RIPE KIWI
November 13, 2010
Our tip this week deals with kiwi and how to find out if it is
ripe. For gardeners in the Northwest it isn't a long enough season for the
Fuzzy Kiwi to ripen on the vine most of the time. We asked Brian Bauman at Bauman's Farm and Garden (503-792-3524) to give us some tips for ripening a kiwi from the garden.
Brian recommends that you pick the fruit at the end of October or early
November and then let it sit in a refrigerator for a couple of days and then
put it in a paper bag with an apple for a couple of days. After that is
will get slightly soft to the touch and that means it is ready! If you ever
have any questions about fresh fruit or produce, you can give the experts at
Bauman's Farm and Garden a call.
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LEAF MULCH
November 6, 2010
Tired of bagging your leaves? Here is a quick tip that will
help you plants and save your back! Rake your leaves into your garden beds.
This will help the plants by protecting them from the bitter cold, plus it
will also keep the rains from compacting your soil during the wet months
ahead. This spring you can compost the leaves to finish the job that nature
started or you can put them in your yard debris container where they will
take up less room than they do now.
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DEADHEADING PEONIES
June 5, 2010
If you have peonies in your garden they may be starting to reach
the end of their bloom cycle. To make sure that they get a head start on
next year's bloom you may consider deadheading them. Carol Adelman from
Adelman Peony Gardens showed us the steps for deadheading your peonies.
Deadheading is the removal of the spent bloom and seed heads from the plant.
This removal will push the energy that the plant uses to make seeds back
into the roots, leaves and stems of the plant and can make it stronger for
the next season. Deadheading is also a good way to prune the plant into a
nice compact shape and help keep it low in your garden. Remember not to cut
too much of the foliage off, enjoy the unique leaf structure and think about
all the blooms you will get next year!
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PRUNING TULIPS
May 22, 2010
The tulips are dying back and you may have the urge to go out
and clean them up. Our tip is to fight that urge. If you cut the dead part
of the tulip off you may be cutting off all the energy for next years bloom.
Tulips contain leaves and flower stalks all on one stem. Cut off the leaves
and you will weaken the plant and you will have fewer blooms next year.
Let them die naturally and get that bulb strong for next year!
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HAMMERING LILACS
May 8, 2010
The spring is the best time to bring in cut flowers for display
in your home. The problem is that the blooms don't last long enough,
especially the woody stemmed ones. Judy chatted with Ruth at the Hulda
Klager lilac gardens (360-225-8996) to find out how they make their lilacs last longer after they
are cut. Ruth told us how they smash the stems with a hammer. You want to
crush the stems about 1-2 inches up the stem before you put them in warm
water. The smashed stem allows the flower to draw more water and thus it
will last longer. This technique works well for almost all woody stemmed
plants. If you would like to see some of these displays (and a bunch of
beautiful 'live' lilacs) check out the final weekend of the Hulda Klager
Lilac Days in Woodland, Washington this weekend.
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PETTING YOUR PLANTS
April 10, 2010
We all respond to a friendly touch. Your plants will do the same. We got this week's tip from Fran at Stepables. She rubs her ground covers every spring! This helps remove the old dead parts of the plants and the stimulation triggers the plant to start new growth. Her plants bounce back sooner and are healthier during the growing season. It also helps her check out the plants to see if they are doing well and whether she needs to replace them. Get out and get in touch with your garden!
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PAINTBRUSH WEEDS
April 3, 2010
Getting rid of weeds is tough. It becomes nearly impossible when that weed appears entwined inside one of your favorite plants. How can you get rid of the pest without damaging your favorite plant? Our tip takes care of the problem. We use a paint brush to brush the weed control directly on the weed with out touching the plant. It is pin-point application without waste and worry. Remember to use gloves and follow all label instructions.
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