Church cookbooks are my favorite! Using one is like having a friend in the kitchen with you guiding you through a recipe. Inevitably, each cookbook contains a âThis and Thatâ section. Great recipes that donât quite fit into the other “Breakfast,” “Main Dishes,” and “Desserts” sections. This weekâs column is a compilation of âThis and That.â It contains a series of observations and information regarding frequently asked questions (FAQâs). I hope you find it helpful.
1. Why donât my hydrangea bloom?
Hydrangea macrophylla varieties such as Endless Summer, Invincibelle Sprit, and Annabelle sometimes donât bloom. If your hydrangea isnât blooming, consider the following.
Donât fertilize them. Fertilizing can promote foliage growth (leaves) rather than reproductive growth (flowers). Keep them consistently moist.
Names of plants often reveal certain information about the plants. It was pointed out to me that the prefix hydra means water and that hydrangeas like to be watered on a regular basis.
If there is a frost predicted in the spring, cover your hydrangea with a sheet. They are very susceptible to frost damage. Donât prune Hydrangea macrophylla varieties until May.
Some varieties only bloom on old wood; if you cut them down to the ground, the old wood is removed. Prune them after they start leafing out in the spring. At that point, only prune off the portion of the stem that doesnât have any leaves, i.e. if a particular branch is 2â high, only the bottom 1â may have leaves coming out from it. Consider putting a little bit of extra mulch around the base of the plant in October and removing the mulch in March. This will add a bit of insulation throughout the winter.
2. What is the tan/yellowish blob of stuff growing on my mulch?
It is not the result of an animal; it is most likely a fungus. You can either just leave it alone and it will eventually dry up, or you can scoop it into a garbage bag and remove it from your yard.
3. Why are the leaves on my birch tree turning yellow?
This question was actually asked quite a bit in June. The leaves were turning yellow and dropping off due to lack of water.
Observations from the front line:
Emerald Ash Borer damage on Ash trees is unfortunately becoming more evident.
Many evergreen trees and shrubs suffered in the drought this summer.
Hostas, the seemingly indestructible plant, look awful this year.
It seems that the lawns in the older neighborhoods look better than the newer neighborhoods. I think it would have to do with the fact that their roots were more established prior to the drought.
Daylilies, the other seemingly indestructible plant, look awful also.
I have been asked to âTell someone that they shouldnât prune lilacs in the fall or spring.â Not sure who I should tell, but I am passing it on.
Anybody notice how quickly the burning bush started to dry up around July 4? I think it would have to do with the fact they have a very fibrous root system.
We are seeing the “survival of the fittest” saying personified through the weeds this year.
For many, fall is their favorite season. It is also a great time to garden.
Anybody else having trouble getting their tomatoes to ripen?
Have you been admiring the gorgeous flowers planted in the median planting area on Del Webb Boulevard, near Route 47? Much thanks to Chris Leuck, Landscape Services Supervisor, for helping to identify the flowers. They are Jade Princess Millet and Zinnias. The millet is the taller, spikey flower that is planted in the middle. The zinnias are the smaller flowers around the perimeter of the bed. Both are superb choices and add so much to the community.
Thanks so much for your emails and calls regarding the column. I appreciate being able to share thoughts about gardening.
Kathleen Carr is the owner of The Growing Scene, Inc., a garden center and landscaping company. She can be reached by calling 815-923-7322 or tgsinc12@msn.com Have a gardening question? Please contact her. She will address it in an upcoming column.
