Add compost.

We’ve said it before; we’ll say it again. Compost is the secret to successful gardening, no matter where or what you grow. Compost adds nutrients to the soil, manages its moisture content, prevents plant diseases, and keeps the earthworms and other beneficial soil creatures active. Mix compost into your soil when you’re creating a new garden bed or adding new plants. 

Baby the roots.
The delicate tips of a plants roots are the primary place where it takes up water and nutrients. Be careful not to damage the tips by cutting or tearing the root mass when planting. If you damage them, the plant will take longer to get established and start blooming until new ones can form. One exception: If you lift a perennial plant from a pot and see that the primary roots are wrapping around themselves in the pot, you should carefully straighten the circling roots and cut them so that they will grow into the surrounding soil.

Plant high.
Set perennials with their crowns (the place where the plants’ shoots meet the roots) slightly above the soil surface, say researchers at Cornell University’s Flower Bulb Research Program. This produces stronger growth than the widespread practice of planting the crown 1 to 2 inches below the soil surface. 

Feed for flowers.
If a soil test shows that your soil needs more nutrients than compost can supply, apply a slow-release organic fertilizer. Scientists at the University of Assiut in Egypt found that New York asters (Aster novi-belgii) given slow-release fertilizer bore more flowers, developed more branches, and produced more chlorophyll. Look for granular organic fertilizers in nurseries, home centers, and mail-order catalogs.  

Mulch matters.
Shrubs growing in soil that has been mulched are larger, more vigorous, and more likely to survive their first year than unmulched plants, report researchers at Washington State University. Key to the mulched plots’ success was improved water retention in the soil and less competition from weeds. The study was discontinued early, says the lead researcher Linda Chalker-Scott, Ph.D., because “all the plants in the unmulched sites died.” 

Lawn – Timing Pre-emergent Herbicide | Walter Reeves: The Georgia Gardener.

Greenshooz Landscaping Project | January 2012 | Cumming, GA

FIRST WEEK:
• Prune apple and pear trees now – but postpone peach pruning until mid-March. see Home Garden Apples

• It’s dangerous to spray glyphosate (Roundup, etc) on bermudagrass, even if you think it is completely dormant. Make sure no green bermuda sprouts are near the soil surface. Here’s a better idea: Winter Weed Control

• Look for blooms on your Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis). Few other plants can supply the year-round interest of this evergreen groundcover. See Lenten Rose Propagation

• Redesign your lawn for easier mowing. Eliminate sharp angles and narrow turf areas. Use mulch, new flower beds or a groundcover like mondo grass there instead. see Basic Lawn Maintenance

• Water poinsettia, Christmas cactus and amaryllis plants with houseplant fertilizer diluted to one-half strength. Don’t overwater! see Houseplants Smell Like Rotten Eggs

SECOND WEEK:
• How much fertilizer or lime does your lawn or garden really need? The only way to know for sure is to call your county Extension office (1-800-ASKUGA-1) and get a soil test kit. see Georgia Soil Testing

• Prune one-fourth of the branches from your overgrown fig bush. Removing any more will reduce the number of fruit this summer. Concentrate on saving the horizontal ones. see Fig Pruning

• Bring branches of spirea, forsythia and flowering quince indoors. Placed in a vase, they will bloom in just a few days. see Forcing Winter Blooms

• Remember to turn houseplants 180 degrees every two weeks to prevent uneven growth. see Growing Indoor Plants with Success

• Remove guy wires, stakes and trunk wraps from small trees you planted last fall. see Tree Transplanting

THIRD WEEK:
• The brown foliage on pampas grass and maiden grass can be pruned away now. Leave only a “crew cut” of brown stems twelve inches high. see Cutting Back Ornamental Grasses
• Plant sweet pea now for fragrant flowers later. Plant English peas, onions, asparagus or elephant garlic for your spring vegetable garden. see Planting Sweet Pea

• Overgrown Burford holly shrubs can be pruned severely now. Even if it is reduced to twelve inches tall, this shrub will resprout plenty of new foliage by summer. see Shrub Pruning

• Plant a large container for your patio. A small boxwood surrounded by variegated ivy and blooming pansies would look very nice!

• Plant a winter daphne (Daphne odorum) near your home’s entrance or front walkway. The scent will greet you each day when you arrive at your abode this spring. see Make Your Own Daphne Soil

FOURTH WEEK:
• Clean out bird boxes so they will be ready to welcome new residents in a few weeks. see Cleaning Bluebird Boxes

• Build raised beds for vegetables, roses and herbs. It’s easy to do with four pieces of 2×8 wood planks. Choose lengths that fit your space; bolt them together at the corners. see Raised Bed Materials

• Reduce the size of your butterfly bush by two thirds to one half to encourage new growth (and big blooms) this summer. see Butterfly Bush Pruning

• Time for the first fertilization of fescue for the year. Any brand of turf fertilizer will work well. Next application: April. see Fertilizing Fescue

• Set your mower to its highest setting and cut off the tattered leaves of liriope (monkey grass). They will quickly regrow in March. see Liriope Care

Seasonal Calendar – February | Walter Reeves: The Georgia Gardener

Here are five flowers that you can sow directly in the garden and expect blooms in the same growing season.

Cosmos (Cosmos sp.)

Cosmos come in shades of pink, orange and white. Variety sizes range from 1 to 2 feet. They make good cut flowers if you cut them as soon as the blossoms open and put them in cool water, submerging as much of the stem as possible.

After the last frost date sow seed in prepared garden soil in a spot that receives full sun. Space seeds 2- to 3-inches-apart and cover with ¼-inch of soil. When the seedlings are 2-inches-high thin them to 5-inches-apart. You can also start seeds indoors 6 weeks before last frost.

Four O’Clocks (Mirabilis jalapa)

This is a wonderful plant for adding fragrance to the evening garden and it’s very easy to grow. Four O’Clocks are large and bushy. They will quickly fill a bare spot in full sun to partial shade.

The plant also acts as a Japanese beetle trap. The beetles love to eat the foliage, which is toxic to them. It’s also harmful to gardeners as well so be aware of that.

After all danger of frost, sow the seeds directly in the garden. They aren’t particular about the soil as long as it is loose and well draining. Cover seeds with ½-inch soil. When plants are 4-inches-tall, thin to 14-inches-apart. Four O’Clocks will readily self-sow so remove seed pods to prevent them from taking over.

Globe Amaranth (Gomphrena globosa)

This old-fashioned annual is an everlasting indoors and in the garden. They are an excellent flower for drying to use in bouquets and wreaths. And, if you let the seed drop to the flower bed each fall you’ll be rewarded with volunteer plants in spring.

If you grow globe amaranth, select tall varieties over the dwarf or “buddy” types, which aren’t nearly as interesting.

Sow seeds in average, but well-draining soil in the spring after the last frost date in your area. Soak the seeds overnight to improve germination. Thin the seedlings when they are 2- to 3-inches-tall. Globe amaranth is fairly drought tolerant but performs best when given a regular supply of water.

Tithonia (Tithonia rotundifolia)

This is a very dramatic plant that can grow to 6-feet-tall over the course of summer. The flowers are orange-red with a daisy form. It’s a favorite in the fall garden. Birds and butterflies love this plant. It’s beautiful paired with purple or pink.

Sow the seeds in spring after the last frost date in prepared soil in full sun. Cover with ½-inch of soil. When plants are well-established thin them to 24-inches-apart. You can start the seeds indoors 5 weeks before the last frost date.

Zinnias (Zinnia elegans)

Zinnias come in a rainbow of colors. Even green! All shapes and sizes too. They are a must have for cut flower bouquets. Zinnias will attract butterflies and beneficial insects to your garden.

Once temperatures stay about 50°F, sow seeds in prepared garden soil in a spot with lots of sunshine. Cover the seeds with ¼-inch soil. When plants are 3-inches-high thin them to 8-inches-apart. For earlier bloom, start seeds indoors about 4 weeks before last frost.

Five Great Flower Seeds | P. Allen Smith Garden Home.

Pruning time is upon us and while we’ve talked about pruning in previous posts it’s always good to review a things.  I though we’d get started with ten tips!

Ten Pruning Tips

If you can, spend them extra money for good tools.  They are easier to work with and will last a lot longer; making them cheaper in the long run.  

Let the way your rose grows determine how you prune.  Some roses annually put out new canes from the base.  You can prune these harder.  Some, like the old Tea roses, take time to build up a structure and reach their size.  These need a lighter hand. 

Always start by pruning out dead wood.  Why?  Because it’s dead and you can’t make a mistake.  Gets you warmed up!

Take out weak or damaged growth.  Just trust your gardener’s instincts to recognize branches that aren’t full of vigor.  This also better helps you see the plants structure. 

Never worry about making a mistake.  It’ll grow back.

With Garden Roses don’t worry about outward facing bud-eyes and five leaflet leaf sets.  Just prune to strong, healthy growth at your desired height.  And if you don’t know what a five leaflet leaf set or a bud-eye is don’t worry about it.  You don’t need to.

Don’t try to keep a tall rose short.  It won’t be happy.  If you want a rose in a particular spot to be short than plant a short one!  As a rule of thumb don’t reduce the height of most garden roses by more than 1/3. 

Every now and then you will take out an old cane that no longer produces growth and blooms.  We label that kind of cane “bloomed out”.  Take it out at the ground level and you’ll be amazed at the new growth you’ll see in spring.  Fresh growth equals more blooms!

Pruning isn’t just for “pruning season”.  Feel free to shape your roses all season long like you would any other plant in your garden.  While you are deadheading is a great time..

In the end trust your gardener’s instincts.  You know what you are doing so do it!

We’ve prepared some videos for you on our website and we advise you view you them in order.  And as always feel free to ask us a question on our rose forum

Ten Rose Pruning Tips – Fine Gardening.

Love you honey! At least some of us think you’re a movie star!!

Hey Girl… – Fine Gardening.

Tips for colorful winter gardens:

Pansies & Violas

• Annuals (plants that need to be planted each year).
• Great selection of different colors: every color from pale pastels to vibrant reds and yellows.
• They are in the same family, pansies usually refer to plants with large, showy blooms. Viola blooms are smaller in size but the plants tend to bloom more profusely.
• Plant in container gardens and flower beds.

English Primrose

• An annual that comes in a variety of exciting colors: yellow, orange, pink, blue or purple.
• The blooms are in clusters, so you have a dense spot of bright color, which makes them pop in containers and gardens.

Cyclamen

• Often used as a houseplant, Cyclamen has sweetly scented, nodding blooms that are produced on long stems, held upright above the foliage.
• When not in bloom, this plant has beautiful heart-shaped leaves with silver marbling.
  Flowers come in shades of pink, red or white.

Hellebores Gold Collection

• Hardy perennial with long bloom time during the winter months in the South.
• Attractive foliage with bell or cup shaped blossoms.
• Many different varieties to choose from with different bloom colors including white, cream, greenish and pink.
• Deer resistant.

Cold Weather Tips

• Water, water, water: You should water containers before a hard freeze and after the freeze. The added moisture will allow the plants to tolerate the cold and bounce back to life.
• Don’t worry if you’re plants are droopy the day after a deep freeze. Give them time and they will usually spring back to life

Starting seeds indoors will give you earlier vegetables and flowers, and your cultivar choices will be endless. The process of germination may seem complex, but the act of seed planting is reassuringly simple. Just take it step-by-step, and you’ll soon be presiding over a healthy crop of seedlings.