| Hi again and welcome to all new and past recipients of the GARDENING GRACES NEWSLETTER . Fall is upon us. At least the calendar says so. In Michigan it's been more like extended summer and believe it or not it was at least 90 degrees on Monday, October 8!! Apparently that set a new record. This is not at all like the norm but I'll take the warmer stuff. Soon enough the windows will have to shut for too many months. For now, the birds still sing like it's spring and the air is full of the heady fragrance of a warm, humid summer day. Who wouldn't love that? Update - one week later: Michigan October showed up. Birds, fragrance, summer-like days - fading. Dang! No, I am not bitter. Really, I'm not. Stop thinking I am. Actually, I'm sweet. Get it? Opposite of bitter. Really. Ok, let's go. Come with me and let's get into the garden....... |
| FROM THE GARDEN PRUNING TIPS Timing: Prune out dead and diseased branches as well as branches that rub on each other at any time of the season. Shaping and sizing of deciduous plants is best accomplished however while still dormant or just emerging from their sleepy state. The best time to be able to see the structure is while the leaves are off. So late winter or early spring works best. What about early flowering shrubs such as lilac, azalea, rhododendron, forsythia, ninebark and viburnum? Prune them just after they bloom. That way you will not remove the talent (flowers) before the show (bloom). Late flowering shrubs such as potentilla, Japanese spirea, butterfly bush, Rose of Sharon, smokebush, blue mist spirea, elderberry, St. John's wort and my favorite ...ta da....hydrangea paniculata (woody hydrangeas) can be pruned down to a height of 6-8 inches. Caution: do not prune the oakleaf hydrangeas (quercifolia) this way as they actually require little pruning and would object to such treatment. . |
JUMPING ON THE GREEN BAND WAGON Notice lately how everything is 'earth friendly' or 'green'? Well here is your chance to jump on the band wagon. I'm not sure about band wagons though. Are they gas, diesel, horse drawn or hybrid? I better check for next time before I go telling you to do something that might not be exactly environmentally friendly. Regardless, this next idea for killing weeds and grass without herbicides will earn me a few points with the green crowd for sure. Oh yea, and it's also free! Before you begin, in order to keep your sanity during this activity, pick a day with little or no breeze. Lay sheets of newspaper, 10-20 sheets thick is optimal, over the bed, weeds, grass and all. You may want to trim down the area with a mower or weed whip first in order to get a flatter surface which leads to a neater, more aesthetically pleasing look in the end. Now spread your mulch over the paper being careful to hide it well. Over time the paper, grass and weeds will decompose into the soil adding both to its fertility and friability. As you kill off the weeds and unwanted turf, your new heavy mulch layer is discouraging new weeds from taking up residence. Yeah!! |
| JOBS Gardening Graces is always looking for the right people. Are you or someone you know interested in working for Gardening Graces? Are you or they energetic, dependable, honest, and desiring to work outdoors? Do you or they live within 30 minutes of the Ann Arbor area? Do you or they have an affinity for and knowledge of horticulture, landscapes and/or gardening? Openings for foreman, crew leaders and crew staff. I look forward to hearing from you.
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| To find out more about GARDENING GRACES, please visit our website. Read the new posting about the UGLY HOUSE contest . An article featuring the winners of that contest, their new garden and Gardening Graces will appear in the Ann Arbor publication of OUR HOUSE MAGAZINE in March 2008. Thanks for visiting and I'll see you there! |
 Til next time, I am still yours from the garden. Barbara Peters
Gardening Graces LLC |
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