Gardening Tips

Spring has arrived in Montana and I am busy working on my flower beds and garden. Please comment and share your gardening advice and tips - it is fun to learn from each other. Happy Gardening!

Tips on Growing Flowers:

1. The best time to transplant your Daylilies are in the springtime or early fall seasons.

2. The best time to fertilize your perennial flower beds are in the early spring.

3. To keep the pesky ants away from your house or flower bed use paprika, chili pepper and even coffee grounds to deter those little critters.
4. The best deterrent to the weed problem, is to weed your garden on a regular basis so they don’t buildup and cause harm to your young plants. Use mulch to help control the weed problems.
5. If you buy your Annuals flowers in compartmentalized plastic flats, their roots are usually bound in the pot.  So when you plant them be sure to loosen and untangle their roots.  But be sure not to break the soil ball.
6. When you prune any tall and or spindly plants be sure to prune them to ½ of their original height in order for them to be more productive and beautiful by having more flowers.
7. Be sure to spend quality time preparing your soil bed for your perennials.  Remember that your perennial beds must be tilled or spaded 6” in depth at least 2 weeks before you begin planting.
8. You should fertilize your flower beds before planting or at the planting time and be sure to repeat the process each month for healthier flower beds and better flower production.
9. Before you plant your garden, be sure to take the time to properly design the details of your garden.  It’s helpful to write it all down on paper, including the types of flowers you are going to plant.  Make a diagram and then follow it.

Tips on Growing Your Vegetables:

1. If you want to plant tomatoes, when you go to the nursery look for plants in 4 “ pots that look stocky and that are about six to eight weeks old.  Be sure the plants have no flowers or fruit on them.

2. To take the bitter taste out of the cucumbers cut a small piece off both ends and rub that piece against each end.  That should do it for you.
3. Take the stem of a tomato plant and bury it and you will find that the stem will sprout a bunch of new roots which will help your tomato plant grow tall and healthy.
4. Do not over feed your tomato plants. If you put too much nitrogen in the soil you will produce a large lush tomato plant but it will hardly have any tomatoes.
5. Be sure to pick off the very first tomato plant’s flowers.  This will allow the plant to finish forming its root system first, and then it will produce great fruit for you.

Tips on Your Trees and Shrubs:

1. If you plant your trees in soil that has good drainage, you should soak the trees 2 to 4 hours twice a week for the first 2 or 3 months’ and then on a weekly basis for the rest of the first year.  This will help your tress establish their root system and help them not to dry out.

2. Be sure to fertilize your trees at planting.  This will maintain their health and help establish their root system.  Be sure to use fertilizers high in phosphorous.
3. Be sure to use stakes for trees taller than 3 feet. 
4. Keep you trees staked for the first 2-3 years.
5. Prune your trees as often as you can. It helps maintain  their shape and their health.
6. Be sure to select the type of tree that best suits your garden and backward.  Choose smaller tress for smaller areas and space. 
7. Do not plant your trees too shallow; otherwise their root system may rise to the surface.
8. Do no plant tress close to patios, concrete slabs or your house as it may interfere with your foundation and water pipes.

Remember to ask questions if you are unsure how best to proceed.  Ask your local gardener supplier or your nursery person.  They just love gardening and will love to help you.

Courtesy: Back Yard Garden