New England Gardener

Planted May 25th...Come on warmer weather!

The latest batch of seed is starting to pop in the “Just Add Water” garden, but overall, growth is much slower than anticipated.

The MOFGA (Maine Organic Farmers & Growers Assn. ) newsletter confirms that gardeners across the state of Maine are experiencing slow growth and poor germination this spring, especially with beans and peas, due to all the cool, wet weather. That’s certainly the case in my garden. My bush beans, cukes and squashes went underground nearly two weeks ago and they’re just now seeing daylight. And to be honest, the bean sprouts look like they’re not so sure they want to make the trip. The tiny seedlings are hunched over, heads still in the dirt. I may, yet, become one of those crazy garden ladies who’s seen crouching over plants whispering words of encouragement. The letuce, spinach, peas, and chard are on their way. And of course, the radishes, but you can’t stop them.

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Filed under: Just Add Water Project | Vegetables

Small Beetle. Big Appetite.

I’ve posted a large photo in this blog to give everyone a good look at my most hated garden pest. That’s him in all his yellow and black striped glory preparing to feast on my lovely bottle neck gourd seedlings. The dreaded cucumber beetle is back and this garden demon doesn’t mess around. That tray of seedlings had been in the garden for less than 10 minutes, when the first beetle landed. He knew eventually I’d show up with something tasty and so the games begin.

File Photo of Cuke Beetle

I’ve learned to coexist with some pests in our organic garden, but the cucumber beetle eats way more than his share. If action isn’t taken, your young cucurbits will be nothing but skeletal sticks in a matter of days. Been there.
Because we’re organic, going in with a haz mat suit and fog spray isn’t an option and I’ve yet to find an organic topical that works. Most of us use row cover (cloth barrier) and keep the plants tucked in until blossoms appear. By then, the plants are mature enough enough to survive the beetles daily feeding.

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Filed under: Just Add Water Project | Vegetables

Hey, guess what?! My peonies are blooming! There is a first time for everything! Tim was right…I needed to keep the faith!

I think it was this blog that brought me good luck with them this year. I wish that I could share some wisdom regarding my success …but I don’t know why they are blooming when they never have before. My husband’s 89-year-old aunt, who has been gardening for decades, says that sometimes it takes peonies a few years to get going. That must have been the case with mine. Aunt Dorothy has a long stretch of gorgeous peonies at her home in northern Virginia that have bloomed for years.

I’m also happy to report that many of the dahlias have popped up…some of them are really growing quickly. Read more »

Filed under: Flowers

Question:
From Vera
This year I got someone to create the boxes around last year’s newly dug beds, and after he left I notices this long light root with growth at top. Later it occured to me he had dug up my horseradish. Problem is the horseradish root is about 2′ long, and my beds are not dug that deep. Should I keep going down into the sand/clay soil below the better soil I have created in the boxes, or put it at an angle, and keep it in good soil?

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Filed under: Ask The Garden Team

Question:
From Donna:
I Would like some ideas on how & what to plant in my front yard here on Cape cod. I have 2 ever green trees in my front yard, would like to know how & what to plant that would go will with these trees. My front yard is 30′ X 60′ gets fairy good sun.

Answer:
Hello Donna
The variety is endless. My basic Cape Cod Yard has Forsythia, Lilacs, and Hydrangea. The forsythia is yellow in april, lilac is violet and white in May, Hydrangea are blue and pink all summer long. Then you add tulips and other annuals like roses and black eyed Susans in the beds. You may want a small dogwood or two for early flowering on trees.
Best, Tim

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Filed under: Ask The Garden Team

Question: I have many narcissus plants. but when its time to blossom the hood turn brown and never fully bloom. yet some of mine do fully bloom. this has been going on for two summers or spring..
Answer:
Dear Charlotte,
I’m intrigued by your narcissus problem because I’ve always them to be relatively trouble free bulbs. That, and the deer don’t like them! First, I want to make sure we’re on the same page. By narcissus, I’m assuming you mean a daffodil or jonquil, and not paper white. Sometimes narcissus won’t bloom well if they’re overcrowded, in too much shade, in a spot that’s too damp, or in poorly drained soil. What’s interesting about your problem is that the plants start to throw a blossom and can’t get the job done. Are they getting enough sunlight? If it were me, I’d dig them up, divide and fertilize them in the fall. If they still fail to perform next spring, I’d yank the underachievers and replace them with a narcissus that’s billed as “easy to grow.” Narcissus bulbs are cheap and life is short.

Still, I’m curious about your blossom wilt problem and would like to hear from anyone else who’s had this problem.
All the best,
Amy

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Filed under: Ask The Garden Team