Ann B.
10-30-2001, 07:01 PM
Okay, my Friends!
Today's topic is one of my weaknesses, especially weed control. I tend to make very ambitious plans for a new bed, then it gets hot, too much rain, or some family crisis or emergency, or just become overwhelmed with day to day life, and before you know it the weeds are everywhere. And then, they go to seed...
If you have a severe problem with a specific weed or invasive plant, you may have to take action with a pre-emergent herbicide such as Preen or you can use a post emergent herbicide. The most common post emergent is Roundup. But caution should always be taken when using herbicides, and only use when no other method of control is effective, and PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE READ THE LABEL and FOLLOW the DIRECTIONS. Overuse of products available for Home Use is quickly making these products unavailable for our needs. Only use them when nothing else works.
On the Landscaping topic, we primarily covered methods of pruning. In general, you can prune 1/3 of the growth in a given year, but you need to know the pruning requirements of the particular plant, so it pays to do a little research first.
Some plants can be pruned restoratively, meaning a drastic pruning almost to the ground. My mothers azaeleas are an example. The main trunk stems are 5-8 inches in diameter. The plant heights are over 8' tall. When cut down drastically, they will form beautiful new bushes in a very short time, but care must be taken as to what time of the year to perform this pruning.
When digging up and moving an azaelea, it is best to plant it less deep than previously planted and mulch heavily. If planted deeper than the original depth, you encourage fungi and bacterial damage.
There is so much more that we learn, and no way to pass it all along, so I encourage all of you to attend a Master Gardener Course or visit you local cooperative extension office for more information. They offer lots of FREE handouts for specific problems, and will answer questions, but it is helpful to be as specific as possible about the nature of your problem and what you wish to accomplish.
I only have one more week of class, and then we graduate. I encourage everyone to make the investment in time (mostly) and money. It has been quite a valuable experience, and I feel very priviledged to be a part of the Master Gardener Program.
I sincerely hope that you have learned from my experience in this training. Starting Thursday, I will be teaching a class to parents and teachers at Hunter's elementary school on propagation. Most of the methods are already on http://www.landspro.com , but these classes will be hands on instruction and the attendees will get to take the planted cuttings home. Please wish me luck on this effort, as I am very sincere in teaching those that are interested so that they too can learn how to propagate. And what greater fundraiser is there than for your children to learn than to propagate plants for sale.
Sincerely,
Today's topic is one of my weaknesses, especially weed control. I tend to make very ambitious plans for a new bed, then it gets hot, too much rain, or some family crisis or emergency, or just become overwhelmed with day to day life, and before you know it the weeds are everywhere. And then, they go to seed...
If you have a severe problem with a specific weed or invasive plant, you may have to take action with a pre-emergent herbicide such as Preen or you can use a post emergent herbicide. The most common post emergent is Roundup. But caution should always be taken when using herbicides, and only use when no other method of control is effective, and PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE READ THE LABEL and FOLLOW the DIRECTIONS. Overuse of products available for Home Use is quickly making these products unavailable for our needs. Only use them when nothing else works.
On the Landscaping topic, we primarily covered methods of pruning. In general, you can prune 1/3 of the growth in a given year, but you need to know the pruning requirements of the particular plant, so it pays to do a little research first.
Some plants can be pruned restoratively, meaning a drastic pruning almost to the ground. My mothers azaeleas are an example. The main trunk stems are 5-8 inches in diameter. The plant heights are over 8' tall. When cut down drastically, they will form beautiful new bushes in a very short time, but care must be taken as to what time of the year to perform this pruning.
When digging up and moving an azaelea, it is best to plant it less deep than previously planted and mulch heavily. If planted deeper than the original depth, you encourage fungi and bacterial damage.
There is so much more that we learn, and no way to pass it all along, so I encourage all of you to attend a Master Gardener Course or visit you local cooperative extension office for more information. They offer lots of FREE handouts for specific problems, and will answer questions, but it is helpful to be as specific as possible about the nature of your problem and what you wish to accomplish.
I only have one more week of class, and then we graduate. I encourage everyone to make the investment in time (mostly) and money. It has been quite a valuable experience, and I feel very priviledged to be a part of the Master Gardener Program.
I sincerely hope that you have learned from my experience in this training. Starting Thursday, I will be teaching a class to parents and teachers at Hunter's elementary school on propagation. Most of the methods are already on http://www.landspro.com , but these classes will be hands on instruction and the attendees will get to take the planted cuttings home. Please wish me luck on this effort, as I am very sincere in teaching those that are interested so that they too can learn how to propagate. And what greater fundraiser is there than for your children to learn than to propagate plants for sale.
Sincerely,