Blossom-end rot is a serious disorder
of tomatoes that is caused by a lack of calcium during rapid fruit growth. The condition begins as a small watersoaked area on the blossom end of the fruit. As this water-soaked area becomes larger, it sinks and turns black and leathery. To reduce the
likelihood of this disorder, tomatoes need a soil pH level around 6.5.
Most important, avoid drought stress and wide fluctuations in soil
moisture by using mulches and irrigation. Tomatoes planted in the
ground need about an inch of moisture per week to develop
properly; those in containers may need even more. Bonide Stop
Rot® has been shown to help reduce the likelihood of blossom-end
rot. Spray it on foliage and fruit when the plants are growing
rapidly and after heavy rains. Follow the label directions
for maximum benefit.
Clematis Wilt
Clematis wilt is a condition that seems
to affect large-flowered, spring-blooming
clematis more than other varieties. The
disease is characterized by the collapse of
the plant or a portion of it. To determine if
a plant has clematis wilt, look at the
foliage. If it has turned black (not brown)
and the veins have a purple color, the
plant does have clematis wilt. Cut off the
affected stems below ground level. If the
entire plant is diseased, don’t dig up the
root system because it may come back from buds below ground. If
a portion of the plant is still alive, spray with a systemic fungicide
after pruning and again a month later.
Wilt is always worse on plants under stress, so it’s vital to
plant clematis in good soil that is slightly alkaline. To insure
there are buds below ground, clematis need to be planted 6” below
grade.
When planting new clematis, add organic matter and lime.
Place the clematis in the hole so the top of the root ball is 6”
below the surrounding soil. Over the course of the summer slowly
file in the hole. Clematis like moist soils; if the soil is well drained,
apply an inch of water per week. Great clematis for beginner
gardeners include: Jackmanii, Hagley Hybrid, Ramona, Niobe
and The President.
Garden Ferns
Following a fantastic display of spring and early summer color, it may seem like a daunting task to keep your perennial garden bursting with color, but there are lots of great plants that are up to the challenge. For loads of color in July and early August in a sunny area, make sure your garden includes tall garden phlox, daylilies, hardy garden lilies, rudbeckia, coreopsis, butterfly weed, campanula, lobelia, shasta daisies, echinacea, gaillardia, monarda, hollyhocks, liatris, catmint, balloon flower, poppies, salvia, scabiosa and veronica.
Many sunny perennials (especially daylilies, monarda and lobelia) will do well in light shade, too. For color this time of year in a shady area, try astilbe, hosta (many varieties have attractive, fragrant flowers), gooseneck loosestrife, cimicifuga, hardy geraniums and ligularia. And don’t discount the incredible color contribution made by the various shades and textures of foliage provided by coral bells, lamiums and ferns. As you can see, with a little bit of planning, your perennial garden can skip the summer doldrums completely.
A Different Birch
Are you looking for a tree that is unique and fits a small space?
Try Fox Valley birch. It’s a selection of river birch with a very
dense growth habit. It grows about 10’ tall and 12’ wide and has
very glossy green leaves The small stature of this tree allows it
to be planted in small yards or under power lines, and its dense
canopy of leaves is a very desirable nesting spot for birds. In
addition to wonderful foliage, it has exfoliating bark with patterns
of cinnamon-red and salmon-pink on the trunk.
Like all birches, cool moist soil is a must for this tree. After
planting, mulch a 6’ to 8’ area around the tree with organic wood
mulch. The mulch should be approximately 4” deep. The area 4”
from the trunk should be free of mulch to allow the trunk to
remain dry. Keep the newly planted tree moist during dry spells
and before winter. In the fall, you’ll enjoy its rich
golden-yellow leaves.
Did You Know?
A standard garden hose puts out 20 gallons of water per minute.
Tip
If the color scheme of your daylilies doesn’t please you and you
plan to rearrange them, try this: wrap heavy-duty plastic shipping
tape around the bloom stem of the daylily to form a flag. Using a
permanent marker, write down the color of the plant. When it’s
time to dig and divide daylilies (mid-August), you won’t have any
trouble remembering which plant is what color.
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.
