Nancy's Monthly Garden Tips

Garden Tips for May 2011
brought to you by Nancy George
Damayan Director and Expert Horticulturalist

Children's Gardens
Open endless pathways, encourage magical places, and draw on a child's natural curiosity with a child's garden.

 What to Buy / Plant
Children look closely at the intricate shapes of the origami like flowers of columbine and bleeding hearts. They find huge sunflowers irresistible, love the texture of "fuzzy" lambs ears and strawflowers, too. Try sensitive plant, which curls up when touched; show a child how a snapdragon talks, and plant balloon flowers known as platycodon. Invite butterflies into the garden by planting monarda, pentas, and lantana; plant moonflowers for nighttime fun while attracting sphinx moths. Show children which fragrant plants to crush and smell like lavender, pineapple mint, lemon balm, and scented geraniums.

 Edibles
Children love small and large vegetables, like grape tomatoes or giant pumpkins. Try plants that come in surprising colors, such as purple green beans and carrots, moon and stars watermelon, and 'Easter egg' radishes. And what child wouldn't like fresh strawberries, blueberries or tiny orange kumquats?

 Pests
Let children know that some insects are beneficial, and even destructive bugs are highly interesting. Make homemade bug spray and give them the job of spraying plants. Ingredients include the grated rind of one lemon, 1-cup lavender, 1-cup sage, 1 pint boiling water, and 1-teaspoon non-detergent soap such as castile or Murphy's Oil Soap. In a quart jar, mix lemon and herbs. Pour water and let steep until cooled to room temperature. Drain, reserving the liquid. In a plastic spray-pump bottle, dilute 1/8 cup of the herbal liquid to 2 cups water and add the teaspoon of soap.

 For Fun
Take your child to the Children's Shakespeare garden and labyrinth 1401 High Rd. Tallahassee.Teaching riddles and rhymes help to make gardening basics easy to remember. Following is a list of some of the really delightful ones I've heard.

 "Many vegetables love potato, but keep them away from eggplant and tomato.

"Lettuce is easy to grow, on average except when competing with sunflower or cabbage."

"To plant your carrots, deeply till, but keep them far away from dill."

"Beets of red should never be planted in a bed with beans of green, nor mustard wed."

"Onion, garlic, leeks and shallots keep bugs away from carrots, but these bulbs, unseen disagree with its neighbor bean."

Garden Tips for March 2011
brought to you by Nancy George
Damayan Director and Expert Horticulturalist

Since the beginning of history, the garden has been celebrated with the concept that herbs have miraculous powers.  There is a fascinating story in every culture, from simple people to philosophers that holds these beliefs and embraces the wisdom, that herbs help people in their daily lives.  There are nearly as many ways to incorporate herbs into a garden, as there are herbs to choose from.  Weather used for flavorings, teas, fragrances or medicines, most herbs are simple to grow, demanding little while giving a lot.

What to Buy / Plant
In addition to flower gardens, there are healing gardens and wholesome kitchen gardens.  It’s a good idea to have a few herbs easily accessible to the kitchen door, so you can snip a few to add while cooking.  A strawberry jar is perfect for this.  Planting a different herb in each pocket keeps them controlled and available.  We all know the benefits of aloe vera to sooth burns and stings, but cutting away each edge and the removing the green skin reveals a thick clear gel that has no taste when eaten; and is very cost effective in comparison to buying aloe vera juice.  Collect several varieties of herbs such as:  lemon verbena, pineapple sage, and lemon balm to make a refreshing iced beverage.

Uses
Place a bag of herbs in a warm bath to relax and enhance beauty: lavender, passionflower, mint, thyme, and rose petals are good choices.  Sachets will sweeten linens.  Lavender tucked into pillows encourages restfulness.  Herbs can be used in almost any way including hair products and skin care as well as herbal salves that are fun to make and helpful in arthritis and first aid treatments.  Do a little research; there are countless books available that give useful information on how you can safely use the plants that you’ve gathered or grown.

Edibles
Until recently, herbs were the only medicines available.  It is comforting to know that as we add herbs to enhance the flavor of food, we are promoting health at the same time.  Garlic is said to be effective in the treatment of colds.  Tea made from rose hips is high in vitamin C.  Lemon grass tea is a natural sedative, drink in the evening to enjoy a good nights sleep.  Simply cut a few stalks, wash and boil in water, remove grass, sweeten to taste.

Pests
Planting herbs as companion plants in your vegetable and flower garden is a time-honored way of deterring pests.  Chrysanthemums repel many insects, coriander discourages aphids, lavender repels moths, basil deters flies, and tansy dissuades ants.

For Fun
Some of the old folklore about herbs include:  carrying basil in your pocket to attract money, and the tradition of a clove studded orange as insurance from bare cupboards.

Garden Tips for February 2011
brought to you by Nancy George
Damayan Director and Expert Horticulturalist

February feels like Spring with orange blossoms and tea olives scenting the air and the first bulbs coming into bloom. But despite appearances, it's still winter. There are many interesting jobs to be done in February, but it's also a time for waiting. If Spring is in your blood, throw off your coat and dig in the garden. Prepare your beds, spread compost, and concentrate on the things that should be planted now.

Consider giving classic orchids this Valentines Day. Your sweetheart will appreciate the beauty and with proper care, your gift will continue to give for years to come. Orchid care - The native habitat of an Orchid is the tree tops of a tropical rainforest. They love humidity, but don't like to sit in water. Bright indirect light, and a daily mist of water is ideal. Occasional, diluted, water soluble fertilizer, but NEVER fertilize while in bloom.

What to Buy / Plant
Flowering apricot, cherry, and quince are all at the height of bloom and look fantastic with winter blooming Japanese magnolias and star magnolia. Camellias and azaleas can still be planted. Begin gladioli bulbs and continue planting a few more each week until the end of March for continuous display throughout the summer. Purchase Clivia while in bloom. Look for colorful cacti and succulents which bloom in winter and spring. Continue planting cool season color, which include calendula, delphinium, english dasies, iceland poppies, nemesia, primrose, stock, and evergreens like bulbine, cyclamen, artemesia, ajuga, stokesia, heuchera, and osteospermum.

Prune / Propagate
Propagate bamboo, deadhead cool season flowers. Prune decidous trees if you haven't already done so. Don't forget to santitize pruners with peroxide or bleach then oil afterward.

Fertilizing
Manure is an inexpensive and readily available soil ammendment that when used wisley, has very good results. Apply just before rains, in well draining soil, but do not use on acid loving plants such as camellias, azaleas, and ferns.

Feed deciduous fruit trees with a fertilizer high in nitrogen, varing the amount of formula depending on size. All fertilizer or manure applications should be watered well to prevent burn..

Edibles
Plant bare-root asparagus. Put 4 inches of well-aged compost and a handful of bone meal per linear foot in the bottom of 1 ft. deep by 1 ft. wide trench or mix in 15 to 20 pounds of 5-10-5 fertilizer per 100 feet. Form 4 inch high mounds 18 inches apart. Plant on the mounds with their roots arranged over the sides. Cover so that each crown is an inch below the soil surface. Water well. As they grow continue to add more soil. Harvest in 24 months.

Pests
Wash citrus trees. Spray with a mixture of 1 gallon of water to 1 or 2 tablespoons dish soap or use insecticidal soap following directions.

For Fun
Start a compost pile. It's a great way to use up kitchen waste and enrich your garden soil. Choose a hidden area and dig at least a 2 ' X 4' hole. Add leaves, lawn clippings, and vegetable peelings. Sprinkle on sulfate of ammonia to speed the process and keep damp.

Garden Tips for January 2011
brought to you by Nancy George
Damayan Director and Expert Horticulturalist

Chances are eating healthier is on your list of New Year's resolutions. One way to add variety to your healthy food choices is to grow more root crops. More then just potatoes and carrots root vegetables come in a multitude of tastes and brilliant colors. The fact is, root vegetables serve as an invaluable source of vitamins, phytonutrients, and complex carbohydrates, have no fat and are generally low in calories. Quite simply, they are a powerhouse of nutrients. 

What to Buy / Plant

Beets, cassava, carrots, horseradish, radishes, rutabagas, parsnips, potatoes, salsify, turnips, yam. eddo or taro. And other types of roots like ginger, galangal, turmeric, onions, and garlic. Many aid in digestion, contain anti-inflammatory and anti toxic properties. Plentiful in Fall and winter months, most are hardy in frosts; it's even said that carrots taste sweeter after a freeze. Beets are best planted in fall, but keep Valentines Day as a reminder to get your potatoes planted. Make mounds of compost, Plant small seed potatoes whole, cut in half or quarter large ones leaving an eye to grow roots. 

Propagate

It's easy to start crops from seed. Simply read the back of the seed packages for detailed instructions. Radishes can reach maturity in twenty days. Be sure to save some seeds for a sequence of early and mid season crops. 

Watering / Fertilizing

Add nitrogen organically by top dressing with compost, worm castings, kelp, or cotton seed meal. Don't over water as it leads to root rot.

Pests

Aphids, beetles, grubs and worms, blights, mildew, and damping off are some of the pests and diseases that can do quite a bit of damage to your crops. Here are ways you can rid these pests naturally. Buy certified seed potatoes which are disease free. Rotate crops to reduce both pests and disease. Purchase live lady bugs if aphids are a problem, Mulching prevents ground insects from getting to roots and chickens will not only produce eggs, but allowing them to roam freely will eat up the insects. 

For Fun

An easy, no dig,  way to produce your potato crop is to use towers. Planting above ground makes harvest time easy by simply opening the fence or turning the tower upside down. Almost anything can be used: large grow pots, poultry fencing, bamboo screens, even trash bags or a trash can. Drainage holes must be added. Simply alternate layers of compost, straw and manure then plant your various seed potato varieties.

Consider a different tower for each variety. Kids get creative with potato stamps. Cut a potato in half, draw a shape, cut away the outside leaving about 1/2 inch and use the shape with ink pads to produce designs. 

Garden Tips for November 2010
brought to you by Nancy George
Damayan Director and Expert Horticulturalist

Lettuces are one the most common cool weather crops and come in a couple hundred varieties also called edible greens. At their best in cool temperatures before heat make them bitter and bolt they will definitely tolerate light frosts without damage. The Latin name for lettuce is Lactuca sativa because of the milky sap found in wild lettuce which contains lactucarium a substance comparable to opium. Romans were said to eat lettuce to induce sleep, but today’s varieties of lettuce contain insignificant levels of this component. Edible greens can be planted in ornamental beds. The colorful leaves make a beautiful foliage texture against other ornamental plants.

What to Buy / Plant

Succession planting is best as you will have enough to last a few weeks and then more can be seeded and harvested later. Seed is the favored method of planting in soil temperatures of 75 degrees and covered with 1/4 inch light soil or compost. Plant a half inch apart or about 15 seeds per foot. Keep moist.  It’s ok to plant in partial >sun to protect from the hot noonday temperatures.  Seeds will take about 40 days until harvest.

Here are a few varieties for you to enjoy: Arugula has small, flat leaves and peppery taste. Endive is a crisp texture and a slightly bitter in taste. Crisphead like iceburg has large rounded heads, pale color and is the least nutritious. Batavian is crisp and sweet. Bibb also referred to as Butterhead or Boston has a mild flavor and forms a rosette of leaves. Loose Leaf comes in various shades of green to wine and even dappled types. Leaves can be harvested individually leaving some for later. Romaine lettuce has a darker green appearance and is therefore higher in nutrition an excellent source of calcium and vitamins A and C. Watercress or garden cress is prized for its lively flavor and is easily cultivated with the right irrigation. Mâche also known as corn salad, has a mild taste. Raddicchio is like red cabbage used as a highlight in salads because bolder taste and color. Chinese lettuce is robust and can be used in stir fry’s or in salads. Perella-red is an Italian 'heirloom. Sangria has rose leaves and makes an attractive salad of good quality. Tom thumb is small about the size of a fist. Black seed simpson is quick to produce. Lollo rosso a very attractive lettuce, with pink-bronze leaf margins. Mesclun is composed of a variety of tender lettuces. Mizuna has a delicate texture with a spicy kick. Oak leaf is both attractive and has a good eating quality.

Watering / Fertilizing

Fertilize plants with organic fertilizer two weeks after good growth emerges.  Be sure to apply fertilizer to soil not to leaves and water well.

Pests

Most varieties have good resistance to pests and disease problems as long as you allow the soil to go through wet and dry cycles. If aphids are seen wash them away with a heavy stream of water.

For Fun

Lettuce can be planted artfully. Outline your bed with a boarder of stone to make shapes such as a heart, peace sign or butterfly and then plant different lettuce varieties inside to make the patterns.

Garden Tips for October 2010
brought to you by Nancy George
Damayan Director and Expert Horticulturalist

October is when we see our first true days of autumn and is one of the best times of the year to garden.  As the temperatures cool, working in the garden becomes even more pleasant.  Planting can take place now, while the soil is still warm, and over the next several months strong, healthy roots will develop to establish plants for winter.

What to Buy / Plant

Add color with cool season annuals such as mums, pansies, flowering kale and cabbage, diacia, dianthus, delphiniums, gypsophila, iceland poppies, nemesia, snapdragon, and stock.
 
Perennials which bloom in fall such as tibouchina, firespike, scutteleria, bolivan sunset, forsythia sage and phillipene violet.

Now through November is the time to plant spring flowering bulbs.  Paperwhites, hyacinth, daffodils, narcissus, crocus, rannuculus, and anemone.  Holes for planting  bulbs should be about three times deeper than the diameter of the bulb.  Add peat moss and fertilizer, then give them a good watering.  Consider forcing bulbs for early indoor displays by pre-chilling in the refrigerator for two weeks.

Buy hardy garden mums to plant in well-drained soil in a sunny location; fertilize now, and again in the spring.

Fall is the best time to plant permanent additions to your landscape.  Continue to plant for fall color such as liquid amber, maples, sourwood, dogwood and ginkgo.  Camellias can be planted now for winter color.

Plant conifers and other evergreens.

Prune/ Propagate

Take hardwood and semi-hardwood cuttings of shrubs including hydrangea, camellias, lantana, escallonia, philadelphus, spirea and weigela.

Gather seeds from late blooming plants such as fall blooming clematis and cassia to plant in the spring.

Divide plants that grow in clumps including daylilly, shasta daisies, iris, agapanthus and ginger.

Continue to deadhead spent flowers.

Fertilizing

Feed half hardy shrubs with potassium and calcium nitrate to help ripen the wood and make plants less susceptible to disease and frost damage.

Edibles

Plant cool-season vegetables such as broccoli, brussel sprouts, beets, carrots, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, kale, kohlrabi, mustard, onions, bok choy, lettuce and other greens.

Plant garlic cloves base-down (pointy side up) 1-3 in. deep and 3-5 in. apart.

Pests

Keep leaves raked to prevent breeding grounds for pests and mosquitoes.                                                             

Apply pre-emergent to prevent winter weeds.

Brown spots in lawns may be caused by sod web worms.  Dig down to see if you spot the tiny worms, then spray spot and surrounding area with insecticide.

For Fun

Gather pine cones now for Christmas decorating, or spread peanut butter on them and roll them in birdseed to hang from a tree.  Make beautiful fall floral arrangements using pyracantha branches or beautyberry limbs.  Better yet, mix the two for an orange and purple Halloween motif.

Garden Tips for September 2010
brought to you by Nancy George
Damayan Director and Expert Horticulturalist

Zingiberaceae, commonly known as Ginger, is a family of 40 genera and over 1000 species of tropical flowers. The southern region of the United States is well suited for growing these beautiful jewels and mid to late summer is the time to shop for the many varieties. Gingers grow from 1 foot up to 10 feet or more and come in a rich array of colors. All prefer shade to dappled sunlight and are wonderful in tropical floral arrangements. Alpinia, Curcuma, Dichorisandra, Globba, Hedychium, Kaempferia are some of the easily found genus. For edible ginger used for cooking, you only need to purchase ginger root from the grocery store and plant it in a well-drained shady area. Dig up a rhizome and grate or finely chop in your favorite recipes.

What to Buy / Plant

Ginger is not the only plant that looks great in summer.  Look for other sensational tropical plants such as Calliandra, Ixora, Erythrina and the many varieties of Hibiscus.  Also, summer blooming shrubs and perennials like Thyrallis, Tibouchina, Clerondendron, Odontonema, Rudbeckia, Thunbergia and Hydrangea ‘Lime Light’ or ‘Endless Summer’.  Begin to purchase spring flowering bulbs to be planted in fall.

Prune/ Propagate

Pruning roses will help revive your roses and encourage a big fall bloom.  Remove about 1/3 of the plant and crossing or awkward growth.  Be sure to fertilize after pruning.  For bigger blooms this winter, start disbudding camellias.  Look for round flat flower buds and remove all but one on each cluster.  Divide Iris if needed.  Keep salvias tidy; continue deadheading spent flower blooms on annuals and perennials.

Fertilizing

The last fertilizing of the year should be done by early fall.  Check last months article for tips on organic fertilizer.  Fertilize Christmas cactus with 0-10-10.

Edibles

Plant seeds for fall and winter vegetables such as spinach, radish, scallions, carrots, and lettuces, kale and collards, broccoli, cauliflower, beets, cabbage, peas, and turnips.  Don’t forget herbs, parsley, dill, fennel, thyme and sage can be planted from 4” containers.

Pests

Rain, extra watering and hot weather make weeds a big pest in late summer.  Expect weeds to germinate and drop their seeds faster; pull them out as soon as they pop up.  A thick layer of mulch, averaging about two inches, should be maintained year-round, add more as needed.  This will cool root systems from hot summer temperatures, reduce irrigations as much as half, reduce weeds, and improve soil quality.

For Fun

It’s always a great time to get your patio picture-perfect.  Spruce it up with easy-to-build wall lattice or trellis for climbing plants.  Containers can be moved around to create a variety of colorful seating arrangements, and then dress nearby trees in strings of lights for evening entertaining.

Garden Tips for August 2010
brought to you by Nancy George
Damayan Director and Expert Horticulturalist

The great English playwright William Shakespeare wrote plays and sonnets that were set in gorgeous gardens. Anyone can have a Shakespearian inspired garden by recreating scenes and planting commonly found flowers and herbs that were referenced in his literary works.  Create a winding Shakespeare’s path with familiar flowers, a wooden fence and benches. Plant a garden for all the seasons with flowers chosen for successive blooms, a pleasure in summer, with ferns roses and lavender, as well as in spring with crocuses, pansies, hellebores, and iris. Place plaques along the path with quotations from the great masterpieces.

What to Buy / Plant

The goal is to show the relationship of Shakespeare's literary art to the plants you select. Here's flowers for you; lavender, mints, savory, marjoram. The marigold, that goes to bed wi' the sun and with him rises weeping: these are the flowers of the middle summer. "There’s Rosemary that’s for Remembrance!" A Shakespeare garden features flowers, such as aster, lily, daisy, iris, rose, columbine, narcissus, poppies, hyssop, violet, tulip, daffodil and pinks known as dianthus; and also herbs for example: nettle, thyme, lemon balm, parsley, fennel, rue mint, lettuce, mustard; and shrubs like honeysuckle, hemlock, ferns and ornamental grasses. "I was seven of the nine days out of the wonder before you came; for look here what I found on a palm tree. As You Like It.

Edibles

"And, most dear actors, eat no onions or garlic, for we are to utter sweet breath; Midsummer Night’s Dream."The strawberry grows underneath the nettle and wholesome berries thrive and best ripen neighbour'd by fruit of baser quality: Henry V I. "The arm potent Mars, of lances the almighty, gave Hector a gift, a gilt nutmeg, a lemon stuck with cloves. Love's Labors Lost
 
For Fun

It is fun to explore each plant mentioned in the plays. The world of Shakespeare’s stories and poems seems made for children. Through illustrations, riddles and even paper dolls, explore all the imaginative ways in which Shakespeare has been accessible to children over the centuries.

Garden Tips for July 2010
brought to you by Nancy George
Damayan Director and Expert Horticulturalist

The green awareness incentive encourages us to make a change. Public education is on the rise instructing how our individual efforts can improve our quality of life while protecting the environment for future generations.  With sound practices we can preserve drinking water, protect the Florida aquifer, rivers, springs, sinkholes lakes and coastal waters that are one of our nations greatest assets.  By planting low maintenance, native gardens or incorporating rain gardens into the landscape we reduce potential environmental damage caused by gardening products and practices. Garden professionals can provide home gardeners with accurate advice on environmentally sustainable practices and reconnect people to the natural world through gardening.

What to Buy / Plant

 For easy-care gardens, scout out rugged alternatives that are in harmony with the conditions of your property.  Our native blue eyed grass, cardinal flower, blue flag iris, coreopsis, columbine, Indian pinks, golden rod, stokes aster, and various ferns are tough plants that thrive in our area. Look for shrubs like pawpaw, itea, leucothoe, and trees such as buckwheat, halesia, and wild persimmon. Remember native plants need an environment similar to that of their natural habitat. Attract beneficial insects with bee balm, erigeron, queen anne's lace, sunflower, and yarrow. Herbs are good too! Rue thyme, fennel, dill, and parsley are excellent choices.
 

Prune/ Propagate

Properly spaced shrubs in the landscape should not need heavy pruning. Pruning may be needed to shape a young tree, or to open up dense plants to allow good air circulation, or to remove dead, diseased, or damaged tissue. Avoid pruning during times of drought because pruning stimulates growth, which requires more water. Alternatively, cutting back perennials in summer reduces water needs while maintaining a more compact appearance.

 
Watering / Fertilizing

There are widely recognized standards that are effective in reducing potential environmental damage. Organic mulches reduce weeds and conserve water while slowly releasing nutrients to improve soil quality. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses apply water to the roots and moisten soil to an adequate depth of 6 to 8 inches. If more is being applied by your sprinkler system, reset your timer cycle. Then again, if your sprinkler is watering significantly less, have the cycle set longer. Early morning irrigation is best, but water only when needed. If soil pH is too high or low, plants can't use the fertilizer that is applied and will perform poorly. Remember that if a plant is growing well, it probably doesn't need fertilizer and most mature trees and shrubs need little to none.  Purchase organic fertilizers, which are available in both liquid and dry.

Edibles

Grow your own or buy fresh, nutritious locally grown fruits and vegetables to reduce energy consumption. Buying locally increases regional economic health and keeps money within the community while decreasing significant transportation and storage, both of which are energy-intensive and contaminate air and water.

Pests

Inspect purchases to ensure you are not bringing insects into your garden. Look for good color and strong growth. Avoid a plant with spots, mildew or other defects. To prevent disease and insect damage, pull mulch away from the stem or trunk. Choose pest and disease resistant plants. Attract birds with birdhouses and water features and by planting trees and shrubs with berries. Beneficial insects, such as earthworms, improve soil by bringing up nutrients while creating channels for air and moisture. Buy live beneficial insects through mail order companies.

For Fun

Plant a rain garden as a solution to pollution. Rain gardens hold water so that runoff can gradually soak into the ground and reduces the need for storm water treatment facilities. Choose a spot in full or partial sun, at least 10 feet from the house, but not over a septic system or drainfield. Select native marginal bog plants including a mixture of flowering species, grasses and rushes in varying heights and textures.

Garden Tips for June 2010
brought to you by Nancy George
Damayan Director and Expert Horticulturalist

Companion planting is a technique which has been practiced since the ancient Greek and Roman times. It is the method of growing different plants close to each other to improve flavor, and deter pests and disease. One of the best known examples of this practice is the Native American “Three Sisters Garden” where corn, beans and squash were grown together. The corn helped to provide stability for the beans stalks to grow up and squash was planted to grow along the ground to retain soil moisture and discouraged weeds. It is said that chives improve the flavor of carrots, while basil does the same for tomatoes. But the same is true in reverse. Some plants seem to dislike each other often stunting the others growth. For instance, it’s advised not to plant garlic near beans or asparagus.

What to Plant:
Beans enrich and improve the soil with nitrogen. They are good for carrots, celery, chards, corn, eggplant, peas, potatoes, beets, radish, strawberry and cucumbers. Keep beans away from onions and garlic. Carrots are friends of lettuce, onions and tomato, but keep dill and parsnips away. Tomatoes can stunt the growth of carrots.

Collard greens should be planted with lettuce, potato, radish, basil, cucumber, dill, garlic, marigold, beans, mint, and onion. Keep them away from grapes. Plant corn with beans, cucumber, melons, parsley, peanuts, peas, potato, pumpkin, soybeans, and squash. Keep corn away from celery and tomato. Cucumbers are great with corn and beans. They also do well with peas, beets, radishes and carrots. Keep sage, and potatoes away. Plant eggplant with beans, peas, peppers, spinach, tarragon, thyme and marigold. Avoid planting fennel near eggplant. Garlic near cucumbers, peas, lettuce and celery. Lettuce does well with beets, bush beans, pole beans, cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, onion, radish and strawberries. It grows happily in the shade under taller plants. Plant lettuce around your okra plants to offer shade in the summer giving you a little extra growing time. Okra also does well with peppers and gets along with basil, cucumbers, melons, and black eyed peas. Planting chamomile and summer savory with onions improves their flavor. Other companions are carrot, leek, beets, kohlrabi, strawberries, cabbages, dill, lettuce and tomatoes. Onions planted with strawberries help the berries fight disease. Keep onions away from peas and asparagus.

Companions for peas are bush beans, Pole Beans, Carrots, Celery, Corn Cucumber, Eggplant, Parsley, Potato, Radish, Spinach, Strawberry, Sweet pepper, Tomatoes and Turnips. Do not plant peas with chives, garlic, grapes or onions. Plant peppers near tomatoes, parsley, basil, and carrots. Onions make an excellent companion plant for peppers. Good potato companions are bush bean, cabbage, carrot, celery, corn, marigold, peas, and onion. Protect them from scab by putting comfrey leaves in with your potato sets at planting time. Horseradish, planted at the corners of the potatoes provides general protection. Keep potatoes and tomatoes apart they both get blight contaminating each other. Squash likes beans, corn, cucumbers, melon, mint, onions and pumpkin. Strawberries are friends with beans, borage, lettuce, onions, spinach and thyme. Foes: Cabbage and broccoli.

Pests:
Even weeds can be good as they enrich the soil and provide food for wildlife. Clover pulls nitrogen from the air and places it in the soil, where other plants use it. Clover makes an excellent cover crop. Chickweed tilled beneath the soil before it sets seed is a good source of green manure. If the plants do set seed, they are nourishing to wild birds. Dandelions are not only edible but delicious’s and rich in vitamins and minerals. They are a great addition to salads and the roots can be used as a coffee substitute. The flower seeds provide food for finches and attract butterflies. Borage deters worms. Marigolds deters beetle. Nasturtium deters squash bugs and beetles. Chili pepper roots prevent root rot and other root diseases. Radishes are a good deterrent against cucumber beetles. Plant dill with cucumbers to attract beneficial predators. Sprinkle fresh leaf bay in garden as natural insecticide garlic planted under peach trees help repel borers. Garlic accumulates sulfur a naturally occurring fungicide which helps with disease prevention. Concentrated garlic spray has been observed to repel and kill whiteflies, aphids and fungus gnats among others. Lemon balm has citronella compounds and repels many pests. Rub the leaves on your skin to keep mosquitoes away.

For Fun:
 Gardens, scholars say, are the first sign of commitment to a community. When people plant corn they are saying let’s stay here. And by their connection to the land they are connected to one another.
– Anne Raver

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Garden Tips for May 2010
brought to you by Nancy George
Damayan Director and Expert Horticulturalist

Children's Gardens
Encourage magical places, open endless pathways to discovery, and draw on a child's natural exploration and curiosity with a Child's Garden.

What to Buy / Plant
Children find huge sunflowers irresistible, and love the texture of "fuzzy" lambs ears and strawflowers, too. They look closely at the intricate shapes of bleeding hearts and the origami like flowers of columbine. Try the sensitive plant, which curls up when touched; show a child how a snapdragon talks, and plant balloon flowers known as platycodon. Invite butterflies into the garden by planting monarda, pentas, and lantana; plant moonflowers for nighttime fun while attracting sphinx moths. Show children which fragrant plants to crush and smell like lavender, pineapple mint, lemon balm, and scented geraniums.

Edibles
Children love small and large vegetables, like grape tomatoes or giant pumpkins. Try plants that come in surprising colors, such as purple green beans and carrots, moon and stars watermelon, d 'Easter egg' radishes. And what child wouldn't like fresh strawberries, blueberries or tiny orange kumquats?

Pests
Let children know that some insects are beneficial, and even destructive bugs are highly interesting. Make homemade bug spray and give them the job of spraying plants. Ingredients include the grated rind of one lemon, 1-cup lavender, 1-cup sage, 1 pint boiling water, and 1-teaspoon non-detergent soap such as castile or Murphy's Oil Soap. In a quart jar, mix lemon and herbs. Pour water and let steep until cooled to room temperature. Drain, reserving the liquid. In a plastic spray-pump bottle, dilute 1/8 cup of the herbal liquid to 2 cups water and add the teaspoon of soap.

For Fun
Teach riddles and rhymes to make gardening basics easy to remember. Following is a list of some of the really delightful ones I've heard. If you have some of your own please share them with me.

"Many vegetables love potato, but keep them away from eggplant and tomato."

"Lettuce is easy to grow, on average except when competing with sunflower or cabbage."

"To plant your carrots, deeply till, but keep them far away from dill."

"Beets of red should never be in a bed with beans of green, nor mustard wed."

"Onion, garlic, leeks and shallots keep bugs away from carrots, but these bulbs, unseen disagree with its neighbor bean."

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Garden Tips for April 2010
brought to you by Nancy George
Damayan Director and Expert Horticulturalist

The Fragrant Garden
With all this fabulous weather we’ve had, I hear us all saying, “Thank goodness it’s spring”! The days are longer now, and we have time in the evenings to enjoy the outdoors. While you are basking in the sight of beautiful blooms, don’t forget to please your other senses by including fragrance and sound. Choosing plants for their scent, hanging wind chimes and adding the sound of bubbling water will add another element to the pleasure of being in the open air.

What to Buy / Plant
To add more fragrance to your garden look for trees and shrubs like Chionanthus known as fringe tree or grancy graybeard, banana shrub, magnolia, gardenia, citrus, pittosporum, viburnum, tea olive, mahonia, mock orange, piedmont azalea, witch hazel, spicebush, sweetshrub, some angel’s trumpet, and cestrum nocturnum commonly called night blooming jasmine. Purchase annuals and perennials such as tuberose, pineapple lily, phlox, and white flowering tobacco known as nicotiana alata. Plant vines such as honeysuckle, many jasmine (especially the true jasmine polyanthemum), clematis, moonflower, and purple passion vine.

Prune/ Propagate
Prune azaleas now that blooms have faded. Remove sucker growth from the bottom of trees. Keep hedges and screens tidy. Direct growth of new and established vines and espaliers. Leave fading bulb foliage to yellow so it can store energy for next years show, tie in a knot or secure with a rubber band. Propagate daylily, perennial gladioli, walking iris, sedum and other plants that produce proliferations.

Water / Fertilize
When rainfall is sparse you must be a thorough waterer. Plants are actively growing, breaking dormancy and pushing new growth. Maintain good moisture levels in the top 8 inches of soil. All new plantings should be top dressed with a slow release granular fertilizer. Fertilize perennials, young trees, shrubs and any chlorotic plants. *(The yellowing of normally green plant tissue because of a decreased amount of chlorophyll.)

Houseplants
Move houseplants that were over wintered inside to a shady location outdoors; remember to give a quarter turn regularly for even growth a practice known as panning.

Edibles
Direct sow seeds into the soil, water regularly so they will germinate. All warm season vegetables can be planted, including beans, squash, eggplant, okra, and tomatoes. Don’t forget to also include melons and berries.

Pests
To get weeds out by the roots, pull or hoe just after watering. Mulch beds 4”- 8” thick before warm season weeds germinate. Use corn gluten meal as a natural way to prevent weeds from seeding. If problems with rust, leaf spot, scale or mealy bug are present, apply natural neem oil. Use diatiomacious earth or Bacillus Thuringiensis a beneficial bacterium for caterpillar or worm problems.

For Fun
Make a wind chime. Look for items that will create a nice sound when they strike, for example seashells, bells, beads, hollow bamboo, copper pipe or stones. Drill, or if the items are thin, poke a hole with a nail. Pull a piece fishing line through each hole, and tie a double knot. For objects such as stones, wrap with string a few times around and then glue. Determine the length of your cords to ensure some interaction. Attach the free end of each length of cord or line to a metal ring, small branch, or driftwood. Drill holes, double knot the line, or secure string with a dab of glue. Hang, and hear the wind.

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Garden Tips for March 2010
brought to you by Nancy George
Damayan Director and Expert Horticulturalist

The Benefits of Homegrown Goods
Flowers, shrubs and trees are always pleasant to the eye, but it is a strong belief of mine that any extra space you have in your garden should be used to grow edibles. The benefits of homegrown foods are endless, from the health care of our families to the health care of our planet; It is important to consider the rewards of sustainable living. I’d like to talk now about how easy it is to implement this in our lives; as well as the health benefits of eating fresh nutritious foods.

What to Buy / Plant
Planted since the beginning of time, pomegranate trees are thought to symbolize eternal life. This small, 6-15 ft., tree is just as easy to plant as any other tree, but eating the fruit or drinking the juice is said to protect the body from heart disease, alzheimer's, and cancer while maintaining prostate health, as well as healthy cholesterol levels. There are many plants and trees that are easy to grow, and have important health benefits. Do a little research to find ones that suit you. For instance: bay trees, Laurus nobilis, the evergreen tree that produces bay leaves, helps aid digestion. Lemons detoxify the liver and protect the lungs. Don’t forget about trees that produce nuts, high in omega-3 and helpful against wrinkles and the signs of aging. Zingiber officinalis or edible ginger, grows just as easy as the many other gingers that we grow, but eating or drinking this yummy stuff proves to have anti-inflammatory properties; the same that’s found in aspirin.

It’s important to remember that the pigments in plants that cause yams to be orange, broccoli to be green and blueberries to be blue, help our bodies with disease prevention, anti-aging, deterrence of muscular degeneration, as well as a boost in brain power; so remember to eat a rainbow every day. Recipes are numerous for how to enjoy these gifts that were put here for us.

Prune/ Propagate
It’s very inexpensive to start vegetables and herbs from seeds. These can be sown directly into the ground or started in containers. Once a seed is hydrated with water, it cannot be allowed to dry out, nor should the soil be overly wet. Water carefully until the plant emerges; then reduce water as needed to prevent stem rot. Also, unless planted in the ground, slowly introduce the plant to full sun conditions. Also use other methods of propagation by cuttings divisions. Some herbs, such as specialty mints and French tarragon, are best started by cuttings; if you have herbs that grow in clumps, divide them and propagate extra, a welcome gift for friends and neighbors.

Herbs
Herbs pack a punch, ounce for ounce, the health benefits are much greater in herbs than for any other fruit or vegetable. For example, oregano’s antioxidant capability is forty-two times greater than that of an apple. Parsley is an excellent source of vitamin C and folic acid. Rosemary improves memory. Sage is said to help with arthritis, asthma, and diabetes. Hot peppers help sinus problems and burn fat. Plants from the Allium family, such as Garlic, onions, leeks, and chives are touted to be one of the groups that are called “superfoods” which offer the most in health benefits. Be cultural; explore other ethnic foods that typically use more spices then the American diet.

Fertilizer/Pests
Of course you wouldn’t want to use chemicals on your edibles. It bears repeating that there are plenty of natural products, such as fish emulsion to fertilize, Neem both a fungicide and insecticide, thuricide to deter worms, all natural pyrethrum insecticide, and diatomaceous earth a mineral based pesticide. All will reduce pest problems and maintain healthy, vigorous plants.

For Fun
Fruits are susceptible to insects, disease, and nematodes. Look for citrus leaf miners and leaf and bark scale. Search out  disease resistant varieties and rootknot nematode-resistant varieties such as Nemaguard or Flordaguard, Apply summer-weight Dormant Oil in mid summer as both a treatment and a preventative. Read and follow label directions. For fruits that can be damaged by frost the ground should be kept clean. Heavy weed growth adds to the frost hazard by insulating the soil from the sun during the day and decreasing the radiation of heat from the soil at night. Protect citrus from freeze when temperatures dip below 32 degrees.

For Fun
Visit Lichgate, 1401 High Rd Tallahassee. This historical home is privately owned and maintained by the Laura Jepson Institute as a community green space. Open free to the public. It has a magnificent old oak tree, considered to be one of the oldest in the state of Florida, an enchanted fairy-tale cottage, and an educational garden, showing how easily you can bring about a garden in your own backyard

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