Azaleas Beautify a Backard Design

 landscaping  No Responses »
Oct 072009
 

For many people, it’s not officially spring until the azaleas bloom in April or May. The delicate flowers, in many colors, are one of the first shrubs to let you know, summer will soon arrive. In my area, Warren Pa, is the first area where the azaleas shrubs line Market Street with livid color. Rhododendrons
Creative Commons License photo credit: Ryan Somma

Azaleas are a large, diverse group of flowering shrubs. They have single and double blooms in many shades of white, purple, red, pink or orange. I have tried to make my azalea collection have blooms from early to almost the beginning of summer. Azaleas also look nice mixed in with Rhododendron shrubs and spring and summer bulbs.

When selecting azaleas for your backyard, check variety to see if it will adapt and grow in your climate. Living in a zone 5 I need hardy azaleas that will take the cold winter nights. I also winterize the plants for added protection.

“Check with your local nursery or home center to see what they recommend for your region of the country.” Another overlooked area for plant, tree and shrub growing tips is your local Extension Office. Rhododendron
Creative Commons License photo credit: Ryan Somma

I am adding seven azaleas to my yard. Here are tips for planting this shrub that have worked for me in the past.

Choose a planting site with light shade (some varieties can take some sun) and well-drained, acidic soil rich in organic matter. This tip is the one I consider the most important. The right soil mix will help your azalea to grow, stay healthy and produce flowers in quantity.

Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball. The top of the root ball should be slightly above the top of the surrounding soil. If you have a clay soil make sure you break up the sides of the clay wall to help the roots extend into the more compact soil base.

Lift the container off the plant and cut or loosen any matted or damaged roots off the root ball.

After planting the shrub, water well, then apply a thick layer of organic mulch to help keep the soil moist. At this critical stage where new roots are forming make sure you never let the plant dry out completely.

Check your shrub each spring and fall for any insect or animal damage and remove any damaged branches. Make sure you add additives or fresh mulch to the plants base and prune at the proper time to keep the shrub full and producing flowers.

The new azalea shrubs will make a nice addition to the backyard and small rock garden I am adding to the landscaping this fall.

Posted by Denise at 7:37 pm  Tagged with: , , , ,

Fall Decorating: Free Pumpkin Designs

 backyard oasis  No Responses »
Oct 042009
 

Fall is a wonderful time to add decorations to your backyard, patio or balcony area. These small touches of fall color add beauty and relaxation to your backyard oasis area.

The Hidden Garden...Falling in Love With Fall
Creative Commons License photo credit: Јerry

A simple display of fall flowers, such as sunflowers will change the atmosphere or the patio or porch. This display reflects gardening and remind you of the birds that enjoy your yard.

whattodowithgourds2
Creative Commons License photo credit: Aunt Owwee

Decorative gourds can be used from the garden and placed on the table or porch for colorful accents or saved and dried for crafting  and decorations for holidays.Pumpkins on Main Street
Creative Commons License photo credit: Loren Javier

And fall isn’t complete without seeing painted or carved pumpkins in backyards and on front porches. For children picking out their own pumpkin and decorating it adds lasting memories of fun and magical times.

Fall gives us a final burst of vibrant color, most of which can be used for a month or so as decorations. Leaves, dried berries and grapevine wreaths are only a few natural items that you can save and use to add a seasonal look to your home.

Free Pumpkin Designs and Ideas

Posted by Denise at 7:47 pm  Tagged with: , , ,

The Secrets Of Planting Shrubs And Trees

 guest writer  No Responses »
Oct 022009
 
by Marshall Clewis

Most planting is done in the spring, between the time the frost leaves the ground and the time the leaf buds break on deciduous trees and shrubs. You may plant evergreens a week later as they do not usually start new growth as early as deciduous plants. Morrison Garden
Creative Commons License photo credit: cliff1066™

In the fall, plant evergreens, herbaceous perennials and bulbs before the middle of September. Plant deciduous trees and shrubs a little later, when their leaves are ready to fall.

Care on Arrival

When the shrubs arrive from the nursery, unpack them and report immediately any discrepancy in the order or condition of the stock.

If the material cannot be planted immediately, dig a trench and pack the roots close together in it, covering them with earth packed down firmly to exclude air. Evergreens that have the roots tightly balled and burlapped may be stood in the shade and sprinkled with water but not soaked.

Digging and Filling the Holes

Dig the holes before you prepare the plants to go in them. It is very important to keep the roots moist at all times, and they will dry out if you have them lying in the sun or wind while you dig the hole.

Dig the holes wide enough that the roots can be spread out naturally, and deep enough that 3 to 4 inches of good topsoil can be placed in the bottom and still allow the plant to be set about 1 inch lower than it grew before.

Hold the plant in place while you fill in good topsoil over the roots. Gently shake the plant up and down two or three times to help settle the earth around the roots. Then tamp the soil down firmly.

Soak it with water and as soon as it has settled fill the hole with soil; leave a saucerlike depression around the plant to hold future water, which it should receive at least once a week until it is established.

When planting evergreens do not remove the burlap from the roots. Place topsoil in the bottom of the hole to hold the ball at the right height. Remove the cord or nails that hold the ball together and roll the burlap back gently into the bottom of the hole, where it will rot in time. Then add soil and water as above.

Bracing

Small trees should be staked and large trees guyed with wires at the time they are planted to avoid being swayed by the wind. Make sure that the stake does not rub the tree and that wires and ties do not chafe it.

For small trees from 8 to 10 feet tall, drive a 2 x 2 inch hardwood stake (about as long as the tree) firmly into the bottom of the hole before planting the tree. Place the tree 2 to 3 inches from the stake so that the roots are not scraped. After the tree has been planted, tie the trunk to the stake about a foot from the ground and again every 3 feet, using a piece of rubber hose between them in a figure 8 and then making a loop around the two.

For guy-wiring larger trees, drive three or four short stakes into the ground about 5 feet from the tree on opposite sides. So that the tree will not be scraped, run the wires through a piece of hose placed around the tree 8 to 10 feet from the ground. birth tree: planting a snow bell
Creative Commons License photo credit: woodleywonderworks

Pruning

Prune deciduous shrubs and trees at planting, to balance the roots they have lost and to train their shape. When pruning  trees remove some of the branches close to the trunk. Leave the main leader going straight up, with branches 6 to 12 inches apart ascending but alternating evenly around it. Remove broken branches and any that are crossed.

When pruning shrubs, remove weak, twisted or broken branches at the base. Also, cut back the strong canes to a point just above a leaf bud that points outward, so that the new branches will not cross.

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Posted by Gary Antosh at 1:35 pm  Tagged with: , , , ,
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