Portland Tribune
Anne Jaeger on Gardening
Little things mean a lot in the summer garden: BBQ burgers and friends al fresco, water fights, running through the sprinkler and loitering in the hammock to name but a few. We get the chance to enjoy life when the garden slows down in August. Or maybe we’re just more likely to give ourselves permission? That said there are a few little jobs that mean a lot in the summer garden this time of year. These reminders may save us heartache later.
Hanging Basket Health
How you water is as important as when. Hanging baskets are often filled with beautiful annuals on tender stems which break easily and need loving care. Give hanging baskets and containers a break and avoid breakage by using a gentle spray from a “shower head” type of nozzle. They’re cheap at the garden stores now. The shower nozzle allows the water to penetrate the soil, without hurting the flowers or merely rushing out the sides. Water daily—twice when temperatures reach the 90’s— and water until the water pours from the bottom. If you get impatient easily, count to 50 slowly before calling it quits. Also, to encourage the plant to push out more flowers, switch to a liquid fertilizer formulated for that purpose. At this time of year you want a fast acting food high in phosphorous for best color and flower production. You’ll see three numbers on the front of the fertilizer package (15-30-15) the second indicates phosphorous. Look for a bloom booster with the second number higher than all the rest and get watering.
Cut Flowers
Lots of people complain that the summer garden slows down in August. Sure, the spring fling is long over, but many plants will keep on truckin’ if cut back right now. By snipping off the old flowers, the plant will keep on making flowers. It’s Mother Nature’s way of fighting to survive. If the flowers are gone, the plant isn’t producing seed. So it kicks out more flowers to go to seed and reproduce. So, encourage even more blooms on these plants by snip, snip, snipping:
Campanula (bellflower)
Coreopsis (tickseed)
Dahlia
Delphinium
Echinacea (purple coneflower)
Hemerocallis (daylily)
Lavandula (lavender)
Monarda (bee balm)
Penstemon (beardtongue)
Phlox
Veronica (corn speedwell)
Water Wisdom
I use a couple of last minute tricks when I’m going out of town and haven’t arranged for anyone to water my containers and baskets. Fill a plastic kiddie’s pool (a third or half full) with water and place potted plants directly into the water. They will draw up the water as needed from the roots. (Remember to place the pool in the shade before filling to protect plants from reflected sun scorch.) Remove the plants when you get back home, they don’t like being soaked forever. The next idea isn’t pretty but it does the job. Fill a large wine bottle with water and insert the neck into the soil. The water will slowly leak into the planter. Or poke several small holes in the bottom of a plastic milk jug, cap the top and place that directly onto the soil. Make sure the holes are big enough to allow water to leak out slowly.
And while we are on the topic of watering, don’t forget to water camellias and rhodies. Camellias are forming their flowers now for next spring and without enough water, they won’t show. Rhodies are often forgotten this time of year and end up with burned leaves that last forever. This is caused a lack of water. So when you see the leaves curling, it’s time to give them a heavy soak.
Catch Anne Jaeger on the nationwide television show called “Smart Gardening” Saturday mornings at 10:30 on Oregon Public Broadcasting (10). Contact Anne through her web site Gardengal.tv
