Saturday, August 29, 2009
Saturday
Open in the field from 8-12, and at the Mankato's Farmers Market from 8-12 as well. Stop by there for one of Earthworks Gardens 'armload bouquets!'
Thursday, August 27, 2009
More Garden tips
1. Stop fertilizing and trees, shrubs and perennials. They are already preparing for the long winter slumber, and should not be encouraged to grow. Fertilizing now would encourage new soft growth which would unlikely make it over winter.
2. Do not fall prune any spring flowering woody plants like lilac, forsythia etc. as these plants have already set next years buds. Pruning them now, you will not get any blooms or diminish the amount of blooms you get. BUT...if you need to prune it go ahead.
3. Should you cut back plants and clean-up in the spring or fall?
Here are some of the issues on both sides:
a. cleaning up in the fall and removing debris that may be harboring disease and insect eggs is always good.
b. cutting back the plants in the fall is easier because they are still alive and crispy, and not a soggy mess like spring can be after the top growth has died.
c. keeping the plant thru winter, can add interest in the garden, and help to collect snow, but so will a pile of straw w/o the disease hotel.
d. always get rid of plant of plant debris, I like to burn it.
e. sometimes the answer lies between, when do I have the time....spring or fall?
2. Do not fall prune any spring flowering woody plants like lilac, forsythia etc. as these plants have already set next years buds. Pruning them now, you will not get any blooms or diminish the amount of blooms you get. BUT...if you need to prune it go ahead.
3. Should you cut back plants and clean-up in the spring or fall?
Here are some of the issues on both sides:
a. cleaning up in the fall and removing debris that may be harboring disease and insect eggs is always good.
b. cutting back the plants in the fall is easier because they are still alive and crispy, and not a soggy mess like spring can be after the top growth has died.
c. keeping the plant thru winter, can add interest in the garden, and help to collect snow, but so will a pile of straw w/o the disease hotel.
d. always get rid of plant of plant debris, I like to burn it.
e. sometimes the answer lies between, when do I have the time....spring or fall?
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Wed. Open at 1pm
Hoping to open at 1pm, will post before noon if I will be closed. So if I don't post again this morning, we will be open!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Garden Tips
One of the most recently asked questions.
Q: How late can I dig and divide perennials?
A: most of the digging and dividing should stop very soon, end of Aug. is stretching it.
some of the variables are:
1. how big are your divisions? the larger the better
2. how much soil is staying intact with the root system (more is better)
3. cut back the top growth by 1/2 to 1/3, certainly remove any flower buds
4. water well, and apply every week if no rain, even into November.
5. Apply straw or loose mulch like hay or pine needles AFTER the ground is
staying frozen, like end of November, most people cover way to early and plants
can rot. Tree leaves stay to wet and compacted, so NOT good for covering perennials
Q: How late can I plant potted perennials?
A: As long as the soil is workable. Important to keep the rootball intact.
Q; How late can I move plants?
A; Thru Sept is likely okay as long as the rootball stays intact, so dig your new planting hole first.
FYI if your plants are taproot, you shouldn't move them if they are established, you are likely
to destroy the root system, like Baptisia. If not sure search the web for the answer or email
me!
Q; What is meant by rootball intact?
A; That all the plants roots are surrounded by soil and held together, if all the soil falls off, then it is just like planting a bareroot plant. (if late in the season this can be a problem) So...water a little day ahead time to help keep it together. Loosen all the way around and lift the whole plant on the shovel at one time, carry to planting hole and gently place in ,disturbing as little as possible.
Q: How late can I plant bareroot iris?
A: Before the end of Aug at the VERY latest........so pick yours up!
Planted this late will lessen their chance for bloom next year and survival!
Many customers think that irises are supposed to be planted in the fall. Not so with rhizomatous iris. Yes, some stores (usually big box) still sell them into November....shame on them.....yes, they know better, I 've told them a time or two.
Q: How late can I dig and divide perennials?
A: most of the digging and dividing should stop very soon, end of Aug. is stretching it.
some of the variables are:
1. how big are your divisions? the larger the better
2. how much soil is staying intact with the root system (more is better)
3. cut back the top growth by 1/2 to 1/3, certainly remove any flower buds
4. water well, and apply every week if no rain, even into November.
5. Apply straw or loose mulch like hay or pine needles AFTER the ground is
staying frozen, like end of November, most people cover way to early and plants
can rot. Tree leaves stay to wet and compacted, so NOT good for covering perennials
Q: How late can I plant potted perennials?
A: As long as the soil is workable. Important to keep the rootball intact.
Q; How late can I move plants?
A; Thru Sept is likely okay as long as the rootball stays intact, so dig your new planting hole first.
FYI if your plants are taproot, you shouldn't move them if they are established, you are likely
to destroy the root system, like Baptisia. If not sure search the web for the answer or email
me!
Q; What is meant by rootball intact?
A; That all the plants roots are surrounded by soil and held together, if all the soil falls off, then it is just like planting a bareroot plant. (if late in the season this can be a problem) So...water a little day ahead time to help keep it together. Loosen all the way around and lift the whole plant on the shovel at one time, carry to planting hole and gently place in ,disturbing as little as possible.
Q: How late can I plant bareroot iris?
A: Before the end of Aug at the VERY latest........so pick yours up!
Planted this late will lessen their chance for bloom next year and survival!
Many customers think that irises are supposed to be planted in the fall. Not so with rhizomatous iris. Yes, some stores (usually big box) still sell them into November....shame on them.....yes, they know better, I 've told them a time or two.
GLAD TODAY WASN'T 2 DAYS AGO!
CLOSED TODAY......IT RAINED A LOT OVERNIGHT, AND POURING OUT AS I WRITE. NO PICK-UP AT THE HOUSE FOR IRIS TODAY, AS I AM GOING TO RUN ERRANDS. CHECK POSTING WED. MORNING TO SEE IF WE ARE OPEN
Monday, August 24, 2009
IT WAS FESTIVALICIOUS
OUR FIRST 'EARTHWORKS GARDENS & FRIENDS FARM FESTIVAL' WAS AWESOME.
THANKS TO ALL OUR GREAT VENDORS, 'RABBIT ROAD' BAND, FESTIVAL HELPERS AND OF OUR COURSE YOU OUR CUSTOMER FRIENDS! SEE PHOTOS ON THE FESTIVAL BLOG.
ALREADY PLANNING THE NEXT ONE........
P.S. NEXT TIME WE WILL HAVE HORSES! SO SORRY THEY DIDN'T SHOW UP.
THANKS TO ALL OUR GREAT VENDORS, 'RABBIT ROAD' BAND, FESTIVAL HELPERS AND OF OUR COURSE YOU OUR CUSTOMER FRIENDS! SEE PHOTOS ON THE FESTIVAL BLOG.
ALREADY PLANNING THE NEXT ONE........
P.S. NEXT TIME WE WILL HAVE HORSES! SO SORRY THEY DIDN'T SHOW UP.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
FESTIVAL TODAY!!!!!
WHAT BEAUTIFUL WEATHER.....WHO ORDERED IT? =)
SEE YOU 11-4
FOR DIRECTIONS CALL 507-382-9337 OR 507-382-9006
SEE YOU 11-4
FOR DIRECTIONS CALL 507-382-9337 OR 507-382-9006
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