Zone 6b - Mid-Atlantic Gardening

Digging In: Dog Days

Kathleen — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 21:28:03 +0000

The “dog days” of summer are nearly upon us, and though we’ve had a pretty nice season (high heat has been offset, for the most part, by lower-than-average humidity), you know those dogs are going to start howling soon.

That said, there are several things you can do to make your garden more heat- and drought-tolerant.
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Digging In: Turf Wars

Kathleen — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 14:24:51 +0000

The most common questions I’m fielding these days at the nursery involve lawn care, second only to “How late are you open?” Most of these queries focus on fertilizing, lime application, and weed control, so here’s my take on these three things: (more…)

Houseplant 101

Kathleen — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:47:24 +0000

Recently, one day when the thermometer hit 70 degrees, a lady came into the nursery and demanded to know why we weren’t selling impatiens already — the plants, not the seeds. Not satisfied with pansies, she huffed out of the store and said she’d find them elsewhere. Good luck with that!

I know, I know, some people’s daffodils are out. The rollercoaster temperatures have tempted many bulbs to send up reconnaissance leaves to have a look around, but don’t be fooled: we can still get a couple more hard freezes between now and Mother’s Day. With that in mind, it’s time to take stock of your loyal houseplants, those stalwarts who have been cleaning your air all winter. (more…)

Cyclamen – Fussy or Forgiving?

Kathleen — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 01:33:29 +0000

Cyclamens are a good alternative to poinsettias during the holiday season. The lovely variegated foliage contrasts nicely with the blossoms – ranging from white to pink to lavender, to purple, to red – that seem to float like small butterflies atop slender, erect stems. I’d rather receive a cyclamen than a poinsettia during the holidays. (Then again, I’d rather receive a staph infection than a poinsettia.) (more…)

Plant Spring Bulbs Now

Kathleen — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 11:34:09 +0000

Now that the ground has started to cool off, it’s a good time to put in your bulbs for spring flowers. Most bulbs need between 12 and 16 weeks of continual chilling to produce flowers. Plant too early and they’ll sense warmer soil temps, get all confused, and break bud way too early on very short stems.

Remember, plant spring-flowering bulbs (e.g. crocus, daffodils, hyacinths and grape hyacinths, tulips) in the fall, and summer/fall-flowering bulbs (Lily-of-the-Valley, autumn crocus, most types of lilies, dahlias) in early spring. (more…)

Getting Good Dirt

Kathleen — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 23:59:26 +0000

Fall is really a great time to plant perennials, trees, shrubs, and bulbs. The plants are grateful to be able to go “dormant” for the winter in the wake of enduring the stress of planting and transplanting, instead of being expected to start “performing” after being planted in spring.

However, there is one major step you can take to get your plants off to a great start, and that’s making sure your soil is up to snuff. (more…)

Fall Lawn Care

Kathleen — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 14:12:42 +0000

Now is the perfect time to get your lawn ready for winter. After the terrible (and ongoing) drought, most lawns – even those that have been subject to sprinklers – look like baseball in-fields. That’s because sprinklers just can’t keep up with the heavy demands that most types of turfgrass place on the environment when it comes to water.

First, it’s best to know what kind of grass you have: cool-season vs. warm-season. (more…)

Going Native

Kathleen — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 13:52:55 +0000

Many states have “native plant” societies, and Maryland is no exception. Thanks to the awareness raised by organizations in our own backyard, such as Brookside Gardens, the National Arboretum, and the U.S. Botanic Garden, more people are now eager to use native plants in their landscapes.

But what is a “native” plant? Native plants are those that evolved naturally in North America. In particular, native plants in a specific region are those that were growing there before humans introduced plants from other places. (more…)

Trees: Best and Worst Performers

Kathleen — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 18:24:11 +0000

Fall is an ideal time for planting perennials, shrubs, spring-blooming bulbs and, of course, trees. Nurseries are starting to receive shipments of cypress, spruces, hollies, cherries, maples, oaks, and other standard favorites. But how well do these trees really perform in our soil and climate? What should you know before make that investment? (more…)

Two Terrific Annuals

Kathleen — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 20:39:49 +0000

I like impatiens and petunias, and flowering vinca saves the day in times of intense heat and humidity, but this year I’ve really fallen hard for two terrific annuals: deep purple Browallia speciosa (also called amethyst flower) and the cheery yellow Melampodium paludosum (also known as blackfoot). These underused annuals really stand up to our Washington (DC) summers. I put in just a few market packs of each in May, and they are practically shrubs now, choking out weeds in the border without requiring ANY deadheading. I’ve read they tolerate light shade, but mine are out in full sun and are quite happy. The melampodium even reseeds, so I’ve had some happy surprises in bare spots. I’d recommend these annuals for beds, borders, containers — anywhere you want a splash of no-fuss color.