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February 2003 News |
Happy Valentines! Welcome to our monthly "Newsletter". This is where we announce the most recent additions to our website along with "what's happening in our gardens", helpful hints, herbal tips, etc. Please check back often, as we will be updating regularly. To view our Valentine Gift Specials please visit the following link: http://www.countryrosesoap.com/storefront.htm What's happening in our garden for February: I have to admit that this year I am behind schedule with my usual gardening chores as we have been doing major renovating to the inside of our home this past month. I have also been frantically trying to rebuild my inventory of soaps and skin care after the busy Christmas season. As soap takes 1 month to cure I always have to be on top of my inventory. Our heated greenhouse got a major cleaning and all plants a severe pruning while they are dormant - even the bougainvilleas received a major pruning while they were still happily blooming away. They were getting so wild and straggly that I really had to be ruthless. I now have to prune back our various wisterias. February "To Do" List: How to prune wisterias: Wisterias require frequent pruning to keep them in check. -pruning and training are important for bloom production and control of plant's size and shape. -let newly set plants grow to establish the framework - can be either single or multi-trunked. -remove stems that interfere with desired framework, pinch back side stems and long streamers, rub off unwanted buds on trunk. -Remember that the main stem will eventually become a good-sized trunk and that it's weight is considerable. Give good strong support and tie-in developing stems where you want them. -young plants need to be well fed and watered - blooming size established plants need less. -prune blooming plants every winter, cutting back or thinning out side shoots from main or structural stems - shortening them back to 2 or 3 buds. (the flower-producing spurs that grow from these will become fat flower buds.) -In summer cut back long streamers frequently - I do this every 2 weeks all season long. Save those which you want to use to extend the length or height of the vine - tie in. -No Blooms - If your wisteria should have bloomed by now withhold all nitrogen fertilizers for an entire growing season. (buds for next year's blooms are started in early summer). If this fails try root pruning in spring by cutting vertically with spade into plant's root zone. Wisterias are one of my favourite vines and we have several shades varying from white, pink, purple, and lavender to multi-coloured. Their fragrance is absolutely gorgeous! Sowing Seeds: - the basics of successful germination are as follows: good planting medium, sterilized trays, bottom heat, good light and adequate humidity. -Vegetables - this month I sow leeks, onions, and tomato seeds -Flowers - I also sow petunias and impatiens for my baskets and flower gardens, as these are slow growers. -First, I turn on my heating cables in the greenhouse as it takes a couple of days to warm up my propagating benches - I aim for about 70F (23C). -Next, I lightly sprinkle my seeds onto each of my seed trays, which were prepared ahead of time with my compost mix. -many seeds are so tiny and need light to germinate so I just give them a light dusting of soil before pressing them into the compost. -seed packages usually state whether the seeds need light or darkness to sprout. If they need total darkness, cover them with 1/4 inch of compost, press in lightly and cover tray with black plastic. -when all seeds are planted I mist them with my sprayer tank filled with warm water. (My soil mix is already moist from being prepared ahead of time.) -Label each tray and cover with a plastic dome to conserve moisture and place each tray over heating cables. -fluorescent tubes are hung over the total length of the propagation bench and turned on for a few hours each night. -remove domes for a few hours each day if too much condensation forms. Keep seeds moist. Do not allow them to dry out - check twice daily. -after germinating, remove domes, cool the trays down, and provide lots of light. -shade tender young seedlings from direct sun by placing 1 layer of newspaper over trays. -prune summer flowering shrubs, deciduous trees and vines. -rake winter debris off lawns - spread dolomite lime. -for organic control of overwintering pests and disease spray deciduous trees and fruit trees, shrubs and rose bushes with dormant oil before buds open. Greenhouse Gardening for February: (for a cool greenhouse kept at 40 - 45F (5 - 7C) -plants in bloom - pelargonium, bougainvillea, jasmine, Xmas cactus, cyclamen. -clean benches and remove any debris. -ventilate if day is warm and sunny as the greenhouse tends to get too humid this time of year causing mold and mildew. Remove infected leaves immediately and destroy. -deadhead spent blooms. -keep pots barely moist. -diligently check plants for aphids and whiteflies. I have a couple of jasmines which are now so large that I can only bring the smaller one indoors to our sunroom. They are literally covered in thousands of gorgeously scented blooms and are such a treat to be greeted to upon arising each morning. Our home becomes filled with their absolutely beautiful fragrance. This is one plant I find very rewarding to grow as it is so easy to look after and free from pests and diseases provided that I keep it outdoors during the summer months and in our heated greenhouse over the winter. It does not enjoy dry air in a home which is why I only bring it in while blooming. How to care for your jasmine: -once finished blooming, prune back hard and ensure that it has some kind of support to be tied to. -keep outdoors over the summer months keeping it well watered and fertilized. It will bloom sporadically throughout the summer although nothing like it's late winter/early spring blooming time. -in the fall cut back again by about 1/3 and bring it into a heated greenhouse. Keep barely moist over winter until it begins it's blooming cycle once more. Indoor Sunroom or Conservatory: A list of plants presently blooming in our sunroom: -Phalaenopsis Orchids -Paphiopedilum Orchid -Oxalis -Gardenia -jasmine As the days get longer increase frequency of watering and fertilizing. Repot if necessary, mist regularly and check for insects as white flies and aphids can become quite a problem this time of year. Many of my phalaenopsis and paphiopedilum orchids are now blooming or putting out their blooming spikes. Insert a bamboo stake and use a twist tie to fasten stem - don't tie-in too tight. As some of the phalaenopsis orchids can get quite heavy with many blooms tie-in stem close to the first bloom to hold in place. I had one so heavy that to my horror it broke off. Now I also tie-in the blooming stem in-between the blooms if there are many heavy blooms coming. At this time of year most homes lack enough humidity for tropical plants (even in our damp climate). I take my tropical plants to the sink now and then and spray the leaves with a gentle spray of tepid water. This helps to combat white flies as they can become quite a nuisance by the lack of humidity. Natural House Plant Fertilizer: 1 oz kelp 1 oz nettle 1 oz comfrey root To Make: Place herbs in a gallon jug and fill with water. Steep for at least 1 day. Use this tea full strength to water plants. Refill jug up to 10 days before discarding the herbs. Herbal Hints: Citrus Bath Herbs 1 oz dried orange zest 1 oz dried lemon zest 1 oz chamomile blossoms 1 oz lemonbalm 1 oz lemon verbena To Make: Mix together and store in airtight glass jar in cool dark place. To Use: Put a large handful into a muslin bag and drop into your bath water or hang on spout while bath water is running. Natural Herbal Cleaning Products If you forget clothes in the washer overnight and they smell stale, put them into the dryer with a sachet of lemon verbena or mint (or both) - they will come out smelling fresh and clean. Health and Wellness Cranberry-Raspberry Valentine Punch: 5 cinnamon sticks 1 tsp whole cloves 1 Tbsp dried peppermint (4 Tbsp fresh) 1/2-gallon cranberry-raspberry juice 1-quart ginger ale 1 orange, thinly sliced Wrap the cinnamon sticks, cloves and mint in cheesecloth. Simmer this bundle in the cranberry-raspberry juice for 20 minutes. Remove the spices and pour the warm juice in a punch bowl. Add ginger ale, orange slices and a few fresh mint leaves. Note: If you prefer to serve the punch cold, chill in refrigerator and serve with an ice ring. Some highlights for next month's newsletter! Starting a tea garden Herbal Honey Thanks for visiting! Susan |
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