July in the Garden

The dedicated gardener knows that a garden is never finished. That is why the Garden Shop Nursery wants to help you keep up with all those never-ending chores. Each month we will provide you with a checklist that will help you successfully maintain a beautiful and productive garden from start to finish. This month we are dedicating this section watering.

Watering is the key to a successful garden and landscape. Now that day and night time temperatures are on the rise and remaining there, consistency in your watering practice is very important.

Trees
Trees respond well to deep infrequent watering. I know many gardeners have systems set up to watering regularly; this is certainly an effective way to water. But, in the heat of the summer using a deep root feeder like the Ross Root Feeder in between those scheduled watering will ensure your tree grows properly. This device has a long, hallow metal tube attached to a chamber that regulates water flow and can also be used with fertilizer to feed the tree. Attach the root feeder to your garden hose, follow the instructions that come with the feeder; and you’ll be on your way to keeping all your trees and shrubs healthy.

This is also the best way to water your trees if you don’t have a drip system set up.

Shrubs
Many shrubs bloom, so consistent watering practices are essential for good blooms and the overall health of the shrub. Depending on the type of shrub, age and location watering can be different, it is not a one size fits all. Bottom line is not to let your plants dry out, this means letting the top 3 to 6 inches of soil around your plants dry completely out between watering. The rule of thumb is to water after the top couple of inches dry out.
If you have emitter and a drip system make sure that the emitters are moved as the plant grows. This will most likely be every 2 to 3 years.

Perennials/Annuals/ Vegetables
The saying goes water only when plants need it. How do you know when they need it? Generally the plants themselves will let you know, if you know your plants. Start looking at them, really look at them. Feel the leaves and look at the color. How do they look the day after a deep watering, three days, and a week later? After a while you will begin to notice changes in leaf color and height at which the leaves are held.

You will also notice that your plants wilt on a hot, windy, sunny afternoon. Don’t worry, this is normal. The plants are giving off water vapor faster than their roots can take it up and will recover later in the evening.

Perennials, annuals and vegetables are short rooted and will need less water more often. A regular watering routine is the trick to keeping them healthy and productive.

Perennial Plant Association announces 2010 perennial of the year.

Each year the PPA picks a perennial of the year, this years choice is one of my favorites. We carry this great perennial at our nursery as we find it to truly be a very hardy and productive perennial.

Blue false indigo grows three to four feet tall and three to four feet wide in an upright habit. This exceptional perennial grows across a wide range of zones and is one of the most adaptable native species. You can go to the perennial plant association web site and see previous winners.

Newly emerging shoots produce violet-blue, lupine-like flowers in erect 10- to 12-inch racemes atop flower stems extending well above the foliage mound of clover-like, trifoliate, bluish-green leaves. The spring flowers are present for three to four weeks. The flowers give way to inflated seed pods which turn charcoal black when ripe and which flower arrangers consider to be ornamental. The common name, blue false indigo, refers to the use of this perennial by early Americans as a dye.

Baptisia australis is an excellent plant to anchor the back of the border. It is also valuable for cottage gardens, native plant gardens, and native area of prairies and meadows. It is best as a specimen or planted in small groups. Blue false indigo can be used with bulbs and other spring flowering perennials to make interesting combinations.

How the plants are chosen

July 3rd
Dan Heims author and grower from Terra Nova Nurseries will join me for a great show on perennials and how to best grow them.

July 10th
It’s Edible gardening time again, and I am thrilled to have Rosalind Creasy back on my show to help with any questions and ideas for this great subject; she will be joining Stephanie Stika from Your Plant Guru who will be helping me with an interesting interview.

July 17th
This week more trees, and I have a special guest from JF Schmidt Nursery to help with care and tree selection. Joining me in the studio is my good pal and tree expert Dale Carlon.

July 24th
Bamboo with Tom Copeland. Tom grows many varieties of hardy bamboo and can help you with the best place to plants, and how to care for the useful plant.


Marnie can also be seen most Friday mornings on Channel 4 KRNV morning news with Melissa Carlson. Join Marnie and Melissa in the 6:00am time slot for timely, interesting and fun gardening topics. For more information go to www.gardenshopnursery.com, click on Garden Coach and go to Channel 4.

Seminar Schedule
July/August

The July and August seminars have been canceled. September we will begin our fall gardening seminars on Saturday's at 10:00am. If you find yourself in need of help don't hesitate to contact us on Facebook, or ask the garden coach on our home page. Thank you for your understanding Marnie Brennan, Garden Coach.