July
7.24.09 - ...the importance of repetition and contrast in the landscape...
Yesterday, Jacci created a new display in the store with black pottery, Black-Eyed Susans, & Heuchera ‘midnight rose. The display is stunning with a strong contrast of light & dark flowers & foliage. I was reminded of the importance of repetition & contrast in the landscape. The dark foliage of the Heuchera (common name: coral bells) is repeated in the dark centers of the Black – Eyed Susan plants & the bright gold flower petals are a strong contrast to the dark pottery & foliage. Some people are not as comfortable with the strong contrasts in their landscape however this same idea can be used with a softer palette. Consider the soft silver foliage of artemesia or lambs ear with dark green foliage or the striking contrast of chartreuse foliage with red or dark green foliage. It is fun to play with color to make the landscape more interesting. I encourage you to take a walk through your landscape to see if you need a little more contrast or repetition to make the overall design stronger.
7.16.09 - A view from my garden…
 Last weekend I spent a whole day in my garden pruning, fertilizing, weeding & just enjoying the quiet time. The temperature was in the 70’s & it was glorious. I was reminded of the therapeutic value of gardening as it was just what I needed to rejuvenate. It is so gratifying to watch your garden grow & mature however it can be frustrating when battling insect issues like Japanese Beetles or other critter issues. I noticed many of my perennials are blooming longer with the cooler temperatures & others like the Hibiscus are delayed. I had an added surprise of a ripe tomato which I enjoyed eating warm from the sunshine. When I finished I took a few pictures which I thought I would share with you.
As many of you know we did not have sweet corn this past week due to the cool temperatures. Many of you have mentioned that your tomatoes are not ripening & your gardens are delayed. Do not despair as soon as the temperatures rise & the sun shines you’ll be picking. In addition, give your gardens (vegetable & flowers) a mid season boost fertilizing them with Plant-tone by Espoma or Miracle Grow. You’ll be amazed at the difference it will make. Furthermore, take time to dead head perennials & roses so they continue blooming into the fall. Spending just a little bit of time in your garden now will help it look its best into the fall.
7.16.09 - Horticulture course in Columbus and more on Japanese beetles...
 Earlier this week we were in Columbus for the annual OFA (an association of horticulture professionals) short course which is horticulture’s premier educational program & trade show for the industry attended by over 9,000 people from many states & various countries including England, Germany, Canada & more. It is a place where plant breeders, growers, & retailers gather to learn together. It is always exciting to see the new varieties for next year & meet up with old friends to share experiences. One variety that caught my eye was an apple green petunia with a rosy stripe. There were many other varieties as well. We will evaluate each one & then choose which ones to try for 2010. We attend this show and other educational experiences as part of our commitment to education & to bringing you new products and plants each year.
Japanese beetles persist… While watering my garden this morning I saw Japanese beetles clustered on my roses in mass chomping away at the leaves leaving unsightly holes. If you are experiencing the same you can treat them with “Eight” or “Sevin”. Both are available as a dust or a premixed spray in a sprayer bottle. It is best to spray in the early morning or evening but not in the hot sun. You can reapply every 7 days as needed. In addition, if you prefer to avoid sprays you can use a Japanese beetle Trap or you can pick them off by hand & seal them in a zip lock bag before placing them in the trash. Take a look at your garden & treat as needed.
7.9.09 - Summer gardening continues!
This is a great time to get out the pruners & remove the spent flowers of daylilies, roses & other perennials. This will encourage reblooming varieties to continue blooming & plants will look fresh again. In addition, annuals grown in pots & hanging baskets that look long & thin or weak may need pruning. Cut them back & fertilize to encourage new growth quickly. They will look bad right after you cut them however you’ll be amazed at the difference as they grow out & fill in. This will keep them looking nice all summer. You may sacrifice a few blooms but plants will be full & attractive in just a short time. In addition, if you fertilized your garden in the spring it may be time to reapply. Follow the directions on the fertilizer container so the timing is right. I prefer Plant-Tone by Espoma which can be reapplied every 4 weeks during the growing season. Regular fertilization will make your plants healthy & strong. In addition, summer is a good time for planting but you must be committed to watering new transplants on a regular basis. If you are thinking of planting a new bed or just replacing a few plants go ahead & get started. We’ll help you make selections.
This past week many of you mentioned that you enjoyed receiving this email and many mentioned reading the information about Japanese Beetles. I appreciate the feedback & all of your comments.
7.1.09 - The Japanese Beetles are back again! 
It happens every year in late June or early July when we see the first signs of damage …holes in the leaves of our favorite landscape plants. Japanese Beetles have made their first appearance this week. They are easily treated when you spray or dust garden & landscape plants. There are two products that you can use – one is “Sevin” by Gardentech & the other is “Eight” by Bonide. They both work quite well however Eight has a broader range of insects that it will control. If you wish to treat organically you can use a Japanese Beetle Trap. The key to success with the the traps is to place them downwind from the garden so it will lure them away & then capture them.
If you read the article in the Akron Beacon Journal today explaining concern for tomato & potato plants that might be susceptible to late blight which is a fungal disease. They mentioned 2 products that can be used to prevent this. One is Daconil & the other is Copper Fungicide (approved for organic gardening). We have both products available.
7.18.08 - Summer temperatures are here so you’ll want to keep your plants well watered
Recently many of us from Graf Growers went to Columbus for the OFA Short Course & Trade Show where we attended seminars & training sessions as well as visited booths filled with new plant varieties, supplies, etc. This show is one of the premier shows for the horticulture industry & there were over 9,000 visitors & exhibitors from many states & countries. It is fascinating to see the direction of the industry & to meet face to face with many of the plant breeders as well as our peers. I was impressed by the great variety of earth friendly pots & packs that are being developed as well as many of the new plant varieties including a wide variety of begonias, dwarf butterfly bushes, lime green Echinacea, & yellow peonies. The show spans several city blocks & everywhere you look there are flowers. It is awesome!
Summer temperatures are here so you’ll want to keep your plants well watered to avoid scorching. Check pots & hanging baskets daily & keep them evenly moist. Some plants are more forgiving than others so keep a close eye on sensitive varieties like lobelia. We have had a lot of rainfall this summer so plants in beds are generally deeply rooted which is good. To continue with this you’ll want to water newly planted shrubs by placing a hose at the base & letting it run slowly for 10 – 15 minutes once or twice a week as needed. Always move the mulch to check the soil for dryness before watering. Other annuals & perennials in beds should be checked regularly & well watered when the soil is dry. As a reminder, it is best if you water plants early in the morning or in the evening but not in the hot sun of the day. Additionally, just a quick reminder to drink lots of water & stay hydrated while gardening in these high temperatures.
7.11.08 - Pesky Garden Pests, Keep Plants Looking Thier Best, & Summer Planting
Pesky Garden Pests
I prefer to discuss the fun aspects of gardening but occasionally must address a few gardening issues. This week we are seeing a lot of Japanese beetles in home gardens. These pesky beetles can make your plants look like swiss cheese but can be easily treated in a number of ways. You can spray plants with either pest control Sevin or Eight. Both products work well & are available in dust or spray so it is easy to apply. The primary difference is that there are fewer days before you can harvest with Eight. If you prefer an organic method to controlling the Japanese Beetles then use Japanese beetle traps. (We just got a new shipment) placed downwind they will lure the beetles & trap them in a plastic bag so you can dispose of them.
Keep Plants Looking Their Best
Take a little time to trim off dead & withered blooms, remove yellow leaves & long stringy stems from annuals & perennials to keep them looking their best. It only takes a few minutes & your plants will look so much better all summer. Additionally, it is a good idea to fertilize annuals & perennials throughout the growing season. The frequency depends on the type of fertilizer you used. Liquid fertilizers like Miravle Gro are best used every other week & other fertilizers should be used according to the directions. I use Plantone by Espoma which is organic & has a lot of micro nutrients & should be applied every 4-6 weeks. After I sprinkle the Plantone I water the plants to wash off any that might have landed on the leaves. Finally, check plants regularly for watering & keep them evenly moist especially pots. Often they do not receive as much rain water due to the density of the plants so always check the soil to be sure.
Summer Planting
You can keep planting successfully all summer long as you keep plants well watered. If you have a few lingering landscape projects left to do you can get started now instead of waiting until fall.
7.3.08 - Notes from the garden tour…
Last Saturday my Mom & I attended the Summit County Master Gardener’s Tour of Gardens. I always feel that it is a special privilege to visit private gardens & see first hand how various plant varieties grow & mature as well as the creativity of the gardeners. Before I share a few of my notes & pictures, I would like to thank all of the garden owners for hosting the tours & the volunteer Master Gardeners for planning the event. It is a lot of work & tremendous pressure to prepare for tour day. The event was well organized & the gardens were beautiful; each in their own way.
I am always amazed by the resourcefulness & creativity of the gardeners. I will share a few of the ideas I picked up. One of the gardens featured a birdbath that was used to create a miniature fairy garden. Another garden featured a wreath of succulents & hens & chicks as a centerpiece. Although it was displayed by itself, I think it would be beautiful with a hurricane & candle in the center. When we think of water features in the landscape we think of a big  fountain or waterfall & pond. However, one of the landscapes had a very simple water feature which was a small hole along the edge of the patio with a small spray of water. This simple feature provided great sound without taking up a lot of space.
I was talking with Laura Kaufman, the perennial & nursery manager recently & she said she has been experimenting with ‘Endless Summer’ hydrangeas & found that if she fertilizes them regularly (about once a month) with Plantone by Espoma she gets more flowers. Additionally, if you want your hydrangeas to be a deeper shade of blue just add Hydra Blue or Aluminum Sulphate according to the directions on a regular basis as well.
 
7.27.07 - Look at Your Landscape in a New Way
This past week I spent a few days attending a watercolor painting workshop where the primary lesson was about the importance of contrast to add interest & keep your painting exciting for the viewer. Every day as we critiqued our paintings I kept thinking about how this same information applied to the landscape. Consider contrasting flower & foliage color & texture. A few well placed dark foliaged plants like heuchera, sedum purple emperor, red Japanese maples or barberry will make all the other plants appear brighter & more noticeable. If you place them next to light green or lime foliage of a complimenting plant like a Hosta ‘gold standard’ or Chamaecyparis ‘Gold Mound’ the contrast will be greater creating an eye catching spot in the landscape. Or consider the contrast of silver gray foliage with red or green foliage for a different contrast. The same principals may be applied when planning or updating a perennial garden when you add a few evergreen shrubs to the design to add contrast to the structure of the overall landscape. I encourage you to look at your landscape with new eyes & look for a few spots you might add contrasting plants to create more interest.
We have switched gears this week for a very dry summer to more moist humid weather which can be a time when many summer diseases become more prevalent. Examine plants more carefully for the start of powdery mildew & leaf spot or black spot which look just like their names. Some plants are more prone to these diseases that others but if you spot them early it will be easier to treat them with a fungicide so you experience less damage to the plant. If you are not sure how to treat them bring a few leaf samples into the garden center & we will help.
7.20.07 - Lots of Rain and Annual Floriculture Show
There is nothing like a good rain to green up the grass & soak deep root balls. The forecast is perfect this weekend for planting & working in your garden. Whether you need to fill in a few spots or you are planting a new area, we can help. It is safe to plant in summer however, it is critical that you are committed to keeping new landscape plants well watered.
Prepare now to keep your garden looking its best into early fall by giving plants a mid summer boost with an application of Flowertone or Miracle Gro fertilizer. Remove spent blooms from perennials & cut back spindly annuals & hanging baskets to freshen them up. They will look a little sad when you first cut them but they will fill out & look good in a few weeks & then look great through early fall.
This past week several of us attended an annual floriculture show in Columbus for training & to keep up to date with the industry. The show features new plant introductions as well as new growing techniques & equipment. It is amazing to see over 10,000 people from all over the world convene in Columbus Ohio to share & learn about floriculture and to see all of the different facets of the industry including plant breeders, research scientists, growers, marketers & flower peddlers like ourselves. I was reminded of the complexities of the industry when a prominent grower from California said “and everybody thinks we put a stick in the ground & it grows”. Gardening is so much easier & rewarding today because of research & plant breeding. Ornamental plants are being bred to bloom better & longer, to resist disease & insects, to branch better, etc. I will be sharing more ideas from the show in future additions.
Pictured are staff members Tom Kriska & Laura Kaufman, chatting about a new plant variety.
7.13.07 - Season Long Color and Insect Problems
I was speaking with a guest today & she mentioned that her garden is breathtaking today with daisies & coneflowers all in bloom however she is having a late summer party & was concerned that she would not have any color in her garden then. This prompted my writing today because with careful planning you can have color or foliage interest all season long. Now is a good time to view plantings & to make selections of perennials at the garden center because many perennials are in peak bloom & you can see their colors & growth habits. In addition, consider planning ahead & planting a few perennials that bloom in late summer like Caryoptoris which have beautiful blue fuzzy flowers & grow 3’ tall on sturdy stems, or Anenomes which have airy blooms in pink or white & Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ which adds structure to the perennial bed with thick leaves & sturdy stems. We have a great selection & are bringing in fresh perennials each week. Stop in & let us show you all these & more.
Go away Beetles…Japanese beetles that is. This week we are seeing a lot of Japanes Beetle damage as they are eating holes in leaves everywhere. You can control them with a product called Eight by Bonide or a product named Sevin by Gardentech. Either one is very effective. If you wish an organic alternative consider Japanese Beetle Traps or Rotenone by Bonide.
7.6.07 - Watering, Watering and more Watering...
We have been experiencing a dry spell & the lack of rain is causing grass to become dormant & brown & landscape plants & annuals that are not deeply rooted are wilting. I have put together a few hints on watering to keep your landscape looking fresh.
Flowering Hanging Baskets & Container Gardens – check the soil daily & water thoroughly when needed. One of the easiest ways to determine if hanging baskets are dry is by the weight of the basket. If they are light weight then water them thoroughly. After watering lift it to check the weight again to make sure they are heavy. The reason I mention this is often when the soil is very dry the water will flush through & will not be absorbed by the soil. For container gardens, feel the soil with your fingers to check for moisture. If you are watering frequently the plants will require more nutrients so keep up with applications of Miracle Gro or Miracle Gro Bloom Booster to keep your plants looking fresh & healthy.
Lawns – If your lawn is suffering from lack of water it will transition into a semi dormant state looking brown & dingy until it rains again. If you want to keep it green & lush it is best to put down about 1” of water per week in the early morning if possible. This is better than watering lightly everyday because it encourages the roots of the grass plants to grow deeper into the soil where it will not dry out as fast thus keeping your lawn looking greener longer. You can also apply a summer application of a slow release fertilizer however we recommend that you avoid doing this when temperatures reach 90 degrees F. If you can’t water your lawn it will green up as soon as we get some significant rainfall.
Landscape Plants – Be sure to soak the root ball of newly transplanted shrubs, trees, & perennials by putting your hose near the base of the plant & letting it run slowly for a period of time (approx. 15 minutes but depends on water pressure & type of plant. This way you should only have to water a few times per week but not every day. More established plants that are wilting can be watered in the same way but usually 1 time per week is sufficient. There are a few exceptions. For example: It took my hydrangeas 3 seasons to get completely rooted in so they didn’t wilt on a daily basis during dry times. I had to water them using my hose at the base of the plant nearly every other day when it was hot & dry, so observe your plants & make adjustments as needed.
Tomato Plants & other Vegetable Plants – It is best to keep vegetable plants evenly moist, especially tomatoes. Tomato plants that experience a great fluctuation in dry & wet conditions are prone to blossom end rot which is black legions on the base of fruit usually appearing on the first tomatoes to ripen. You can avoid this by keeping plants evenly moist. This allows the plant to absorb calcium & other nutrients efficiently so tomatoes ripen unharmed. |
