If you follow the traditional rules, your roses should have been pruned many weeks ago, but with roses you can break a few rules. We went to the experts at Heirloom Roses (503-538-1576) to see how they tackle the chore of pruning. Christine was out in the fields pruning away some of the old winter canes and prepping the plants for a full season of bloom. Roses are very forgiving, but we tend to treat them gingerly when it comes time to cut them back. Chris showed us how to cut them back and even how to remove some of the older canes to promote that new growth. Of course now is also a good time to get new plants in the ground. If you have any rose questions you can call Heirloom, or better yet, sign up for one of the Saturday Academies where you can learn in a hands-on setting.
Lawn Moss
If you live in the northwest you have moss. This is one of the biggest problems facing the homeowner and with the warmer weather you may have the urge to renovate your lawn for the summer months ahead. But first you have to get rid of the moss. We talked to Norm McCreight of Lilly Miller about moss and why we seem to have so much of it in the Northwest. It is a condition that we get from a lack of care. If you take care of your lawn and help the grass grow, then you can help keep the moss from taking over. Norm gave us some tips on getting rid of the moss and what you should do to keep it from coming back. We also learned that if your have a moss control that contains iron you should be careful to not let it get on buildings, patio or clothing. The iron will cause a stain.
Starting Seeds Indoors
Now is the time to start some of your seeds indoors in anticipation of the coming spring and summer. Judy is joined by Sue Berg of New Dimension Seeds to show you how to plant your seeds and what types you can plant now to get a head start on the season. The basic rules for success include starting with a quality soil and fresh seeds. Sue also mentioned that you may want to remember the size of the pot that you use. She moves and thins her small plants seedlings to bigger pots to give them the best start before they go in her garden. Check out your local garden center for a great selection of seeds. For some tips on successful seed starting, check out the link on the How-To page.
Dividing Hostas
One of the easiest perennials to divide is the hosta. We paid a visit to Sebright Gardens (503-463-9615) to learn how to do it from Thomas Johnson. Sebright grows over 300 different varieties of hostas so they know what they are doing. Thomas told us that you should see the points of the new growth poking out of the ground before you dig them up. If you are seeing the new leaves starting to unfold you should wait a couple of weeks so you don’t damage the new growth, but that is the only warning he gave. He washed a clump and then just tore it by hand. So easy that you can chop up a clump of roots with a shovel and still not kill the plant!
Pest Patrol – Spider Mites
Judy saw some citrus trees and went on a hunting expedition! She found what she was looking for, spider mites. These little pests are known to infect indoor plants and they LOVE citrus! They can be found even when they are not seen, by looking for the discolored leaves. They suck the chlorophyll out of the leaves giving them a mottled look. You can use many products to get rid of them. If it is a plant that is for decorative purposes you can use a insecticide spray or a systemic approach (the poison goes through the plants system), or in the case of the citrus, just wash it down with a weak soap solution or an insecticidal soap that smothers the eggs. After cleaning, give them a boost of fertilizer and keep an eye out for survivors!
OAN Map
If you love to go nursery hopping in search of those one-of-a-kind plants, we found something that will help you in your search. The Oregon Association of Nurseries (1-800-342-6401) has put out a map of retail nurseries and garden centers for the state of Oregon. This guide will take you to member nurseries around the state. You will see what Oregon has to offer because it features nurseries both large and small. You can find it at member nurseries or by contacting the OAN office.
Gardenpalooza
Two weeks to go to one of the biggest events on the Portland garden scene! Gardenpalooza is gearing up and getting ready to start on the 7th of April at Fir Point Farms. Be ready to shop over 40 different vendors, featuring the best in plants and garden art. Mark your calendars, April 7th at Fir Point Farms. See you there!