Video: Perennial Pruning Tips

This short video provides some tips for pruning your perennials, helping them to bloom more, or bloom later in the season, so that you can have a longer flowering garden. Some plants respond to pruning before flowering, and others should be pruned afterwards at the end of the season. For more on pruning your perennials in your garden, pick up a copy of Tracy's book, The Well-Tended Perennial Garden.

Fall Pruning Tips #1
We picked up some tips on pruning from one of the experts in the field. The fall is a good time to make those hard cuts for plenty of blooms this spring.

The Importance of Pruning

Most plants will remain healthier and stronger if they are pruned occasionally.

Trees will bear more fruit if they are pruned and plants such as roses will have more blossoms and not become 'woody' if they are pruned correctly. Bushes and hedges can also benefit from pruning as this can reduce or eliminate the possibility of diseases and problems with pests.

Pole pruner's saw and lopper-clipper, for pruning trees and tall shrubs. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By removing the old growth you will allow new growth to flourish as new shoots are allowed to come through.

For some people pruning is a hobby or an art form where they can create interesting shapes with their plants. This is made easier when done on plants that have smaller more tightly bunched leaves.

For most of us however pruning is all about controlling and improving the health and condition of our plants. By removing the dead wood and those parts of the plants that are struggling to survive we are allowing the nutrients to be used better by the rest of the plant.

Here are some tips for pruning:

1. You should always use sharp pruning shears to ensure you make clean cuts.
2. Look for any areas of the plant that show signs of fungal infection and remove those first.
3. You can thin out plants to allow more air to flow through them, reducing the incidence of fungus and rot.
4. Topping trees and trimming hedges will help them to 'thicken out' with more lush foliage and stop them getting 'woody'
5. Some plants thrive better when they get regular pruning while helping to maintain their shape and condition.
6. With summer plants it is best to prune them in the winter when they are dormant. If by chance they flower early the pruning should be left until after they have flowered.

The more pruning you do the more you will get a feel for what is required but if in doubt seek the advice of a garden professional.

Choosing Sustainable Gardening Equipment

The types and quality of equipment you use to take care of your plants not only have an effect on your plants' health, but your own as well.

Defective tools could cause damage to your plants, but it is worse if they are so uncomfortable to use that they cause blisters or back pain. To avoid this, look for the gardening equipment that will do the best job for your type of gardening. It must have the right amount of power to be energy-efficient to support your sustainable gardening efforts, while also being able to do the job without causing you any more strain than necessary.

Here are several items of gardening equipment with high ratings from gardeners.

1. Garden Shredders

WORX WG430 13 amp Electric Leaf Mulcher/Shredder received four stars out of five from the customers on Amazon.com. It is bladeless for safety, and produces 53 gallons of mulch per minute. It is a promising tool to improve and hasten your shredding activity - meaning more great materials for your compost or mulching.

Ryobi ESR - 2240 Electric Shredder is an easy to assemble garden shredder suitable for prunings up to 40mm. It comes with built-in wheels and a plunger for increased portability.

2.  Hedge Trimmer

Bosch AHS42-16 Electric Hedge Trimmer also received five stars out of five rating from the gardening equipment reviewers from recommendedbuys.co.uk. It has 420 watt output.

3. Cultivators

Mantis Tiller Cultivator comes with patented tines to aid in cutting smoothly through hard, compacted soil. It is perfect for preparing vegetable plots, flower beds, etc. It also helps in thatching, aerating and cleaning moss. Some models also come with a free border edger.

4. Gas-Less Lawnmowers

Brill 78371 Push Reel Mower rated 4.5 out of 5 stars from Tools-hills.com customers. It has a large top cover that protects shrubs and overhanging flowers.

American Lawnmower Deluxe Light Reel Mower 1815-18 received 4.5 stars out of 5 from Epinions.com buyers.  A push-mower, it does not cause pollution, but is not suitable for tall grass.

5. Leaf Sweeper

Agri-Fab 26 Push Leaf Sweeper is great for smaller lawns and is available with 7-cubic foot collector. It also comes with an infinite height adjustment feature.

Gardening tools and equipment. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Of implements for harvesting, beside the spade, prong-hoe and spading-fork, very few are used in the small garden, as most of them need not only long rows to be economically used, but horse- power also. The onion harvester attachment for the double wheel hoe, may be used with advantage in loosening onions, beets, turnips, etc., from the soil or for cutting spinach. Running a hand-plow close on either side of carrots, parsnips and other deep-growing vegetables will aid materially in getting them out. For fruit picking, with tall trees, the wire-fingered fruit-picker, secured to the end of a long handle, will be of great assistance, but with the modern method of using low-headed trees it will not be needed.

Another class of garden implements are those used in pruning but where this is attended to properly from the start, a good sharp jack-knife and a pair of pruning shears will easily handle all the work necessary.

Still another sort of garden device is that used for supporting the plants; such as stakes, trellises, wires, etc. Altogether too little attention usually is given these, as with proper care in storing over winter they will not only last for years, but add greatly to the convenience of cultivation and to the neat appearance of the garden.

As a final word to the intending purchaser of garden tools, I would say first, thoroughly investigate the different sorts available, and when buying, do not forget that a good tool or a well-made machine will be giving you satisfactory use long, long after the price is forgotten, while a poor one is a constant source of discomfort.

Get good tools, and  take good care of them. And let me repeat that a few dollars a year, judiciously spent, for tools afterward well cared for, will soon give you a very complete set, and add to your garden success and pleasure.

   

Choosing the Right Tools for Your Garden

The range of gardening tools that are available now is quite outstanding. As gardening is one of the most popular hobbies in the world, there is a huge demand for gardening tools that can do a better job in the garden while making that job easier to complete for people of all ages.

You will need to buy the tools that make life easier in your particular garden, and that will be determined by the space you have available, the types of plants that you have growing, and your physical capabilities or limitations.

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If your garden has quite a few large trees or hedges you will also need tools that make the job of trimming at those heights easier. With the design of new garden implements concentrating on leverage for ease of use, it has become a lot easier for the home gardener to maintain plants at heights that would have normally required professional help.

Many of newer garden implements have also been designed for ease of use for people who suffer from arthritis and the elderly who don't have the strength they once had. Not only are these tools popular with the elderly but they will make the job of maintaining your garden a lot easier and more enjoyable by reducing the effort required to use them.

You will be able to select from implements that can reach to places that would be difficult without getting down into the garden, and as well as making life easier, they can also make it safer.

A friend of mine recently had to clear the ground around some small palms and without the use of a long handled garden implement she had no alternative but to get down and do this by hand. The ensuing pricks from the palm fronds made sure she went to the garden store at the earliest opportunity to ensure she wouldn't have to do that again! Fortunately she was wearing safety glasses as getting pricked in the eye by stems or sharp plant leaves can cause painful and permanent damage to your sight.

Safety glasses, or even sunglasses should be worn when working in the garden and breathing masks should always be worn when using poisons and insecticides - although as an organic gardener of course you don't use those! But safety precautions should also be taken when using organic and natural pesticides and other aids.

When in the garden, it is important to use the proper tools to preserve our own health as well as that of our plants.

For some specific suggestions and reviews of highly-rated garden tools and equipment, be sure to check back Thursday!

Dealing with Rose Diseases & Pests Organically

To make sure that your prized roses remain in the best of health, follow these tips when you notice the following symptoms.

1. Black Spots on Leaves

Black Spot on rose leaves. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This disease is commonly known as black spot. Black spots appear as circular with fringed edges on leaves. They cause the leaves to yellow. Remove the infected foliage and pick up any fallen leaves around the rose. Organic sprays may be used to prevent or treat this kind of rose disease with varying success.

2. Stunted or malformed young canes

Known as powdery mildew, this is a fungal disease that covers leaves, stems and buds with wind spread white powder. It makes the leaves curl and turn purple. Spray with an organic fungicide to treat this fungal disease, and as mentioned in Tuesday's post, try to surround your roses with other kinds of plants instead of planting them close together with other roses, to prevent the spread of the disease.

3. Blistered underside of leaves

Known as rust, this disease is characterized by orange-red blisters that turn black in fall. It can survive the winter and will then attack new sprouts in the spring. Collect and discard leaves that are infected in fall. An organic fungicide spray may help if necessary.

4. Malformed or stunted leaves and flowers

This is caused by spider mites. They are tiny yellow, red or green spiders found on the underside of leaves where they suck juices. Ladybugs or an application of organic insecticide may help.

Aphids on rose (Photo credit: Scot Nelson)

5. Weak and mottled leaves with tiny white webs under them

This is caused by aphids. They are small soft-bodied insects that usually brown, green or red. Often clustered under leaves and flower buds, they suck plant juices from tender buds. Get some ladybugs for your garden - they feed on aphids and can help keep them under control on your rose bushes.

6. Flowers that don't open or are deformed when they open. 

Thrips could be the reason behind this problem. They are slender, brown-yellow bugs with fringed wings that also suck juices from flower buds. Cut and discard the infested flowers. Organic insecticidal soaps can sometimes help if the infestation is severe.

Remember that roses are hungry feeders that require much organic fertilizer to become healthy bushes. By keeping your roses healthy and strong, you can help them avoid or combat many common diseases and pests without having to resort to chemical methods at all.  

Organic Rose Fungicides & More:
   

How To Grow Roses Organically

A lot of people with organic gardens ask how to grow roses organically. The answer is often - with difficulty. While they are some of the most beautiful and traditional of all garden flowers, roses are not all that easy to grow in an organic garden. They suffer from so many pests and diseases that there is always a temptation to reach for chemical solutions. So in this article we will look at how to grow roses the organic way - without giving in to those temptations.

Climbing roses. (Photo credit: ukgardenphotos)

The first point is to start out with a hardy variety of roses if possible - that is, if you do not already have your roses growing in your garden. This means going for varieties that are closer to the wild rose and less hybridized, such as rugosa, gallica and ramblers with small flowers. The German company Kordes sells hardy varieties of rose that will do well in organic gardens without any spraying.

This may be bad news if you were imagining your garden full of long-stemmed tea roses with huge blooms, but if you think about it, it makes a lot of sense to go for the older varieties. Just like pedigree animals, if plants are selectively bred for their appearance they can start to have weaknesses. The principle of an organic garden is to take a step back from our human desire to control nature to that extent.

Besides, the smaller flowers can be beautiful too, especially if you deadhead them regularly so that flowers keep on coming.

Assuming that you have chosen your roses, let's now consider how to grow roses organically when those darn pests appear. First, it is better to plant your rose bushes in different places around the garden instead of having a dedicated rose garden where they are all together. This can prevent diseases such as black spot from spreading from one plant to the next.

Another important part of disease prevention when you are considering how to grow roses is the method of pruning. It is very important to cut stems cleanly, on a diagonal, when pruning. A straight cut edge or a ragged edge to the stem allows water to collect. Fungal infections will settle and thrive in the damp conditions and invade the plant.

If your roses still suffer from fungal infections or black spot, you can buy organic sprays for these diseases. However, they are not always the instant solution that chemical sprays will tempt you with. It is better to help your plants to avoid succumbing to the disease in the first place.

Aphids on a rosebush. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Apart from disease, roses have insect pests such as aphids. If you are unlucky, aphids can completely infest a rose bush. The best way to deal with them organically is to introduce a predator such as ladybugs (ladybirds) into your garden. You can buy a ladybug farm and a feeder so that they stay - although you should not feed them too well, or they will not need to go eat your aphids!

It is also a good idea to have small flowering plants and herbaceous perennials around your roses. This will create a barrier to prevent fungal spores blowing up from the soil onto the leaves of the roses.

Plants that are in flower in late spring and early summer will attract insects that feed on both nectar and aphids, providing another line of defense against the little green monsters. Nasturtiums will attract aphids away from your roses, while plants of the allium family (onions, leeks, garlic) will repel nematodes. Rosemary, thyme and geranium will attract beneficial insects.

If you let at least one of your rose bushes go to hips instead of deadheading, you will find that birds are attracted to the hips. The birds will be another line of defense that can help you to grow roses successfully in your organic garden.

And be sure to check back Thursday for some tips on dealing with common problems with your roses.

Video: Birds In the Winter Garden

This is a long video, and you don't need to watch the whole thing unless you just want to relax for a bit - it has really nice music and watching the birds is quite peaceful! But there are some important elements to observe if you want to attract birds into your yard or garden this winter. Note the variety of different feeders and food options for birds who prefer to eat in different ways, the enclosed space to make them feel protected, and the wide variety and availability of different things for them to perch upon. These are all important to include if you want to attract birds into your space.

Birds in the garden January 16 2013
Here the birds in the garden, I always love to see them being busy there. I hope to make a better one soon! The music is automatically by Avid Studio.


Elements for Attracting Birds To Your Garden:
    

4 Steps to Atracting Birds to Your Garden

While birds may disturb your garden during the summer months, in the winter, when your garden is mostly bare, birds can be a welcome addition. They can eat slugs and other pests, and may feed on ornamental berries and provide visual interest and a welcome distraction from the bare branches of winter. So how do you attract birds to your garden?

1. Firstly, birds will be attracted by the geographic location of your garden, depending on where you live. To find out which birds are in your area in the winter, you may want to consult specialty magazines or websites. Libraries and book stores have books based on migration, on the roads that some bird species take to get to their winter residences.

Bluetit One of the many species of wild birds which we attract to our garden bird feeders. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

2. Next, birds need water. This is highly important. A bath or a pool, no matter the size or the material, will attract many bird families, even wild ducks and geese.

3. And maybe most importantly, you also need to arrange a place where they can find some food, bird seeds, bread or anything else they might like. Corn, and seeds of any type can attract many birds towards your garden. One type of seed that almost all birds prefer are sun-flower seeds, which are extremely easy to find, and very inexpensive (be sure to get unsalted and unshelled ones). Before buying seeds, you can check and see which birds are in your area and make a list of their food preferences to make sure you're getting something that will attract the birds you want. Many birds also feed on the brightly colored berries of different ornamental trees and shrubs, so if you have these in your garden it won't attract birds during the green summer months, but in the winter they will come and eat the ripe fruits.

4. These are the first three steps to attracting birds to your garden. The last part is keeping things away from the garden that might scare or disturb birds. Animals such as dogs and cats can scare the birds away. Try and ask the neighbors to keep the dogs chained or in the house during the day if possible.

Also, you must know that some birds do not get along, so that a certain species might avoid your garden because there is another species in it. If you live in a noisy area or have small children that run through the yard often, or if the area does not resemble the birds natural habitat, these can also be factors to keeping birds away. So knowing their nature and customs can be a decisive factor in bringing birds into your backyard garden this winter.

Elements for Attracting Birds To Your Garden: