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May News 2003 |
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and Updates for May 2003 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 Mother's Day Gift Basket specials please visit the following link: http://www.countryrosesoap.com/storefront.htm What's happening in our garden for May: After such a mild, dry winter we sure have been making up the for the lack of rain these past 2 months. March and April have been extremely wet and cool in our area making gardening pretty miserable. We were off to such an early start but growth has slowed down considerably due to the lack of warmth and sunshine. May is my favourite month of the entire year so hopefully the weather will improve. We also just received some fantastic news. My husband and I are going to become first time grandparents in December and we are so exited! I can hardly wait. The "Mom-to-be" is pictured here:http://www.countryrosesoap.com photographed by our son. ("soon-to-be-Dad"). We now have some cool weather crops ready for harvesting which I had planted under cover in our unheated greenhouse. It is such a treat to be enjoying fresh radishes, spinach and oriental greens. There is no comparison to the store bought version. This greenhouse will also become home to our tomato crop, sweet and hot peppers, eggplant, cucumbers and basil. Along with the fig tree these plants enjoy the warm, rain-free environment here. Due to tomato blight in our area we can only grow tomatoes under cover. This greenhouse is also home to all of my hanging baskets and planters which were done up last month waiting for the last expected frost date which is usually after Mother's Day. May "To Do" List: -plant up hanging baskets and containers if not already done so - keep in frost-free area before moving out. -transplant tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and melons either under cover or wait until the end of May, early June to transplant outside - don't forget to harden off first. -transplant broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and kohlrabi into vegetable garden - plant these deeper than they were growing in the seed tray. Organic Hint: - to prevent cutworm damage place a cardboard collar around the base of the stem and sink 1" into the soil. Organic Hint: - to prevent maggot problems, which usually happen when brassicas are planted in the cool season, cover entire row with "floating row cloth". The flies cannot then lay their eggs. -direct sow successive crops of lettuce, carrots, spinach, radishes, potatoes, peas, beets, and oriental greens. -direct sow broccoli, cabbage, kale, leeks, scallion onions, parsnips, swiss chard. -at end of month direct sow cucumber, squash, pumpkins, zucchini, corn, bush and pole beans, pumpkins. -transplant zucchini and pumpkins at end of the month. -transplant summer annuals once danger of frost has past. -direct sow summer annuals. -plant dahlia tubers. -divide and move mid and late season perennials - water well. -move hanging baskets and containers outside once danger of frost has past. -check for aphids especially on rose tips. Rub off with fingers or spray with a strong blast of water from your garden hose. -watch for black spot on roses - control severe outbreaks by spraying with a baking soda solution. (see April newsletter for organic recipe). -nip spent bulb flowers (not leaves), fertilize throughout spring for next year's blooms - hide drying foliage by planting summer annuals next to bulbs. -stake delphiniums, peonies, bleeding heart and other tall plants. -prune early blooming shrubs when flowers are done. Greenhouse Gardening for May: (for a cool greenhouse kept at 40 - 45F (5 - 7C) -plants in bloom - pelargonium, jasmine, cyclamen, gerbera, fuchsia, bacopa vine, fibrous begonia, alyssum, petunias, bougainvilleas, pelargoniums, oleander. -sow summer annuals -sow brussels sprouts. -dampen down greenhouse on warm days and keep ventilated. -once danger of frost has passed and most plants have been moved to their summer location move rest of the plants outside. Thoroughly scrub down greenhouse with a solution of warm soapy water with a little bleach added to disinfect. -arrange tropical plants such as oleander, bougainvillea, and hibiscus for colourful summer display in greenhouse - these love the warmth and humidity as long as the greenhouse is well ventilated and dampened down regularly. Indoor Sunroom or Conservatory: A list of plants presently blooming in our sunroom: -Phalaenopsis Orchids -Paphiopedilum Orchids -Cymbidium Orchids -Miltoniopsis Orchids (pansy orchids) -Oxalis -Gardenia -Jasmine -African Violets -Oleander Care: Water and feed regularly as they are now growing actively. -many can be moved outside for the summer once danger of frost has past. Note: acclimatize first by placing in sunlight for very short periods of time, as they will sunburn quickly. -move out Cymbidium and Odontoglossum Orchids for the summer. -to keep humidity up place gravel in trays and keep filled with a little water. Place pot on top - do not allow bottom of pot to sit in the water. Herbal Hints: -once danger of frost has passed plant out over wintered scented geraniums bay, stevia, lemon verbena, French lavender and herb seedlings - wait until June to transplant basil. -direct sow fennel, dill, cilantro, and parsley. -plant up a strawberry clay pot with kitchen herbs. I grow these beside the back door for easy access culinary herbs - basil, thyme, oregano, Italian parsley, French tarragon, rosemary are all good versatile choices. Plant a Butterfly Garden: If you want to attract butterflies to your garden like ours you should provide them with larval and nectar foods as many butterflies eat entirely different diets at their different life stages. This means you have to accept the fact that at the caterpillar stage some of your leaves will be damaged. Forget the pesticides and just concentrate on the pleasure when this caterpillar becomes an adult. In addition to food they also need sunshine, protection from strong winds and puddles to get water. Here are just a few plants which will attract butterflies: anise hyssop, chives, evening primrose, oregano, rosemary, thyme, bergamot, borage, echinacea, fennel, dill, parsley, malvas, mints, Oregon grape, penstemons, mock orange, sage, stonecrops, violets and yarrow. Natural Cleaning Products: After watching the news the other night about the toxic dangers of household cleaners I am now thankful that I have always been leery of them, sticking to plain old soap, water, vinegar, etc. They announced that only 2% of commercial cleaning products have been tested and approved. That is a scary thought especially considering that toddlers crawl around everywhere. I am especially cautious after that announcement since I am going to be a grandmother. Natural Scouring Powder -1 1/2 cups baking soda -1 1/2 tsp essential oils (orange would be a good one, as is rosemary, lavender, pine) Wear a dust mask and place baking soda in a bowl. I also wear surgical gloves and mix in the essential oils by hand squeezing the mix over and over until the essential oils have been incorporated in. Store in an airtight container. To Use: Apply with a dampened sponge or use a loofa or scrubber pad for more abrasive cleaning. Optional: Add a little liquid soap to make a paste for a gentle soft scrubber. New! - Organic Gardening Tips: Compost Tea - organic liquid fertilizer This is what I use to fertilize my 100 or so potted plants and hanging baskets. We also use it to water our vegetables throughout the season when they need a boost. Because I have so many hanging baskets it would be too costly to use commercial fertilizers plus we choose to go organic. HOW TO MAKE: 1)Find a large plastic or wooden barrel. We have two - one placed by our greenhouse and one by the vegetable garden. 2)Fill an old pillowcase half full with well rotted compost. Add one shovelful alfalfa pellets. Be warned that the alfalfa causes the mixture to have a very strong odor. My dog and I don't mind it but the rest of my family hates it. Tie off the pillowcase with a long pliable wire adding a loop on one end. 3)Place an "S" hook on the rim of your barrel and hook your compost filled pillow case onto this hook. 4)Fill the barrel with water, cover and let steep for at least 1 week. 5)Nail a plastic bucket to a long pole and use this to fill your watering jugs with the compost tea by dipping from the barrel. I use this mix 1/2 strength once a week for all of my hanging baskets and pots. Refill barrel about 3 more times before discarding the pillowcase remains onto next year's compost pile and start a fresh batch. Health and Wellness Herbal Barbeque Basting Brush This herb brush makes a flavourful and delectable smelling addition to your outdoor barbequing for basting vegetables, meats, fish and poultry. Bundle several branches of rosemary, sage and thyme. Tie them together with a piece of string. Use to brush food while grilling - just toss into the compost when done. Another excellent method is to just throw a few sprigs of rosemary onto the barbeque along with your vegetables, poultry, etc, close the lid and the flavour will permeate your food. Thanks for visiting! Susan |
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