FAQS: Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do I prepare my roses for the winter ?
A. Depending on the size of your rose bush, there are two winterizing options. For taller bushes, tie the canes together so they won't feel the wind, and wrap them in a rose collar. After first frost, shovel soil onto the base of the plant, filling the bottom of the collar. Then, when the ground is thorughly frozen, add a layer of mulch. When the ground begins to thaw in the spring, slowly begin to remove the mulch and soil. For smaller rose bushes, tie the canes together, shovel soil on the base and cover with a Rose Hut.
Q. What can I do to protect my plants in winter ?
A. The oldest and simplest plant protection system that has been used for years is to encircle each plant with a length of chicken wire, then fill it with shredded leaves or pine needles. Though this method won't necessarily protect the top growth of the plant, it will keep the root ball cozy. This winterizing method will protect plants better than any other method, and come spring, the partially composted leaves can be used as mulch or mixed with soil.
Q. How do I care for my Tomato plants ?
A. A favorite garden vegetable, tomatoes come in many types and sizes. Some vines grow 3 feet long and some can extend up to 20 feet long. Flower clusters are produced at every second leaf. The vines keep growing and producing unless stopped by frost, giving you fresh tomatos all season long. In order to get the best crop, locate the sunniest spot in your garden and prepare the soil with plenty of organic matter. Then sow seeds or plant transplants, placing a wire tomato cage over the plant. Use landscape fabric and mulch on top of the soil to help suppress weeds and retain moisture. As the plants grow, guide the stems through the wire cages for support. Tomato plants don't need pruning, just take care to keep the vines off the ground by tying them to the cages.
Q. How do I keep DEER and BIRDS out of my vegetable garden ?
A. Some gardeners report success using products such as repellent sprays, either homemeade or commercially formulated, and there are any number of "home remedies", but the only reliable method over time is to fence them out with netting.
Q. Now that I've paved and planted, how can I decorate my backyard garden ?
A. A great way to enhance the beauty of a garden is to add garden ornamentation. Special touches like shepherd hooks, arbors, trellises, decorative edging and borders can add sophistication and focal points to any garden. No matter what your style, the key to successful ornamentation is to use elements that blend with the existing landscape. When it comes to decorative metal ornaments, you can allow them to rust naturally for a rustic feel, or choose one that is painted with a powder coat finish, which is better for the environment than enamel paints, and lasts much longer.
Do you have a question for Patrician's garden maintenance experts ? Send it to us via e-mail. |
rose collar
|
rose hut
|
|
plastic chicken wire
|
|
tomato cages
|
deer netting
|
bird netting
|
|
|
ladder trellis
|
fan trellis
|
|
|
|
