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Whiteflys, Potatoes, Beans in a tub

No Comments 09 July 2009

The Garden Clock

by Pauline Keegan

What can I spray on my tomatoes to be rid of whitefly?

Insecticidal soap is a safe spray to use on tomatoes. Spray thoroughly and repeat every seven to ten days. Yellow sticky traps work well also. Whiteflies are attracted to the color. Place the traps a short distance from your plants.

The leaves of my potato plants are turning brown. What shall I do?

Harvest potatoes after most of the vines have died. Handle as gently as possible. Leave the tubers exposed to the sun long enough for the soil to dry and fall off. Too much direct sunlight will blister the tubers and cause them to turn green and rot in storage. A spade fork is useful for digging and not hurting the potatoes. Potatoes for use in early summer (new potatoes) may be dug before the vines die.

I planted beans in a large washtub with holes poked in the bottom. I used potting soil and a fertilizer. The sprouts are coming up yellow. What did I do wrong?

It sounds like a case of over fertilizing. Likely the potting soil had a fertilizer in it, which added to the other fertilizer. In addition, most bean seeds germinate poorly when the moisture content of the soil is too high. Your crop may be saved if you thin out the shoots and water sparingly. Also, there is time to replant.

I planted a river birch about a year ago. It seems to be dropping its leaves. What could be the matter?

Consider the name. In the wild, it grows along river banks. It likes water and was happy during the rainy spring, but now it must be watered regularly.

I planted long-neck squash but the fruit turns soft and falls off before it is ripe. What’s wrong?

Summer squash is subject to blossom-end-rot, the same as is tomatoes. The problem should resolve itself. Don’t over water.

Tip: To control your weight, eat small portions of meat and large portions of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Send your questions and tips to Washington County Master Gardeners, 2536 N.McConnell Ave., Fayetteville AR, 72704 or call 444-1755.

Garden Clock

Waiting on Sweet Corn

No Comments 02 July 2009

Garden Clock

By Pauline Keegan

Do tomatoes cross pollinate?

Cross pollination is the transfer of one flower to the stigma of another with a different genetic composition, as by the action of wind or insects or deliberately by a botanist. Tomatoes have “perfect” blossoms, meaning that they contain both male and female organs and are self pollinating. The transfer of pollen to egg is initiated by motion of the plant, normally supplied by wind current. If motion does not occur the blossoms do not pollinate, but fall. If you fear not having fruit due to blossom drop, gently shake the plants twice a day to simulate wind-like motion. Within a week you should see many new tomatoes set if other conditions are adequate.

How long does it to take sweet corn to develop from the first appearance of silk to harvest?

About five days are required for complete pollination after the first silk appears. Harvesting begins approximately 20 days after first silking.

To save my corn crop from worms, I have been told to put a drop of mineral oil inside the tip of each ear. Will vegetable oil do just as well?

Yes, vegetable oil will do the same as mineral oil. Apply one-quarter to one-half teaspoon oil inside the tip of each ear after the silk begins to dry and turn brown at the tip. Applying it earlier might inhabit pollination. If you have a large stand of corn, walk along the row with a can full of oil. The oil smothers the worm as it tries to feed on the tassels and ears.

When should I prune my hydrangea bush?

Hydrangea bushes should be pruned after bloom. Cut back old or damaged growth and stems that carried flowers. Do not cut new shoots.

Send your gardening and landscaping questions and tips to Washington County Master Gardeners, 2536 N. McConnell Ave., Fayetteville 72704 or call 444-1755.

Garden Clock

Color Your Hydrangeas

No Comments 25 June 2009

Garden Clock

By Pauline Keegan

I have heard that certain fertilizers can change the color of hydrangeas. Can you tell me how this can be done?

The color of hydrangea blossoms can be manipulated to be either pink or blue. Adding aluminum sulfate to make the soil more acid, will turn the flowers blue. Adding lime to make the soil more alkaline, will make the flowers pink. These fertilizers should be applied in the spring for next year’s growth.

My tomatoes are not setting buds. I have fertilized them and they get morning sun. Can you tell me what’s wrong?

There are two things that can cause tomatoes to not bloom. Too much fertilizer is one. Nitrogen promotes healthy green foliage instead of blooms. Phosphorus promotes blooms. Try using a bloom booster type fertilizer or no fertilizer at all. Another thing essential to tomatoes blooming is sufficient light. At least six hours of sunlight is required. Try to improve the light situation. A mulch of white paper or aluminum foil will reflect some light. Remove any limbs that shade the plants. Mirrors placed in strategic places is rather extravagant, but it all depends on how much you want homegrown tomatoes.

I am growing asparagus for the first time, when should I harvest it?

Asparagus started from seed should not be harvested for two seasons. Asparagus started from crowns can be harvested the second season. Harvest lightly for three or four weeks. Plants harvested too heavily will not develop a strong root system and the crowns will become spindly and may never recover. When the asparagus plants are in their fourth season, they may be harvested for four to six weeks per year. Harvest daily during this time. Having an attractive plant and harvesting a delicious fresh vegetable are worth the wait. The mature plants will last for many years.

Can daffodils be transplanted to a new location now?

Daffodil bulbs can be transplanted anytime after they bloom, as long as the foliage is left in tack until it withers and falls off. The foliage of spring bulbs is long gone by now. It is OK to transplant your bulbs, the only problem will be in finding them. Dig them carefully to not destroy the fine roots. Replant them immediately so that they don’t dry out.

Send your gardening and landscaping questions and tips to Washington County Master Gardeners, 2536 N. McConnell Ave., Fayetteville, AR 72704 or call 444-1755.

Garden Clock

Tomato

No Comments 18 June 2009

Garden Clock

By Pauline Keegan

My tomato plants have beautiful and lush foliage but no blossoms. What am I doing wrong?

An excess of nitrogen fertilizer will cause plants to put all of their energy into developing green foliage at the expense of blossoms. It would be best to have your soil tested in order to better fit the fertilizer needs to your specific area. In the meantime, use a balanced fertilizer with a low amount of nitrogen such as 1-2-2.

What is the difference between determinant and indeterminate tomato plants?

The difference between tomato plants is that determinant plants form flowers and fruit early and then go dormant when these plants finish their work. Indeterminate plants produce fruit and flowers until the end of the tomato season. If your tomato plants “quit early,” you bought the wrong kind.

I want to grow a tomato plant in a pot on my porch. Will a 10-inch pot be large enough ?

A 10-inch pot will be large enough if you are careful to water and fertilize when it is needed. Also, bright sun for 10 hours will help.

Note: The spring rains are about finished. It’s time to take out the hose and watering can and water when and where it is needed.

Send your gardening and landscaping questions and tips to Washington County Master Gardeners 2536 N. McConnell Ave., Fayetteville AR 72704 or call 444-1755.

Garden Clock

It is not too late to plant almost any thing if you take proper care of it.

No Comments 11 June 2009

Garden Clock

By Pauline Keegan

It is not too late to plant almost any thing if you take proper care of it.

Dig holes especially wide, water every day until the plant shows sign of adjusting to the new location.

Leaves are sprouting on the barks of mature trees. Should I take these leaves off or leave them on?

The ice storm in January did some rearranging of mature trees as well as younger trees. We have no official report on the arrangement of trees and leaves. However, Mother Nature always seems to know what’s best. It is better to wait and see how the trees arrange themselves. Any serious pruning should wait until late winter or early spring. It will take more than a year or two or three for tree limbs to settle in their preferred place.

Why do the flowers of squash fall off before they form fruit?

Summer squash has both male and female flowers on the same plant. Male flowers are formed first, then the female flowers. Female flowers are characterized by an undeveloped fruit at the base. Pollination is not always necessary for most summer squash since it is harvested at bloom or shortly afterward. Some gardeners pick the open blossoms of the male plant. They can be dipped in batter and fried as a delicacy.

Is it all right to use mushrooms in compost?

Mushrooms can be used in compost. If you are so fortunate to have a surplus of mushrooms to add to you compost, it will add to the enrichment of the soil.

How do I rid my houseplants of gnats?

Gnats in a houseplant are a sign of dampness. Let the plant dry completely, then repot in new soil. Remember to water only when the soil is dry. The old-fashioned way to check the condition of the plant is to put your forefinger as deep as you can into the side of the container and feel whether it needs water or not.

Send your gardening and landscaping questions and tips to Washington County Master Gardeners, 2536 N. McConnell Avenue, Fayetteville, AR.72704 or call 444-1744.

Garden Clock

Blueberry Foliage Yellow

No Comments 04 June 2009

Garden Clock

By Pauline Keegan

I have started to grow blueberries and the foliage is yellowing. What did I neglect to do?

Yellowing or chlorosis of the blueberry foliage often occurs when the pH of the soil is too low or too high. It appears on the younger leaves with chlorosis between the veins with the veins remaining green. The desired pH of soils artificially acidified for cultivated blueberries appears to be in the 5.0-5.2 pH range. Once proper acidity has been establish, it can usually be maintained through the annual use of an acid fertilizer. Ideally this is established six months before planting. For detailed instructions on planting blueberries, pick up a brochure from the Washington County Extension Office. The address is at the end of this column.

Is there anyway to get rid of what is called Creeping Charlie?

Unfortunately, we don’t know of a magic way to be rid of Creeping Charlie known as Gill Over the Ground, etc. The copious rain has enhanced this pest. The best control is mechanical: hand pulling or hoeing. Large areas can be hoed and then mulched with several sheets of newspaper topped by a two to three inch layer of mulch such as wood chips, grass clippings or compost. This should give you a season-long respit. Roundup is a non selective herbicide but it can easily destroy desirable plantings.

The leaves of my tomato plants are curled, does that mean they are dying?

The condition you describe is called leaf roll and the exact cause is not fully known. It appears about the time of fruit setting. The overall growth of the plant does not seem to be affected and the yields are normal. The condition occurs when excessive rainfall or over watering keeps the soil too wet for too long. It is also related to intensive sunlight which causes carbohydrates to accumulate in the leaves. An even amount of moisture in a well drained soil is the condition preferred by tomatoes.

When is the right time to sod fescue?

Answer: The recommended time to lay down fescue sod is late August until late October. Be sure to prepare the soil well and expect to water at least one inch a week.

Send your gardening and landscaping questions and tips to Washington County Master Gardeners, 2536 N. McConnell Ave., Fayetteville AR, 72704 or call 444-1755.

Garden Clock

Roses In Water

No Comments 28 May 2009

My neighbor has given me a section from a rose, but I don’t have time to plant it. How long can I leave it in water in a bucket?

Plants are not usually harmed when left in water for a day or two, but they really should be planted as soon as possible. The roots must be kept moist or they may die. However, if left in water, they gradually are damaged by lack of oxygen. If you must delay planting of the rose or any other plant, do what is called heeling in. This means digging a temporary hole or trench, setting the plants, covering their roots loosely with soil and then watering well. Plant as soon as possible.

Is it better to mix compost into the soil or to leave it on the surface when preparing beds for planting?

Either way is fine as long as you’re sure the compost has fully matured (no noticeable leaves or food scraps). If it has not fully decomposed, it is better to leave it on the surface where it can finish breaking down without tying up nitrogen in the soil.

The bushes I plant near my house keep dying. I have replaced the shrubs twice. What shall I do to save the appearance of the front of the house?

First check the drainage. If it is OK, your plants are probably affected by the lime that is leaching into the soil from the foundation of your house. Most evergreen shrubs are acid loving. Lime raises the pH of the soil. Fertilize with an acid fertilizer such as Miracid. The shrubs will respond faster if some of the fertilizer is sprayed on the foliage.

I received some canned hot peppers that are especially good. Can I save the seeds and plant them?

The high heat of canning plus the acid of vinegar used in preparing peppers will destroy the viability of the seeds. There is a very good chance that you will be able to find the same variety of hot peppers at the Farmers Market this summer.

Send your gardening and landscaping questions and tips to Washington County Master Gardeners, 2536 N. McConnell Ave., Fayetteville, 72704 or call 444-1755.

Garden Clock

No Comments 07 May 2009

By Pauline Keegan

Ornamental shrubs usually do not require fertilizer. However, if you feel that your azaleas need a boost, an application of a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen can be applied after blooming.
I bought a square of sod taken from the University of Arkansas football field. I am on my way to California, but I live in Houston. How can I care for the sod until I get back to Houston

Master Gardeners are flattered to be asked such questions. Keep the sod moist and in a sunny place, but do not over water. Plant the sod as soon as you can when you arrive home. Fertilize lightly about once a month. There are no fans like the Arkansas fans!
When is it the right time to prune Nandina?

Nandina is a sturdy bush, it can be pruned almost any time. Early spring will give it a chance to put out new growth. The best way to keep the bush looking full and not leggy, is to cut one or two of the old canes down to the ground. New leafy growth will fill in the lower part of the bush.

Send questions to Master Gardeners, 2536 N. McConnell Ave., Fayetteville, AR, 72704.

Garden Clock

Few Pests Attack Sweet Potatos

No Comments 23 April 2009

The Garden Clock

by Pauline Keegan

I would like to plant sweet potatoes. How are they different from white potatoes?

Sweet potatoes are the tuberous roots of a vine that is closely related to the morning glory. They are grown from tuber sprouts called slips. Get slips from a reputable nursery or start your own. Sweet potatoes are grown from the slips, which are shoots that sprout from the storage roots when they are placed in a moist bed of sand. Keep the bed of sand or any other soft media at 70 to 80 degrees F. Cut off the bottom inch of the slip to help reduce tuber-born disease problems. Few pests and diseases attack sweet potatoes. It is one of the easiest vegetable crops to grow organically. A more detailed publication is available from the Washington County Extension Office. It is free for the asking. Address and phone number are at the end of this column.

When should I plant sweet corn? When should I plant beans?

Sweet corn requires warm soil for germination ( above 55 degrees F for standard sweet corn varieties). Early planting may be made in mid-March if weather permits. For a continuous supply of sweet corn throughout the summer, plant an early variety, a second early variety and a main crop variety in the first planting. Make a successive planting of your favorite main crop or late varieties when three or four leaves have appeared on the seedlings from the previous planting.

Beans are sensitive to cold temperatures and frost. Plant after all danger of frost is past in the spring and when soil temperature is above 62 degrees F. The usual planting time is mid- to late-April.

Is it all right to plant blueberries near black berries?

Blueberries have different requirements than blackberries. Blueberries require acid soil while blackberries prefer a more neutral soil. There is no danger of the two berries cross pollinating.

TIP: Janet Carson will speak at 6:30 p.m. Monday about new trees and trees that survived the ice storm. The talk will be at the Washington County Extension Office, 2536N. McConnell Ave. in Fayetteville. Master Gardeners are admitted free, public admission is $5

Send questions and tips to Washington County Master Gardeners, 2536N McConnell Ave., Fayetteville or call 444-1755.

Garden Clock

Garden

No Comments 16 April 2009

I am new at vegetable growing and would like to know what is meant by thinning lettuce plants? Do you thin individual plants or a clump of plants?

Thin lettuce to individual plants, leaving the space mentioned on the seed package. Lettuce sends out new growth from the center of the plant as it forms a clump. The “thinnings” are edible and can be added to a salad. We are happy to answer beginner questions. We forget the many questions that come up for the beginner gardener.

My freesia bulbs which I planted last fall seem to have rotted. Why did this happen?

Freesia is a tender plant that is grown in greenhouses or in the Deep South. Northwest Arkansas is not Deep South enough. Your freesia bulbs were frozen.

My daffodils need to be divided. Should I keep them in my refrigerator until fall?

It’s best to plant them immediately in their new location or dry them out and store them in a cool place. There are some good reasons for not storing them in the refrigerator. Daffodil bulbs are poisonous and a member of your family might take them for a new gourmet food.

Is it all right to use shredded newspaper as a mulch for my tomatoes?

Black and white newspaper is a very good and cheap mulch for anything. For tomatoes, just be sure the soil has thoroughly warmed before applying any mulch. Insulating the soil when it is still cold will delay the growth and flowering of tomatoes.

Attention all gardeners and tree huggers: Janet Carson will give a talk on trees, especially on the planting and caring for new trees and those that survived the ice storm. The time is 6:30 p.m. April 27 at the Washington County Extension Office, 2536 N. McConnell Ave., Fayetteville. Master Gardeners are admitted free, public admission is $5.

Send your questions and tips to Washington County Master Gardens, 2536 N. McConnell Ave., Fayetteville, or call 444-1755.

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