and there. ==>>> here is how its supposed to work... in my head [for what that is worth].... application and theory are often divergent ... the whole point of potting media.... is WATER MANAGEMENT .... in a predictable manner .... water should go in the top ... retain what is needed.. and that varies per plant... and then out the bottom ... media should be changed.. when that predictability ceases ... e.g. one pot stays too wet ... the plant wilts because it doesnt hold enough water.. the plant deepens... etc ... with me so far???? so.. by draining all out the bottom ... it takes with it.. over a year or two.. all the nutrients.... so then you have to address fertilizer ... and that would depend on your growing season ... because you want it.. on some level.. to also flush thru .. so that the media is somewhat neutral by the time dormancy/winter comes around.... so timing and type is imperative ... stuff like time release.. has length ratings for season... e.g. 9 months, 3 month.. 4 month ... the 9 is used for greenhouse plants that never really go dormant .... and when you think about it... here in MI ...you are lucky to have a 3 month schedule .... [ruling out coming up ion stored energy thru late may ... and starting to decline by mid sept ....] so ... enough for now... a few granules of this or that.. applied after frost/freeze is done in spring ... or even better.. a water sol.. should cause no problem.. ever... as you say.. a little of this or that wont hurt .. but get it thru your head... IN A POT... more is usually not better ... you can not change the genetic growth rate of a plant by hyperfertilization ..... i said.. good day ... ken...See MoreRetail employees--how do you keep your cool?
Comments (25)viola, I sympathize entirely :-)) Between my managerial/buying position for a retail garden center AND running my own design business, spring is a tough time to even slow down enough to take a breath. And in my 12 month gardening climate, I doubt even our spring rush can compete with those located in more limiting climates. My day at the nursery passes in a blur but even with the seasonal crunch, schmoozing with and helping customers is the best part. Unfortunately, I seem to get tied up with more office work at this time of year than I'd prefer. Taking enough breaks is really important - that few minutes away from the sales floor can make all the difference in attitude and enthusiasm. And try to compartmentalize as best as you can - it's tough to give good customer service when you are preoccupied with restocking or ordering for the coming week. And don't forget to have a social life - as tired as you may feel, meeting friends for drinks or dinner occasionally can really recharge your spirits, not to mention spending some quality time with your family or just by yourself. Don't skip days off just because it's the busy season - good garden center managers understand that proper time off is essential to having a good humored and well balanced, enthusiastic sales staff. Organize an afterhours potluck or other gathering - we had a Cinqo di Mayo BBQ afterhours last week to unwind from the Mother's Day weekend prep and gear up for the coming weekend and it was a great stress-reliever (not to mention a ton of good food - don't all nursery workers focus on food??). Believe it or not, I find coming home and spending a bit of time in my own garden is a great diversion from all the other activities. Yes, I work with plants all day long (and with garden designs well into the night) but finding a few moments to spend putzing around my own garden seems to put everything else into proper perspective. But I sure wouldn't mind having a personal assistant to tend to my other affairs - just finding time to return calls, pay bills, take the dogs in for grooming (or me for a haircut) and the car for servicing, even emptying the dishwasher sometimes seems more than I can manage. Just remember that the crunch period passes - sometimes all too soon - and pace yourself....See MoreDo you keep a gardening journal? and if so how do you keep it?
Comments (15)A nice "take with you to the garden" journal consists of using a recipe box (I prefer the 5"x8" size) and use two types of dividers (Alphabetical A-Z and Monthly Jan-Dec). I then file a card for each plant/tree/shrub by name of plant and also include plant detail/care/other information, where/when/price purchased, and where planted in the alabetical section. I also can place a photo protected by clear tape on the back of the card. In the monthly section, I file general cards noting "TO DO'S" that I would like to accomplish that month so I don't forget seasonal needs (fertilize, prune, etc). One could also add additional sets of alphabetal A-Z dividers in possibly different colors to use to further divide different groups (annuals, perennials, trees/shrubs, etc). You can also use the monthly section for other monthly reminders you may want to remember (birthdays, anniversaries, or special "to do" reminders). Hope this is helpful - Works for me!...See Morewhat do you keep in your linen closet...& how do you organize it?
Comments (31)You could actually do a couple different things. You could have one rod and use hangers. You would have to fold them a bit to fit on the hanger and not drag on the floor, but that's usually how they come from the cleaners. For heavy cloths, use two hangers together for added strength. You could also hang multiple rods at slightly different heights and depths. If you have a walk in closet this works great, but will still work with a reach in. Hang the highest rod the farthest back, then one a bit lower and closer and even a third lower and closer than the second. Then you can hang the cloths right on the rod instead of on a hanger. I like the rod because of it's larger diameter it doesn't leave creases in the cloths. You can also overlap them on these rods. For optimum use of space, you'd need to use multiple rods and overlap. Is that totally confusing?!...See MoreDelawareDonna
9 years agostoc zone 6 sweden
9 years agoken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
9 years agoken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
9 years agogardenweed_z6a
9 years agofunnthsun z7A - Southern VA
9 years agobishop5
9 years agogardenweed_z6a
9 years ago
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