Of ‘Flowers, Fiords and Friends
When planting a tree, remember to plant it in a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball
Planting by the moon is an ancient practice that gardeners might want to consider.
A rare opportunity arose this summer when my husband and I boarded a ship bound to Alaska to attend the 2013 International Master Gardener Conference, “Flowers, Fiords and Friends.” We were not only humbled by the breathtaking beauty of the land of the midnight sun, but we found ourselves in the company of approximately 1,500 enthusiastic, genuine and fun-loving gardeners from all over the world. During our time at sea, we attended planned activities and classes where we learned and shared so much information about gardening.
Here are a few pearls of wisdom:
1. In so many of the discussions, speakers spoke about the hazards of pesticides. The quick fix of using a pesticide often results in new problems by eliminating both bad bugs and beneficial bugs. Integrated Pest Management techniques can control pests with minimum impact on human health and the environment.
2. Selection of the right plant for the right spot is critical, so an honest appraisal of the sunlight in your yard is necessary. Full sun is a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight per day, while four hours of direct sunlight would be ideal for most partial-shade requirements.
3. Landscaping is about creating a series of rooms in your yard. Design the rooms around functions and activities, just as in your own home. Try to consider the components of each room in regard to the floor, ceiling, walls, furniture and accents. Walls can be a fence, shrubs, stone work, or even a row of flowers designed not to be stepped over. A ceiling can be trees, an arbor or a pergola. Inserting a type of ceiling somewhere in your garden room will make you feel more secure and comfortable in the space. Accent pieces can be pots, decorative pieces, candles or sculptures.
4. Planting by the moon is an ancient practice that gardeners might want to consider. According to this method, the best time to plant flowers and vegetables that bear crops aboveground is during the light of the moon; that is, from the day the moon is new to the day it is full (increasing). This is because the moon is drawing moisture upward. Flowering bulbs and vegetables that bear crops below ground should be planted during the dark of the moon; that is, from the day after it is full to the day before it is new again (decreasing).
5. Believe it or not, 80 percent of all tree problems originate below ground. When planting a tree, remember to plant it in a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball, but no deeper than the root ball. Always remove the burlap, and avoid creating a mulch volcano around the tree. Keep mulch at least two inches away from the bark to discourage pests.
6. Amend soil with organic substances, not synthetic fertilizers. Think in terms of feeding the soil, not the plant. Overfertilization can stress plants while contributing to environmentally damaging chemical runoff. Consider purchasing a soil sample kit at your local cooperative extension office to give you a clear idea of what your soil needs.
7. Take time to accurately diagnose any plant problems that you are experiencing before attempting to correct it. A good website to consult is the Penn State Extension website at http://extension.psu.edu/, which provides information on a wide variety of diseases and pests and the recommended remedies.
Have a question? In Washington County, call the master gardener office at 724-228-6881. Remember to follow us on Facebook.
Betty Robison owns Robison Acres Plant Sanctuary. The Scenery Hill resident has been a Penn State Master Gardener for 16 years.