Published: February 27, 2008 04:59 pm            

Ace of Spades: Now is the time to order your plants, bulbs for spring

Originally published in the February 22, 2008, print edition.

My Mandevilla plant is not doing well in the basement this winter. What am I doing wrong with this plant?

Be sure that you bring the plant into the house, where the light to the plant will be reduced, before the temperature drops to 32 degrees. Cut the water to once a week and let this semi dry-back.

After Thanksgiving, begin to water again. Prior to resuming watering, you can somewhat prune the plant. You will see new leaves beginning to grow in January. In March, begin to fertilize slightly on a regular basis. Once the threat of frost is past, you can move the plant into the garage to start getting the plant used to sunlight. Later you can then move the plant outside in the direct sunlight.

I’m building a new house in the country. Where and when should I be planting trees for wind protection of the house?

Plan on at least 10 years to get a good landscape growth of trees. Remember, the first three years at least, the root system is what grows the most, so don’t expect too much growth until the fourth year.

In case there is lack of rain this summer, be sure to water the trees on a regular basis or you may lose some of them. Some gardeners use a soaker hose instead of a regular hose to do the watering.

For a new landscape around your house and other buildings, contact your county water conservation service for some of their ideas on which trees to plant, how far apart, etc.

When should I be checking my glad bulbs which I put away last fall?

If you dusted them last fall with bulb dust, and put them in paper sacks and/or in a paper box, they should be in good condition. But, be sure to check them for any spoilage. Discard any lightweight bulbs, as they will never produce a flower.

When should I be ordering my plants and bulbs?

These orders should be placed at this time. My advice still is to buy the plants from your local nurseries if at all possible. When buying, always check for disease on the plants and how healthy they appear.

What are some good tomato varieties I should be looking for?

Here’s a starter list for you: Health-Kick, Big Boy, Early Girl, Celebrity, First Lady, O Henry and Jubilee. Here again your greenhouses and nurseries have new varieties to offer, and also go on the internet for other varieties.

When should I be adding salt on my asparagus for weed control?

A new suggestion for this year to keep the weeds down is to use pickling salt on the asparagus bed. In the past the use of Culligan small pebbles of salt has worked well.

Put the first application on after the snow has melted and the second application on the second week of April.

I planted some perennial hibiscus seeds last year. They grew, but bloomed little. When will they emerge this spring?

Patience is the word here. Some years there isn’t growth until the second week in June. Other times growth is seen as early as the last week in May.

When can I replant some of my rhubarb and where this spring?

Replanting rhubarb can be in the spring once the plants are beginning to emerge. Plant this in a sunny area, and do not use this at least into the second year, and then use it only lightly in the spring and early summer.

When should I plant my garlic bulbs?

In the fall of the year is the best time to plant garlic. Check the internet for varieties which are available. For more information, write to me at the address below.

        

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