Several readers have asked me to create an "open forum" thread where gardening, green-living, and decorating questions can be posed. Well, here it is. If you have a question or a comment concerning one of your cherished garden plants, or about cut flowers, compost-making, green alternatives to chemical fertilizers, houseplants, etc., even current events, simply post-away in the comments section of this OPEN FORUM. I will check the comments frequently, and join in. And, feel free to invite your gardening friends into the forum. Shall we get started? Who wants to go first?
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
ASK KEVIN
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Hi Kevin! I have a question: why does the poor carnation get such a bad rap? My friend gave me a lovely bouquet of pink baby carnations and they seem to last forever. How can I get them to last even longer? Thanks!
Judy - that bad rap is the result of florists who thought it would be fun to dye carnations green for St. Patricks Day, neon-pink for Valentine's, etc. Frankly, I love carnations in their natural hues. So fragrant. You can extend their vase-life by at least another week if, each day, you cut the stems just a little, and completely refresh the water. Hope this helps!
Just wondering what kind of pruners you for pruning roses and other somewhat woody plants.
Oh, and thanks for having this open thread!
Justin - good to see you again. I use Felco pruners. They are expensive, but the best. They last "forever" and they stay sharp.
Hi Kevin
How do I keep a hanging basket of petunias fresh now that the first bloom is off?
Best, Jed
Hi, Jed: Food and water are daily necessities for outdoor container-plants, including petunias. I feed mine with a high-phosphorous formula. To prolong bloom and to keep the petunia attractive, deadhead spent flowers, including the seed-pod (see Petunia post from April.) Enjoy - and thanks for asking!
Hi Kevin,
thenks so very much for th elovely tour of your gardens on Saturday. they are an inspriation.
I have a question:
Would it be too much to plant a bed of alliums interdispersed with chives, which look like mini alliums?
The chives would fill on the low areas and camouflage the allium leaves that can dry out easily?
Despina and Michael
Hi, Kevin. Do you have any ideas for a perennial climbing plant that likes full sun?
Despina and Michael, welcome! I think your idea for planting chives among alliums is a terrific idea, especially if the bed is near your kitchen. You will have to keep your chives watered, however, because these too can dry out. I use hostas and hellebores to hide the withering alliums that reside in a bed near my back door.
gothamdan: Ah, where do I begin? If you like roses, I suggest either red 'Blaze,' white 'Iceberg' or pink 'Zephirine Droughin' (see post from a few days ago). Clematis is another possibility. If you want something a little more "macho," hops (useful in beer-making)will thrive in full sun. Let me know what you decide upon, and thanks for asking!
Do the hops flower? Can you recommend a clematis with the smaller (not the giant ones), more vibrant flowers. I have another clematis at another place, and it grows back (en masse!!!) that is purple. How about morning glories?
Hi Kevin,
My father gave me a Taxodium Distichum, Cascade Falls. I planted it on a flat bed. He said I should move it in order to get the full cascading look. Can you move a very small tree that was planted a year ago? I do not want to harm it.
Despina
Gotham - Hops have lovely green flowers.
Small-flowered clematis: Those that I have seen tend to be pale, rather than vibrant, in color. Pink 'Inspiration' grows 4-6 ft.; creamy-white, scented 'Virginiana' 10-20 ft.; pure-white, scented 'Sweet Autumn,' (this one grows in my garden) 30 ft.
I did not mention Morning Glory vine in my earlier response, because you asked about perennials. But I do love MG, particularly the 'Heavenly Blue' variety. This one covers the fence in my herb garden from July through frost each year. I'll have to post a picture when it is in bloom.
Despina - I love, love, love Taxodium distichum! In fact, I want one for the lower stone wall in my Serpentine Garden.
You can, if you wish, leave your Taxodium exactly where it is, and stake it to get a beautiful cascading effect. But if you want to move it to a slope or stone wall, go ahead. Just do it before the weather turns horribly hot and humid. Once moved, be sure to pamper this glorious green cypress with an abundance of water.
My father though I planted it on too low a ground. He thinks it should be on a mound for the full cascading effect. I will keep you posted. It is sprouting all sorts of green throughout. It is very young.
Hi Kevin, this site is so inspirational. what a garden you have! We just bought a house and the back yard is so bare. Is it to late for me the start a garden this year? See you soon, Erin from Crazy Daisy
Erin - Welcome! Congratulations on your house and your backyard! It is absolutely NOT too late to start a garden. In fact, now is a good time to buy plants, because you can find them on sale.
I hope to see you here often.
Hi Kevin.
I left compost tea in a jar at your front door.
Carol
Hi, Carol - tea received, and thank you!
Kevin, Really enjoyed meeting you on yesterday's tour. The name of the herb lady in CT is Adelma Simmons. Vivian
Vivian - it was delightful meeting and talking with you, as well. I hope that you will visit this site often, and comment frequently.
Hi Kevin-
I enjoyed talking with you and touring your amazing gardens last Saturday. I write the nature column for the Chatham Courier, and I'd like to feature your gardens in my July 9th column, if you are interested. If so, please contact me.
Thanks. John Cooley raven2504@earthlink.net & 392-4814
Hi Kevin -
I've been looking online for a source for the Rose: Rosa Tropicana. Jackson & Perkins no longer carry it. I understand that it was an extremely popular variety, so I don't know why it seems to have been discontinued. I believe I saw that the patent expired, but I don't know why this would have affected its availability. Do you have any suggestions? Is there a way that I can take a cutting from my mother's bush, and plant it? How does one do that? Thank you for your help.
m8kmida: Romence Gardens & Greenhouses in Grand Rapids lists the beautiful 'Tropicana' rose in their catalogue. You can call them toll-free at 888-907-5268. If they are out of this rose, ask them to order one for you. Let me know how you make out.
How do you get a winter garden?
Dear Anonymous: Well, the most satisfying winter garden of all is the one located in the house! Thus, you must choose a sunny, pleasant window in your home, and outfit it to accommodate a number of flowering and green-growing plants. I'll discuss exactly how to create such a window garden as autumn nears.
Kevin, you once mentioned your favorite bulb suppliers. I can't remember which post it was, however. Can you point me in the right direction?
Janie - you can find my fav bulb dealers in the late July post "What To Do In
August." Thanks for asking!
Kevin,
Can you please tell if you have any problems with the black spot on your roses? This seems to be the only issue I have - and I can't win so far ( I refuse to spray).
I enjoyed your blog - thank you so much!
zoya
Zoya - welcome! Yes, my roses are subjected to every conceivable pest, disease and fungus. A thorough clean up in autumn helps. If you are willing to use chemicals around your roses, Bayer Advanced All-in-One Rose & Flower Care Concentrate will treat black-spot. No spraying involved, just mix with water and pour around roots.
Hope to "see" you again!
Dear Kevin, I've enjoyed and learned so much from all that you have written. Kindly consider a harvest topic like how to care for garlic, potato, and storage for squash and other long lasting winter vegetables.
Hi Kevin,
We had an amazing time having dinner in your secret, secret garden. It was magical and whet my appetite to create outdoor table settings.
what is a good twisty vine to wrap aound a lsrge votive cadle in the middle of the table?
despina and michael
Despina and Michael - my pleasure. A vine to wrap around a large votive? Definitely English Ivy.
Any ideas on how to remove small tree stumps(about 3 inches in diameter) & roots from a future flower garden--other than dynamite?
John
John - if you have the strength to bang it into the earth, a pick-axe will usually accomplish the small tree stump-removal job.
Otherwise, use dynamite.
Kevin,
Iris are one of my all time favorite flowers.
Which ones flower again in the fall and do you have a supplier to recommend?
Suscha
Suscha - I love irises too, and can never have enough of them. My favorite is 'Immortality,' which gives fragrant pleasure in both spring and fall. You can read all about this reblooming iris and others, too, by clicking the September, 2009 blog "Reblooming Irises Offer Twice The Fun." My favorite source for rhyzomes is www.easytogrowbulbs.com.
Hi Kevin,
what is the pros and cons of vinca major vs vinca minor? have you had any experience growing asiatic jasmine as a groundcover? would you combine it with vinca minor?
the groundcover i plan on using under my flowering cherry trees will be pachysandra. in the shady area i thought of combining the jasmine and vinca minor.
Mary - Vinca major, although dazzling when covered with blue flowers in spring, is slower-growing and less effective at smothering weeds than its smaller-leaved relative, Vinca minor.
Also beautiful is asiatic jasmine, which I have only seen in southern gardens. It is a marvelous substitute for turf, providing people and pets do not trample it.
To avoid an uneven appearance, I would not combine asiatic jasmine with any other ground-covering material, including Vinca minor. While the effect might look grand early on, it is sure to resemble chaos, not serenity, in three year's time!
hi Kevin Will told me about your site it is very beautiful and informative thank you Dr robert abramson
Dr. Robert - Thank you! I hope you'll stop by often. There's always something to grow, cook, or decorate here!
Kevin: Is it too late to transplant Hosta and Siberian Iris's-Now that I have cut them down I have discovered how much I have and places I want to move them to. Do I need to wait until spring?
Great information on Violets. None of mine are in Bloom. Not enough sun.
Andi
Andi - hello! Hosta and Siberian Iris need at least 30 days to establish their roots before the first killing frost of autumn. Thus, if you've already had frost, it's best to wait until spring to move the plants. They will both recover quickly then.
Regarding your non-blooming violets, do you have room for one -- just one! -- fluorescent fixture?
Hi Kevin,
We met at Michael and Despina's Halloween party. I promised to send you my dessert recipe. I made the toffee gooey butter cake that you enjoyed. What's the best way to send it to you?
Richard Merton
Hi, Richard! Send it to kevin@agardenforthehouse.com
Hope to "see" you frequently around here!
Kevin, just a quick note to say how much I enjoy your articles on holiday decorations! More, please!!!
I'm about to buy paperwhites. Is it too late to force bulbs? I want them to bloom shortly before Christmas. And I'm gong away this weekend to visit my sister for her special birthday so I don't want them to bloom while I'm away and miss them. What do you suggest??
Judy - it's not too late to force paperwhites. If you plant them in pebbles and water today, and keep them warm, they might bloom in time for New Year's. For Christmas bloom, the bulbs should be planted in mid-November. Bulbs planted before January need 5 weeks to bloom.
What is the name of the company for the best flower bulbs? I forgot.
Anne - There are two mail-order bulb companies I like:
www.easytogrowbulbs.com, and www.oldhousegardens.com
Based on my own experience with them, these companies are completely reliable.
Kevin,
Was wondering if blue spruce can be pruned to control height. I have 12 trees in a raised berm that i would like to control if it will not effect the health of the tree. Thanks for any info.
Chris W
Christopher - welcome. If you are not removing an excessive amount of growth, a healthy blue spruce will not be harmed by top-pruning. However, the shape of the tree will be affected, when one or more lateral branches bend up to form the top, or "terminal" point.
Hello! I have a blog called A-Z Apartment Garden and would like to exchange links. Description: How to grow the plants you love in a small space. Posted Monday thru Friday: Best Houseplants, Better Gardens, Easy Houseplants, Frugal Gardens, and Houseplant News. At A-Z Apartment Garden I take a different approach to plants in the home, suggesting that our houseplants should not be taken for granted. I have already placed a link to your site in my sidebar. Please consider linking to my blog. Thank you.
http://a-z-apartment-garden.blogspot.com/
Nancy
Nancy - welcome, and what a wonderful site you have! I will be happy to link to you as soon as I set up a "favorite blogs" roll. This should happen in the near future...
Happy New Year to you!
Hi- I was told I could propogate kalanchoe from cuttings. I would like to pot the cuttings for gifts. Do you know how I might get them to bloom, and how long it takes? Is there any way to predict when they would be in bloom for gifting? I am enjoying your comments and replies. Thank you for your site. Lynn
Welcome, Lynn - This is the way to propagate kalanchoe: Take two-inch-long stem cuttings, remove the lower half-inch of leaves, and insert each stem into its own 3-inch pot of a porous soil. Keep the soil moist but not saturated for the first 2 weeks; thereafter, let soil dry before watering. Pinch out new growth to encourage branching.
You can schedule kalanchoe to bloom by giving it short days and long nights. As outlined in my November post "Kalanchoe Blooms On Demand", I set mine in a dark closet from 8pm to 8am for at least three weeks before Christmas, because I want blooms then. Do have a look at that post, if you haven't already.
And, have fun with your project! I think handsome, well-grown houseplants make terrific gifts. Anyway, I like to receive them!
Thank you! I will certainly look up that post. I am so glad to have found you!
What is a formal Italian Rose garden?
Welcome, Anonymous - Correctly, my rose garden should be called formal Italian "style." That is, the beds are laid out to mirror each other. Thanks for asking.
Hello Kevin. After a disasterous first year (last year) of trying to grow vegatables, I'm moving this year's garden. The spot in the backyard that has the best sun seems to have some Japanese beetle damage. I'm going to try raised planting beds. Will the layers of newspaper you recommend keep the beetles' larvae from attacking my vegatables? Thanks for your help.
Charlotte - welcome! The best way to deal with Japanese beetles is by applying, in August or September, an organic product called Milky Spore. Milky Spore takes 2-3 years to become effective, but then it lasts for 10 years. You apply it to the grassy areas on your property, for this is where the beetles lay their eggs.
Newspapers, although effective at controlling weeds, will do nothing to deter the dreaded JBs.
Hi Kevin - we're suffering from winter cabin fever and would like to start working on our outdoor vegetable garden early. We'd like to start cultivating vegetable seedlings indoors and then when the weather permits, transplanting them into our vegetable garden.
I hear that some vegetables work great as indoor seedlings and transplant to the outdoor garden well, while others don't. Can you tell me which vegetables we can start growing indoors and would transplant well? and which ones we should avoid?
Thanks!
Frank - which hardiness-zone are you in?
I'm in Zone 6.
Frank - In your zone, the only things I would plant right now would be peas, spinach, radicchio, broccoli, onions and shallots. These, if sown in sterile potting mix, and placed in a cool but very sunny window (or better, under lights) should transplant well after you harden them off in late March/early April.
You can also WINTER-SOW the above and tomatoes, too, in late-March; winter-sown seeds, of course, need no hardening off. For winter-sowing instructions, see Jan. 11 and 25 posts.
I hope this has been helpful to you; let me know if you have further questions.
p.s. - In winter, simply shopping for seeds can do wonders to mitigate cabin fever!
Hi Kevin, A friend of mine recently went to Alaska and bought me back a big bag of Alaskan wildflower seeds. There is no mention of the names of the plants that are inclued. So any suggestions? I was going to sow them indoors in late March. Thanks kevin!!
Erin, how exciting!
Wild flowers are best started outdoors, not in. Why not winter-sow them? Or, prepare a bed as soon as the ground can be worked, and just scatter the seeds there.
Thanks Kevin, I will winter sow them so I don't mistake them as weeds when they come up in the spring. I've done that one too many times. I will let you know what sprouted when they come up!
Thanks Again!!!
I keep hearing about planting after the "last frost". What does the "last frost" actually mean and when is it considered the "last frost" in Columbia County?
Thanks, Frank
Frank - Last frost refers to the date in spring when temperatures are unlikely to dip low enough to damage tender plants. In Columbia County, the average last frost date is May 17.