LaVERLE McCANDLESS
Contributor
“Once we become interested in the progress of the plants in our care, their development becomes a part of the rhythm of our lives and we are refreshed by it.” Thalassa Cruso
The above quote is so true!
You are cruising through the plant departments of different stores, which have end-of-season sales, and see a plant that you do not have in your garden and you just have to have it! You are not sure just what it is but, oh my, it looks like it needs to be taken home and the price is right.
Do some checking—first of all, there should be a label stating the name, both the common and the botanical name, but specifically the botanical for identification purpose. Is it an annual, biennial, perennial, needs full sun, full shade or partial sun/shade.
You are not sure just what this plant is, then ask someone in charge. They should know the plants they are selling. I don't know of a customer who carries a book on plants with them and is truly depending on the salesperson to help them. Don't be afraid to ask questions: does this plant need a lot of water or is it drought tolerant? Is it specific to our zone? These are two real important questions to be answered.
Did you check the roots? Are they creamy or white in color?
They should be; if not, set that plant back on the shelf and check the next “I-just-have-to-have-this” plant. You don't want to take home a root bound plant with roots that are dark tan or brown in color. It is most likely it won't live with all the tender loving care you intend to give it.
Since the plant really caught your eye, be sure it is in as good health as it should be.
Now to the next thing—“refreshed by plants growing.” I just bet you are. The plant(s) I am thinking of is the abundant crop of weeds that crop up right after you have planted the garden, watered, stood back and admired so much only to find in five to seven days later something growing you didn't plant! Remember, a weed is a misplaced plant, so I keep telling myself.
Then why did that tree sprout up right next to the stand pipe faucet? A bird planted it!
Where did the catnip come from? Wowee is there ever an abundance this year. There are several sunflowers out in the potato patch. Why????
Thalassa Cruso is a gardener and never once have I read any articles by her about weeds. Quite interesting.
When we started in the Master Gardener program classes, one thing that has stuck with me over all the years was “Have all the weeding done the first time through by July 4 and you won't have many weeds to contend with the rest of the gardening season,” a quote by Sidney McCrae, one of our teachers and plant clinic supervisor until her retirement.
It works! The hard part is you have one month and a week or so, depending on when the garden(s) are finished planting to get the weeds out of them.
Gardening questions? We are as close as the phone 455-7568 or e-mail at: [email protected]
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