Wet and Dry

The Weatherman and the Gardener

The wind and rain enlighten us also. As the decidious trees are stripped of their leaves and show their bare skeletons we begin to see which need pruned and where. The trees seem to be showing us exactly what needs to be done if only we would stop worrying about the holidays and get back to the tasks at hand. I have looked at my locust tree a hundred times since it dropped its leaves, noting exactly where each small limb needs to be cut back to prevent it from becoming entangled in the electrical lines. Were it actually touching the power lines I would not attempt the pruning myself, nor should you. This is one time you need to call in the professionals. Nothing ruins the holidays like a trip to the emergency room.

Gardens are insistent this time of year. You can't walk anywhere without seeing hundreds of items that need to be addressed. Beds need to be cleaned, perennials need to be cut back and leaves need to be cleaned up everywhere. The curious pattern of the wind has deposited several large loads of leaves along the side of the house, usually soon after I have cleaned up the last batch.

The Front Garden Roundup

Since our front yard beds consist of azalea, juniper and other perennials it is easy to ignore maintenance. Unfortunately, this is the face we present to the neighbors it was time we spent a Saturday on cleanup duty.

The beds were in dire need of cleaning and the stone paths (which I have complained about before) were sprouting grass faster than I could pull or hoe it out. While I am trying to avoid herbicides and pesticides I broke down and carefully applied Roundup to the paths. After a few warm days it is now taking effect and will at least allow me to catch-up with the weeding. You need to be very careful in spraying this product. I sprayed on a very calm day and used a large piece of cardboard to protect surrounding plants that were close to the paths. So far, so good. I haven't seen any damage to my perennials.

Of Sprinkling and Soaking...

Another aspect of the front plantings is a hopelessly out of date and failing sprinkler system. Originally designed for a lawn, the coverage of the sprinklers takes no notice of the shape of the beds or the height of the plantings. Eventually we will have to replace the system, but for now, with the addition of a few new riser pipes and sprinkler heads, I was able to provide for even coverage of almost the entire planting area. This is especially important with the coming heat of summer. Last year had us wondering if we would have any plants left come the fall. The uneven watering was browning plants throughout and made us feel like real amateurs.

Another addition to this area included the installation of 2 soaker hoses for the rose beds that surround the entire front yard plot. Having picked one up at a garage sale for a fraction of the normal price, we decided to give it a try. With the addition of a quick disconnect hose coupling and water timers left by the previous owners I was able to create a carefree system that can be turned on in the morning as my wife, Rosanne, leaves for work. One to two hours later the timers turn off and our major watering is done. Soaker hoses have become one of my favorite gardening tools now. They put the water were it is needed most, reduce evaporation, and water plants deeply to encourage deep root growth.

Iam currently in progress on the installation of a drip system, again using left over parts and supplies, for the 25+ roses in my rear garden plantings. Using another timer, I will be able to water the roses with the turn of a switch instead of spending a half hour with the garden hose. While only time will tell how each of these methods succeed, over time I am sure I will adapt even more beds to these systems.

Iam always on the look out for new books and magazine articles to give me further insight into my garden. Below are several sources I have recently stumbled upon. I have also included links to Amazon.com, an online bookseller who stocks and sells many of these books directly over the Internet.

Robert Smaus' "52 Weeks in the California Garden"

DIRT: The lowdown on growing a garden with style

The Natural Garden Book

Iam slowly reading through all of these books simultaneously. It allows me to gather many different perspectives at once and decide which ones are the best for me and my garden.

Ihope all of your gardening is good. Spring is here, the orange trees are blooming, others are starting to bud and leaf. Enjoy your gardens now. The summer heat is almost here.

Above all, keep digging....

Douglas

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