FALL PLANTING

by Jeanette Mac Kenzie 

October 2024

Springtime in the garden is way too busy!    How about doing some of the planting of perennials, shrubs and trees in the fall.  Besides the time factor there are several advantages to doing this.

Plants have a better time of ESTABLISHING THEIR ROOT SYSTEMS in warm soil without having to also nourish the plants, put out new leaf growth and make flowers as in the spring.  Roots of fall planted plants will continue growing as long as the ground temperature (not the air temperature) is above 50 degrees.

Plants put in the ground in the fall need less WATER to establish them-selves compared to the spring.  They don't have the added stress of hot spring and summer weather to contend with.  Plants use less water since photosynthesis is slowed by shorter autumn days.  Evaporation rates in plants slow down during the fall.  This doesn't mean however that you shouldn’t water newly planted plants!

Plants as well as bulbs can be PLANTED AT THE SAME TIME in the fall without damaging established root systems.

There are a few EXCEPTIONS to the fall planting rule.  Ground Covers as well as acid loving plants like azaleas and rhododendrons do better when planted in the spring.

Finally, from mid—August on nurseries as well as plant catalogs have most of their merchandise on sale with prices dropping as winter gets closer.  Granted there may not be as large a choice of plants, but you can certainly save yourself some money on your landscaping project.

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AUTUMN PLANTING   2024

by Jeanette Mac Kenzie

 

     The daylight time is noticeably a bit shorter each day.   Autumn temperatures especially in the evenings are a bit chillier.  Although the soil temperatures are still on the warm side, plants are less stressed.  Plants are getting ready for dormancy so their need for water is a fraction of that in the spring and summer.  In the spring and summer the plants energy is divided between growing for top growth, repairing and growing new roots.  In the autumn the plants are busy just sending energy to grow the root structures. Plants will continue growing roots until a hard freeze.  In the fall insects focus less on feeding to finding a place to over winter.  They enter a period of suspended development during unfavorable environmental conditions, a condition called diphase. 

     There is less competition from weeds in the autumn.  By fall weeds are completing their growth cycles, perennial weeds have pretty much stopped growing and only a few varieties are still germinating.  It is a good time to place a light layer of mulch around your perennials to get ahead of spring weeds.  Sales of perennial plants and shrubs are abundant as nurseries try to get rid of their extras before the season ends.  Often times good sales may be found.  Autumn is also the time to buy and plant bulbs such as daffodils, crocus, tulips, grape hyacinths, etc. for next seasons spring blooms; Because of these reasons as well as others it is a good time to plant perennials and shrubs.  The plants listed are those that will be blooming in Aug.-Sept.-Oct. which you may want to consider planting. 

CAEYOPTERIS clandonensis  

Several common names include Bluebeard, Bluebird, Blue Mist, Dark Night.  I recently stopped by a local nursery where I found a small shrub covered with the most striking shade of bright blue flowers!  Numerous bumble bees were busy pollinating the flowers –so of course I went home with the plant! It will attract beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings which help by keeping the population of harmful insects in check.  Caryopterius has a long blooming season and is valued for its late fall flowers, it is drought resistant, can be pruned in the late spring as flowers bloom on new growth, and is a good cut flower.  If you are adventurous you can try making new plants from soft wood cuttings in the spring. 

ALLIUM tuberosum   

Garlic chives look very similar to regular chives, but they have white flowers in the early fall.  They are a type of herb related to the onion family.  The leaves are long and thin and tend to resemble blades of grass with a dark green color.    They are appreciated for their aromatic mild garlic flavor with a hint of onion.  Garlic chives prefer a sunny site in rich well drained soil but will grow in less favorable conditions.  They are a nice addition to your culinary herb garden, easy to grow and add flavor to many dishes.   They can be used in soups, sauces, salads, meat and egg dishes, snipped and sprinkled over garlic bread, baked potatoes or over hamburgers.    One of my favorites is adding a few chopped garlic chive leaves with scrambled eggs and a bit of melted cheese!  As a medicinal herb a paste of the leaves is used on minor wounds and cuts as it helps to heal them faster and also aides in stopping bleeding.  Garlic chives are rich in Vitamin C as well as riboflavin, potassium, Vitamin A, iron, thiamin, and beta carotene.  The white flowers can be added to your fresh floral arrangements also. 

PEROVSKIA atriplicifolia   

Russian sage is the most common name.  Recently the botanical name of this plant has been changed to SALVIA YANGII.  The name can be somewhat confusing.  It is not native to Russia but instead hales from Central and South Asia.  It was named by a botanist in honor of a Russian state official.  This is not the type of sage you want to eat.

This attractive blue-purple flower is a favorite of pollinators for bees, hummingbirds and butterflies.  These plants thrive in hot dry conditions and are drought tolerant once established.  No fertilizer is needed just lightly mulch with a little compost in the spring.  Bloom time runs from late summer to fall.   The scented leaves can be dried for potpourri.  The leaves are not edible even though they smell very fragrant.  Critters don't like Russian sage due to its strong fragrance and flavor.  The plants are tough and long lived. 

The most common problem with Russian sage is its tendency to sprawl.  The plants may require a hoop or some sort of staking devise to keep them upright. 

OENOTHERA lindheimeri 

Gaura has several other common names including Wandflower, Bee blossom, Butterfly flower and Whirling butterflies. 

The species was named after Ferdinand Jacob Lindheimer a German born botanist who collected primarily from the Texas frontier becoming the first resident plant collector in the state.  He is known as the “Father of Texas Botany”.    This species was awarded the Royal Horticulture Societies Garden Award of Merit in 1993. 

The very long wiry flower stems wave with delicate fluttering flowers that rise above dark colored foliage.  They are a bit unique due to their long stems which are said to look like butterflies perched at the end of the stems. 

These plants like full sun in well-drained soil and will tolerate extreme heat. This is another plant that does not do well WITH fertilizer, as it tends to make them floppy.  Since this plant has a tap root it is difficult to try to divide it.  Gaura is native to North America where it is considered to be short-lived perennial living about 3 years.  It is loved for its hardiness, delicate beauty and low maintenance needs.  There are about 20 possible species to choose from coming in varying shades of pink and white. 

EUPATORIUM rugosum  

Chocolate Joe Pye Weed, Chocolate boneset is both common names for this plant.  It is named after a man named Joe Pye a Mohican sachem who lived in the mission town of Stockbridge, Massachusetts from 1740 – 1785.  “Sources (although without citation) claim the plant was used to treat typhus outbreaks and for the treatment of kidney stones and other urinary tract ailments.”) 

Chocolate Joe Pye Weed is a little-known species related to a smaller relative of Joe Pye a native plant to North America.  The leaves are a burgundy color which goes well with the fuzzy white flat-topped blooms.    This autumn flowering perennial blooms in late summer and autumn, it tolerates a wide variety of conditions including dry shade.    It is a butterfly and bee nectar source growing about 3 feet tall.  The flowers as well as the foliage are useful for cutting for flower arranging by the end of summer.   It’s one of the best perennials to add to your late autumn garden as the white flowers can go blend with any colorful scheme of your choosing.   The term chocolate refers to the color of the plant leaves not for eating as the plant itself is toxic.  

It is mid-September already so if you want to plant some of these perennials now is the time to do it.

SUMMER IS ALMOST OVER

Jeanette Mac Kenzie Mid-August 2024

 

The daffodils, peonies, iris, and daylilies have come and gone.  However hydrangeas and tall phlox are still blooming.  If you are still in a gardening mood here are a few late summer & autumn perennials you may want to consider planting.

 

Wind Flower Anemone 

This plant has numerous common names including Windflower, September Charm, Pasque Flower, Prairie Crocus, Thimbleweed as well as others.  It is a very diverse genus with as many as 200 cultivars and hybrids.  In the language of flowers in Victorian times this plant represented a forsaken love of any kind.  The name means Daughter of the Wind.  The variety I am familiar with has long flower stems.  They begin blooming in late August.  The plants can be up to 48 inches tall.  Anemones attract pollinators adding to the value in your gardens.  For cut flowers harvest them in the early morning when the bloom is still closed.  

 

Flowers cane be nearly any color except yellow.  Some varieties are fragrant, but the scent is often light and not all species have a noticeable aroma.  Windflowers prefer partial sunlight, but they can with stand full sunshine.  Adding a mulch will help keep the soil moist.  All parts of the plant are slightly toxic to humans and pets.

 

Turtlehead Chelone 

This wildflower is native to North America.  Its common name comes from the appearance of its flower petals which resembles the head of a tortoise.  If you gently squeeze the flowers the turtle will open its mouth!  It is great for pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds. Pollinators favor turtlehead as deer and rabbits tend to leave it alone. It is rarely bothered by insects or diseases. It is the primary plant on which the Baltimore checkerspot butterfly will lays its eggs. There is no describable scent. 

 

There are many species, hybrids and cultivars that vary in size, appearance, blooming time, in colors of, pink, white and purple.  Turtleheads will grow in full sun but does much better in filtered shade.  The plant likes rich moist soil where it grows about 3 plus feet.  It blooms in the late summer.

 

The pink variety of Chelone lyonii is a native plant which is most tolerant of dry conditions so consider pairing it with other natives such as Joe Pye Weed, Cardinal Flower, Aster or Button Bush.  All these plants can be used as cut flowers for your own arrangements.

 

Obedient Plant Physostegia virginiana

This plant gets its common name from the fact that each individual little flower will upon being pushed in any one direction remain in its new position as if it was hinged.  I am not aware of any other plant that will do that. Fertilizer is not needed other than some compost around the base of the plant.  Fertilizer leads the plant to have floppy growth.  It is a native American plant which attracts pollinators of bees, hummingbirds as well as butterflies.  It is generally deer resistant, and free of pests and diseases.

 

This perennial will do best in either full sun or light shade.  It grows up to 2-4 feet tall.  The flowers are white to pink blooming in the late summer into fall.  The plant is rambunctious, meaning that it can spread by underground runners. The plant has shallow roots, so it is easy to remove excess growth to place in a new location, give to a neighbor or put in the compost pile if it gets too aggressive. The obedient plant makes great cut flowers.

 

Great Blue Lobelia siphilitica

Another American native is found in over half of the country from the Dakotas to the Eastern half of the country.  Butterflies and hummingbirds both love this plant.  It is NOT drought tolerant but can tolerate occasional flooding conditions. Most mammals avoiding eating Blue Lobelia as the foliage have toxic alkaloids.  Blue Lobelia prefers damp soil, grows to 2-3 feet tall, does well in sun or partial shade, and does NOT need supplemental fertilize to grow well.

 

Lobelia has a red cousin named the Cardinal Flower which also blooms at the end of the summer.  They can grow well together and are also good cut flowers. They are not typically sold in nurseries but can be found in specialty nurseries that deal with native plants.  Check out Blue Stem Natives in Norwell, MA They gave a program to our garden club in the past year.

 

Native Americas had many uses for Blue Lobelia.  It was kind of a catch all to treat many different symptoms. It was once considered a cure for syphilis by European settlers as its botanical name suggests.

 

Green Dragon Arisaema dracontium

I came across this rare native plant at a local garden club plant sale many years ago not knowing what it was.  I just knew that the leaves were quite unusual so of course I wanted it.  After much searching I was able to find a plant that was related you may know as Jack -in-the-Pulpit. 

 

The perennial plant is native to Canada as well as the US where it prefers damp shade. The Green Dragon normally has one long stem with compound leaves of 7 to 13 leaflets which are held horizontally over the plant.  A long tapering wand emerges called the dragon's tongue which holds the seeds that turn orange to red when ripe in the fall, which only birds can eat. The plant can range in height from 12 inches up to 3 feet.  After flowering in the autumn the plant becomes dormant.  All parts of the plant contain calcium oxalate crystals which are an irritant to the mouth and esophagus.  It is toxic to both cats and dogs. Green Dragon has no serious disease or insect problems.

 

Green dragons can be male or female ...they are dioecious.  More interesting is the fact that a given plant can change its sex from year to year. When the plants are small they produce only male flowers.  In successive years when the plants become larger it produces both male and female flowers at the same time.  As the plant becomes still larger it produces more female flowers or only female flowers.

 

**For those who like exotic plants I have just a few Green Dragons plants for club members who might want one!

WHAT'S BLOOMING IN MID-APRIL?

By Jeanette Mac Kenzie

 

     The spring has been cold and damp for quite a long time, so we are all hoping for some warm sunny weather to get busy with our gardening.  In spite of the weather some early plants are busy putting on their spring colors. 

     First come the tiny ones Grape Hyacinths.  It is a small bulb with tight clusters of blue /purple flowers that resemble grapes.  The small bulbs are best sown in the fall for spring blooms in March to April.  They prefer full sun to partial shade.  When the plants begin to yellow they can be cut back as they become dormant.    The blooms do not have a heavy scent, but some gardeners may notice a slightly sweet fragrance similar to grapes.  Grape hyacinths spread quickly by either seeds or by underground roots.

     This plant is a bit taller in size growing up to 12 inches.  Lungwort likes partial shade but will take more sun in the early spring.  The shift in flower color from pink to blue is due to the pH levels shift as the growing season progresses. 

The leaves are a fuzzy, green with white speckles all over them while the flowers are shaped like tiny bells. These plants tend to go dormant during hot dry weather during most summers.  If kept well-watered the plants will rejuvenate as the weather cools.

      Some may wonder about the strange name for this plant.  “The doctrine of signatures dating from 1493 states that herbs resembling various parts of the body can be used by herbalists to treat ailments of those body parts.  A theological justification was that God would have wanted to show men what plants would be useful for.  Today considered pseudoscience the practice has historically led to many deaths and severe illnesses.  In the case of Lungwort, however they got lucky, and these little lung-shaped leaves really are a wonderful respiratory tonic.”

     For-Get-Me-Nots botanical name is Myosotis coming from the Greek meaning mouse ear as that is what the leaves resemble.  These flowers have long been a symbol of friendship, remembrance, and love.  This dainty flower makes a visual impact as there are many flowers along its stems.  Among the varieties of this plant, sky blue is the most common color, but it also comes in white and pink.  It disperses its seeds and then dies back.  The following spring many new plants come up creating a blue river throughout the garden.  The seeds can lay dormant in the soil for years until conditions are right for growing.

     Once upon a time a knight wearing a full suit of armor was strolling with his lady love along a rushing stream in the springtime of the year.  As he bent over near the water’s edge to gather a bouquet of sky-blue flowers he fell into the current.  He tossed the bouquet to his intended as he shouted for-get-me-not just as his armor dragged him in and he drowned.  This is one version of how this plant got its name. 

     It is said that the Pilgrims brought seeds for (Lunaria annua) silver dollar plant to the colonies on the Mayflower.  Thomas Jefferson grew them in his famous gardens of Monticello.  This biennial plant with a long tap root is best sown from seed as it doesn't transplant well.   The first year only low growing rosettes will appear.  The second year a tall stem can grow up to 3 feet with purple/pink flowers.  These are followed by green flattened seed pods called silicles.  As they mature they shed the outer layers, the seeds fall off leaving a white translucent membrane.  Now your salver dollars can be used for long term dried arrangements.  In the language of flowers, the plants represent honesty, money, and sincerity.  Because so many seeds are produced from each plant be careful that they do not become invasive.  The fragrant flowers attract both butterflies, bees, and moths.

 

       Hardly a street in town can be found where there are at least some daffodils blooming.  These bulbs are planted in the late autumn to bloom in April.  With a vast array of colors and color combinations you have many choices to make when growing daffodils.  A bulb will usually last 3 to 5 years but they self-propagate and form new bulbs that should continue to grow season after season.  Neither purple nor red daffodils exist.   If you find your daffodils are not flowering they have become blind the term used to state they are not flowering.    This is caused by the fact that they lack the nutrients to produce blooms.  Try adding a specialized fertilizer to the area and you should have resulted the next season.

     Pieris Japonica - Japanese Andromeda also called lily-of-the-valley is both glossy and evergreen.  This shrub proves to be attractive during both winter and summer time.  It is winter hardy to zones 5-9 and does best in partial shade.   The spring buds open into dramatic creamy white pendulous racemes of bell-shaped flowers.  Gardeners love this shrub due to its early arrival in the spring with flowers.  It also adds greatly to early spring arrangements..  Feed Japanese andromeda with fertilizer meant for acid loving plants.  A plus is that deer tend to leave this plant alone.  There are dwarf varieties ranging from 2 to 6 feet while standard ones are 9 -12 feet in height.  They are slow growing.  The shrubs are usually well shaped, so pruning isn't usually necessary.  The new foliage emerges in vibrant shades of pink to reddish bronze.  One warning if ingested the plant is toxic to humans and pets.

     Everyone knows the brilliant yellow splash of spring color of the forsythia bush.  The shrub can be tightly pruned to a lollipop shape or long formal hedges.  Others prefer a less formal look with cascading branches.  If you want a taste of very early spring in March just cut a few stems to bring inside to force indoors.  There are many varieties of forsythia which range in size from 2 feet to 12 feet.  As spring arrives the flowers come first then the leaves follow.  If you want to prune your forsythia the best time is right after it has finished blooming.  Prune ¼ to 1/3 of the oldest branches down to the ground.  Then cut a few of the branches to improve the overall shape of the plant.

     Many Rhododendrons are sun tolerant, but most prefer part shade in the afternoon.  These plants exhibit a fantastic diversity of leaf size, shape, and height.  Peak flowering times are March, April, May with some growing at opposite extremes depending on variety.  They have shallow root systems so need moist soil and mulch to protect the root systems.  Pine bark chips or pine needles 2-5 inches thick will do the job. 

     Peach trees are now in full bloom with their colorful pink blossoms.  Over the years family members have tossed their peach pits helter-skelter throughout the property.   Some of them have taken root then were transplanted to appropriate spots where they have grown and fruited within 3-5 years.  There is nothing quite as tasty as a freshly picked juicy ripe peach.

     These are just a few April blooming plants in my garden this spring.  Throughout the town of Duxbury, I am sure there are many more in your own gardens as well as neighbors.  Look around to find both old and new plants you may want to try out this year.

Why I Plant A Garden

Take a look back at gardeners of the past in this inspiring essay featured in the October 1928 issue of Better Homes and Gardens magazine.

BY SUSAN ASHLEY

I plant a garden because I have the spirit of adventure. I like the smell of fresh-turned earth. I love to plant, then weed and water, watch and wait. I delight in the miracle of green shoots quickly upspringing, unfolding; the transparent tender shades of tiny seedlings growing, all even, row on row; to see plants branch and blossom and put forth their fruit. Then my garden gives me beautiful and good gifts, choice offerings for my friends, best food for my children. Soul and body are fed.

I plant a garden because I like change, and a garden is always changing. I like progress, and progress is the garden's watchword. I like color, and my garden holds shades of color found nowhere else-the unmatchable red of the radish pulled from the ground in the early morning with a bit of moist, black earth clinging to its slender white root, the silvery lavender of the kohlrabi stems, the golden yellow of the carrots and corn, the royal purple of the eggplant, the endless shades of glorious green in vine and bush and tree, and in the multicolor flowers.

  

I plant a garden because I love its spirit of camaraderie. It calls me when I am away; it greets me when I return. Every hour and season, it has new beauties to reveal. My garden asks for little and gives much. Its dependence is like that of a loving child. Still, I go to my garden with problems, and there, as I prune and weed, I find calm counsel. I go to it in sorrow and leave it comforted; I go to it weary and come away refreshed. When I am hurried, I go to my garden until the wheels of time run again in rhythm; when harried, I go to my garden until quiet confidence has returned; when impatient, I go to my garden and see how surely, if at times slowly, good things grow to their fulfillment. Gardening steadies my nerves and increases my physical strength. When I seek pleasure, I find it in my garden. Garden time is the happiest time. There I can exercise, or simply rest and dream by the sunlit pool or in the deep shade of tall trees.

  

For these and other reasons, which garden lovers know, I plant a garden.

FLOWERS IN THE VEGGIE GARDEN

  February 2024

Jeanette Mac Kenzie

 

Why not flowers in the veggie garden?  There is no good reason that the veggie garden must be boring or be tucked away and hidden from the street and/or the neighbors. 

 

First a bit about terminology for those new to gardening.  Perennials are plants that come back year after year.  Biennials live only 2 years, then they die.  Biennials tend to self-seed so you may think that they are perennials.  Annuals only live for one season and must be planted with new seed or plants every year.

Flowers in your veggie garden are best planted as annuals.  Each year you can try some new variety or color scheme to tie in with the veggies.  The veggies can be planted in blocks or in rows that parallel the flowers.  You can also just add a few flowers haphazardly amongst the veggies and herbs.  If you have raised beds your favorite perennials can be situated at the end of rows.  A few vegetables such as radishes, and some of the greens, are grown and harvested in a short amount of time.  The flowers can stay all summer while you do a second planting of another type of vegetable.

What are pollinators and why are they important for gardeners to know about?  Basically, they are anything which helps transport pollen from flower to flower.  Pollinators can include bees, moths, wasps, beetles, flies, butterflies, insects, and creatures such as birds, bats, and sometimes even rodents.   Pollinators are directly responsible for 1/3 of all human food we eat including fruits, vegetables and even things such as coffee and chocolate.   Many flowers are powerful pollinators that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to your vegetable patch.  Be careful about the use of pesticides as pollinators such as bees can be killed by them.

Zinnias are an easy to grow annual, that are heat loving.  The flowers originated in Mexico and were brought to Europe by the Spanish in 1519.  In the 18^th century a young German doctor named Gottfried Zinn received seeds from a friend who was the German ambassador to Mexico.  This is where the Zinnia got its name.

Most of zinnia varieties are of the species Zinnia elegans which are naturally taller with large blossoms.  Occasionally you may come across Zinnia haageana or Zinnia marylandica.  These are usually more compact and have smaller blossoms.

You may want to try the Benary Giant Zinnias.  They are big, beautiful, productive annuals with sturdy stems and diameters of up to 5”.  The mature plants can reach up to 50” in height.  Zinnias come in a wide variety of colors so there are lots to choose from.

The Queen series are new on the scene.  Instead of bold bright colors the Queen Zinnias have subtle shades of muted soft colors with a hint of lime.  They grow 25” in height with blooms of 2” to 3” in diameter.  Just the right height to add to your home arrangements. 

Marigolds another easy to grow annual, originated from south, central, southwest America, and Mexico.  Marigold colors come in shades of yellow, gold and maroon.

Tagetes tenuifolia is the small dwarf compact bush variety with finely divided fern like leaves.  The delicate looking flowers have 5 petals and are usually yellow.  The plants have a strong scent which deters aphids, white flies, and nematodes.  The integration of new veggies planted with Tagetes tenufolia will help protect your veggies from pests.

Tagetes patula is known as French marigold. With its ruffled petals it comes in brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and various combinations.  Some like the strong scent while others find it offensive.   The oil from this plant effectively prevents mosquito larva from maturing.  There are over 1000 different cultivars from the French marigold.  These plants are both heat and drought tolerant.  They are great as pocket-sized hedges or just tucked into your veggie plantings.

Tagetes erecta is often referred to as the African marigold although it is native to Mexico and central America.    These drought tolerant plants are noted for their large blooms that can reach up to 4' in height.  Pay attention to dead heading to prolong flowering.  These plants can be used in the dying process for fabrics as well as being added to chicken feed to insure good coloration in egg yolks.

Try adding this very tall, slender stemmed tender perennial of Verbena bonariensis next to gold or yellow marigolds.  The striking small clusters of purple flowers play out dramatically with the marigolds and they are also good pollinators for bees and butterflies.   Later, in the season goldfinches will eat the seeds. Verbena a native plant originating from South America demonstrators’ resilience against both deer and bunny predation making it less susceptible to their feeding habits. The plants bloom for weeks from early summer to frost.

The small clover like flowers of (Gomphrena globosa) globe amaranth provide quite a show while simultaneously attracting butterflies in the veggie garden.   Lavender Lady, Strawberry Fields, BicolorRose and Fireworks are some of the varieties of this everlasting annual plant.  The flowers are beautiful in the garden as their names imply as well being used for fresh arrangements or dried for craft work.  The germination rate can be sparse so add a few extra seeds when planting.

Thyme leaves are tiny but are packed with flavor to add to your herbal cuisine.  Plants are not too noticeable until the bees start pollinating the copious tiny flowers.  They can be tucked in most places with the vegetables.  Oregano another herb will spread along the soil until it sends up stalks of tiny purple & white flowers to keep the bees happy.

Monarda commonly known as Bee Balm is a native American pollinator for bees and hummingbirds with a robust growth habit.  The aromatic flowers and leaves are used for herbal tea as well as for salads.  Numerous cultivars come in red, white, lavender, pink and purple colors and can be found in varying heights.

The lists of possible flowers to add to your veggie gardens seems to go on and on forever.  This may open a whole different way of gardening for you to consider and to try out.

IT'S TIME TO DIG THE DAHLIAS

November 2023

Jeanette Mac Kenzie

 

Dahlias are native to Mexico and central America. Spaniards reported finding dahlia plants in Mexico in 1524.  They spread to Spain in the 1700's then to Europe. The plant is named after a Swedish botanist named Dahl, who was born in 1851.  It was declared to be the National Flower of Mexico in 1963.

There are over 57,000 registered cultivars worldwide.  The American Dahlia Society categorizes them according to three groups based on color- form/flowering types and size. You can find dahlias in any color except blue.  In the 19^th century a London newspaper offered a reward to the first breeder to create a blue dahlia ….  it has never been claimed although there have been many attempts that are near blue.

In general dahlias aren't known for their scent but there are some that can be quite fragrant.    Decorative types have large blossoms and deep vibrant colors.  Cactus dahlias have a light delicate scent similar to citrus but are smaller than decorative.  Single dahlias have a sweet subtle aroma.  Pompoms are known for their small dense blooms and subtle sweet scent.

Dahlias are a perennial plant with tuberous roots.  Because they can't be grown in colder climates they are grown as annuals however they can be dug up in the late autumn to be saved for the next growing season.  Dahlias attract birds as well as being an excellent cut flower.  During the Victorian era dahlias were a symbol of commitment and everlasting union between two people.   Some cultivars use dahlias to represent diversity because the petals are multilayered, and they symbolize the diversity that exists within the world.  The flowers range in size from up to 1 foot (dinner plate size) down to 2 inches in diameter.  Few flowers give you a greater return for your money than dahlias.

For an early spring start the tubers can be potted up and kept inside, however don't water until they start sprouting.   When the last expected spring frost has passed, plant the tubers outside about 3 feet apart in full sun.    Most plants require staking which is best done when the tubers are newly planted. When the flowers begin to bloom later in the season, remove wilted ones.  The more you cut them the more they will bloom. Dahlias have an incredible ability to multiply over the course of the growing season.  A single tuber by the end of the season can become 5 to 10 tubers.  Watering should be done at the base of the plant.                

 

Digging Dahlias

Sometime in November you can expect an early frost which will be the end of the growing season for these plants. Using loppers, first cut the stems down to about 8 -12 inches.  Tag each clump with flagging tape and using a sharpie denote the variety and color.  This is especially important if you are growing more than one variety.  Carefully using a pitchfork, loosen the clump along all sides until you can pull gently pull out the plant.  The spent stems and foliage can be put in your compost.  Remove excess soil from around the tubers.  If it is cold out, wear waterproof gloves to wash the tubers with a stream or water.  They then need to dry for 24 –48 hours away from freezing temperatures.

Dividing Dahlias

No matter what size the tubers are or what variety, in order to be viable, they must have these three things: 1. an eye, 2. a neck, 3. a body.  If the tuber doesn't have all three of these components or are very shriveled or rotten toss them.  The eye can be very small and hard to detect.   It can have tiny pink bumps before it starts to sprout in the spring.  The neck is readily visible and easy to detect.  The body can be chubby like a potato or on the thin side if smaller.  Even if the body has been accidentally pierced by a pitchfork if it still has an eye and a neck it may still be viable. Snip off the tiny root hairs.  Gently cut the tubers carefully apart.

Storing the Dahlias Through the Winter

Dahlias need to be kept in a stable environment that has a constant cool temperature but doesn't freeze them.  There are several choices to use as a medium for the tubers.   Wood shavings work well, as does peat moss, vermiculite can be costly and can be dusty or something like Saran wrap could be used around each tuber.  Very slightly dampen the medium.  The tubers can be laid flat in several layers so that no two are touching.  If you have several different kinds use separate containers to keep the colors or varieties apart and be sure to label them.

Springtime

A good rule of thumb is about the same time you plant tomatoes outside you can also plant your dahlia tubers.   After planting DO NOT water the dahlias until you see sprouts coming through the ground.

Now you get to enjoy a summer full of beautiful dahlia flowers!

AUTUMN  BLOOMING PLANTS

Jeanette Mac Kenzie  Oct. 2023

 Are any of you younger members looking for a job that can use your gardening experience?    If so, I may have found one you might be interested in.   This ad has been re-printed in many farm publications across the country.  It reads as follows:   

“Wanted: Attractive single woman, 21 - 30 years of age, able to do light housekeeping and barn chores.  Must have own tractor!  Please send picture of tractor.” Even if you aren't job hunting you may be interested in learning about several uncommon fall blooming plants.

The first one is a a perennial named Northern Sea Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium).  This 3 foot plant is one of a few grasses that do better with partial shade.  Even with the slightest breeze the flat flower spikes of sea oats dangle in the wind.  It can be a food source for birds in the fall and winter. If you live near the ocean sea oats do well in wind and salt spray.  The plants prefer a moist site yet tolerate dry conditions if grown in a shady setting.  Some nurseries do carry a variegated leaf cultivar known as 'River Mist' which has leaves of white and green stripes.  Northern sea oats are bothered by few pests which includes deer who leave it alone.  The sea oats are great in both fresh and dried arrangement in both autumn and winter,    At Christmas time I spray some of them with a gold or silver  spray to add them to evergreen arrangements.

Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate' was named not for its taste but  for the color of the stems and leaves.  Do not  eat this plant.  'Chocolate' which is native to the eastern United States is related to the much taller Joe-Pye weed.  It is a  magnet for butterflies but neither deer nor bunnies will eat it. The bushy 3'-4' foot plants have dark burgundy leaves with contrasting snow white clusters of flowers that bloom in Sept & Oct.  The 'Chocolate' colored stems will perk up your late autumn bouquets with their white fuzzy looking flowers.  I prefer using the name 'Chocolate'  although one or its common names is snake root. Native Americans reportedly would use a decoction of roots as a remedy for snake bites. 

There is an an interesting bit of history concerning this plant.  During the 18th & 19th centuries a number of people died due to something called the  milk sickness.  The sickness was caused by the consumption of milk from cows who had eaten this plant in the woods or near by fields.  European settlers  at that time were unfamiliar with the the plant and allowed their animals to feed on it.   A toxin called tremetol tainted the milk and caused the sickness as well as death to thousands before its source was known. A frontier doctor in Illinois named Dr. Anna Pierce Hobbs Bixby was trying to figure out what caused the milk sickness.  In the process Dr. Anna was describing what the plant looked like to an elderly native  American  woman she had befriended, named Aunt Shawnee.  Without hesitation Aunt Shawnee  went to the woods to show Dr. Anna what the  plant looked like, where it could be found and  that it was called snake root.

Dr. Anna instructed the local settlers to remove this plant from their woods and fields.  This helped the local people to get rid of the milk sickness but not those who lived farther away.  Unfortunately both women Dr Anna  and Auntie Shawnee were mostly ignored by the medical community.  Later research eventually  confirmed  the connection between Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate' and milk sickness.  If you are a fan of history you may have heard about those who died or  suffered from milk sickness.  At the time the cause was unknown and there was no  known cure but now treatment is available.

 

“How could a disease, perhaps the leading cause of death and disability  in the Midwest and Upper South for over two centuries, go unrecognized by the medical profession at large until 1928” ?  

 by William  Snively “Mystery of the Milksick” (1967)

Many flowers prized as ornamentals contain poisonous toxins that should not be eaten by people or pets.  For instance foxglove, a spring blooming flower and the very fragrant lily of the valley which covers the woodland garden.  The countless varieties of hydrangeas as well as rhododendrons and azaleas have flowers and bark that carry toxins.  The colorful orange pods of  Chinese lantern which are used in dried  floral arrangements have toxins not for consumption.

      

If you like the color blue, Blue Beard (Caryopteris)  is the shrub for you. This shrub stays in its bounds ranging from 2 to 4 feet depending on the variety.  It  is slow to leaf out in the spring.....just be patient. The  plant is drought tolerant and doesn't require fertilizer so just a bit of compost may be all it needs.  Blue Beard is resistant to deer but the bees, butterflies and humming  birds love it.  Autumn is when Blue Beard begins to bloom with its  fragrant flowers as well as  aromatic foliage.  Some of the newer cultivars of Blue Beard include Longwood Blue, Blue Mist, Beyond Midnight, Petit Bleu  and Sunshine Blue with its striking gold colored leaves.  

  

 Next time you are looking for something new to add to your autumn  garden consider one of these perennials which are not commonly seen such as  Northern Sea Oats, Chocolate-Snake Root or Blue Beard.

Don't forget the photo of your tractor when looking for farm work!

 

LAVENDER

 July 2023 by Jeanette Mac Kenzie

     Lavender is native to the Mediterranean area as well as northeastern Africa and southwestern Asia where it has been grown for over 2,500 years.  In ancient times lavender was used in Egypt in the mummification process.  The Greeks used it to ease ailments and to add to their bathing water, In the 16^th century it was used to ward off the Black plague.

     Lavender plants thrive on poor to medium soil with excellent drainage, full sun and are tolerant of both acid and alkaline soil although they prefer alkaline soil.

     The Language of Flowers was most popular during the Victorian age when emotions were expressed through the giving of flowers where each one had a secret meaning.  In the Language of flowers lavender represented devotion, levity, silence, grace, calmness, or purity.  If mixed with a sprig or two of baby's breath everlasting love was also included in the message.

     There are 47 different species of lavender with 450 varieties.  For our climate the English varieties are the best choices. Names you may see at local plant nurseries include:  Hidcoat, Munstead Jean Davis, Grosso, Provence, Angustifolia, and the hybrid Lavandin.  Avoid Spanish, & French varieties as they won't survive our winters.  They do have unusual flowers though.

     Due to its fragrance lavender is a deterrent to both deer and bunnies as well as bugs in the garden.  Dried lavender made into sachets and placed with woolen clothing repels moths.  They can also be used with towels, linens, clothing or even placed in a suitcase.  Lavender is supposed to be a sleep aide so place a sachet under your pillow.

     Harvesting lavender usually takes place in late June of early to mid-July.  If you want to use the lavender for wreaths, lavender bottles or lavender wand making cut when top flowers are open, but the rest are still closed.  Cut long stems, bunch with rubber bands as the bunches will shrink as they dry.  Hang to dry upside down in a dark, well-ventilated area until dry.  Check out YouTube for directions with photos on how to make these fragrant delights.  Lavender bottles or wands should be made with fresh cut lavender. When lavender is blooming it attracts bees, so I usually leave a few stems for them instead of cutting it all.

  

      If using only the flowers for sachets or potpourri wait until all the flowers are opened before harvesting.  Strip the flowers off the stems and place to dry on a screen again in a dark well-ventilated area.  You could also just leave the flowers alone to enjoy the plant as it blooms in your garden.  This will also give the bees an extended period to harvest the lavender nectar. 

     Photos of lavender farms in Europe are spectacular as they cover acres and acres.  On a much smaller scale you could visit capecodlavender@gmail.com 508-432-8397 a smaller local lavender farm in Harwich MA on Cape Cod.  They have a cute little gift shop with lavender products as well as lavender plants for sale.  Harvest time is almost over so get there quickly.  It is on a dirt road tucked back in the woods.

NO …. NOT IN MY GARDEN!

June 2023 by Jeanette Mac Kenzie

     Some plants can suddenly appear in your garden or on your property without an invitation.  Sometimes they are aided in getting there by birds or animals or the wind can blow the seeds there.

     The specific plant I am currently referring to is known by its common name Garlic mustard, poor man's mustard, hedge garlic, Jack-by-the-Hedge or in botanical nomenclature as Alliaria petiolata.   When crushed the leaves smell like garlic and onion.  This plant is a biennial, meaning that its entire life cycle takes two years then it dies. 

     The first year you will only see a low to the ground rosette of heart shaped ragged edged leaves.  The next spring it quickly shoots up stems from 2 – 3 feet tall topped by small white 4 petaled flowers.  As the month of June progresses the flowers turn into long seed pods lining the upper stem.  Each seed pod can contain up to 16 seeds and there are many pods per plant so some plants can have up to 600 seeds.  When ripe, usually in late June, the pods forcibly eject the seeds several feet from the mother plant.  Does this give you an idea how this plant can rapidly take over a whole area and spread rapidly?  Even though the mother plan dies after 2 years the seeds can be viable for up to 5 years.

     Besides the fact that garlic mustard spreads so rapidly there are a few other reasons to get rid of this invasive plant.  It is very adaptable to many different environments including forest, field, roadside and beach areas. 

     Alliaria has a special chemical called sinigrin which it releases into the soil through its root system.  This substance is toxic to many native plants and their supporting mycorrhizal fungi. It chokes out native plants which provide pollinators with egg laying sites and food sources.  It can kill butterflies that rely on these particulate plants to survive.

     Supposedly only the young leaves are edible but very bitter.  They need to be cooked thoroughly as they contain cyanide.  Best to not even try.

     It is believed that this plant first showed up in this country in the late 1800's coming from Europe and Asia.  It was used for erosion control and various herbal remedies. European insects and diseases that control this plant population are not present in our country, thus it spread rapidly.

     Pull the whole plant up as soon as it is identifies and before it sets seed.  This is easiest right after it rains.  Don't add to compost instead get rid of it in the blue bags.

     Continue enjoying your gardens and attending to them even if only for a few minutes each day.

 

TRY SOMETHING NEW
 April 2023 by Jeanette Mac Kenzie

You probably have your favorite flowers and vegetables which you plant each year.  There is such a fantastic variety of both seeds and fresh plants available in companies online as well as local nurseries.  Why don't you try something new this season. These are some suggestions from some of my favorite online sources.

Heirloom Seeds Shop | Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, many unique heirloom seeds, no shipping charge

Amaranth Dreadlocks

This 3–4-foot plant has a weeping habit with long dark red tassels.  It is a unique fresh cut flower and also dries well.  Young leaves are edible.

Globe Gilia

A stunning sky blue to violet color.  This annual is a good pollinator plant.  It likes hot dry conditions, self-sows and is a good cut flower.

Parsnips are root crop related to carrots.  Before the adoption of sugar cane, they were used as sweeteners.   After exposure to cold weather the roots become even sweeter. This vegetable was very popular during the 19th and early 20th centuries.   It is great added to soup and stew or just cooked by itself with a little butter.

https://www.superseeds.com/ 

 

Lemon Cucumber

It looks like a pale colored lemon with white flesh, and is about the same size, never bitter.  The vine yields abundantly.

Jarrahdake Squash

This Australian variety averages 10 #.  It is ribbed with blue-grey skin and orange sweet, flesh.  Harvest when rind becomes dull and dry.  Cure for a week in sun to harden the shell and increase storage life.

Dwarf Music Box Sunflower

This multi branching sunflower grows only 40 inches tall.  The flowers are yellow, cream or maroon with brown centers.  Great for cutting and a favorite for kids. https://www.johnnyseeds.com/

 

Status Forever Happy

These cut flowers are used both fresh and dried.  They are lavender to rose in color.  The plants grow 20 –30 feet in height.  The clusters are on strong stems.

Marigold Giant Yellow

These tall 36–40-inch plants produce large 3 inches flower heads.  They are excellent as cut flowers.  There is also an orange variety.

Blue Ballet Hubbard Squash

This variety is only 4-6 # with a much softer skin than the big blue hubbards you are used to.  The flesh is sweeter, a bright orange color and fiberless.  You don't have to smash it on the garage floor to open it, a knife can be used. https://www.marysheirloomseeds.com

 

Japanese Hulless Popcorn

The stalks grow about 5 feet tall with 2-3 ears per stalk.  Plant after the last spring frost. To harvest for eating strip off the covering of each ear then rub two together to remove the kernels.  This is best done with your hands inside a paper bag.  A fun project for kids.

Mexican Sour Gherkins

These tiny cucumbers look like miniature baby watermelons.  They have a cucumber taste with a hint of lemon flavor.   They grow on vines so give them a place to climb.  Another favorite for kids to grow.

Sweet Pea Old Spice Mix

This very fragrant plant has a mix of both solid and striped flowers.  Sweet peas have been cultivated since the 1899's.  They need something to climb on. These peas are NOT edible. https://www.marysheirloomseeds.com/

 

Fuzzy Wuzzy Dahlia tubers

These dahlia blooms are a bright pink with white tips.  The edges are lanced as if cut by pinking shears.  The plants will be about 4 feet tall.  If you have never grown dahlias before, why don't you give them a try. They make a lovely addition to your late summer garden.

Basketflower is native to Mexico.  This annual flower has wispy petals that are pink lavender.  The underside of the fragrant lower forms a woven basket.  The flower resembles a thistle but without the prickles.

Hudson valley works with artists who create unique artwork for their seed packets as well as art prints, calendars. note cards, gardening books. https://fedcoseeds.com/

 

Green Gold Bupleurum

An annual treasured by florists as a filler with its tiny yellow flowers and small green leaves.  Each stem opens up so only a few are needed in either a fresh or dried arrangement.  So far not very common in this country.

American Elm 'Princeton’

A fast growing, elegant, tall shade tree which is resistant to Dutch Elm disease.

Give a few of these suggestions a try. You may find some new favorites.

Time for Terminology

Feb. 2023   by Jeanette MacKenzie

Since there is not too much going on in the garden these days, take a little time to lean some gardening jargon.  You are probably familiar with most of these terms but may only have a hazy idea of what they actually mean.  My test is if you can clearly define to others what the term means.  So here goes.  These terms are in no particular order.

Stratification

The process of mimicking what a seed needs to go through in nature before starting to grow.  For plants native to colder regions this means keeping seeds in cold temperatures for a set period of time.  The seed packet should tell you how long the seeds need to be in a refrigerator in a closed zip lock bag before being planted.  Seeds that are sown outside in the fall will go through this stratification process naturally.

Scarification

This is a process to weaken the thick/hard seed coats of seeds to hasten the germination process.  Not all seeds need this procedure.  Again, read the seed packet.  Scarification makes the seed coat more permeable to moisture.  For larger seeds a small cut with a knife will break the seal.  An easy method for medium to small seeds is to place them in a shallow container and rub across them with a piece of sandpaper.  There are also chemical and thermal methods of opening the seed coat.

Damping Off

This describes the decay of young seedlings at ground level caused by a fungus attack.  This can be caused by soil borne disease or over watering.  Use a sterilized soil mix.  Make sure that all pots, tools, and other equipment is clean.  Don't reuse old or garden soil.  Avoid fertilizing until several true leaves have grown.  Be careful not to get water on the leaves or having plants sit in water. Watering with cool chamomile tea sometimes helps.

    

Chloris 

A yellowing or blanching of leaves due to lack of chlorophyll, nutrient deficiencies or disease.

Bolt

This is a process where a plant will try to produce seeds as quickly as possible when the weather gets too hot for the plant to survive.  It is a survival mechanism.  Cool season plants such as spinach, cabbage, lettuce, broccoli are apt to bolt when the weather turns hot.  Try to prevent bolting by planting in early spring or late summer when the weather is cooler.  Mulching as well as watering will help to keep the soil cooler to postpone bolting.  Plants that have bolted lose their quality, flavor, texture as all their energy goes into making seeds.

Deciduous

A plant that sheds its leaves each year in the fall and regrows new ones in the spring. For instance, maple trees, peony bushes, phlox, Shasta daisies, roses, mint.  Although conifer trees like white pine lose the inner needles on each branch in the fall, they are not considered deciduous as they still have plenty of needles.

Annual

Plants that bloom, produce seeds then die in one year’s time.  Marigold, zinnias, basil, dill, corn, lettuce squash, wheat are just some examples.

Biennial

Plants that grow, bloom, produce seed then die over the span of two years.  They often produce many seeds.  Examples include foxglove, parsley, fennel, carrots, onions, cabbage, sweet William, dusty miller, teasel.

Perennial

Plants that live longer than 2 years.  Examples include, lavender, coneflower, garden phlox, daffodils, thyme, mint Rosemary, Hosta, asparagus, rhubarb, day lily.

Rooting Hormone

A substance either powder or gel which help stimulate new root growth on fresh cuttings to make a new plant.  Aloe vera as well as cinnamon are also effective in stimulating new roots on cuttings.

Mulching

Covering up exposed soil with 2 – 3 inches of some organic material (shredded bark, salt marsh hay, shredded leaves, pine needles to within a couple inches of the plant.  Mulch helps in moisture retention through the hot months, it also tends to reduce the number of weeds growing.

Deadheading

Clipping or pinching off flowers that are done blooming.  This process is especially important for annuals as it promotes new flower growth and a longer blooming time.   If you want to save seeds or have a plant self seed don't deadhead.

Staking 

Some plants have tall stems that tend to bend or fall over with the added weight of blooms.  To prevent this, they can be somehow propped up or tied to stakes.  In general staking is best done in the spring.

Hardening off

The process of slowly getting plants grown inside used to the varying temperatures, wind, rain, full sun of being outside.  This involves moving the pampered indoor plants outside for longer periods each day for a week or two.  Start off by putting plants in a shady area increasing the time a few hours every few days then put them in a sunny place.  Eventually they can be planted in the garden without too much shock.

Companion Planting 

Growing plants near each other that help instead of competing.  An example is the native American way of planting called the 3 Sisters.  Corn is planted followed by pole beans which climb the corn stalks.  Squash is the 3^rd sister which shades the ground, and its prickles discourage critters from eating the beans and corn.  Another example is when dill and coriander are planted near bell peppers it increases the presence of beneficial insects.  Plants that don't compete for the same nutrients make good companions.  Bush beans draw heavily on phosphorus while potatoes need a lot of potassium.  Inter-cropping of these two types of plans is another way of companion planting.

Determinate

Tomatoes that grow to a certain size usually 3-4 feet and then stop.  Sometimes called bush.  Good for small spaces and containers.  Most ripen within a 2-week time period.

Indeterminate

Refers to tomato plants that keep growing until a frost kills them.  These tomato vines need a strong system to keep them from sprawling on the round.  Tomatoes ripen throughout the season.