HOME (Indoor plants and activities)
Prepare storage areas for overwintering tender flower bulbs and garden
produce.
Thanksgiving (or Christmas) cactus can be forced into bloom for the
Thanksgiving holidays. Provide 15 hours of complete darkness each day, for
instance, from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m., for approximately eight weeks. Keep temperature
at about 60 to 65F. Temperatures of 55F will cause flower buds to set without
dark treatment.
YARD (Lawns, woody ornamentals and fruits)
Fall is usually a good time to plant many container-grown or
balled-and-burlapped nursery stock, but if your area is still suffering from
drought, it might be best to wait for better conditions. You do not want new
plantings to go into winter in drought condition.
If you do have sufficient rainfall or ability to irrigate new plantings,
prepare a hole wider than the plant’s rootball, plant at the same depth it grew
in the nursery, and water thoroughly. Mulching will help protect against large
fluctuations in soil temperature and moisture. Be sure to stake or guy-wire tall
plants during their first season to protect them from strong winds.
GARDEN (Vegetables, small fruits and flowers)
Dig up onions and garlic after tops fall over naturally and necks begin to
dry.
Plant radishes, green onion sets, lettuce and spinach for fall harvest.
Thin out fall crops such as lettuce and carrots that were planted
earlier. <Read More>
Showing posts with label annuals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label annuals. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Stressed Plants May Look Like Early Fall
Early fall color and/or defoliation is common when plants are under stress and this season has been quite challenging for many trees, both old and young. The intense heat made it difficult for plants to keep up with water and cooling requirements, even in areas where moisture was adequate. Combine extreme heat with drought, and it is a wonder any plants survive. <Read More>
Monday, August 6, 2012
Upcoming Events - Purdue Master Gardener Course to be Offered this Fall
If you enjoy gardening and enjoy “Helping Others Grow”, make plans to take part in this fall’s Purdue Master Gardener Course in Spencer County. The Purdue Master Gardener Program is a volunteer training program which offers an extensive course in horticulture in exchange for a donation of volunteer hours to help teach others what you have learned.
The course will be held on twelve consecutive Monday evenings from 6:00-9:00 PM, beginning September 10, at the Spencer County Youth and Community Center in Chrisney, IN.
Participants will be exposed to a wide range of subjects including soil and plant science, diagnosis of plant problems, pesticide safety, composting, and culture of vegetable, flower, landscape, and fruit plants.
A $125 per person supply fee will be charged to cover such items as reference materials, mailings, name badges, and refreshments. Couples or two family members who wish to take the course together and share reference materials can register for $200 per couple. Registration deadline is August 31.
If you'd like an application to join our new team of volunteers or have questions about the program, please contact Nicholas Held at the Spencer County-Purdue Extension Office at (812) 649-6022 or nheld@purdue.edu. Applications are also available online.
Friday, July 27, 2012
August Home, Yard, and Garden Calendar
HOME (Indoor plants and activities)
Take cuttings from plants such as impatiens, coleus, geraniums and wax begonias to overwinter indoors. Root the cuttings in media such as moist vermiculite, perlite, peat moss or potting soil, rather than water.
Order spring-flowering bulbs for fall planting.
YARD (Lawns, woody ornamentals and fruits)
Newly established plants are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat and drought. If possible, apply 1 to 1.5 inches of water every 7 to 10 days as a gentle, thorough soaking.
Even well-established trees, shrubs and perennials will suffer from extreme heat coupled with drought. Symptoms may include wilting, leaf scorch, branch dieback, blossom drop, early "fall" color and leaf drop, and in some cases, plant death of specimens that were already ailing.
GARDEN (Vegetables, small fruits and flowers)
Temperatures above 90 F often leads to poor fruit set in most vegetable crops; upper 90s will stop fruit set in nearly all crops. Fruits that were already set may show uneven ripening, blossom-end rot, skin cracking, sunburn where foliage cover is poor, poor ear fill in corn and bitter flavor in cucumbers and other vegetables.
Keep the garden well watered during dry weather and free of weeds, insects and disease. Early morning is the best time to water, but areas under watering restrictions may need to adjust accordingly. While normally we discourage overhead sprinkling due to its inefficiency and potential for promoting plant disease, it can be very effective at decreasing temperature in the plant tissue. <Read More>
Take cuttings from plants such as impatiens, coleus, geraniums and wax begonias to overwinter indoors. Root the cuttings in media such as moist vermiculite, perlite, peat moss or potting soil, rather than water.
Order spring-flowering bulbs for fall planting.
YARD (Lawns, woody ornamentals and fruits)
Newly established plants are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat and drought. If possible, apply 1 to 1.5 inches of water every 7 to 10 days as a gentle, thorough soaking.
Even well-established trees, shrubs and perennials will suffer from extreme heat coupled with drought. Symptoms may include wilting, leaf scorch, branch dieback, blossom drop, early "fall" color and leaf drop, and in some cases, plant death of specimens that were already ailing.
GARDEN (Vegetables, small fruits and flowers)
Temperatures above 90 F often leads to poor fruit set in most vegetable crops; upper 90s will stop fruit set in nearly all crops. Fruits that were already set may show uneven ripening, blossom-end rot, skin cracking, sunburn where foliage cover is poor, poor ear fill in corn and bitter flavor in cucumbers and other vegetables.
Keep the garden well watered during dry weather and free of weeds, insects and disease. Early morning is the best time to water, but areas under watering restrictions may need to adjust accordingly. While normally we discourage overhead sprinkling due to its inefficiency and potential for promoting plant disease, it can be very effective at decreasing temperature in the plant tissue. <Read More>
Thursday, May 24, 2012
June Home, Yard, and Garden Calendar
HOME (Indoor plants and activities)
Indoor plants will require more frequent watering and fertilization as they increase their summer growth.
Houseplants can be moved outdoors to a shady location, but pay close attention to their watering needs.
YARD (Lawns, woody ornamentals and fruits)
Prune spring-flowering shrubs after blooms fade.
Apply fungicide to prevent and control black spot on roses.
GARDEN (Vegetables, small fruits and flowers)
Discontinue harvest of asparagus and rhubarb around mid-June to allow foliage to develop and store food reserves for next year’s harvest. Fertilize and water when dry to promote healthy growth.
Mulch to control weeds and conserve soil moisture after soil has warmed. Many materials such as straw, chopped corncobs, bark chips, shredded paper and grass clippings can be used. <Read More>
Indoor plants will require more frequent watering and fertilization as they increase their summer growth.
Houseplants can be moved outdoors to a shady location, but pay close attention to their watering needs.
YARD (Lawns, woody ornamentals and fruits)
Prune spring-flowering shrubs after blooms fade.
Apply fungicide to prevent and control black spot on roses.
GARDEN (Vegetables, small fruits and flowers)
Discontinue harvest of asparagus and rhubarb around mid-June to allow foliage to develop and store food reserves for next year’s harvest. Fertilize and water when dry to promote healthy growth.
Mulch to control weeds and conserve soil moisture after soil has warmed. Many materials such as straw, chopped corncobs, bark chips, shredded paper and grass clippings can be used. <Read More>
Thursday, March 15, 2012
April Yard and Garden Calendar
HOME (Indoor plants and activities)
Start seeds of warm-season plants, including tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, marigolds, zinnias and petunias, indoors for transplanting later to the garden.
Harden off transplants started earlier in spring before planting outdoors - gradually expose the young plants to outdoor conditions of wind, brighter sunlight and lower moisture.
YARD (Lawns, woody ornamentals and fruits)
Plant a tree in celebration of National Arbor Day, April 27. Bare-root stock should be planted before new top growth begins. Balled- and-burlapped and containerized stock can still be planted later in spring.
Fertilize woody plants before new growth begins. Two pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet should be sufficient.
GARDEN (Flowers, vegetables and small fruits)
Plant seeds of cool-season crops directly in the garden, as soon as soil dries enough to be worked. When squeezed, soil should crumble instead of forming a ball. Cool-season crops that can be direct-seeded include peas, lettuce, spinach, carrots, beets, turnips, parsnips and Swiss chard.
Plant transplants of cool-season crops, such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi and onions. <Read More>
Start seeds of warm-season plants, including tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, marigolds, zinnias and petunias, indoors for transplanting later to the garden.
Harden off transplants started earlier in spring before planting outdoors - gradually expose the young plants to outdoor conditions of wind, brighter sunlight and lower moisture.
YARD (Lawns, woody ornamentals and fruits)
Plant a tree in celebration of National Arbor Day, April 27. Bare-root stock should be planted before new top growth begins. Balled- and-burlapped and containerized stock can still be planted later in spring.
Fertilize woody plants before new growth begins. Two pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet should be sufficient.
GARDEN (Flowers, vegetables and small fruits)
Plant seeds of cool-season crops directly in the garden, as soon as soil dries enough to be worked. When squeezed, soil should crumble instead of forming a ball. Cool-season crops that can be direct-seeded include peas, lettuce, spinach, carrots, beets, turnips, parsnips and Swiss chard.
Plant transplants of cool-season crops, such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi and onions. <Read More>
Thursday, February 23, 2012
March Home, Yard, and Garden Calendar
Rosie Lerner, Purdue Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist
HOME (Indoor plants and activities)
Begin fertilizing houseplants as new growth appears. Keep spent leaves and flowers removed to improve appearance and encourage more blooms.
Start garden seeds indoors for transplanting outdoors later in spring.
Check stored bulbs and produce for decay; discard damaged items.
Prune, repot and clean houseplants as needed.
YARD (Lawns, woody ornamentals and fruits)
Prune trees and shrubs, except those that bloom early in spring, while plants are still dormant.
Plant new trees and shrubs as soon as soil dries enough to be worked. Plant bare-root plants before they leaf out.
Fertilize woody plants before new growth begins, but after soil temperatures have reached 40 F - it might be several weeks early this year, given the mild winter.
Remove winter coverings from roses as soon as new growth begins. Prune and fertilize as needed.
Apply superior oil spray to control scale insects and mites when tips of leaves start to protrude from buds.
GARDEN (Flowers, vegetables and small fruits)
Plant cool-season vegetables and flowers as soon as the ground has dried enough to work. Do NOT work the soil while it is wet; wait until it crumbles in your hand. If the soil forms a solid ball when squeezed, it's still too wet.
Gradually harden off transplants by setting them outdoors during the daytime for about a week before planting.
Follow last fall's soil test recommendations for fertilizer and pH adjustment. It's not too late to test soil if you missed last year.
Start seeds of warm-season vegetables and flowers indoors; in northern and central Indiana, wait until the end of March or early April. Transplant to the garden after danger of frost is past.
Watch for blooms of early spring bulbs, such as daffodils, squill, crocus, dwarf iris and snowdrops.
Remove old asparagus and rhubarb tops, and sidedress the plants with nitrogen or manure. Plant or transplant asparagus, rhubarb and small fruit plants.
Remove winter mulch from strawberry beds as soon as new growth begins, but keep the mulch nearby to protect against frost and freezes.
Remove weak, diseased or damaged canes from raspberry plants before new growth begins. Remove old fruiting canes if not removed last year, and shorten remaining canes if necessary.
Prune grapevines.
HOME (Indoor plants and activities)
Begin fertilizing houseplants as new growth appears. Keep spent leaves and flowers removed to improve appearance and encourage more blooms.
Start garden seeds indoors for transplanting outdoors later in spring.
Check stored bulbs and produce for decay; discard damaged items.
Prune, repot and clean houseplants as needed.
YARD (Lawns, woody ornamentals and fruits)
Prune trees and shrubs, except those that bloom early in spring, while plants are still dormant.
Plant new trees and shrubs as soon as soil dries enough to be worked. Plant bare-root plants before they leaf out.
Fertilize woody plants before new growth begins, but after soil temperatures have reached 40 F - it might be several weeks early this year, given the mild winter.
Remove winter coverings from roses as soon as new growth begins. Prune and fertilize as needed.
Apply superior oil spray to control scale insects and mites when tips of leaves start to protrude from buds.
GARDEN (Flowers, vegetables and small fruits)
Plant cool-season vegetables and flowers as soon as the ground has dried enough to work. Do NOT work the soil while it is wet; wait until it crumbles in your hand. If the soil forms a solid ball when squeezed, it's still too wet.
Gradually harden off transplants by setting them outdoors during the daytime for about a week before planting.
Follow last fall's soil test recommendations for fertilizer and pH adjustment. It's not too late to test soil if you missed last year.
Start seeds of warm-season vegetables and flowers indoors; in northern and central Indiana, wait until the end of March or early April. Transplant to the garden after danger of frost is past.
Watch for blooms of early spring bulbs, such as daffodils, squill, crocus, dwarf iris and snowdrops.
Remove old asparagus and rhubarb tops, and sidedress the plants with nitrogen or manure. Plant or transplant asparagus, rhubarb and small fruit plants.
Remove winter mulch from strawberry beds as soon as new growth begins, but keep the mulch nearby to protect against frost and freezes.
Remove weak, diseased or damaged canes from raspberry plants before new growth begins. Remove old fruiting canes if not removed last year, and shorten remaining canes if necessary.
Prune grapevines.
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