Mary Mary September 2010

September 2010

My epiphytic cacti gave me such joy and pleasure this season with about 75% of my large hanging plants blooming from April to now. For those unfamiliar with “epis”, as they are commonly called, do a Google search image for epiphyllum hybrids and you will see why they make me smile. I do have to pare down though because I finally admit I have too many plants. All my smaller ones are growing up and where will I hang them as they get larger? So in the spring when they are in bloom, I will be having a plant sale in my front yard along with my succulent club the Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend, May 2011.

Hope everyone was able to make it to the San Mateo County Fair this year. There were some huge challenges this year as floral arts had a new venue out in a tent and also in a nearby building. There were beautiful cut flowers and potted plants along with some innovative and artful floral designs. I have had the opportunity to judge many fairs and shows around the state and ours is definitely the best!

September is the month many garden clubs resume their meetings after a summer hiatus. There are many advantages to joining a garden club. You learn about horticulture and floral design and you widen your circle of friends and your plant population. I firmly believe gardeners, on the whole, are very generous and very friendly. All the bay area garden clubs and societies welcome new members with open arms, cuttings, plants, bulbs, divisions, diverse programs, tours and great eating treats at the meetings. Check with the San Mateo Garden Center or with me for a society or club that might interest you. The Peninsula Succulent Club, of which I am a member, meets at the San Mateo Garden Center and is very active especially at the fair.

Prune boxwood, laurels, pittosporums and other formal hedges this month. This is a great time to reshape those plants growing crowded far too long. We have to prune our wisteria as it is climbing in the front window and crawling on our roof, generally making a nuisance of itself, but oh so rewarding when it blooms in the spring. Also now is a great time to divide perennials and give some to your neighbors and friends. Deadhead all things in the garden, especially the roses. Take out any dead or crossed canes. Mulch now as our days are still hot and it keeps the moisture in the ground and the weeds out. Container pots dry out quickly so always keep an eye on them.

Perennials such as hostas, bleeding hearts, fountain grasses, lamiums, and coral bells are great in containers. Our tomatoes are still doing well in those chimney flues I found on the street though I did have to stake them as they wanted to fall over. Take advantage of the warmth to get roots on your plants established before the winter. Plant annuals such as pansies, Iceland poppies, snapdragon, violas, and cineraria. Perennials such as chrysanthemums, cyclamen, coneflower, primula, primrose, yarrow, penstemon, candytuft, and my favorite, salvia (mine blooms 10 months of the year and I have several varieties) can be planted now. Fertilize trees, shrubs, lawns and ground covers they love all-purpose (16-16-16) fertilizer, it helps not only the fall growth, but the spring too! Feed roses with rose food. Camellias, azaleas and rhodies love the 0-10-10 until they finish blooming in the spring. Look through catalogues and choose bulbs to plant in Oct. and Nov. like tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, Dutch iris, freesias, anemones, crocus, sparaxis, ixia and ranunculus. Refrigerate tulips, hyacinths and crocus. The best selection is now. Stake tall perennials and trim iris foliage to 6 inch fans. Control snails by putting down nontoxic snail bait, such as "Sluggo".

There was recent article in the California Garden Clubs newsletter about supplementing birds’ natural diet with birdseed, suet, fruit nectar with bird feeders in our backyards. To keep birds returning in any season, provide them with a variety of birdseed, fresh water for drinking and bathing and nesting sites with ample cover. We have lots of birds in our front and backyard just with plants they love.

Ask questions by writing me c/o the San Mateo Garden Center, 605 Parkside Way, SM, CA
or email:macro6096@hotmail.com Mary, Mary, How Does Your Garden Grow? by Mary Crowell