LIVING AND GARDENING
NOW IN NORTHERN
NEW HAMPSHIRE
New England University Extension Service Offices
Interesting Gardening and Birding Links, including a NEW link for Children!
A couple of things happened over the last few weeks that made me pick this particular topic. The first one was an article that appeared in the New Hampshire "The Extension Connection" put out by the Grafton County Office, on Milkweed. The second one was a visit to the Keene, NH Flower Show which had an exhibit done by "Magic Wings" a Butterfly Conservatory and Garden in Massachussetts.
Let's take these one at a time. The "Extension Connection" article was about Milkweed and how important Milkweed is to Monarch butterflies. I'm not sure how many of you were aware that there was a terrible freezing event that struck and killed over 250 million Monarchs in their wintering site in Mexico. Monarchs migrate from up here in the North Country down to Mexico where they seek warmth and sanctuary. This year they got neither!
There was a heavy rainfall followed by freezing temperatures. It killed enough Monarchs that it has raised international concerns about these lovely creatures, and whether it would be a compromising event for the entire breeding population.
We CAN help these lovely creatures by inviting them to our gardens and meadows. The most important thing we can do is offer them MILKWEED! I can hear your comments now, "What? Grow weeds?" Yes! Do grow a few weeds! I don't know how many of you have looked closely at a blooming milkweed flower. It is a beautiful, heavy bloom that all kinds of pollinators love, particularly butterflies, and specifically, Monarchs.
Monarchs use Milkweed for breeding and feeding. In fact, they use almost nothing else. The secret is in the nectar. There is a poison in the sap of the milkweed plant that is not harmful to the butterfly or it's larvae, but which is very toxic to birds. When the birds gobble up a Monarch, they tend to spit it out pretty quickly as it is very distasteful. Because nature can help them with protection from predation, the Monarchs have learned over generations and generations to take advantage of the milkweed plant. Not only do they enjoy the nectar, they lay their their eggs on this plant so their hatching larvae will fill up on all the toxic sap they need to ward off their enemies. So, encourage Milkweed this year. If you do that, you may even grow to enjoy the flowers and certainly the presence of butterflies. Anyway, hesitate before ridding your meadow of it in whatever way you might. Leave it there and enjoy the consequences!
The other thing I did was enjoy the butterfly exhibit put on by the "Magic Wings" Butterfly Conservatory. They actually had a rather large enclosure holding many varieties of live butterflies for all the Flower Show attendees to enjoy. I was not aware that they actually have a place you can visit and see this Conservatory and Gardens in South Deerfield, MA. It is only one and a half miles off Route 91 (exit 25). I don't know about you, but the next time I have a little extra time, I'm going to make a visit there. The exhibit was SO lovely as were the butterflies! They do have a web site which you might try. Magic Wings
If you have any
questions-Ask right now!
JANUARY
Start looking for those wonderful gardening catalogues!
This is a good time to check old seeds for viability
Remove any heavy snow from evergreens.
Put your Christmas tree outside to provide shelter for the birds. You can also smear the branches with peanut butter mixed with corn meal. The birds will love it!
Keep those bird feeders full.
Check out my Gardening and Birding web sites- Interesting Gardening and Birding Links
Tap a maple tree, if you dare!
Be sure to fertilize that poinsettia
Check your stored bulbs to be sure they're not being eaten by mice.
This is a good time to buy summer blooming bulbs.
Start seeds inside.
Begonias can be started in peat moss.
If you have a lawn, this is a good time to send the mower in for a tune-up.
Fruit trees should be pruned of dead and diseased branches. Check a reference book and give them a pruning as well.
Keep your pruning shears away from spring blooming shrubs, except to bring them inside for forcing!
Talk about pruning shears...sharpen them before using.
Start up your lawn mower so you know it doesn't need a trip to the repair shop before grass cutting time. Also be sure the blades are SHARP.
Avoid working in the garden unless the soil breaks up in your hand if you squeeze a lump of it.
Hummingbirds begin to appear this month in some places. Clean the feeders and hang them for the "early birds".
Sow peas in the ground as soon as the frost is gone.
Continue with the tree pruning. Get rid of dead and diseased limbs.
You can prune your berry bushes-check a reference or ask me
cut back the remains of any perennial and ornamental grasses before new growth begins.
sanitize all planters, pots and seedling trays.
Remove mulch from strawberries.
Pansies can now be planted outside.
If you have any bareroot plants going into the garden, soak them overnight before planting. also be sure to trim off any super long or broken roots.
MAY
Tulips should be dead-headed(remove spent flower).
The grass can be mowed when it reaches 3-4 inches (sorry, but it IS that time again!)
Hold off mulching until the soil is warm, or you'll just keep the cold in!
You can now plant lettuce, beans, corn and carrots right in the soil.
Tomatoes can be planted when the lilacs bloom. You might sprinkle a teaspoon of Epsom salts into the hole where they go to provide magnesium.
Marigolds, zinnias and even nasturtiums are good to plant in and around. your vegetables as well as the flower beds. They repel insects!.
You can begin to plant gladiolas at 2 week intervals.
You can fertilize any bulbs that are up.
Stake your peonies before they get too big.
Harvest rhubarb by grabbing it at the base of the stalk and pulling firmly away from the crown, twisting just a bit. Be sure to throw the leaves into the compost as they are poisonous!
You can prune your spring blooming shrubs just as soon as the flowers have faded.
Plant your window boxes.
Prune spring flowering shrubs when they have finished blooming.
Thin seedlings.
Use balanced, organic fertilizers around flowers.
Stake tall perennials and tomatoes.
Use a pine needle mulch for blueberries.
Be sure your lawn mower is set to cut the grass HIGH.
After the iris are done blooming they can be divided.
Gladiolus corms can be planted.
Dead-head (prune off) spent flowers from plants and shrubs.
You may still plant container grown shrubs.
Plant broccoli seed for fall harvest.
If you have a water garden, there's still time to plant water lilies.
House plants can soon be moved outside to a shady, protected spot.
These same houseplants can be lightly fed with half strength fertilizer.
Mulch perennials and roses to keep down weeds and conserve moisture.
Any annuals can be safely set out now.
If you have an amaryllis, now would be the time to move it outside.
Pinch the leading stems of your chrysanthemum's to encourage them to be bushier and have more blossoms. Continue doing this every 6 inches or so, as they grow.
If you have apple trees, hang red sticky-ball traps to control apple maggot flies. Small trees can get by with 2 balls. Larger trees should probably have 4-6 balls.
Stop cutting asparagus when the new spears get pinky-finger thin. Let them grow into ferns instead. It will feed the roots.
JULY
Order spring bulbs now for the best selection.
Fertilize plants growing in containers.
Direct seed kale seed for fall harvest.
Sow a fall crop of peas.
Pinch basil plants to promote bushiness.
Side dress vegetables with nitrogen.
Put nets over blueberries to protect them from birds.
Dead-head (prune off) all your spent blossoms.
It's a good time to sow seed of biennials and perennials.
Cut back delphiniums when they are finished flowering. A complete fertilizer at this time may encourage a second blooming.
Chrysanthemums will give a better fall display if fertilized a bit now. You can continue pinching them back until mid-July for more blooms.
Try planting a clump of moisture loving Japanese iris where it can catch the water dripping from your air conditioner!
Madonna lilies should be divided as soon as the flowering period is over.
Oriental poppies may be moved. Summer is the only time of the year they can be divided successfully. Dig up the roots and cut them into 2 inch pieces and replant them in their new location.
Dahlias require little artificial watering in a normal season, but should be soaked once a week during drought.
Water your roses at least once a week.
Floribunda roses will flower all summer if the old flower clusters are snipped off regularly.
This is the time for transplanting iris. Trim back foliage and only replant healthy, firm rhisomes. Set them quite close to the surface!
Start cuttings of coleus, geraniums, begonias and other plants you want inside for the winter.
The snow-in-summer should be pruned hard as it makes such rapid growth at this time.
When you trim deciduous hedges(ie,privot)be sure the sides slope out toward the bottom to be sure that sunlight reaches the base of the plants.
Wisteria's may be pruned now.
This is a good time to attack Poison Ivy! Using discardable plastic gloves, cut the stems and paint the open wound with an herbicide on a HOT, SUNNY day!
Make some notes on what you need to add to next years garden while you can see what's blooming!
Dig potatoes after the tops have died down.
Buy fall mums.
Water any newly planted shrubs and trees.
Stop pruning shrubs.
Water evergreens thoroughly during dry weather.
Sow forget-me-not seed. The make an attractive carpet planting for tulip beds.
Cut off foliage of bleeding heart, which has probably become unsightly.
Apply fertilizer around peonies and scratch it into the soil.
Plant colchicum's and fall crocuses.
Order your bulbs if you haven't already!
Cuttings from English ivy now will produce good house plants for winter.
If you have an amaryllis outside, now would be the time to think about bringing it inside.
Seed or overseed new lawns before the leaves begin to fall.
Fertilize your perennials and shrubs... it will help them make it through the winter.
Water your peonies and shrubs very heavily. It will have to last until spring.
Put all your non-diseased plant debris in the compost bin, adding a bit of soil as well, to help get the chemistry moving!
If you haven't done a soil test... now is the time. Call your local Extension Office for information.
BULBS! PLANT THEM!
Any questions about September?
You can still plant spring bulbs.
If you have gladiolus, this is the time to dig the corms up.
This is a wonderful time to fertilize both lawn and garden.
Plant cool and warm-season lawns.
Move worm bins to basement or garage to maintain at least 40* through the winter months.
Divide a clump of chives and bring indoors.
If you haven't lifted your dahlias yet, this would be the time!
Reduce feeding houseplants(do not feed dormant houseplants).
Give your compost pile a final turning.
Try to keep the fallen leaves raked off the lawn. Put them in the compost, shredding them first if possible.
You can plant garlic now for next years harvest.
Mark any perennials you want to separate so you can find them next spring.
Clean and oil your tools so they won't rust over the winter.
Plant container and balled-and-burlapped trees, fruit trees, shrubs and vines
Keep watering the shrubs and evergreens.
Plant container roses.
Cut back your perennials.
Sow seeds for frost-tolerant perennials.
Try using evergreen boughs over your shrubs to provide winter protection. They can be forced into the ground, draping their branches over the shrubs.
Pull out your annuals and put them in the compost.
It's time to store your hoses inside. Remember to drain them first so they don't freeze and split!
Get those bird feeders up!
Now's the time to plant paperweight narcissus(indoors) for beautiful color and aroma on New Year's Day!
If you've had enough freezing days to render the ground hard, begin to mulch roses and other shrubs, etc.
Putting wire guards on the bases of tree trunks will prevent mouse damage.
Wrap plants in burlap for winter protection. Do NOT use plastic! They can't breathe any better inside plastic than you can.
If you haven't fertilized your lawn or garden yet, now's the time!
Think about gardening tools and equipment as Christmas gifts.
Take a gardening break!
University of Connecticut Plant Selector
Summer Fruit and Vegetable Vendors
1376 Storrs Rd. U-67; Storrs, CT 06269; (860) 486-3435
1800 Asylum Ave.; West Hartford, CT 06117; (860) 241-4940
1066 Saybrook Rd.; Haddam, CT 06438; (203) 345-4511
562 New London Tnpk..; Norwich, CT 06360; (203) 887-1608
139 Wolf Den Rd; Brooklyn, CT 06234; (203) 774-9600
West Street; Litchfield, CT 06759; (860) 567-9447
67 Stony Hill Rd.; Bethel, CT 06801; (860)797-4186
43 Marne St.; Hamden, CT 06514; (203) 789-7865
24 Hyde Ave.; Vernon, CT 06066; (860) 875-3331
5722 Deering Hall; Orono, ME 04469;
491 College Ave.; Orono, ME 04473
Cooperative Extension Service
College of Natural Resources
Amherst, Ma 01003
(413) 545-4800
University of New Hampshire Gardening Information Web Page
University of New Hampshire Extension Service Web Page
59 College Rd.; Taylor Hall; Durham, NH 03824 (603)862-1520
Nesmith Hall: 131 Main St. Durham, NH 03824 (603) 862-3207
Belnap County (603)524-1737
Carroll County (603)447-5922
Cheshire County (603) 352-3026
Coos County (603) 788-4961
Grafton County (603) 787-6944
Hillsborough County (603) 673-0597
Merrimack County (603) 225-5505
Rockingham County (603) 679-5616
Strafford County (603) 749-4445
Sullivan County (603) 863-9200
Cooperative Extension Service
Woodward Hall; Kingston; Rhode Island 02881
(401)793-2957
Hills Bldg.
Burlington, VT 05405
Here are some Gardening Links you might find of interest.
North American Heather Society
Plant disease and Insect diagnostic site
Wild Flower Society-New England
I hope you'll "Bookmark" this page. Until next time, enjoy your
garden no matter what the season! Remember to come and visit often. I try
to change the article "Pleasure in Your Garden" once a month or so by addressing
something gardeners will find useful.