In the Garden
Ralph Purkhiser, Purdue University Master Gardener
This week is the busiest gardening week of the year. Garden centers are gearing up for the crowds that are likely to be there on Saturday. For many garden centers, the Saturday before Mother’s Day is the busiest day of the season. Flowers are the natural gift for Mother’s Day. Moms are nurturers, and most appreciate a gift that they can appreciate all summer. Whether you go for hanging baskets, bedding plants or a tree or shrub, a living plant makes the perfect gift. A mother will care for that plant and be reminded of the love that came with the plant. If you are fortunate enough to have your mother on this earth, get to the nearest garden center and find your mother’s favorite flower. I sure wish I could buy a big hanging basket full of peach-colored begonias for my mother.
Even without Mother’s Day, this would be a busy week for gardeners. We should now be frost-free for several months, and that means the growing season can get underway. Whether you are setting flower transplants in landscape beds or putting out a vegetable patch, it is time to get plants in the ground.
Vegetable or flower, most of these plants have been grown inside and need to get used to the conditions of the garden. Set the plants outside for a day or two. Put them in an area where they will be shaded from the mid-day sun. Watch the forecast, and if the night-time temperatures fall below 50 degrees, provide some protection. After a couple of days, the plants will be hardened off to the outside conditions and are ready for transplanting.
Whether transplanting a simple posy of a large tree, I recommend using a root-stimulating fertilizer when planting. I prefer a liquid fertilizer, such as Miracle Grow Quick Start. After setting the plant in place, water it in with the mixture, which will provide the nutrients needed to stimulate root growth. Better roots means the plant will adapt to the new location quickly and will begin to put on top growth within days. Getting plants off to a good start is the most important part of having a successful gardening season.
Mulching after planting is also a great way to improve the chances for the young plants. I recommend using an organic mulch, which will break down over time and supply food for the plant. In the landscape, I suggest using shredded bark with a layer of cardboard beneath it. The cardboard will help to prevent weeds from growing through the mulch. The mulch will help keep the soil temperatures even and will also keep the moisture level constant. In the vegetable garden, one should use an organic mulch that will break down over the single season. Straw, shredded leaves and shredded paper are good options. If using shredded paper, I suggest wetting the paper before putting it in place. This will create a papier mache that will remain in place.
It is also time for me to move the houseplants outside for the summer. You may continue to keep the plants indoors, but many of the plants will appreciate the warmer summer temperatures and do not do well in air-conditioned homes. Even if the plants have been in a sunny window or under grow lights, adapting to full sun will take some time. As you take the plants out, put them in a shady location with some protection from the wind. I take the sub-tropical plants out first; they will tolerate some cool temperatures without being damaged. I will wait a couple more weeks to take out the most tender plants. Grouping plants according to their growth needs will make it easier to care for them. Cacti and succulents may be put together, while water-lovers do well around a fountain. My houseplants will thrive outside for a few months and will add to the beauty of the landscape.