Lizzie asks…
Where do you guys buy roses? Have you tried any of these places?
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2484250/top_5_flower_garden_catalogs_for_roses.html?cat=32
GardenersCardiff answers:
Jackson and Perkins , and David Austin roses are my faves…. Heriloom roses a close third….
Http://www.jacksonandperkins.com/gardening/GP/homepage/NewGardenRoses
http://www.davidaustinroses.com/american/advanced.asp
http://www.rosemagazine.com/articles02/rosecatalog/rosecatalog.asp
http://www.heirloomroses.com/
Maria asks…
What fertilizer is best for my pepper seedlings at this stage?
My pepper seedlings now have four true leaves, and I’m about to transplant them out of their cells into individual peat pots. They were in Miracle Gro potting soil.
I have my choice of buying more Miracle Gro potting soil from Walmart (or a similar brand that also contains fertilizer) or using last year’s Miracle Gro potting soil that I have left out in pots on my porch all winter. I don’t know how much fertilizer would still be left in the old soil.
I’d thought of re-using the old potting soil and adding some more environmentally friendly fertilizer, but what kind?
In my gardening catalogs there seems to be a huge array of fertilizers, all claiming to be the best. Some are dry soil additives that claim to have micro nutrients, others are liquid made from fish.
Since I’d like to feed my plants better this year and get away from Miracle Gro, what would you suggest? I grow my peppers in big pots on the back porch, to limit the withering effects of West Texas heat and sun, and to give them better soil than this caleche mud I have in the garden.
GardenersCardiff answers:
Depending on where in Texas you live you can probably put your peppers in their permanent home rather than moving them to another temporary pot.. I have herbs and lots of ornamental plants in pots. My soil from last year was still good (not mushy or smelly). It is lacking in nutrients. Plants in pots deplete the nutrients. I dumped the soil in my wheel barrow and added an equal amount ot compost. Stirred it up and either put in new plants or repotted the existing ones. They are very happy. I have been trying to get away from chemical fertilizers. Because cured manure is part of my compost mix my green plants will be fine. Blooming plants will need some help. A water soluble bloom booster (NPK – P is the larger number) is good. Fruit producing vegtables fall into the blooming catagry. The MG with fertilizer generally has enough for about 6 months. Don’t over feed your plants.
A couple of things you can try – rabbit manure tea. Rabbit manure is the only manure that can be used fresh. You can find it free by calling local rabbit breeders. There are several in my area. I give them a call to let them know I am coming and show up with my shovel and 5 gallon buckets. They are happy to have me scoop the poop. Most of it goes into the compost bins. I do keep some for a tea. 1/2 gallon manure in a 5 gallon bucket of water left in the sun for 2 or 3 days – stir it up and water green leafy plants. That is good for a couple of months. My blooming plants like epsom salt 1 tbsp per gallon of water once a month.
Good luck
Michael asks…
Senior citizens, do you have something that is a sure sign that Spring?
(or nicer weather) is on the way? For me it is receiving garden catalogues. Today in the mail I got 8 different ones. This is my sign. What is yours?
GardenersCardiff answers:
We just passed the Winter Solstice. That means spring is on its way, & there will start to be more light instead of more darkness minute-by-minute day-by-day.
Also, in mid-January, the Spring Semester begins where I work. In fact, we already have the schedule books with those magic words, “Spring Semester.”
Also, January is the time in California that is supposed to be right for trimming the roses. Oh, right…out there in the rain. Surely those roses won’t care if it’s Feb or March or maybe never. Still, it does take care of any remaining dead heading & pares the plant down & prepares it for new growth & new buds. Surely that is a prelude to spring.
Jan is also one last chance to get any spring blooming bulbs in the ground. Maybe they should be there now, but I know they will still come up if planted by Jan 31st. Now if I could only find some still for sale. Probably not.
Some years I also start keeping a count of the number of days until the Spring Equinox. Happy Spring, RB, any minute now. Never mind that winter just began.
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