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Casey Mare As wildfires become more frequent and widespread, the challenges of smoke and ash impacting our outdoor plants have grown. The haze of smoke and the layer of ash can hinder photosynthesis, affect soil pH, and compromise overall plant health. However, with a few essential care steps, you can help your plants weather the effects of smoke and ash and thrive despite these challenges. 1. Clearing the Air: When smoke hangs heavily in the air, plants may struggle to absorb sunlight effectively due to reduced light intensity. While you can't entirely eliminate smoke, you can alleviate its impact by carefully hosing down your plants. Gently spraying water on the foliage helps clear away particles that can block sunlight and impede photosynthesis. 2. Gentle Cleaning: A layer of ash on your plant's leaves can obstruct their ability to breathe and perform vital functions. Use a soft cloth or a fine mist of water to gently remove ash from the foliage. Avoid using strong jets of water that could harm delicate leaves or push ash further into the plant. 3. Proper Watering: During periods of smoke and ash, it's crucial to maintain proper watering practices. Smoke and ash can cause water repellency in the soil, making it harder for water to penetrate and reach the plant's roots. Water your plants deeply and slowly to ensure moisture reaches the root zone. Mulching around the base of your plants can also help retain moisture and protect against the drying effects of smoke and ash. 4. Soil pH Adjustment: Ash from wildfires can increase the alkalinity of the soil, affecting the availability of essential nutrients to your plants. Test your soil's pH levels and consider applying amendments, such as sulfur, to lower the pH if it becomes too alkaline. Consulting with local gardening experts can help you determine the best approach for your specific plant types. 5. Boosting Nutrients: Ash can contain essential nutrients like potassium and calcium, but their availability to plants depends on the pH of your soil. To help your plants benefit from these nutrients, consider applying balanced organic fertilizers that provide a range of necessary elements. This can help offset potential nutrient imbalances caused by the introduction of ash. 6. Pruning Damaged Growth: If your plants' foliage has been significantly damaged by smoke or ash, consider pruning away the affected parts. This can help the plant focus its energy on new growth and recovery. Be cautious not to remove too much healthy growth, as leaves are vital for photosynthesis. 7. Stay Vigilant: Monitor your plants closely in the days and weeks following exposure to smoke and ash. Look for signs of stress, such as wilting, leaf discoloration, or stunted growth. Promptly address any issues you observe with appropriate care, such as adjusting watering frequency or applying targeted fertilizers. 8. Patience and Persistence: Plants have remarkable resilience, and with proper care, they can rebound from the challenges of smoke and ash. Be patient and persistent in your efforts to nurture them back to health. Consistent care, along with time, can often lead to successful recovery. In conclusion, smoke and ash from wildfires can pose challenges to your plants, but with careful attention and proactive care, you can mitigate the negative effects and help your garden thrive. By understanding the needs of your plants and implementing the right strategies, you'll be well-equipped to support their recovery and growth even in the face of environmental challenges.
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Casey Mare Gardening enthusiasts often find joy in cultivating new life from existing plants, and one fascinating way to achieve this is by propagation by cuttings. Cuttings allow you to propagate new plants from a mature parent plant. This method is not only cost-effective but also a satisfying way to expand your garden or share your greenery with others. In this article, we will delve into the art of propagating plants from cuttings , providing you with the knowledge and steps needed to transform these humble cuttings into thriving, independent plants. Choosing the Right Plant Cuttings Before you embark on your plant propagation journey, it's essential to choose the right plant cuttings. Opt for healthy parent plants that exhibit robust growth and disease-free foliage. Additionally, choose stems that are non-flowering and have several sets of leaves. Tender, new growth often produces the best results. Gathering Supplies To successfully propagate plant cuttings, gather the necessary supplies: Pruning Shears: Sharp and clean shears help make precise cuts without damaging the plant. Potting Mix: Use a well-draining potting mix suitable for the type of plant you're propagating, we suggest using Black Gold Seedling Mix. Containers: Small pots or containers with drainage holes are ideal for planting the cuttings. Rooting Hormone (Optional): Rooting hormone can encourage faster root development in some plants. Misting Bottle: A misting bottle helps maintain humidity around the cuttings. Types of Cuttings Softwood cuttings– done in late spring using the soft tip growth 2’3” long. Some plants that do well with softwood cuttings” Impatiens, Dogwood, Fuchsia, Beauty Bush, Mums, deciduous azaleas and more. Greenwood cuttings– done in late spring to mid summer using 3’4” long cuttings. Gardenia, Magnolia, evergreen azaleas and Rhodies. Semi-Ripe cuttings – late summer to early fall using 4-6” cuttings. Bay tree, Glory Bower, Jasmine, Mock Orange. Hardwood cuttings – dormant season, after leaves fall, 8” long. Holly, Blueberry, Grapes, Fig. Step-by-Step Guide to Growing Plant Clippings
Growing plant cuttings is a rewarding journey that allows you to witness the magic of nature firsthand. With careful attention to detail, the right conditions, and a sprinkle of patience, you can turn a simple cutting into a flourishing new plant. Whether you're expanding your garden or sharing the beauty of your plants with friends and family, the art of propagating plant clippings is a skill that will undoubtedly enhance your gardening expertise and deepen your connection with the world of plants. by
Helen M. Davis Oh, the heat. As the mercury creeps upward, things get dryer, including the plants you have worked so hard to cultivate. It seems like no matter how much attention you give them, they still suffer stress in the high temperatures and start to look as though they are gasping their last wee breaths. Do not despair and begin to think your green thumb is actually gangrene. Do not come to the belief that you should summon a priest to give your plants Last Rites. All is not lost and by following these tips, your plants should be happy little campers despite the heat, even if you are feeling like you might just dissolve. WATER LIKE YOU’R A PRO To start off, do your watering in the early morning to allow your plants to absorb as much water as they possibly can. Should you water later during the hotter parts of the day, your plants will absorb less as the heat causes plant physiology to shut down. Drip irrigation or watering by hand is fantastic for getting water at the roots where it’s needed, but you must make sure to wet the entire zone. Otherwise, it will be akin to just giving your plants a tantalizing sip and leaving them thirsty and you wouldn’t want to do that to them anymore than you would want someone to do that to you. For those who prefer to sleep later, or those who would rather not be out in the heat, and those who work outside the home, hose end battery timers on faucets can be used to automatically water so you don’t have to. Overhead watering is another good choice as it can cool the foliage and prevent burning. After all, nobody wants their plants to suffer burnt leaves. That doesn’t look very pretty and we all want our plants to look their best. Some plants shut down in the heat and do not take up water resourcefully so cooling the leaves reduces the stress they suffer. Give them a good shower, and they will be grateful. ADDITIONAL WAYS TO REDUCE YOUR PLANTS WATER NEEDS Mulching is a good practice as it cools the soil and keeps weeds, the bane of every gardener’s existence, from growing and using the water meant for your plants. Mulch can consist of shredded bark or other decorative materials. Compost is a great type of mulch as it also helps to improve the quality of the soil. If you can get it, tree trimmers mulch is a fantastic resource. Because weeds are thieves and take the water meant for your plants for themselves, it is imperative that you remove them. It isn’t necessarily fun, but when you look at a freshly weeded garden, there is a big satisfaction felt about a job well done. HOW MUCH WATER SHOULD YOU USE AND HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU USE IT Flower and vegetable beds require about a inch of water every week, but in the case of extreme heat, they may require more and you should water every day or every other day. Flowers and vegetables in containers may require deep waterings daily if they are located in full sun and potentially every other day if they are located in the shade. To determine if watering is necessary, test the soil with your finger. If it’s dry to you, imagine how your plants must feel. Shrubs and trees that are newly planted should be watered deeply when the soil is dry, and they may need watering every day. Again, use the finger test. Newly planted shrubs and trees will perish if they do without water for a few days. They should be closely watched for two or so years. Young trees require about 10 gallons per inch on their trunk each week. During lengthy dry spells even established shrubs and trees may need to be watered. They get thirsty, too, after all! When you do so, you should apply a deep watering over the entire root zone until the top two feet of soil has been penetrated. Your shrubs and trees will have their thirst quenched and they will think of you as a rock star. It is important to avoid watering lightly as this, naturally, quickly evaporates and has little in the way of benefits to your plants. Shallow watering also results in shallow roots and plants with shallow roots will be more vulnerable to the heat of summer and stress from drought. Deep watering encourages deeper rooting, and this makes for happier plants. LEAVING TOWN FOR AWHILE? Preferably, when you go away, you will have a friend or family member come over to water your plants in your absence. If this is not possible, try the following techniques. For outdoors, place the aforementioned battery timers on your faucets for scheduled waterings. This is easy and works well for both short or long trips. Buy yourself a good low sprinkler or a soaker hose. Attach it to the timer, set the timer for the preferred day, time, and length of watering and you are good to go. If it is possible, containers should be relocated to the shadiest spots in your yard while you are gone and you should also deadhead before you leave as this will alleviate some of the stress on the plants. For those annuals and perennials that rebloom, deadheading will invigorate the plants and you will have fresh blossoms to come home to and enjoy. Having a well-watered garden doesn’t take a degree in rocket science. It just takes a bit of planning and know how. Your plants rely on you and the better the care you give them, the more they will give you whether it be beautiful blossoms or a bounty of produce. Watering can even be enjoyable, and a sense of satisfaction can be experienced with this task as well. You no doubt can think of other things you’d enjoy doing more, but when you see the fruits of your labor, you won’t be able to resist smiling as you take in a job well done. And, who knows? Your plants may be smiling right back at you!
So, you’ve decided that you would like to try your hand at gardening, but you are hesitant. Perhaps you have an arthritic lower back and an equally arthritic knee that makes getting down on the ground so tricky you need to formulate a strategy for getting back onto your feet again. Maybe you live in town and your yard is too small to put in a garden. Don’t despair. There is a solution. It’s known as raised beds, and these have other positives besides easier access and saving space.
What are these other pluses of using raised beds to grow plants and vegetables, you wonder. For starters, raised beds have excellent drainage so you won’t have to worry about your plants becoming waterlogged. Raised beds are also simple to take care of and it’s also easy to tend your plants from all sides while making getting down onto the ground unnecessary if a bed is tall enough to allow one to stand. Raised beds also allow for the easy blending of improved mixes of soil and there is no digging in ground that could double as a slab of concrete. Raised beds also provide a greater harvest per square foot than a traditional garden. Now you are interested. This sounds good, and you wonder what size a raised bed should be. Raised beds should be no less than a six inches tall. Six inches is sufficient for most garden plants, lettuce, cabbage, broccoli etc. Taller beds, (12”) however, are necessary for Tomatoes, corn and other larger garden plants. Eighteen inches high is perfect bench seat height, so you can sit on the edge and reach in. That is better on the back than the shorted beds. Even better is the 24” high beds, they are particularly useful for those achy backs and grouchy knees not to mention easier for those with limited capabilities when it comes to bending and reaching. All sides of the raised bed should be no wider than 4 feet to ensure easy access. Install 3’ wide aisle between the beds. Beds adjacent to a fence should be no more that 2’ wide. You’ve made up your mind. Raised beds are for you. Now you just need to know how to go about building said raised beds. This is best done by using types of wood that are resistant to rotting such as redwood, cedar, or pressure treated wood. Nobody wants to go to all the trouble of building a nice, raised bed or two just to see it decay, after all. It is also recommended that you use galvanized or zinc-coated screws and brackets. Though they can be more difficult to erect, beds constructed from brick or stone can be quite attractive and more durable than beds made from wood. At Home Grown Gardens we encourage the use of Green Beds by Shelter Works. These beds are easy to install and rated at 30 years, twice what you will get with a wood constructed bed. The beds are built, and you are hankering to plant but now you need to decide on what type of soil to use for the best results. After all, you only want the best for your seeds and starts. Nothing less will do. A lot of landscape companies carry soil mixes that are specially designed to be used in raised beds. They are typically a combination of loam (or topsoil), a fibrous organic matter (such as composted bark), sand, and potentially composted manure. Soil purchased from a bulk supplier will need to be amended to get good soil biology, we recommend adding 2” on top of quality garden compost and ½” earth worm castings along with an organic fertilizer, all mixed into the top six inches. The soil should be topped off with 2” of quality compost once a year. OTHER SUGGESTIONS FOR RAISED BED SUCCESS:
Armed with this information, bad backs and bad knees, etc., don’t have to stand in the way of a nice, productive garden. You can grow flowers and fruits and vegetables and not have to worry about space or having a plan for getting back on your feet. With raised beds, you will also have the satisfaction of having built something out of nothing and you will be filled with a sense of pride as you look at your produce, your blossoms and your boxes and think, “I did that.” |
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