5 6 13 Next garden chat

This mix of foliage perennials, pansies and a frilly fern make an elegant combination for early spring planters

We need a name?

Come and enjoy the world of plants!

Change of date due to Rt 50 yard sale the week-end of May 17th.

Next meeting date:  May 26, 2013 ,    2 – 4pm Kathy Schmidt’s house,
Mid-Haines Rd off Hoy Rd in Augusta.

Call Marion (847-373-7554) or Kathy (410-279-9271) if you need detailed directions.

We will be choosing a name for ourselves, discussing container gardening and future plans for the group.

5 1 13 Fiddle Fern – photo by V. Lynn Moore

These appear to be what is called Christmas Fern Fiddleheads, but I am no botanist, just an admirer of the splendors of WV. These were growing down by the river What I have learned (mainly from Wonderful WV magazine) is that fiddleheads occur in the early spring as the ferns we see all over WV begin to grow.  They are not a different kind of fern..  They are just how most ferns begin each spring.  Some other common ones around here are the Marginal Shield which is covered with brown scales, Cinnamon ferns, Rattlesnake and Maidenhair ferns.

V. Lynn Moore: Artist/ Owner of VLynn’s Studio

It’s Time to Think about Your Garden

From – WVU Extension Service County News 2 12 13

Although we aren’t beyond the threat of snow, it isn’t too early to start thinking about gardens. Some planning now can help ensure you’ll have plentiful flowers and vegetables all through the growing season.

If you’ve never gardened, you may wonder where to start. A logical place is deciding where you want to put your garden. Before you move any dirt, you need to observe the area. Make note of how much sun and shade the space gets. Most vegetable plants that produce fruit – like tomatoes and corn – require six to eight hours of full sunlight every day. Leafy and root crops like leaf lettuce, spinach, turnips, and carrots can tolerate some shade.

You also need to consider water.  Does rain run off, or does it collect in the area you’re considering? Neither situation is a deal-breaker, but it affects how you’ll need to plant and maintain your garden. If you don’t have a piece of land where you can put grow crops, you can always explore container gardening, using large pots.

What should you grow? Well that depends. If you’re going to plant vegetables, choose things that you and your family like to eat. You can’t find more local foods than the ones you grow yourself! Think about how you’ll use the things you grow, and plan accordingly.

Seed packets usually include a wealth of information. In addition to the name of the vegetable, there should be a description of the characteristics of that particular variety as well as information about how, when and where to plant the seeds, how long they take to germinate, how long it takes before they’re ready for harvest, and whether they need full sun or can tolerate shade. Seeds are available at local stores, or you can order them from seed catalogs or internet sites.  Row covers or frost blankets will help protect plants from frost or freezing temperatures.

You don’t need a lot of tools to get started with a small garden. At minimum, most gardeners need a shovel or spade, a hoe, a rake, and a trowel. Larger gardens may require a rotary tiller or small garden tractor, but if you’re just beginning to garden, you probably shouldn’t invest in large expensive equipment until you know that gardening’s for you. In the meantime, you can rent or borrow a tiller or hire someone to do that work for you.

Oh, and while you’re busy planting vegetables, don’t forget some flowers to brighten up your home and garden!

The WVU Extension Service has a number of helpful resources about gardening and agriculture. These range from the online Gardening 101 series to specific information about pests, soil, bees, and more. You can find these at www.anr.ext.wvu.edu. You can also download the 2013 WVU Extension Service Garden Calendar, a growing guide, and a varieties guide from the same site. And remember:  if you need help contact Stephen Starcher at the WVU Extension Service Hampshire County office: (304) 822-5013 or sstarch1@mail.wvu.edu

1 23 13 WVU Extension Service calendars available

The 2013 West Virginia Extension Service garden calendar is now available at the extension office.

The calendar provides tips on when to plant and develop your garden.

Calendars can be picked up at the extension office behind the Hampshire County Courthouse annex building.

1 23 13 Dealing with Dandelions

Dandelions appear to be everywhere—to the delight of some folks and to the dismay of others. A rite of spring, dandelions can be ignored, consumed or . . . dealt with.
Dr. Mary Beth Bennett, West Virginia University Extension agent in Berkeley County, acknowledged the dandelion dilemma when she shared helpful details about dandelions in a recent newspaper column.

Here is an excerpt from her article:

Remember how you enjoyed dandelions when you were a child? Do you remember blowing the little seed parachutes to see how far they would go?

Do you still enjoy dandelions? Most adults have a love/hate relationship with this perennial weed, which belongs to the Asteraceae (sunflower) family. The dandelion is one of the most common lawn weeds found in yards. But it does have value as a medicinal herb as well as a forage plant for livestock. And it is an early pollen source for pollinators.

Ways to Value the Plant

The entire dandelion plant is edible and has been used as a medicinal plant since Roman times. Several countries actually cultivate this plant for its medicinal properties.

When they are tender in the spring, dandelion leaves—or greens—can be added to salads. Dandelion flowers are used to make dandelion wine, which tastes similar to sherry and supposedly is an excellent tonic. The taproot can be roasted to make dandelion coffee.

Some beekeepers appreciate dandelions because they provide a valuable feed source for honeybees in the spring. To help the honeybees, you may want to reconsider getting rid of those yellow flowers in your yard.

Ways to Say Goodbye

One of the easiest ways to get rid of dandelion weeds in your lawn is to pull them out. But you need to make sure to get the deep taproot. If you don’t, the plants will grow back.

You can find several dandelion tools on the market that will “pop” the plant right out of the ground. These tools seem to work best if the soil is moist, not dry. So, now would be the right time to try this method.

You also can find several herbicides labeled for use for dandelions in landscape, turf and bare ground areas. Apply any herbicide according to label directions.

Here are other options:

Pour boiling water on the plant as a low-tech method of control.
Prevent the yellow blossoms from maturing into seeds by mowing the lawn frequently when dandelions are blooming.
Mulch them by using cardboard or plastic to prevent them from getting sunlight.
Try spraying a 5-percent concentration of vinegar directly on the plant leaves.
Use a weed burner torch.
Apply corn gluten meal, an organic method developed by Iowa State University.

Information from the West Virginia Extension Service

Miniature Gardens by Bonnie Scoop of Sunshine

Ever wished you could have a garden, yet for some reason were unable to? Maybe you live in an apartment, maybe the physically demands are too demanding, or maybe you just don’t have enough time to devote to such an on-going project.  Here’s a solution. Create your very own mini-garden.

 

Few things are required to start your miniature garden; 1 planting pot or container, a few small plants, then a few items to give it character.  The foundation can be dirt or sand depending on your preference. Then think small! Even your children’s old doll house pieces can be used for your garden. Left-over fish aquarium decorations make the perfect greenery when living plants don’t suit your need to care for live plants.   Rocks of every kind work perfectly; pretty colored glass stones, marbles, or maybe it’s your favorite rock from a special vacation. What a wonderful way to display it.

 

Miniature gardens make wonderful gifts! They last forever, pleasing to the eye, and the receiver will appreciate the labor of love you put into creating it for them. They can be simple or filled with detail. Each is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

Miniature gardens are perfect for decorating the patio. They add beauty to any existing flower-bed. Depending on the foliage, they can be placed indoors near a window. Wherever they are placed they are sure to be an eye-catching display along with a conversation piece for all to enjoy.

One of the wonderful things about a miniature garden is the ease with which you can change them or add to them. An enthusiastic miniature gardener can even decorate along with the season. Holiday colors can even enhance the holiday mood.

Miniature gardens are as unique as the individual that’s creating it. It can represent your life-style, your character, a favorite place or a fantasy playground for fairies. It can be built to please adults, children or blend into your home’s decoy.

Go ahead, try it! The fun is endless in the creation and the enjoyment is endless after it’s done!

Which Squash is right for you?

Bonnie Hoey, Scoop of Sunshine

So you want to have squash all year round, but aren’t sure which squash to plant; summer squash or winter squash. Both types of squash are planted in the spring, both grow throughout the summer, and both require the same growing conditions. Harvesting them is what splits the differences between the two squashes.      Summer squash takes approximately two months (60 days) to mature at which time you can harvest during the growing season. Winter squash stays on the vine until the end of summer and should be harvested before the first frost. You can then store them so you have an ample supply to last throughout the winter months.
Squash is packed with antioxidants and vitamins (and have not fats), and can be  prepared sweet or savory.

---

Although squashes and zucchini are fairly easy to  plant, grow and harvest; there are a few rules to remember. The greatest  problem most people have is over-watering. When squash plants get too  much water, they produce huge, lush leaves but small fruit. Sometimes  the size of your thumb. The zucchini and squash will turn an unhealthy  yellow then it rots and falls off the plant onto the ground. It’s the  plants way of expelling any unhealthy fruit. To solve this dilemma, stop  watering for a few days and wait until the soil dries out and the  leaves begin to droop a little. Go back to watering but be sure not to  duplicate the problem but rather cut back on the amount. Usually within a  week’s time, the problem should be resolved and once again, you have a  beautiful harvest waiting to be plucked.

Squash plants love the sun and are sensitive to cold,  though winter squash is tolerate to light shade and cooler nighttime  temperatures better than summer squash. Both types of squash are heavy feeders and need  well-drained soil. You can give them exactly what  they need by planting them in mounds or hills. Follow your seed pack directions for spacing, since the size and shape varies from squash to squash. Some squash simply spread on the ground and others grow as a vine and do better climbing up a trellis. To keep your squash from rot, keep maturing fruit off the soil by placing a board, or rock under them. Spreading a thick mulch can also do the trick.

Winter squash plants grow in many shapes and colors. No two look  exactly alike.  You can substitute any of these squashes for any squash recipe. Winter Squash includes: Acorn, Ambercup, Autumn Cup, Banana squash, Butternut squash, Buttercup, Carnival, Delicata, Fairytale Pumpkin, Gold Nugget, Hubbard, Kabocha, Spaghetti, Sweet Dumpling, and Turban.

Carnival Squash Banana Squash

Acorn Squash Sweet Dumpling

In the United States, more then 650 million pounds of squash are produced each year. California, Florida, Georgia and New York are the top producing states. Since Americans seem to have a love affair with squashes,  the U.S. imports much more from Russia, China, India, New Guinea, Fiji, Hawaii and New Zealand.

Summer Squashes include all the different types of zucchini,  Straightneck & Crookneck squash, Cushaw squash, and Scallop Squashes, also known as Pattypan squash.

Crookneck squash Zucchini

When you purchase summer squash choose the average size ones; even though it’s tempting to choose the largest. The very large ones are usually fibrous  while the smaller ones may be  inferior in flavor. Summer squash is very fragile and should be handled with care since the slightest open puncture can led to rot. Store your summer squash  in an  air-tight container in the refrigerator, unwashed, where it will keep for about  seven days.

Scallop (Pattypan) squash

There are so many ways to grow squash,  it’s simply what works for you and your space and what materials you have available. Some of the best ideas are using fencing, trellis, wire, lattice, or for a rustic look simply use tree limbs.

Build your own design Create a unique design

Use wire A crib bed

An elaborate trellis

Create a Teepee

Some of the best ways to enjoy summer squash is to grate it and sprinkle over the top of your salad or sandwich. It’s always best if you can eat it raw to benefit from the natural nutrients. Include them raw onto a vegetable tray with your favorite dip. Add them to soups and pasta dishes. Sauteing is probably the most used form of cooking squash. The recipes are endless as to how to enjoy them.
One of my favorite ways to saute -  melt some butter into a pan, add cut-up zucchini and yellow squash, saute, then sprinkle Parmesan cheese into the mixture. Yum!

August Planting

Bonnie Hoey, Scoop of Sunshine

August has arrived, and while most see it as the winding down of summer, for a gardener it’s time to prepare for fall planting. The thought list includes soil preparation and choosing which vegetables to plant. For the avid gardener the space required for fall planting is already selected while some simply reuse the space after their summer harvest. Either way, preparation is the key. I like to have a section set aside for fall planting to insure an on-going crop. By the time the summer harvest is finished, the fall veggie’s are already well on their way as seedlings. Depending on your preference, a lot of gardeners like to start from seed and baby those new-lings inside where conditions are controlled; away from the scorching summer heat and hungry backyard pests. Then it’s an easy transfer to the garden.

If you’ve been composting throughout the summer, this is a good time to add the compost to your soil. Be sure to mix thoroughly so the soil has as even distribution of all that wonderful “black gold.”  Fall planting is no different then spring or summer planting, simply dig the hole and plant according to the directions for each vegetable. Harvest time can vary from 45 days to 60, so don’t wait any later then August to begin your fall crop. The last thing you want is to patiently and lovingly care for the garden only to be destroyed by an early winter or frost. It’s always wise to keep an eye on the changing weather, just in case you need to take precautions to cover still growing plants. There are lots of creative ways to keep your crops from being spoiled by unpredictable weather. Here are a few great designs that are easily built with only a few materials and low cost.

Being someone that advocates recycling, look around and see what materials you might already have that can be re-purposed; such as old windows, pvc pipe, old wood, sliding glass doors, etc. Use your imagination

Here is a list of vegetables that do well in the Northeast regions.

• Arugula
• Beets
• Broccoli (Transplants)
• Brussels sprouts (Transplants)
• Cabbage (Transplants)
• Carrots
• Cauliflower (Transplants)
• Chinese cabbage
• Collard greens
• Kale
• Mustard greens
• Peas
• Radishes
• Spinach

And while your planting that fall garden, don’t forget to plant some “extra” fall fun; whether it’s pumpkins for those Thanksgiving pies or an array of brightly colored gourds to decorate the centerpiece for your Thanksgiving dinner.

All your efforts now will soon produce a fall bounty of wonderful veggie’s. Have fun!

Scoop of Sunshine, Bonnie Hoey

http://www.scoopofsunshine.com/

It was the Burlington Apple Festival five years ago that introduced me to this beautiful area of Hampshire County, WV.

Bonnie Hoey, Scoop of Sunshine

I have three wonderful grown children, one grand-daughter, and a supportive husband that made my dream come true of living in the mountains and pursuing my dreams.

While awaiting my big break to write screenplays, I created an eco-mall, Scoop of Sunshine, to support my passion of organics, recycling and living a green-lifestyle.

My favorite pastime is gardening with a never-ending fondness to learn and share. No matter how big or small a garden is, its a labor of love that is harvested.

This is an awesome way to keep all your climbing veggies together.

This is an awesome way to keep all your climbing veggies together.

Re-purpose rain gutters into gardening planters. A cool idea that keeps small critters out of your garden while saving your back. Another less thing at the landfill!

Re-purpose rain gutters into gardening planters. A cool idea that keeps small critters out of your garden while saving your back. Another less thing at the landfill!

Loving gardening

Sharon Saville loves gardening. Her backyard is a haven for flowers and a squirrel or two.

She is our first blogger for “How does your garden grow.”

“I dig and gather any plant that I think is exotic and cool,” said Saville.

Lenten Rose (Helboris) blooms exactly at Lent almost every year.

 

 

 

Jack in the Pulpit grows in the wild. “I have my garden glove at the bottom to show the size. They usually grow about 6 to 8 inches. This one is 24 inches.”

 

 

 

“These plants eat bugs like a Venus flytrap.”

 

 

 

“Thought everyone would enjoy this photo. My cat is watching this crazy squirrel out my window in front of my garden.”