Raking leaves off ground cover plants can be a
difficult chore. The leaves get stuck in the ground
cover and raking can damage the ground cover. Leaf blowers are not
much better in cleaning up the area before the winter snow starts to fall. We recommend Ross Tree Netting. Tree netting is a plastic mesh with small openings that are made to keep birds out of fruit trees and berry patches. This mesh comes in a variety of sizes and can be cut to fit any size area. Simply roll out the Ross Tree Netting over the ground cover before the leaves start to fall. Pin the netting down with “U” shaped pins cut from metal coat hangers. Once the tree netting is in place you will hardy see it. When the leaves fall and you want to clean up, pull the pins and gather the netting on all four corners and pull the netting of the ground cover. The ground cover will look clean and undamaged by this process. Empty the netting of leaves and put the netting back on the ground cover and pin it down for winter, any leaves that have blown in over winter can be cleaned up in no time
next spring. In the spring, use it as bird netting or store it for fall chores.
Peonies
This is a great time to move or divide Peonies.
Frost helps eliminate fungal diseases and insects,
and the plants are fully shutdown, which makes
moving them less traumatic. If your plants have
been in place for several years, be prepared to
find large tough roots that are quite deep. New
divisions should have 3 to 5 bright pink ‘eye’, and eyes should be just 2”
below the soil surface after planting. Mulch the first winter with hay or straw, and water in well. (Please note: it is not necessary to move peonies unless they are getting less sun and therefore flowering less).
The Best Indoor Plants to Clean the Air
NASA, many universities, and several corporations have conducted
extensive research into the capacity of plants to clean indoor air. “Sick Building Syndrome” and numerous chemicals encountered on a daily basis can result in contact dermatitis, eye irritation, headaches, asthma, throat cancer, bacterial mutation, human chromosomal alterations and even
leukemia. The most harmful chemicals are formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene. Plants have been found to be very effective in “scrubbing” the air of these chemicals.
Snake Plant (Mother-in-Law’s Tongue) is particularly effective in reducing levels of noxious gases. The most effective being:
Bamboo Palm
Chinese Evergreen
English Ivy
Gerbera Daisy
Dracaena
Snake Plant
Chrysanthemum
Peace Lily
Philodendron
Peperomia
Chamaedorea seifritzii
Aglaonema modestum
Hedera Helix
Gerbera jamesonii
many varieties
Sanseveria laurentii
Chrysanthemum morifolium
Spathiphyllum
Gold-leaf variety especially
Aloe vera
Watermelons
Growing watermelons in the north is not an easy thing to do. They need warm temperatures and ample moisture to be successful. Now that the
season is coming to an end and there is fruit in the watermelon patch you will want to harvest your investment. So, how do you know if a watermelon is ripe? The thumping test isn’t that reliable because there are different melons and different fingers that do the testing. One sure way to tell if the melon is ripe is to carefully turn the watermelon over. If the side facing the ground is a rich golden yellow and the tendril closest to the melon has fully dried, the melon is ready to harvest. For muskmelons use the old farmers muskmelon rule when looking for a ripe melon in the garden.
Check where the stem meets the melon:
If there is a wasp on the melon stem sipping nectar leave it for another day.
If there are two wasps sipping nectar you may pick it right away.
Three wasps on the stem means pick it without delay.
But watch out for the wasps that may chase you away!
Tips
When the weather changes and frost is expected, use old sheets to cover plants. This will extend the blooming season of annuals well into October.
Sod can be laid well into October.
Trees, shrubs, evergreens and perennials can all be planted right now.
Evergreens and perennials can be planted until Mid October. Trees
and shrubs can be planted up until the ground starts to freeze.
Deeply water young perennials, trees, shrubs and evergreens at least
once a week. Keep the hose out as long as you can and water late
into the fall unless fall rains moisten the soil.
Buy your tulips, daffodils and crocus now while the selection is good.
Daffodils can go into the ground now. Tulips can be planted
even in November.
Hydrangea
Dried hydrangea blooms are a great addition
to fall planters and tree toppers. Cut your
green hydrangea blooms now and hang in a
cool, dry place. Tip: Dry Endless Summer varieties by cutting stems and placing in a bucket with 1” of water. Let them sit for one to two weeks until they dry out. It’s a great way to keep their color.
From Bachman's Designers ~Scott Ellingboe
and Jamie McLaughlin
Flowers and gifts from Bachman’s make any day a special one. When you order your flowers or gifts online, you know you’ll be getting a beautiful fresh floral arrangement from a trusted florist known for outstanding floral design, plus quality and service.
If you’re sending flowers or gifts out of town, you can rely on us to choose the best florist from either the FTD or Teleflora nationwide flower network. Florists who can be counted on to deliver the best fresh floral arrangements and gifts, even when doing a same day delivery.
