New England Gardener

Question:
I garden in Providence Ri. I recently returned from an unexpected and extended trip, and found, as I expected, many of my plants had bit the dust. Are there any flowers/veggies/herbs it would be safe to put in the ground over the next few weeks, that might have a chance at blooming through fall? I was thinking sugar pea shoots, more basil, zinnias and mint. How about kale and spinach? Any other flowers? Does anyone have any good techniques for growing pea shoots?
From: Danielle

Answer:
Hi Danielle
It’s always the right season to put some time in the garden. You can do what I did this week.
I went to Ron & Cindy Simon’s Nursery in Scituate and got a great deal on Summer and Fall Blooming Perennials. Ron told me it’s been a tough summer to keep the potted plants watered, so he is eager to get rid of left overs. The six inch pots are going two for $7.99. I got 4 Chrysanthemums for less than twenty dollars. These mums are a little different though. Montauk Daisies look like regular Daisies, but they are bigger and tougher and bloom all fall, and they are mums. Ron says we should cut them in half next July to keep them from getting unruly next fall.
Also I found some yellowish hearty perennial flowers (forgot the name). And also a red mum that looks like no mum I have ever seen. I will get pictures of these to post when they bloom next month.
And yes, you can plant fall peas, lettuce, and spinach. Hopefully we get some rain soon. We would hate to have these fall flowers wilt and fade too.
Happy Digging, Tim

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Paul Demeo sent us this photo of Blueberries that are clearly established and ready to pick. (unlike my little mail order bushes that looks years away).

Paul took this photo and sent along with this note..
Blueberries are ripe for picking by the quarts. There is an abundant crop of the sweet fruit ripening daily.
This photo was taken out in Ashburnham MA which is known to have an abundant amount of berry bushes.
Next weekend I’ll try to have an update for you on the apple crop. I do know for a fact from Al Rose that there was some frost damage to the crop in the lower areas of the farm. This long hot dry spell is having an effect too. I’ll let you know.
Paul DeMeo

Thanks Paul!

Last week we received a number of ‘Ask The Gardener’ questions that we need some help with. Perhaps some of our readers, like you, may be able to help us answer some of these questions. If you have any help for us, please post a comment below for us all to read.

Pam Chaplin: We have a woodchuck that just loves our bush beans. We have a fence all around the garden and the devil avoids the trap that we have set. Any other suggestions?

Rozetta Hughes: I have a ten year old kousa dogwood that has flowered for the past four years, this year we have not had a flower. The dogwood looks very good.
Why no flowers???

Nicole Inglis: What should I do to keep my roses blooming all summer? How should I prune them to keep them blooming?
Thank you.
Nicole

And we have advice from Muriel:
Hi, Tim Kelley… Really enjoy your “take” on TV… and appreciate your sharing your interest in gardening…
I learned this a few years ago and thought you might like to share it with your listeners (as well as apply it to your garden)!
Keep up the good work.
Muriel Thomas, Centerville, MA
http://www.papillonsartpalace.com/secrdets.htm

Question:
From: Terry O

I just went out to Wal-Mart and bought $60 worth of tomatoes, basil and peppers to plant this weekend. As soon as the rain stopped and got a little warmer, I wanted to there before the weekend rush came in and picked over all the plants. Do you think the ground is warm enough this weekend to plant the tomatoes and peppers?

Answer:
Hi Terry O
You are very smart getting to the nursery ahead of the bog crowd.
Sounds like you are ready to launch.
Yes, the ground is warm enough, this is the warmest spring on record. The low this morning was 60°!
Our forecast is for summer warmth a couple days this week. But, believe it or not, we have frost potential next Monday or Tuesday. Seeing as that is after Memorial Day, the time we are suppose to plant tomatoes and peppers, go ahead and plant. You can not be held responsible for frost in June
Best, Tim

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Question:
Hi,
I live in Portland Maine. My front lawn is a mess. I have 3 arborvite trees that look healthy, and juniper that look anemic, yellowish. I probably cut them back too much year before last to get the round shape back. Also, one of the two has invaded my small lawn. The grass is 50% gone. How do I remove the invader from the lawn and bring the shrubs and lawn back to health?

Answer:
Hi Allison
You may want to hire a team, or set out with grit and determination, on your own. The lawn soil has to be weeded and softened using an iron rake. The roots of the creeping juniper need to be allowed to go where they want, or pulled out and clipped back. Once you soften the soil, grass seed may be applied. This is the highest sun angle of the year, so watering must be thorough each morning. The dead tips of the juniper may be showing signs of life, if so leave them alone, in not, clip them back. This season is much kinder on our lawns and gardens thanks to not to much rain, and plenty of warmth.

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Alyson H wrote in with a great question that I’m posting here so that all may benefit.

QUESTION: “I am wondering if there is a single resource- like a big chart maybe- of when to plant different crops in New England. I am in southern NH and never know when to start things or what to put in next, etc.”

ANSWER: Hi Alyson,
Thanks for your question. For region specific information about planting windows, time to maturity, frost dates etc. you can’t do any better than your local Cooperative Extension service. The Cooperative Extensions were created to make sure the public has access (usually free!!) to information and resources from their state universities. I checked out UNH’s cooperative extension website and immediately found what you’re looking for. Just download the “Planting and Maturity Dates of Vegetables in New England.” Cooperative Extensions are also a wealth of information when it comes to pest problems too. Happy Gardening,

Amy

I HAVE AN ABUNDANCE OF MOSS AROUND MY LAWN AND GARDENS.
I AM IN A SHADY LOCATION WHICH MAY NOT HELP.
CAN YOU HELP?
THANK YOU
AL

Hi Al
Sounds like you may want to get someone to thin out the branches that create the shadows on your lawn. You need more sunshine and a breeze. The moss can then be tilled into soil and you can plant ’shady area’ grass seed.
I also found these answers from Dr. Google.
Found this web site http://turfgrass.com/ubb/Forum10/HTML/000014.html
Two items you can try. Dawn Ultra dish soap at 2-3ounces per gallon of water or an iron sulphate at 6 ounces per gallon of water. watch it turn color within hours.
Hay,
What about Copper Sulfate. If you are trying to control Spanish Moss or Ball Moss or others for that matter find some Copper Sulfate and spray moss after a rain for best results and then it will be dead. Now getting it off. Wish for real high winds. I’ve never tried soap but thanks for the hint I will experiment.
Burlap_Etc
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