Container gardening

Jazzing up your Outdoor Space

When it comes to jazzing up your outdoor space with some unique planters, the possibilities are endless! You can get creative by repurposing all sorts of stuff you might otherwise toss out. Think old tires that can be stacked up and painted to make a colorful tower of greenery. Or how about those wooden pallets you’ve got lying around? They make perfect vertical gardens or raised beds for your favorite herbs and veggies.

And don’t forget about those buckets or barrels collecting dust in the garage. With a few drainage holes drilled in the bottom, they’re ready to be filled with soil and transformed into rustic planters. Even broken wheelbarrows or wagons can find new life as charming homes for your plants.

If you’re into a vintage vibe, why not turn an old bathtub or sink into a lush oasis? They provide plenty of room for all sorts of plants and add a real touch of whimsy to your garden.

And hey, don’t overlook your old furniture! Is that dresser missing a few drawers? Fill it up with soil and plant away! Or take the seat off that rickety old chair and replace it with a planter box for a quirky twist.

Feeling adventurous? Raid your kitchen for pots, pans, colanders, or even teapots that can double as planters. It’s a fun way to add some personality to your garden while reducing waste.

And let’s not forget about bricks or concrete blocks – stack ’em up to create raised beds or planters with an industrial chic vibe.

So go ahead, get creative with your junk, and give your outdoor space a fresh new look with some unique planters!

Garden almanac

Winter Desiccation

Last week, we discussed winter injury on spruce trees, and now it seems that some maples, birches, and hackberries are also affected. If your tree hasn’t leafed out at the top, it’s likely due to winter desiccation. We had another dry fall before winter for the second consecutive year. For minor issues, prune the dead branches. However, if a young tree has significant dieback, you might consider replacing it.

In your garden, it’s crucial to practice crop rotation. I plant tomatoes and peppers on opposite sides of the garden each year and do the same with vine crops and cole crops like cabbage. This rotation helps prevent the buildup of diseases and pests. Also, consider using drip irrigation to keep leaves dry and reduce fungal diseases. If you use overhead watering, do it in the morning so the leaves dry by evening. Keep an eye out for pests like cucumber beetles, squash bugs, aphids, cabbage worms, and mites.

After blooming, prune lilacs, honeysuckles, and any early-flowering shrubs as needed.

I also noticed some pine needle scales recently. These appear as white, fuzzy bumps on the needles and protect the eggs. The newborns are reddish or black crawlers. It takes several years for a harmful population to build up, typically in stressed trees. Keeping the tree well-watered helps, and natural predators like ladybugs and wasps can control the scale. For small or highly infected trees, insecticidal soaps are effective this time of year.

Iron chlorosis will soon show up in some woody plants, where leaves turn yellow while veins remain green. Despite adequate iron in our soils, high pH, clay soils, or compacted soils can prevent plants from absorbing it. Maples, viburnums, and some fruit trees are commonly affected. To help, use chelated iron as a foliar spray or soil supplement. Long-term prevention involves lowering soil pH by using a high peat moss mix and high-acid fertilizers.

Garden almanac

Winter has Taken a Toll

Winter damage on Colorado Spruce

It seems like winter has taken a toll on the spruces this year, especially on the south-to-west side. If you notice needle dieback, it’s likely due to winterkill. Check where the needle attaches to the branch; if there’s a little green area next to the branch, winterkill is probably the cause. To properly assess the damage, wait until the buds break, also known as “candle.”

Meanwhile, the tick situation has been awful for my dog, Her Highness Queen Magdelin II. After a visit to the vet, I got Bravecto chewables. Fingers crossed it works. For those worried about ticks on themselves, using a Permethrin spray on your clothing can significantly reduce ticks clinging to you.

Rust fungus on an apple leaf

On a brighter note, we should have apples this year! If you’ve noticed leaf spotting in the past, it might be due to cedar-apple rust. Now’s the perfect time to spray your apple trees with an all-purpose orchard spray to prevent rust spores from embedding into the leaves.

Root bound container grown tree

If you’re planting container-grown trees or shrubs, be sure to avoid circling roots. Gently loosen the roots, especially at the bottom, so they grow outward instead of wrapping around in the hole.

Speaking of containers, if you’re setting out annuals, go for the largest containers you can. Bigger containers retain moisture longer and keep the roots cooler. Resin containers are better than terra cotta for keeping the roots moist. Just make sure all containers have drainage holes.

Aphid damage on a viburnum

Lastly, check your viburnums, honeysuckles, and caraganas for aphids under the leaves. If you spot them, use a systemic insecticide or insecticidal soap to get rid of them. Sometimes a strong blast of water from a hose can knock them off. Leaving aphids on the plants can lead to deformed branch tips.