These weekly garden notes are written by Kim Willis,
unless another author is noted, and the opinions expressed in these notes are
her opinions and do not represent any other individual, group or organizations
opinions.
Hi Gardeners
 |
| So much for spring. |
I woke up this morning to about three inches of snow- the
record has now been officially broken so enough already! After the nice weekend weather this is sure a
let down. I wanted to go outside to look
at the eclipse last night but that was worthless.
I noticed that dozens of honeybees were clustered around the
small bunch of crocus that had opened up outside my back door. I couldn’t imagine crocus having that much
nectar and pollen so I filled up a hummingbird feeder with sugar water and set
it by them on the ground. They swarmed
it. I had to refill it the next day and
they drained that too. Hopefully they
got enough to stay alive through this cold spell. I haven’t seen any bumblebees yet, they must
be waiting for dandelions.
I put the hummingbird feeders away last night but forgot to
empty the rain gauge and I think it cracked.
This weather is just too much. We
had some high winds but nothing like what Lake Orion had. It’s a mess down there I’m told. We are still working on the mess from the ice
storm here.
Assessing tree damage
Speaking of tree damage, whether from the recent storm or
last winter’s weather please be very careful in your clean up. Look up.
If you see dangling branches in the tree, held up by being caught on
other limbs, use extreme caution under the trees. These are called widow makers for a reason. Pulling on lower limbs or just working under
the trees cleaning up fallen branches could be dangerous. Large limbs like this should probably be
removed by professionals.
Cut off jagged stumps on a tree evenly. They may bleed a lot this spring as sap rises
but don’t worry and don’t paint the stub unless it’s an oak tree. Research
has shown that tree paint doesn’t help and may harm a trees healing of the
wound. Oak trees are an exception because
the sap leaking draws bugs that transmit deadly Oak Wilt disease to the
trees.
People have been asking me if this or that tree will recover
from its damage. If a large tree is
badly broken it will probably never look good again, although it may go on
living. Some trees with moderate damage
will recover in a few years to look pretty decent. It’s sometimes a judgment call between
sentimentality and practicality as to whether you leave a tree or take it
down. (It may also be a financial
decision.) If the tree is leaning, is
heavily damaged on one side and unbalanced or has many cracked or split limbs
you may want to think of how safe it is for your home or property if you leave
it.
If you decide to give the tree a chance fertilize it this
spring, take off any sucker shoots that develop on the roots or close to the
ground on the trunk, and water it when it gets dry. If a few “sucker shoots” develop high on a tree
you can leave them to see if new strong limbs develop. You can always prune them off later if they
make the tree look worse.
What you can plant
now outside
I know it doesn’t look like anything could be planted
outside with snow on the ground but actually there are things that can be
planted outside in mid-April. You can
sow grass seed right on the snow, although birds may find it easy to see that
way. Do sow your grass seed soon,
though, it likes to germinate and grow when it’s cool and wet.
Garden peas can be planted as soon as the soil thaws. You’ll have crisp little snow pea pods to go
with your early salads if you sow them soon.
Lettuce of various sorts will also germinate in cooler soil. By the end of the month onion sets or seed,
radishes, beets, carrots, cabbage, turnips, rutabagas, can be planted.
Some flower seeds such as bachelor’s buttons, calendula,
dianthus, pansies, violas, sweet peas, stocks, snapdragon, and candytuft can be
planted mid to late April. Garden stores
are offering hanging baskets and flats of pansies, which can provide early
color to the garden. And many stores
are offering flats of sprouting tulips and daffodils if you forgot to plant the
bulbs last fall.
Beer and a grill
Here’s another good use of research dollars and it must have
been fun for the researchers. As you
have probably heard cooking meat on a grill creates some carcinogenic
chemicals. That hasn’t done much to stop
people from cooking on grills so I guess some research needed to be done on how
to make some of those cancer causing compounds less toxic.
The ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry reports
that researchers found that marinating meat in beer before it was grilled could
reduce the Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that are produced when meat
is grilled and that are associated with a high risk of colorectal cancer. Researchers marinated pork in a dark ale,
non-alcoholic beer, and Pilsner beer for four hours. They then grilled the meat until it was well
done and tested it for PAHs. They found
that all of the marinades reduced PAHs but dark ale reduced it by more than
half. No word on which marinade tested
better.
Pollen allergies and
foods
You wouldn’t know it by looking out the window this morning
but pollen season is upon us. Trees are
already blooming or getting ready to bloom and tree pollen starts the allergy
season. Maples, poplar, willows and
birch trees are early pollen makers and they will be followed by a host of
trees from pines to oaks. And then of course, grass pollen season starts. If
you have seasonal allergies you may have had allergy testing and that testing
may have identified specific trees to which you are allergic.
When you have pollen allergies your body mounts a defense
and becomes hypersensitive and may also react to other stimulus such as certain
foods you eat. You may be able to eat
these foods when the pollen count isn’t high but will have an allergic reaction
when it is. Avoiding these foods right before pollen
allergy seasons begin may help keep allergic reactions like sneezing and
itching eyes from being overwhelming as well as eliminating gastrointestinal
problems food allergies can cause.
If you know you are allergic to tree pollen, specifically birch
and oak, avoid carrots, celery, almonds, apples, peaches and pears from now
until trees stop pollinating. If you
have grass pollen allergies you’ll want to avoid melon, tomatoes and oranges,
and add bananas, cantaloupe, cucumber, zucchini and chamomile tea in late
summer when ragweed pollen is in the air.
Gardeners who have seasonal pollen allergies can time their
gardening activities to avoid heavy pollen exposure but if you go outside at
all chances are you will encounter some pollen.
Most pollen is released in the morning, right after the sun comes up so
allergic gardeners may want to garden in the evening. Warm, breezy sunny days will generally have
the highest pollen counts and rainy cool days the lowest. However wet weather can make the mold spores
proliferate, and many people have allergies to mold spores in the air too
When you come inside after gardening, take a shower and wash
your hair then change into clean clothes to lessen the chance that pollen is
clinging to your hair and clothes. Leave outdoor clothing like hats and garden
shoes outside of the house. If you must
garden outside when pollen counts are high you may want to wear a face
mask. Keeping the windows shut and
using the air conditioner when you are inside may help the severely affected. If over the counter allergy medications and
avoiding cross sensitizing foods doesn’t help you should see an allergy specialist.
Growing Sweet Peas
American gardeners don’t grow sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus)
as often as their English counterparts, and that’s a shame. While it may take a little more care and
using heat tolerant varieties in the Midwest having some sweet peas in the
garden is well worth your time. These
little beauties will fill the air with their delightful sweet scent and there
is a pleasing range of colors to choose from.
If you like heritage vining flowers there are sweet pea varieties to
suit you. If you don’t care for annual
vines there are now sweet pea varieties that are great for hanging baskets, spilling
out of containers or forming groundcovers. As a bonus, bees and other pollinators love
sweet pea flowers.
 |
| Red Sweet Pea. wikimedia commons |
In earlier times sweet peas were grown for cut flowers and
they still make sweet smelling long lasting bouquets. English gardeners grew them, and still do,
for flower competitions. Dozens and
dozens of varieties were developed; thankfully many of those have been
preserved if you take time to search them out. Some of the earliest genetic and plant
breeding experiments were carried out on sweet pea plants. Several species of wild sweet peas were used
to make garden sweet peas.
Most sweet peas are annuals, but they will often self-sow
when grown in the garden. There are
perennial varieties but these, while pretty, are smaller flowered and not
fragrant. In general sweet peas form long
vines which cling by curling tendrils around the object they are climbing. Shorter vined plants have been developed for
baskets and containers and bushier plants for ground covers. The leaves of sweet peas vary from thick
fleshy rounded leaves to narrow grass like foliage.
Sweet Pea varieties
and where to get them
Most seeds and plants are sold as mixed colors although you
can find named color varieties. Plants
may be hard to come by at your local nursery although at least one on line
garden catalog-
http://www.selectseeds.com
- carries potted plants. Other catalogs that carry sweet pea seeds are
Some of the larger flowered, newer sweet peas are less
fragrant than older varieties. If
fragrance is important look for varieties labeled very fragrant. Here are some cultivars to look for.
Larger vine varieties
Fragrantissima many
vibrant colors and very fragrant, large
flowers
Old Spice, mixture of colors, fragrant, heat resistant and
strong vines.
Spencer mix- variety of colors, large ruffled flowers with
moderate fragrance
Chocolate Streamer- White flower base with chocolate
speckling, rare
Beaujolais red wine color flowers, fragrant
Blanche Ferry, rose pink flowers an old American variety.
named for daughter of DM Ferry seed comp.
Prince Edward of York- cerise and carmine flowers fragrant-
8 feet vines,
Prince of Orange Spencer – large clear orange clusters of
flowers, mild scent
Queen Alexander – Scarlet flowers- fragrant
Lady Grisel Hamilton- lavender and mauve flowers, very fragrant.
Mollie Rilestone- cream flowers edged with pink with a light
yellow flush
Rose pink Mammoth- very large pink flowers with white center
but only mildly fragrant
Blue Celeste- large ruffled blue flowers with a strong
fragrance
Short or compact vines
Sugar and Spice- smaller, good for baskets compact growth-
color variety, fragrant
Cupid Black – dark purple, 8 inches high for baskets or
ground cover
King Tut- blue flowers smaller – 3 feet vine, good for
warmer areas
Color Palette- mixture of colors, compact for baskets
Windowbox Cupid – color variety, short vines
Perennial, wildflower types –
not fragrant
Lathyrus sativus azureus- tiny blue flowers on short vines,
sometimes sold as variety ‘Electric Blue’
Lathyrus latifolius- usually sold as a mixture of pink,
white and lavender flowers, smaller than cultivated flowers and long vines.
Sweet pea culture
Sweet peas like a sunny location in rich moist, but well
drained soil. The seeds or even plants
can be planted a few weeks before your last expected frost as light frost won’t
harm them. Plant them early because they love cool weather. Mice and birds can be a problem when seeds are
planted as both love the seeds. You can
place netting over spots where seeds are planted. If mice keep getting your seed sprout the
seeds inside and transplant seedlings outside.
In fact northern gardeners may
want to start their sweet peas inside in April so that they get flowers before
late summer.
Sweet pea seeds can be a bit stubborn in germinating as they
have a tough seed coat. Many gardeners
nick each seed coat with toenail clippers or a similar item. You can soak them until slightly swollen
before planting but don’t let them soak more than 12 hours or you will probably
“drown” them. You can also place the
seeds between layers of damp paper towels and place the towels in a plastic bag
in a warm place. When the seeds begin
sprouting plant them outside. If the
tiny roots are anchored in the toweling tear off pieces of the paper towel with
the plant attached rather than yanking them off the towel and plant paper and
all.
No matter whether you plant seeds or seedlings keep them
moist during their early growing periods.
And as warm weather comes make sure to water your sweet peas regularly
as they do not like drought conditions.
Sweet peas are also heavy feeders so mix some slow release flower
fertilizer into the soil before planting or water occasionally with water soluble
fertilizer. This is especially important
to keep container and basket plants blooming.
Vining types of sweet peas will need something to
climb. Trellis or teepees of bamboo
stakes can be used or plant them where they can climb fences. They don’t climb building walls well as they
need to twine around something.
Your plants will begin blooming anywhere from 60 – 90 days
after they were planted, depending on variety.
If summer is very hot blooming may be delayed until cooler weather. Pick the flowers or keep the dead blooms
picked off before they develop seeds to prolong blooming time. Once they begin blooming if they are faithfully
dead headed they may bloom until a hard frost.
At the end of the season you may want to let a few seed pods develop and
ripen to store the seeds for next year.
Since sweet pea varieties cross pollinate easily you may get different
looking flowers next year.
The most common problems with sweet peas are aphids and
powdery mildew. Aphids can be controlled
by washing them off the plants. Powdery
mildew usually doesn’t strike until late in the season, right before the plants
will die anyway. To help prevent it make
sure the plants aren’t crowded and have good air circulation. You can also use garden fungicides if you
wish.
Sweet Pea seeds are not edible
and some are poisonous so don’t let children or pets eat the seeds. Don’t cook the pods or seeds or use them in
salads. Sweet pea flowers also should
not be eaten.
A sad note: for those of you who know Jim Sillers, his wife
Ann, a person who gave much back to the community, lost her long battle with
cancer last week. Please send Jim your
warm thoughts and prayers.
*************************************************************************************
Read a good garden book and stay warm.
Kim Willis
“He who has a garden and
a library wants for nothing” ― Cicero
More Information
Snow drops are
spring’s joyful, early warning system
Minor bulbs such as snow drops can have a
major effect on your seasonal outlook.
Posted on April 8, 2014 by Gretchen Voyle, Michigan State University Extension
 |
| Snowdrop. wikipedia photo |
As the snow retreats after the longest winter of our lives,
those first green shoots and flowers are long-anticipated events. Often, the
first flowers are snow drops. They come by their common name, honestly. It is
because of the white flowers and their ability to push their way through the
snow. In Europe, they are sometimes referred to as snow piercers. Their
botanical name is Galanthus nivalis. The Galanthus name means “milk flower” and
nivalis means “of the snow.”
These small, white flowers with nodding heads are known for
naturalizing. This indicates that the plants multiply and soon there are more
without any work by the gardener. Michigan is only one of 16 states that snow
drops have naturalized in. This bulb is originally from Europe and can handle
cold temperatures and is hardy from zones 3 to 6.
Smart gardeners may appreciate the current season, but are
always looking ahead. In the fall, they plant any one of a number of small,
spring-flowering bulbs that group together under the name of “minor bulbs.”
They can be considered minor because of their diminutive size or the fact they
are not as popular as the big bulbs like tulips, hyacinth and daffodils. Some
of group includes Scilla or Squill, which can be blue or white; Chionodoxa or
Glory in the Snow, which are blue and white; Puschkinia, which are pale blue;
and Eranthus or Winter Aconite, which are a brilliant yellow. Many gardeners
are already familiar with Muscari or Grape Hyacinth. These little beauties even
smell like grapes.
A big advantage to snow drops and other minor bulbs is that
they are almost always resistant to deer and other critters. Another advantage
is that they are usually not expensive and they multiply on their own.
Michigan State University Extension horticulture educators
are often asked about good places to plant spring-flowering bulbs. Bulbs will
do poorly in heavy clay soils and wet soils. They will be very comfortable in
partial sun or light shade.
 |
| Snow drop carpet at Banks Hall, Bretheton Eng. wikipedia photo |
If having spring bulbs bloom a bit earlier is a goal, plant
bulbs on the south or west side of a large rock or building. Heat will be
absorbed and the ground will warm earlier than more exposed areas. These little
gems are equipped for frosts and freezes so they are rarely damaged.
If early spring color is on your Smart Gardener hit list,
look to purchase these bulbs this fall. Plant them immediately and be ready to
be amazed in the spring of 2015.
This article was published by Michigan State University
Extension.
Events, classes and
other offerings
Please let me know if there is any event or class that
you would like to share with other gardeners.
These events are primarily in Michigan but if you are a reader from
outside of Michigan and want to post an event I’ll be glad to do it.
Master Gardeners if you belong to an association that
approves your hours please check with that association before assuming a class
or work day will count as credit.
Do you have plants or seeds you would like to swap or
share? Post them here by emailing me at kimwillis151@gmail.com
New- GreenFest 2014 -
Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27 2014, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Detroit
Zoo, Royal Oak, Mi.
In observance of the global holiday celebrating life on our
planet, the Detroit Zoo hosts its annual GreenFest celebration on Saturday,
April 26 and Sunday, April 27, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Zoo-wide celebration includes earth-friendly crafts, an endangered species
scavenger hunt, animal enrichment activities, zookeeper talks and exhibits by
local conservation groups. All GreenFest
activities are free with Zoo admission.
Each GreenFest guest who brings a wine cork, rinsed Capri
Sun pouch, empty chip bag or cell phone for recycling or who is carrying a
refillable water bottle will receive a reduced admission price of $8. Admission for Detroit Zoological Society
members is free.
For information on GreenFest at the Zoo contact Jennifer
Clarke at 248-541-5717 X 3725 or JClarke@dzs.org
New- 14th Annual Lake Orion Flower & Art Fair Friday
May 9th, 11-8 and Saturday, May 10th from 9-6 In downtown Lake Orion
at the intersection of Flint and Broadway Streets.
Stroll the streets and visit vendors selling all kinds of
garden products and plants and also beautiful art.
New- Habitat for Humanity Plant Sale, Friday, May
9, 2014, 2:00 p.m. 8:30p.m and Saturday May 10, 2014, 8:00 a.m.
6:30 p.m - Oakland County Habitat for Humanity Headquarters at 150 Osmun
Street, Pontiac, MI.
There will be lots of interesting and colorful plants for
sale and you will be benefiting a good cause if you decide to buy some.
Seven Ponds Nature
Fest and Native plant sale, Saturday, May 3, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Seven
Ponds Nature Center, 3854 Crawford Road Dryden, MI (810) 796-3200
Landscaping for Birds
-11:00 am
Do you love birds and want to attract more to your yard?
This program will be a great introduction into all the different elements
needed for birds to feel at home. You will not only create a sanctuary for the
birds, but also for yourself.
Native plants in an
Urban Landscape- 1:00 pm
Do you live in a town or village, and would you like to
start incorporating native plants into your landscape? Not sure where to begin?
This program is for you. Ruth Vrbensky of Oakland Wildflower Farms, will teach
you which plants will work and which ones won’t, which like sun or shade, which
like wet or dry, and how easy it is to garden with nature.
There will be other activities for all ages, take a walk to
look at frogs, learn about pond critters, do spring crafts and build
birdhouses. There is a wide variety of
native plants for sale and a bake sale too.
There may be fees for some activities.
It’s All About
Plants, May 3, 2014, 8 am – 4:15 pm.
Plant and Soil Science Building, 1066 Bogue Street, MSU, East Lansing,
MI
MSU Horticulture Gardens presnts this day long garden event
with four top garden speakers/experts, Art Cameron, Hardy Perennials and
Graceful Grasses, George Papadelis, New and Underused Annuals, Tim wood, The
Hunt for New and Improved Flowering Shrubs and Steve Keto, Growing Native
plants. Approved for 5 MG credits.
Your registration fee includes lunch and parking plus hand
outs. $79.00 until April 21, $89 after
April 21. Email www.hrt.msu.edu/sp-register or call Jennifer Sweet 1-517-355-5191 ext.
1339
MSU Horticulture
Gardens Public Plant Sale May 17th , 7 am-2 pm. MSU Horticulture Garden, East Lansing, MI.
Your chance to get some of the newest and oddest plants as
well as old favorites. This sale is very
popular, arrive early.
Peppers: Selecting,
Growing, & Cooking, April 24, 12am
6:30pm, At Telly's Troy.
Learn how to grow many of the varieties that are available
while enjoying recipes & samples. $5. www.tellys.com Register:
248-689-8735.
Landscape Design
Fri, April 25,1-3 pm and Sat April 26, noon- 2pm, 2014, Auburn Oaks, 3820 W Auburn Rd, Rochester
Hills, MI,
Landscape designer Paula Smith helps you learn about
designing a garden. Call 248-852-2310
for fees and registration.
International Herb
Day Sat, April 26, 10am-3pm, At Hidden Lake Gardens 6214 W Monroe Rd, Tipton, MI
Herb Day is an international celebration of herbs and herbal
products. This one-day event is aimed at educating and sharing ideas about the
many ways herbs bring joy and well-being into our daily lives. We celebrate
herbs’ use in food, beverages, medicine, beauty products, and crafts, along
with the art of growing and gardening with herbs. There will be cooking
demonstrations, gardening tips, educational seminars, activities, and a wide
array of plants and products for sale.
$5 per person
www.HiddenLakeGardens.msu.edu, 517-431-2060.
Sustainable Gardening
Practices Sat, April 26, 1-2 pm At Campbell's Greenhouse, 4077
East Burnside Road, North Branch, MI
Clay Johnson discusses maintaining healthy soil, crop
spacing/rotation, crop nutrition & companion plants for insect control. $5. Call
810-688-3587.
Hidden Lake Gardens
Plant Sale Sat, May 10,10am-2pm- 6214 W Monroe Rd, Tipton, MI
Lots of plants from natives to conifers for sale. www.HiddenLakeGardens.msu.edu
, 517-431-2060.
“Gardening and All
That Jazz!” Saturday, April 21, 2014,
7am to 4:15pm-Oakland Schools Conference Center, 2111 Pontiac Lake Rd.,
Waterford, MI.
Speakers include Allan Armitage "Buying the Right
Plants", Stephanie Cohen "Native Plants", David Perry, Garden
Photo Magic" and Stacy Hirvela "Shrubs, Making your Dream Garden
Reality". Sponsored by the Master
Gardener Society of Oakland Co. Jazz concerts at morning check in and lunch.
$70 before March 15, $80 after March 15. Pricing includes continental breakfast,
lunch, snacks, and program materials.
Register at. http://www.mgsoc.org/registration.htm
Direct conference
registration questions to: Registrar Phone: 248-770-0524 E-mail: registrarmgsoc@gmail.com
Day-long gardening classes including a catered lunch, Goodie
bag and door prizes Also includes Free admission to Yard & Garden
Expo. $50 registration/person ($60 after
March 1) For details on this seminar you
need to request a flyer from Marie at 989-859-1294
Newsletter
information
If you would
like to pass along a notice about an educational event or a volunteer
opportunity please send me an email before Tuesday of each week and I will
print it. Also if you have a comment or opinion you’d like to share, send it to
me. Please state that you want to have the item published in my weekly notes.
You must give your full name and what you say must be polite and not attack any
individual. I am very open to ideas and opinions that don’t match mine but I do
reserve the right to publish what I want.
Once again the
opinions in this newsletter are mine and I do not represent any organization or
business. I do not make any income from this newsletter. I write this because I
love to share with other gardeners some of the things I come across in my
research each week. It keeps me engaged with local people and horticulture.
It’s a hobby, basically. I hope you enjoy it. If at any time you don’t wish to
receive these emails just let me know. If you know anyone who would like to
receive these emails have them send their email address to me. KimWillis151@gmail.com
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