With their showy spring flowers,
bearded iris is a mainstay in many gardens. They are generally low maintenance
plants season after season, but over time they can become crowded and they stop
producing as many blooms. That’s an indication they need to be divided. The
time to divide iris is after they’ve bloomed, usually late June or early July. If
your iris aren’t blooming like they used to or they’ve stopped blooming at all,
it’s a sign they are over-crowded and it’s time to dig them up and divide them.
The best tool to use to dig iris roots – called rhizomes is to use a spading
fork. Spading forks make it easy to get under and lift the rhizome without
causing damage to the roots.
Once you’ve got the clump of iris out of the
ground, you’ll be able to see the rhizomes clearly.
You’ll want to remove any
old or diseased rhizomes. You can remove these and divide the clump with a
knife or by breaking off each root with your hand.
Trim the leaves in a fan
shape down to between 4" and 6". Mark the leaves with the name of the
iris, so you’ll remember which one it is. When you’re planting your iris in
their new location, remember that iris grow in the direction of the heel so
place your rhizomes with the leaves planted in the direction you want the plant
to grow. Iris will do okay in clay soils, but they thrive in soils that have
been amended, so add a couple of inches of Sheep, Peat and Compost and dig in
it.
Dig a shallow trench in your amended soil, add some Bone Meal and place the
rhizome so that the roots are fanned out to the side, then add enough soil to
just cover the rhizome and water thoroughly. Your iris will establish through
the summer and fall and be ready to bloom next spring.
www.theflowerbin.net
www.theflowerbin.net
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Using Natural Insect Controls
June can bring a number of
insects to the garden and one way to be ready for them is to learn more about
biological insecticides. Each insect control works a little differently and
knowing the differences will help you make a decision on which ones to use and
when.
Insecticidal Soap uses potassium salts of fatty acids (insecticidal soap)
to control a wide variety of insects in the garden and indoors. Potassium salts
are made from palm, coconut, olive, castor and cottonseed plants. The fatty
acids weaken the insect’s waxy protective outer shell and causes dehydration.
Insecticidal soap doesn’t leave a residue and can be used up to the day of
harvest.
Neem oil will also control sucking and chewing insects. Neem works by
entering the insect’s body and disrupting its system. Neem is not an instant
knock-down insecticide. It takes time for it to work. Meantime, the insect
stops feeding and other insects are repelled from the treated plant.
Thuricide is
a biological insecticide with Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Btk) for use on
vegetables, fruits, trees and ornamental plants. Btk will control tent
caterpillars, cabbage loopers, tomato hornworms and budworms. If your petunias
and geraniums suddenly stop blooming, you’ve got budworm and Thuricide is the
product to use. Once the worm eats on
the treated leaf, it will stop feeding and die within 2-3 days.
Dipel is
Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki in powder form. You dust it on the affected leaves.
Both Thuricide and Dipel work effectively to control worms.
Spinosad is a broad
spectrum natural insecticide made from specific microbes first discovered at an
abandoned rum factory. It only works if the insect actually eats something that
has been treated with Spinosad such as a leaf. It does not affect insects that
merely come in contact with a leaf that has been treated and has dried. Spinosad
is an all-purpose insecticide for organic gardening. Always read the label
thoroughly and discuss any questions you may have with us.
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Create your own water feature, complete with water plants.
We’ve made it easy to create
a beautiful water garden in just a few minutes. This water garden bowl is easy
to assemble and will add the soothing sound of water to your patio, deck or garden.
Begin with selecting your container from these pre-formed bowls or from our great
selection of ceramic containers. Our lighted pump kits are easy to install.
Simply unpack, select the water pattern from one of the three nozzles in the
kit and place in the bottom of your container.
Set the pump in the bottom of
the container.
Add a holder for your potted water plants.
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
June Lawn Care Tips
Now’s the time to get your lawn
ready for summer by feeding your lawn, taking care of any weeds that might have
shown up and by adding products to improve the soil under your lawn.
Spot treat
any broadleaf weeds with Weed Free Zone
or use granular Weed-Out to take care
of weeds and feed your lawn at the same time.
If your lawn is weed free, use
Lawn Food Plus Iron to feed your lawn and to add iron. Improving the soil your
lawn is growing in will strengthen your lawn's root system and help your lawn through the
warmer months of summer.
One product to help your soil is Revive. Revive is a natural
organic soil treatment that changes the way water behaves, so water is able to penetrate
deeper into the soil under your lawn, so there is less water loss due to run
off or evaporation. Revive is available
in liquid and granular form.
Revive also makes a product called Dog Spot which
will help eliminate spots in your lawn caused by dog urine.
The second product
to add now is Natural Guard Soil Activator. Natural Guard Soil Activator
changes the soil structure, building healthier soil, improving soil microbial
activity and encouraging longer root growth. Longer root growth means a
healthier lawn which uses less water. We recommend you apply Soil Activator
four times a year, each time you fertilize your lawn. Taking these steps now
will help your lawn thrive through the hot summer months ahead.
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