Did you know that you could have a water garden without the excavating, digging and large water features that you see in your neighbor’s yard? If you have a small yard, patio or would just like to try a water garden, Bachman’s has everything that you need to give it a try. A colorful tub or other container located on the patio, deck or even the front stoop can provide a unique focal point and give you a different gardening experience. A container water garden is not a large commitment, not costly, and if set up and managed properly requires very little labor. You will not need special pumps or a filtration system; it is a perfect way to get your feet wet with water gardening. A container with the water capacity of 15-25 gallons is a great starting point. Bachman’s carries these types of containers at our garden centers, but you can also start with a small kiddie pool, a water trough for animals, or a lined barrel. Even an old claw foot bathtub would work.
Remember to factor in the weight of the water garden as water weighs about 8 pounds per gallon of water, so placement of your garden will depend on the weight the area can hold safely (like a raised deck or patio). City water is treated with chlorine, so if using let your tub filled with water sit for 24-48 hours before adding your plants, this will allow the chlorine to disperse. Don’t use water from a water softener and do not add any chemicals to the water. Your garden will need about 6 hours of sun a day as most aquatic plants require full sun, though some bog plants will survive with less.
Water plants are potted in separate pots using a heavy clay soil then placed into your water filled container. After you plants are potted, place ½ inch layer of pea gravel on top of the soil as this will help keep the soil in place. Do not use commercial potting soil, or container mix soil, this soil is usually too light and may contain fertilizers that will add to the growth of algae.
Bachman’s carries many plants that would work for the container water garden. These gardens need a mix of plants to keep the system balanced. These plants can be a combination of submerged, emergent and floaters. The first plant for pond health is a submerged, oxygenating plant called Anacharis. This plant provides air for other pond life; it is a vigorous grower that prefers cool water. Another great plant for a small water feature is Snowflakes. It has leaves like a miniature waterlily, with flowers held above the water surface. Umbrella Palm is an unusual plant that you can use; it has strap-like stiff foliage on long, slender stems.
A container water garden is a mini-ecosystem of plants and water, and even fish. This needs balance to keep the algae in check. It may take 3-4 weeks for this to happen. Approximately 2-3 weeks after your garden is planted the water may get cloudy. Don’t worry you did not do anything wrong! In about another week the water should clear and stay clear. The plants will keep the algae under control by filling in so the sunlight entering the water is reduced, thus reducing the algae.
Plants in these small water features will need to be brought in for the winter. The potted plants can be lifted out of the water and stored in water filled tubs in a cool, dark basement. They will go dormant. You can bring them back outside in the spring when the weather turns warm. If you have any more questions on water gardening stop at Bachman’s. We have information sheets and horticulturists on staff that would be glad to help.
The Japanese Beetles are here!
Did you know that these guys feed on 300 different plants, from roses, willows, birches, linden trees and grapes plus many more? They eat mostly in a sunny area and will start at the top of the plants and work their way down. The adults will eat flower blossoms, especially rose buds. If you decide to use the pheromone traps, place the traps away from the plants you are trying to protect. The traps will attract more beetles to that area. (Your neighbors yard would be a good choice…just kidding). If you are seeing only small numbers of the beetle. just pick them off and drop them into a bucket of soapy water. Early morning or evening works best for this method, as the beetle is less active then. Remember these guys can be active through September and longer with mild weather. Stop in at Bachman’s for chemical choices to use.
Bacterial Blights, Sapwood Rotting and Erineum Galls, Oh My!!!
Well, we certainly have had our rain, heat and humidity this season. This is causing a lot of different problems to come into our yards and gardens. The University of Minnesota Extension has mentioned these three as the major players in our yards:
Bacterial Blight on Lilacs affects the young shoots, twigs and leaves. The spots are dark brown to black on the leaves. The spots are surrounded by a pale yellow halo. Sometimes the center of the leaf will fall out, resulting in a shotgun type hole. Sunken black lesions can be seen on green stems. Sanitation is our first defense for this. On a cool, dry day you can prune out the infected shoots. Make sure you disinfect your pruners after each cut with bleach so you don’t transfer the sticky bacteria to uninfected branches. Another tip is to improve air circulation by pruning out several large branches and do not allow irrigation or sprinklers to get water on the leaves.
Sapwood Rotting Fungi attacks environmentally stressed trees. This stress can be caused from insects, mechanical damage, storms or sunscald. You might notice dead branches on the canopy of a tree, cracked or peeling bark on the trunk, or small shell like fungi growing on the infected wood. The shell-like growth is the reproductive structure of the sapwood rotting fungi. Prevention is the best control. Avoid injury to the tree; remove broken and cracked branches and water trees during time of drought. If the infection appears on a branch, prune the branch on a cool, dry day. If it is on the trunk reduce the stressor and hope for the best.
Erineum Galls are showing up on some birch trees. They are red, fuzzy patches on the leaves. This is similar to the galls that are found on maples, viburnums and lindens. They do not impact the health of the tree; you do not have to do anything. The best thing to do is just ignore it.
What’s in a Name?
Hosta undulata ‘Albo-marginata’ means Undulata=wavy, Albo=white, Marginata=edges. This means this plant is a hosta with wavy leaves that have white edges.
Tips for late July/August
Stop picking rhubarb, even from large, well-established plants. This will allow the plant to conserve energy for next year.
Stake and tie dahlias, lilies and gladiolus as needed. Be careful not to spear the bulb with the stake.
Buy and Plant new lilies now. They are on sale at Bachman’s now.
Bachman's began as a florist in 1885 and now offers flowers, garden plants and supplies and gifts in the Minneapolis/St. Paul (Twin Cities), Minnesota metro area and beyond. Bachman's has locations on Lyndale Ave. in Minneapolis,
Apple Valley, Maplewood, Plymouth, Eden Prairie, Fridley, and our Cedar Acres location in Lakeville, plus throughout the area in Byerly's and Lunds.
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