Everyone keeps asking, “What kind of tree is that?” The one with the white flowers all over it is known as the Flowering Pear Tree. The Kwanzan Flowering Cherry has the light pink flowers, while the Cherry Blossom is the beautiful dark tree with the bright salmon pink to fuscia blooms. I have ordered the weeping willows, and they will be in the garden soon. For right now I urge everyone to keep an eye, or ear out on all of the specials we are, and will be running on color, palms, and shrubs.
So many of you have asked about the ideal time to plant a tomato. As I have already shared, May 1st is when I will be setting my ‘maters out. I say when you can pull your britches down and sit in the dirt, and its not too cold is when the ‘maters will like it too. They cannot tolerate the cold!
I am so fortunate to have the customer/reader family base that I do. I learn so much from y’all. I recently learned to make citrus taste sweeter. Sprinkle baking soda at the base of the tree and put water on it. This will invigorate the roots. Follow up with steer manure and water again. I did some research and found that this can also be done on other fruits as well. And if your little citrus tree is not producing, and is at least 2 years old, take a small screw and screw it into the trunk of the tree so that the tip of the screw reaches the center, or heart, of the wood and leave it there. Do this a couple of inches above the dirt. This tricks the tree into producing.
Sideline. I’m sitting at the picnic table in my backyard sippin’ on some sweet tea, and Tommy (my precious) just lit a fire in the fire pit. Looking up, I can see bugs in the air next to the bird bath full of stagnant water (which he dumped), and it prompts me to remind you of standing water. Now is the time it is so easily overlooked. Now is a good time to use a hose end applicable insect spray if you’re going to. There are also mosquito dunks for troughs and ponds, and they are safe for livestock and fish.
Harlie Rene’ just came out here, “Oooh I can barely smell snails now.” Here we go again: spring, life, Easter. Spring is so full of life as nature slowly stirs out of it’s dormancy. The rate of photosynthesis increases, and before we know it we are once again in full bloom. As the turgor pressure increases (that’s what pulls the food energy through the plant), and the leaves start to flush back out, it’s the perfect time for Systemics to be applied at the roots. As the plants and trees awaken, they will do so, fully inoculated and immunized against disease and insects. You can also use a post emergent to kill the already germinated weeds. The soil will continue to warm up after this month, and unless we are prepared, weeds can sneak up and wreak havoc. Also, make sure to sharpen or replace mower blades. Not only does a damaged/dull blade wound and shred the grass leaving the top of the blade white, split, and jagged, it literally pulls on the grass and compromises the roots, bringing stress to the lawn and leaving it vulnerable to disease and insects. Thanks Ghepetto!
Next month get ready, I will be doing the “Edible Landscape.” Until next time God Bless you all and have a very Happy Easter.
Your Plant Lady