HELICOPTERS!
I just had to stop and take a picture of this yard the other day...
These are Silver Maple seeds “decorating” a freshly mowed lawn.
It’s a scene repeated all over town. Silver Maple seeds covering lawns...and sidewalks and driveways and patios...and the list goes on. They are everywhere right now.
If you live near one of these, you’re familiar with these seeds. Technically, they are samaras. But we all know their true name...“helicopters”...and “helicopters” are large, they are produced in great quantities, and this time of the year, they are everywhere.
These seeds are a big part of what gives Silver Maples a bad name; all the seeds, along with the mess they create. And don’t forget about all the volunteer Silver Maple seedlings that will be popping up the rest of the season. We’ll all be pulling them out of everything for the rest of the
season.
Frustrating...but impressive too.
Think about it. Those seeds end up everywhere. Lawns, landscape beds, they end up in hanging baskets...they even fill the gutters! And you don’t even have to have a Silver Maple in your yard to be in the game. They really do end up everywhere.
(Aren’t we all so lucky?)
Silver Maples, like so many plants, are really good at getting around...which brings me to my next thought...weeds. Weeds are really good about getting around, too. Maybe even better. Much like the helicopters in the photo, their seeds end up everywhere, too, only they’re almost
impossible to see and there’s a whole lot more of them. That’s why there are always weeds to fight.
So, where am I going with this?
Gardening is work.
Just how much depends on a lot of things, such as the size of your project, how well thought out and designed it is, and how well implemented it is. These all play into how much effort you will need to put into post-planting care and maintenance.
Cameron Rees, General Manager
Mother Nature gets involved in this part, too, and we all know she has a mind of her own.
The yard full of Silver Maple seeds reminded me of that. There are always challenges being thrown our way, and often those challenges result in more work.
But that’s true with most things. Fishing, golfing, baking, cleaning, exercising, sewing, carpentry, raising a family...everything takes work. More than likely, additional challenges surface, but still, we plug along. In the end, hopefully, the hard work pays off, and the reward is that much greater.
Gardening can be a lot of fun. But I’ll also never lie to anyone, it’s going to be some work. Just remember, that’s not a bad thing.
—Cameron
DON’T FORGET MOM!
Here’s your heads up...Mother’s Day is quickly approaching!
Sunday, May 11, is the day for all of us to give thanks to that special person who raised you, helped raise you, or was there for you in a motherly way. They adore you, but also put up with you on occasion, they worry (always worry!), and they want the best for you!
Now….show her you appreciate it!
Hanging baskets bursting with color or patio containers for sun or shade are always a great option. Is she into cacti and succulents? We have a great selection of unique ones at the store.
Our new greenhouse is full of beautiful houseplants from Pothos to African Violets. Wonderful-smelling Jasmine and colorful Tropical Hibiscus are also great gifts! We have lots of planters and can always plant something special just for her! We can help you find the perfect gift!
BLUEBERRIES ANYONE!
Blueberries are a popular garden plant. They are best known for their tasty fruits, but they also sport attractive spring flowers, bright summer foliage, and vibrant fall color.
Although fairly easy to care for once established, they do need a little extra work on the front end to ensure success.
Blueberries are closely related to azaleas and rhododendrons, and like their cousins, they prefer to grow in acidic soil. You can make your soil more acidic through the addition of soil sulfur. Thoroughly mix this into the soil before you plant and then top-dress in the following years as
needed.
They also want soil that’s rich in organic matter, so add lots of compost...lots of compost...before you plant. Keep in mind, for both the soil sulfur and the compost, you want to incorporate your amendments into the entire bed area, not just the planting hole.
Make sure you mulch. Your plantings should be finished off with a good layer of shredded wood mulch, about 3” deep. Add more over time as needed to maintain that depth.
Lastly, don’t forget the water....when it’s not raining, you’ll need to do some watering. The mulch will help conserve soil moisture, and the compost will help with water retention, too, but at some point in the season, it will get dry. When it does, make sure you don’t forget to step in
and address the problem.
We have lots of blueberry plants available for planting and can answer any questions you might have. Here’s some additional information from Kansas State University that goes into more depth.
Good luck!
RUST CONTROL
Rust is a common problem on susceptible apple varieties and many of the ornamental pear varieties. Infection leads to lesions on both the fruits and leaves and which cause distortions, premature defoliation, and fruit drop... all bad.
Rust is typically a concern from April until the end of May, and prevention is the cure.
That can be accomplished with a fungicide we stock called Fertilome F-Stop.
Start applications in April once the flowers are done blooming and continue through until the end of May, following label directions.
Keep in mind, this is preventative medicine, not curative. Think of it like sunscreen...it needs to be applied before you go out in the sun, not after. Likewise, your rust-preventing fungicide needs to be applied before tissues are infected.
As always, thorough coverage is important. Make sure you are hitting all parts of the tree, and make sure you are coating both the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves.
We’re always here if you have more questions about rust.
more EVENTS, SALES & ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Keep an eye on this section in the future for all the important info and extras you won’t want to miss!
