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April is National Garden Month! To celebrate, we have compiled the most asked gardening questions. Check back every week to see if I have answered your questions!
1) What Is A Biennial, Perennial, Annual?
Perennials are plants that will last for more than two years. Flowering perennials grow and bloom over the spring, summer or even fall, die back every autumn and winter and return again from their root-stock. A few of my favorite “sun” perennials include Mallow, Bee Balm, Peony, and Hollyhock. Of the “shade” variety, I love Bleeding Hearts, Hosta, and Trillium. There is also a class of evergreens that retain leaves throughout the year such as Myrtle, Hellebores and Irish Heath.
Annuals are plants that complete their life cycle within a year and die. Winter annuals germinate during the fall months, maturing in the spring and summer of the next year. Summer annuals germinate in spring and summer, and mature in the fall of the same year. Hearty “shade” annuals include Impatiens and Wax Begonia. “Full Sun” annuals with brilliant color include Geraniums, Marigolds, Zinnias Petunias, and Sweet Potato Vine.
The Biennial is right between the Annual and Perennial. Generally the Biennial takes two years to complete its life cycle. During its first year, the plant grows its roots, stems and leaves. After a period of dormancy in the colder months, the plant will “bolt” and flower in the next spring or summer. There are also Biennials with life cycles in the 3-4 month range. This is why I categorize them as the “in betweeners.” Types include Onion, Parsley, Sweet William, Pansy, Carrot and Foxglove.
As always, have fun designing your outdoor spaces with some new “annual” friends or just look forward to seeing your “perennial” pals again very soon – or better yet, create an outdoor celebration with everyone!
2) How Do I Get Weeds Out of My Garden?
I do not know what I dislike more, pulling weeds in my garden, the weeds themselves, or that I am convinced those little green monsters come out each year just to irritate me. It has taken me many seasons and even more tactics to de-weed my garden and although nothing banishes weeds all together, I do have some suggestions to make this endeavor easier on us and hopefully deliver satisfying.
Mulching not only looks good, but helps prevent weeds. A two inch layer of mulch will block light from reaching the weed seeds and prevent growth. I have had best results when I place a layer of newspaper, landscape fabric or biodegradable cloth down first, then the mulch on top. This serves as a double-duty shield against any sunlight being able to reach the wanna-be weeds. And at the same time, wood or bark mulch will hold moisture for your plants and as it decomposes, and it provides nutrients into the soil.
Another great preventative action in your vegetable or cutting garden is to till the area two to three times before you plant. Weeds thrive in open soil, and by using this tilling method you outsmart the weeds by bringing dormant weed seeds to the surface where they will begin to germinate. When you see a few sprouts, till again. The germinated weed will not be able to push out after being buried, a process called cultivating.
We are bound to find a weed or two just waiting to spring out, sorry to say. So when we are faced with pulling weeds which can be arduous, try to make the experience a bit easier on yourself. Moist soil makes pulling the entire root system out a lot easier. You can soak the weed infested area; wait an hour or two and then attack or do this after a soaking rain. I have even used scalding hot water over some pesky weeds, but you have to be very careful not to have the water near any precious plants or grass (a tea kettle or teapot makes this easier to direct the stream.)
Weed killer (herbicides) are always being pushed in the media and might be tempting, but they are really bad for our water supplies, environment and our health. I do not even consider them. Weeds might be strong enemies, but I know how hardy we gardeners are. My money is on us!
Tune in next week as we tackle deadheading and what blooms best in winter.
Have more questions, ask below!
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