Allium
May 23, 2008
Advice on everything: weeding, deadheading, bulbs, fragrances . . .
It appears to me that my garden is growing at warp speed. I turn my head to sneeze and the plants have shot up several inches! The weather has been rather erratic. It’s been warm one day and cool the next. At the moment, it feels like fall. The weather analysts have all predicted a fabulous Memorial Day weekend. So, is your garden in good shape?
Weeding is a task I attempt to do every other day. This regularity permits me to stay somewhat on top of the situation without keeping me at it for hours. I find that the more organized I am, the more time I have to actually enjoy the garden. By now, the grass is being mowed every week.
Still on the subject of weeds, here’s my tip for tackling weeds that come up between stones or bricks in patios and paths. I pour boiling hot water over them, which is another use for water from boiling eggs, vegetables, etc. After a day you will see that the weeds have died. It’s much easier than trying to pull them out from slender cracks.
Deadheading is done often. I have successfully recruited my daughter to deadhead the daffodils. Start them young I say. For the spent daffodils and tulips, simply cut off the stalks and let the leaves remain so they can continue making food for future blooms. Cut back leaves only after they have turned yellow or brown. Deadheading other plants helps to prolong the bloom period. Of course, the garden looks neater too.
Time to prepare bulb and plant wish list
I have begun writing my plant and bulb wish list. The plants are to replace ones that never made it back from last year or ones I’d just like to try. The bulbs are another story. I include lots of what I always add each year plus those I must try. With bulbs, one has to be generous. There is no such thing as too many bulbs. They are my weakness, well, one of many. I have yet to meet a gardener who cannot cram in one more plant. We haven’t learned to say no and I hope we never do. I went to a rare plant sale last Saturday and came back with some lovely, uncommon additions that I hadn’t realized I needed so badly.
Now is also the time to divide the clumps of daffodils that are overcrowded. Each time I do this, I tell myself that I will need to order fewer but somehow that has yet to happen. In the midst of being so busy in the garden and elsewhere, pause frequently to observe the birds, butterflies and bees. I was so delighted to have a toad cross my path last week. Congratulate yourself for creating a habitat for these useful and charming creatures. Staying in connection with nature has all kinds of benefits all around.
Showcasing fragrance
The lily-of-the-valleys are in bloom. Pick some so you can savor the scent indoors. On the topic of fragrance, pot up plants that have flowers with perfume for areas like porches, patios and entryways. As you spend time in these areas, your pleasure will be heightened, especially in the evenings when the fragrances are stronger.
A friend recently mentioned that turkey grit works well to deter slugs. Think how that will save the hostas! I will try it when said friend gives me some as it is not readily available. Rest assured, I shall keep you posted.
Finally, I was very pleasantly surprised by a phone call last week from a faithful reader. Okay, she is also a friend but, the call had nothing to do with our friendship. Pam Wright called to say she thought my article on planting a mix of vegetables, fruits and flowers was fabulous — her exact words. She is in fact doing just that this season. So, I think it’ll be a brilliant idea to see the process and progress of this “experiment” and report on it from time to time in this column. I’m so excited about it. Stay tuned!
Allium
Checkerboard phlox
And what’s that growing in the urn?
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