Finally few nice days to get out and start the overwhelming job of cleaning up after what seems like a long winter. The ice storms we had did a lot of damage to lots of trees and shrubs; every where I go, there are piles to be hauled away. People are starting to rake, please be careful of little sprouts trying to find the sun. Another thing to think about is where to put rakings, I think most of leaves can be used as mulch, especially pine needles and oak leaves around acid loving plants such as rhododendrons and azaleas.  I love to go looking for the early sprouts of wild plants, looked for some skunk cabbage, but did not find any, but did find lots of colt’s foots.  Will be nice couple more days so plan to go looking for more signs of spring.  Wore the wrong shoes yesterday, need my boots!

So the good word is: Spring is Coming!

Many people are interested in having a garden, but feel that they do not have the space needed to grow their vegetables. Using the square foot method, one is able to concentrate their growing needs in a smaller area. Some are planted in raised beds, and many are just measured out in a small area of their yard. The concept is that one plants intensively in the area to better utilize the space and maximize the vegetable growth. There is a great web site on this matter, showing lots of pictures with explanation. http://journeytoforever.org/garden_sqft.html
As in all gardening, the first thing one needs to do is asses the soil, either through sampling from packets bought at garden centers, or sent to the local Cooperative Extension, which is through the Cornell University in New York state, where I reside. Most important is the soil acidity levels, or pH levels, which allows the plants to utilize nutrients, and is a simple test. If the soil is too acid, with a low pH number, say 5, lime or wood stove ash should be added. if the soil is too alkaline, sulfur, pine needles, or oak leaves can be used. Alkalinity problems arise in areas next to concrete areas, like next to sidewalks, driveways, or the house foundation. When looking at which plants to grow, look at how much acidicy they need

When gardening using the square foot method, the tall plants are at the back of the space, and shorter plants in the front.  Another thing i read lately is to use radishes to “mark” where other plants are planted.  Radishes are very fast growers and good in cool early spring, and by the time they are ready to eat, the other plants are just starting to grow! You need to use some sort of trellis for the tall plants: beans, squash, tomatoes, to have something to climb for maximizing their production.

Good luck on your garden ventures, hope to hear from you with how they are doing now that in some parts of the country spring has come!

pictures from Creative Commons

I got a question about an over watered cactus from Dot, guess many of you wonder about to water or not to water….

The simple way to know, with most plants (and please notice the qualifier) is that it is time to water when dry, most plants, if they are in pots and other containers, need to dry out a little before watering again.  Think about plants in our yards, there are spells of dry and spells of too much rain, but our outdoor friends have endless (mostly) room for their roots, and the water drains off after a bit.  So  we need to think of this with our house plants and potted plants, they also need their roots time to dry out.  Now there are some plants that this does not apply to, but generally most all plants want their feet to be dry.  Cactus like much dryer feet, and it is best to keep them in sand, which drains much faster than other planting soils. Other plants which have potting soils or other soils, need to have either drainage holes in the pots or under the soil, pebbles in a space for the water to drain  that is below the roots.  They do like to dry out a bit.

Take care of your houseplant friends, and they will grow and give you lots of beauty for years to come.

(later, like 3/4) One thing I did not mention at all, and I am sorry for the miss, is the use of fertilizers. Some people are religious about adding fertilizers every couple weeks or so, I am not. Sometimes I forget altogether. But I do see the need for it, so I have some, and try to remember to add it periodically. It is especially important in the spring, the days are longer, and all things growing recognize this and start getting busy doing what they are meant to do…flower, new roots, etc. And since these guys are trapped inside, usually in confining pots, they do need the added fertilizers. Usually, it is best to go weak, if instructions for general houseplant fertilizer says 7 drops in quart water, every two weeks, I do the seven drops, but maybe monthly…do not have a lot of room for these guys to grow out of control! And please water in the morning, plants cannot take up the water or nutrients unless they are photosynthesizing, which they can only do during daylight.

If you have any questions, please use the comment button after the post, and I will get back to you. Keep your thoughts positive that spring will come!!!

Another add on: Meredith got some daffodils for her birthday, happy birthday Meredith; and wants to know what to do with them. The best thing is to put them in a sunny place and make sure they are watered. Then, as they fade, just put them in a less conspicuous place, keep them watered a little, and let them fade away. But, then, when weather gets better, we want to put them in the ground in a sunny place, they may not bloom next year, but then they may! Whoo ray for spring!

pic creative commons http://www.flickr.com/photos/programwitch/
and my window shot, http://www.flickr.com/photos/vickyb/