When it’s warm, pick hyacinths
Q: Most of my hyacinths that are in bloom are too stubby to pick for a vase. There are some that are long enough. How can I stretch them? — Sharon, Pena, IL
A: You can wait for more warm weather before picking them. Length is a product of heat. This fall you can transplant the stubbies to a place where they will get more sunlight. This year, most greenhouses used cold storage to retard growth for Easter plants in most areas of the country because of the early onset of spring weather.
Q: I would like to know what order I should use my products on the lawn or if I should skip something because I am using the grub product? — Ann, Northeastern, Conn.
A: Lime should be applied both in spring and fall in Connecticut, because of the shallow water tables, especially if you have shade.
Q: Lime should be the first application in the spring and can be applied last in the fall. Slowrelease granular lime will not interfere with the fertilizer or other lawn products, but is applied in cool weather. Hydrated lime is hard to find in recent years. It can be used in early spring about two weeks before putting down fertilizer on you lawn. Limestone should be applied on gardens and lawns in the fall. It will break down through the winter.
A: Is corn gluten the best organic product for weed control? — Ann, Northeastern, Conn.
Q: I prefer a dust mulch because it aerates the soil. I used the corn starch last year and it was effective. It works well in perennial beds. It my rose garden, it inhibited the growth on my hybrid tea roses. I am going back to my dust mulch this year. Roses need aeration. I just scarify the top inch or two with my clan rake every 10 days or so. The fluffy top is a quite different density the rest of the lower compacted loam. This allows for good root growth for the roses and discourages weed germination. Corn gluten products work well on lawns to fill bare spots but new grass seed must wait a few weeks to be sowed.
Q: Are organic fertilizers more effective in feeding lawns. — Ann
A: Organics rarely have phosphorus, which is needed for roots. 5-10-10 can be applied in late fall. Using a separate weed and grub control eliminates the need for four-step programs. If the grubs are eliminated, there is no need to repeat grubicide each year.
You have more flexibility in the timing as well with weed control and fertilization. Many of the synthetic fertilizers are now without phosphorus, which is needed for roots and flowers. Manure is best used in the garden and not on the lawn. I have seen organic manure on the label of one fertilizer. Is the pope Catholic? All organic elements must break down to inorganic before being utilized by plants. Organics will increase the good bacteria but you need potash as well for roots and stems. All fertilizers are required by law to give the percentages of nitrogen, phosphorus and potash in that order. 23-0-0 has only nitrogen and can be inorganic. Manures are usually 21-1 unless composted.
For the best solutions for your lawn, tree & shrub problems, call the experts at Sea Scape, 800294-5296, or visit www.seascapeinc.com.