May Tips 2012
I urge you to throw away any pesticides and herbicides; they have the same effect as second hand smoke on you, your children and pets. I am presenting my Garden Earth lecture throughout New England in an endeavor to reconnect people’s hearts, hands and minds with the nourishing energy of Mother Nature’s Life giving gardens. I am showing people how to create a beautiful landscape but more importantly how to maintain it organically. That has always been the philosophy of my family’s landscape heritage for over four hundred years.
“The darling buds of May”; such an apt phrase for one of the most enchanting months in the garden here in New England; especially after what was so mild a winter and now some nourishing rain. Together with a rich layer of composted manure and you are ready for a longer growing season in 2012.Forsythia is already going by as are the Daffodils, soon the tulips will be in full bloom. The Serviceberry outside my study window has lost it white panicles, and the green leaves are bright, heralding the lovely red fruit to the delight of the birds later on. All other blooming trees and shrubs are
Tumbling over one another to make their appearance.
I just went out to my barn, passing the carlesii viburnum (also known as Korean Spice) its lovely fragrance now a memory until next spring. Covering the barn wall and up to the barn roof is my climbing hydrangea – I can’t wait to see a profusion of blossoms this summer.
The tulips, creeping phlox, forget-me-nots, primroses and candytuft bring much needed color to borders and rock gardens. In case April got lost in the shuffle put down lots of aged manure on all the borders for every plant, tree and shrub, now, in July and again in October when your garden has done its major growing job in October. Keep replenishing, nourishing and rebuilding the soil, with the manure, you can never have too much.
Around your pruned roses apply manure about three inches up the trunk of the plant. Pull back the mulch you put around them for the winter and reapply mulch in about three weeks. Apply manure around the spring bulbs when the leaves are still green and this nourishment will be absorbed into the bulbs for food for next spring’s Apply lime and manure around the lilacs, they like sweeter or alkaline soil, thus the lime.
If you are making an organic vegetable garden this year; a garden measuring 16 x 24 can feed a family of four for a year. Don’t work the soil if it is too wet or too dry. Double digging is the best way to go; it takes time and effort but its well worth it – dig down about one foot and remove that the top soil and put to one side, then dig down and loosen the next one foot of soil and add about three inches of manure then put back the top soil and add another three to four inches of manure. Do not rototill, as this will badly compromise the soil structure. This gently loosened, aerated fertile soil will give excellent yield of fruits and vegetables in the garden. I prefer 6 x 4ft beds rather than rows for larger yield, ease of weeding and harvesting with narrow compacted soil paths in-between.
The vegetable garden should be situated on the south or southwest side of the property for maximum sun exposure here in New England. Make sure you remove as many weeds as possible, preferably by hand before you even begin digging. You will need a water source close by, as the vegetable garden requires lots of water, particularly the annual fruiting vegetables like tomatoes, which are hydroponics (mostly water).
In the loosened soil you will be able to plant the vegetables plants so that they are touching which forms a natural canopy to shade out weeds and keep the soil reasonably moist; this close planting method also yields a larger crop. I prefer to mulch the vegetable garden with manure, which prevents “capping”; capping is when mulch forms a crust, which does not allow water or air to penetrate the soil.
Fence in the garden with a tall fence to keep out critters and at the base of the fence install eight inches of fine mesh chicken wire above ground and eight inches below ground for the burrowing type of animal.
For organic insect control, plant fragrant plants like marigolds, nasturtium, lavender, nepeta and honeysuckle as insects do not like fragrance. Encourage lacewings, which feed on aphids by planting marigolds and sunflowers and attract ground beetles, which feed on slugs by having a log or a rock under which they can hide. Foliar spray all the vegetables through the summer with our manure and seaweed tea – find out more about what this 400 year old family has resulted in on our website www.TheEnglishLady.com
The grass is now a vibrant shade of green and when mowing keep the blades of grass at about three inches; the taller the blades the more sun it gets and the stronger the grass roots will be. If you are still procrastinating about lawn care; apply organic grub control, less food for the moles. If you have a few bare spots, spot seed them now and use only good quality seed and use our seaweed tea, which contains a root growth hormone. When mowing leave the clippings on the lawn, it’s a natural source of nitrogen and if you have clover that’s an added benefit, as clover takes nitrogen from the air and fixes it in the soil for the plants.
Prune flowering shrubs by 25% each season, after flowering each season and do this before new buds set for next year.
On a rainy day go shopping for any garden supplies you may need, so that when the weather is right, you can be outdoors doing what you love and not indoors shopping. Buy good hoses, cheap ones will bend and crack. Our growing season is rather short, here in New England, but do not disturb the soil around your plants until the soil has warmed up by mid May. The manure, however, can be carefully spread the manure on top of the soil even over old mulch, without treading on the earth too much.
Certain plants, especially Peonies need plenty of water to produce flower buds. I have a thirty foot long stand of Peonies in my field that have been in the ground for over forty years; they are a sight to behold when in bloom. I give them lots of loving care with a light dressing of aged manure, in May. And in a few weeks I will pinch off the side buds while they are still small, leaving the terminal flower bud on each stalk to develop into a really good-sized bloom.
My maternal grandmother’s favorite bloom, the Lily of the Valley is blooming on the east side of the farmhouse under my kitchen window, tucked under the boxwood hedge, I love its delicate white flowers and fresh unique fragrance. When the lilacs have finished blooming, remove the withered flower clusters, do the same on the mountain laurel in late June and rhododendrons to ensure good blossoms next year. This month apply manure, a light application of peat and mulch around the evergreens; rhododendrons, mountain laurel and azaleas; these plants are shallow rooted and the mulch will keep the roots protected, warm and moist.
The following annual seeds can be planted outside in mid May: calendula, coreopsis, marigold, nasturtium, nicotiana and zinnia. Also flats of many different and wonderful kinds of annuals have arrived in the garden centers; these plants, of course, will bear flowers earlier than the seeds you plant outdoors this month, although I find it really satisfying to bring certain things up from seed. When you purchase the annuals, place them in a sheltered spot on the south side of your home and plant them no earlier than Memorial weekend.
Tuberous-rooted begonias, caladiums, cannas and elephant ears can be moved from porch or cold frame to a part shade area as the weather becomes consistently warmer.
If you staked trees that you planted last year, cut the stakes off at ground level do not pull them out of the roots or you could damage the system.
Aphid tip: squish a few in your hand; dead aphids release a chemical that causes other aphids to drop off the plants and leave the plants. Another ants and aphids tip – if you drink mint tea, any leftover sprinkle on these bugs and others they do not like the odor; however, do not plant mint except in containers, as it is tremendously invasive and can take over your garden.
Watch out for a dry spell that often occurs in May, and make sure you water all newly planted deciduous trees, shrubs and evergreens.
Houseplants can be moved outdoors for their summer sojourn at the end of the month. However, do not put your African violets outdoors but move them to a porch that is covered and shaded, or keep them indoors in a window that does not receive direct rays from the sun.
Wait until the soil warms up at the end of May to set out Dahlia tubers and gladioli corms.
Roses are not the troublesome creatures you have been led to believe. I like David Austin roses; these shrub roses are repeat bloomers with lovely fragrances. Roses need at least four hours of sun per day, good air circulation, and excellent drainage. During their growing period from the beginning of June to mid August; they are heavy feeders (they like the same conditions as Clematis, which look great mixed with roses). Add manure and compost to the planting mix and mulch around the base of the plant in mid May. If you wish to add a systemic organic rose food do so when the buds first appear and discontinue feeding in mid August. When planting new roses add our seaweed tea to the planting mix (found on this website) as it promotes root growth and make sure on that first watering that the soil drains well, roses need good drainage. Deep watering is recommended at least once a week. Our manure tea is wonderful for foliar spraying on the roses during summer’s heat; it keeps the plant healthy and free from disease.
Plenty of stuff to keep you hopping folks and remember to keep your eye out for any pest trouble and when you spot it get on the ball immediately to avoid further problems. Throw away all herbicides and pesticides; these poisons have the same effect as second hand smoke. Come to one of my “Garden Earth” lectures; check the lecture schedule on www.TheEnglishLady.com to reconnect your hands, mind and heart to the loving nourishment of Mother Nature. In stressful times, the garden offers an anchor for peace and quiet enjoyment. Enjoy the warmth, the gentle breeze, fragrance of earth and bloom and remember to breathe.
Enjoy the pleasure of being outdoors in warmer temperatures, inhaling the pungency of awakening soil and experience the connection with growing things. Do not overdo it; warm up the body before the garden labor and stay well hydrated with lots of water. We are inexorably entwined with the earth and know that even the smallest gesture of a garden has positive rewards and the effects not only on you but our planet. I’ll see you next time in your garden.
Barbara, buy some organic Neem oil, it works on the red lily beetles. Maureen
My lilies have red beetles on them. What do I do?
My climbing Rose bush seems to have all little holes in the green leaves. It had looked so healthy at the beginning of the season. Seems to have buds but nothing flowering yet. Please advise – looking for my flowers to bring me joy this year as that’s all I have at this point – tough year. Please help if you can………Thanks, Sharon
Don, Mountain Laurel are shallow rooted and if they were planted any deeper than they came in the pot or burlap covering they will not do well. If you feel they were planted too deep, dig them up and replant with enough soil so they do not fall over and add manure and peat to the planting mix and mix with a brown fine bark mulch and keep watered through the season. Do not worry about the black spot, that should take care of itself. Maureen
we have mountain laurel that were planted last year. in mostly shade and this year neither plant looks good. they have black spots on the leaves and the leaves are dried out. what can we do to save these plants? thank you
Cindy, on this website click on ‘what to use in the garden’ and look for soap shield to use on the mountain laurel. Maureen
Cindy, the harsh winter wind of the last few years has caused leaf damage to the mountain laurel, they should respond to the spring weather with some manure and peat (they like acidity) around them and some fine bark mulch to protect their shallow roots. Let me know later in the season how they respond. Maureen
My parents have several approx. 15 year old mountain laurels that they love. Each year lately they look terrible with brown spots all over the leaves. Could this be some type of fungus, and do you have any reccommendations? Thank you.
Barbara, do not cut back the hydrangea now, at the end of April plant it in the garden, no deeper than it has been planted in the pot. Add manure to the planting mix and keep it watered while the roots establish. For future care, on the home page of the website type in the search box ‘hydrangeas’ and an article amongst others will come up as to their care. Good luck Maureen
Could you please tell me if now is a good time to cut back my hydrangea that has been in the house for the winter. and if so how far do I cut it back??? Thanks so much.
Deb, you obviously have a deep problem with crab grass. Check the website ‘what to use in the garden’ for the organic crab grass killer and apply it each month through the season until it eliminates the problem. Good luck Maureen
I have a question bout crabgrass. I don’t remember if it was something of yours that I read or heard about good drainage but sandy soil. My husband puts down crab grass killer every year and we still get crab grass come late July and August in one corner of the back yard. I told my husband you said we need more top soil. Can you please give me some tips so I can give them to my husband, my father-in-law has the same problem. My husband takes great pride in his lawn but he can’t stop the crab grass.
Thanks
Theresa, on the website on the home page, click on ‘what to use in the garden’ and that will direct you to the Gardens Alive site for organic fertilizer and grass seed. Maureen
Can you please tell me which organic fertilizer I can use on my lawn to make it green and the name of any good grass seed to plant in shade and semi-shade areas.
Thank you for your good advice.
Barbara, transplant the hydrangea at the end of April. Do not plant it any deeper in the new location than it is in the ground now. When you dig it up, keep the roots covered with its original soil and plant immediately, air getting to the roots can damage the plant. Add manure to the top soil mix and water frequently so that the roots will re-establish. Maureen
Lynda, prune the lilacs immediately after blooming about one third, this must be done then so that you do not prune off next season’s buds. In November prune out the suckers at ground level at the base of the trunk. In April add some manure and lime around the base. Maureen
Lorraine, prune the ninebark shrubs after they have flowered and prune by about one third. Good luck Maureen
I have two diablio ninebarks shrubs (3 yrs old) planted close to my foundation. They are getting tall and very bushy even though I prune them. Am I pruning too much? When is the best time to prune and how much can I take off? Thank you Maureen
I have two lilac bushes/trees. One in full sun light, the other more shaded. The first two years they looked great, but now i’m not getting alot of blossoms. I was told not to prune, is is correct?
When is the best time to transplant a hydrangea plant?
I have an asparagus bed. Is it time to manure.? May I continue with the manure for ALL of the garden and shrubs and plants.? Thank you for your most need advise.
Hi Dennis, cut it back to a foot from the ground at the end of next March and put some manure around the base. Have a great holiday season and finish up all gardening tasks before the weather changes. Maureen
Sharon, prune the climbing rose to keep it in check by about three feet now and then in April by as much again if needed. Put some manure and mulch around the base and do not cover it. Many trees, shrubs and others did not bloom well this season due to lack of sun and too much rain in June. Put my old faithful manure and mulch around the base and hopefully next season the sun will shine for us. Maureen
What do I do for my climbing Roses for the winter? They are real tall. Should I cut back? Should I cover with something? Should I put mulch all around for the winter? Also Rose of Sharon bush did not blossom this year – what should I do for it for the winter? Thanks so much for any help you can provide!
Terry, perhaps the tree you purchased was not one of the fernleaf maples. But I hope you enjoy the one you have. Horse manure is as good as cow manure, but needs to be aged at least four months before use, but only use horse manure from stables where straw or peat is used as bedding, as wood shavings may be a source of plant disease.
Good luck Maureen
Hi ,
I was wondering if you could help.
I bought a dwarf japanese red maple tree, and this year is has grown over 5 ft
tall. It’s not red and its not getting wide and low to the ground like those beautiful
ones I see in other peoples gardens.
What should I do? Also is horse manure just as good as cow ?
Thanks for your input.
Terry
Barbara, on my website in the search box, type in Hydrangea and you will find an article I wrote about the care of Hydrangeas. Enjoy Maureen
I have a pink hydrangea which had 3 blooms last year…but don’t see anything coming so far this year… It is July…others in the same garden are beginning to bloom…
Thanks, Barbara
Denise, the butterfly bush needs full, rich soil with plenty of manure and peat, as it likes acid, and the soil needs to drain well. If your bush is close to the house it could be getting a lime run off from the foundation of the house, so it would be best to move it, which you can still do now if the bush is not too large or the extra peat could counteract the lime effect. Good luck Maureen
Half of my butterfly bush is growing well but the other half has brown tipped foliage. This is happening to three out of the four butterfly bushes I have in a row. What could be happening? ( This occurred last summer as well) Thank you-
Rose, If you work outside the home and do not have time to water your containers in the morning before you leave, you can empty your ice trays in the container which will give slow release watering to the plants until you can water them later in the day. Make sure that once a week you give the containers a dilute application of organic fertilizer. Good luck Maureen
I heard the end of a question on the radio but did not get it all something about ice cubes in your plant. Can you tell me what that means?
Rose
Beverly, On the website go to “what to use in the garden” and click on the site and I feel you will find a remedy there or in the eco shoppe. Also all animals usually stay away from anything fragrant like lavender or honeysuckle. Good luck Maureen
I have stray cats in my area. What can I use to deterred them from using
both my flower and vegetable gardens as a toilet and spraying spot. A fence
doesn’t work. Is there any type of flower they don’t like the smell? Anything
thing organic that can be used? Thank you.
I am starting to discover gardening and have a question on Tiger Lilly plants. I have some that have just grown over the years. Is there a good time to dig them up and break them up, replanting them?
Thanks
Keith
Hi,
I love lavender and have been trying to grow it for years potted indoors (I am in an apartment). They always die on me so quickly! I am finally moving to a house, and would love to plant (and keep alive) some lavender plants. What are your suggestions? I have visited other websites that gave “helpful hints” but they were confusing.
Thank you,
Jillian
How & when should hydrangers be pruned?
Betsy
Cut it back now to about 18″ from the ground and add aged manure. Happy gardening. Maureen
Dear Marge, Root prune the vine by taking a spade and digging straight down into the root system about two feet from the main trunk; this should shock the plant into blooming, also add aged manure around the base. Maureen
I am new to gardening. When and how should I cut back my Russian Sage
My trumpet flower vine (I sent this message and listed this vine as a hummingbird vine) refuses to flower. It fully covers our trellis but I would enjoy it more if it flowered. Please give me some suggestions. It is about 4 yrs. old.
Louisa, Cut the butterfly bush down to about two feet from the ground now and move it when the ground warms up in Mid May. You cannot make two plants out of one. Enjoy your garden. Maureen
when can i move my butterfly bushes? and can i make 2 plants out one?