Blueberries.......or not.

Beautiful, can't you just smell them? The sad news is, yours will likely never look like this. Before you buy blueberry plants, attend my "Fruit Growing Class" on March 31st. Blueberries are the neediest fruit plant to grow around here. Why? Our soil in the area is not the right recipe for blueberries. They like a low ph of 4.-5.0. Around here, soil is about 6.5. Now number wise, that doesn't seem like much difference, but it is. It takes a huge amount of soil amending to lower the ph, and then maintain it. It also takes several years to do this, not an easy task.

Folks who sell blueberry plants will make it sound so simple, add some peat moss, some sulphur and you're good! Blueberries also like consistent moisture. Peat moss, can be almost impervious to water, meaning it is hard for it to be wetted. So when that is added to the planting hole, it is difficult to keep the plants root system moist. You could water a single plant for 10 minutes, then stick your hand into the peaty planting hole and it could be dry! FOR REAL. I have tried 2 beds in my experience. The second one, I yanked out all the plants after 3-4 years, and said, NEVER AGAIN. It clearly is a case of wrong plant, wrong place. So, save your self the dissappoinment, frustration and money. Buy yourself some berries at the store and be happy!

Gardening Class for Kids?

Tossing an idea to the wind...Would any parents with youngsters be interested in a garden class for kids? I know summer is busy, but that is also garden season. Class would be hands on at Earthworks Gardens. Classes would likely be 2 week nights a month for about 6-8 classes, each last 1.5 hrs. kids would plant seeds, plants, pull weeds, water plants, play in the dirt, harvest veggies, learn about insects & in the fall get a pumpkin. It can't be free, but would be reasonable. My grandson's Gavin & Jace are picking tomatoes in the photo. They have been good helpers for several yrs. already!!! For the last 3 years they have planted potatoes & pumpkins. They love coming to grandma's field, so much dirt! Please give some feedback asap. I need to submit curriculum by March 9th if it's a go. Your comments or ideas are not a commmitment from you, so answer freely! email me or leave comment here. ddenise58@msn.com

Pruning - use good timing.

Above is a photo of Coral Bark Willow, pruned waaaaay back. This is a shrubby willow and responds to hard pruning with lots of nice straight stems for the upcoming season. Any of your dogwood shrubs can be pruned in the same manner. Hard pruning like this, stimulates new shoots, which thicken up the plant from the base. Then, when the new growth is 18" or so, you can pinch the tip out, and 1 stem will become two, and when those 2 new braches become 1 foot longer, you can pinch the tip again. This will produce mulitple branches for thicker shrubs. It is not necessary to prune as hard as I do, but I need the long stems for floral sales. Good timing, does it matter? Yes. Prune now, or certainly before the end of March. Can also be done in late fall. In the spring, when it's warm already,the plants buds are already swelling. If you prune then, a lot of the plants energy was just wasted bringing those buds back to life, only to be cut-off. We will be covering pruning in more details at my Landscape Classes April 7 & 14......have you signed up yet? Click on link at right for more info.