Garden Keeper: Plants I Love To Hate

In general, although I like most plants, there are some that I don't like because of the color of their shoots.

One of my favorite plants is the pink wax begonia. Sometimes it seemed to me that every fly hole was surrounded by a ring of pink wax begonias and dusty silver pacifiers. Very ordinary, very ordinary, but above all, very pink.

Of course, it was one of my sister Barbara's favorites. For years, he would take her to the garden center, buy wax and begonia dust, and help her plant. As you can guess, they had to go to the center of the yard, around the bird bath. In the years since her death, I almost found myself smiling when I saw a pink wax begonia with a rare ring around my bird bath, as long as it wasn't in my garden.

The second plant on my least favorite list is marigolds. These bright little flowers have been everywhere since childhood. Still, they are so common that they lose their appeal to me, they smell, they taste terrible. My prejudices were rekindled when my neighbor Jack, who grew tomatoes, insisted on giving me a few packets of seeds he had bought for free. Of course there is a box of calendula seeds. Elementary school memories came flooding back as I tried to remember what made anxiety so unpleasant.

On Mother's Day, the miracles of soil, water, light, air, and seeds were revealed early in paper cups filled with soil planted by my teachers. . After only a few weeks of care, these lifeless pots appeared with little green stems, then buds, then flowers - the first time or two, pure magic.

I had to repeat the exercise over several years, sometimes on egg cartons, eggshells, milk cartons, and orange juice cartons. I don't know why it was always such a bother, but I learned my lesson. I liked growing plants, but not marigolds.

Since they are so bright, colorful and easy to grow, I spent a recent afternoon thinking about the redeeming qualities of some marigolds. Here's what I found:

Marigolds are perfect for planting seeds, meeting their basic needs and teaching them beautiful lessons to reward them with bright, colorful plants.

While the flowers give me bad taste, there are some great-tasting strains (like lemon, tangerine, and gem) that can be used to brighten salads, garnish ice cubes, and use in teas, stir-fries, and soups.

Marigolds have long been used as a source of textile dyes that create beautiful shades of yellow and orange.

Sometimes fears are also obstacles. A marigold border around a garden bed can deter insects and small animals that, like me, find the smell and taste repulsive.

The third candidate on my list is Ajuca. A versatile, colorful and easy-to-grow groundcover that will look great in the nursery and other people's gardens. There is a wolf in my garden. When we moved into our current house, we had a small circle of purple in our yard. Fast forward to the present and it's everywhere. There are spots in the lawn, flower beds, where you can find a piece of bare soil. Some species are very fine and have shown good results in reducing erosion on lower slopes. They spread freely and quickly fill sparse borders.

There are others, of course, but time and space limited my rags this week. Is there a plant you don't like? do you know why Tell me you're interested.

The falcon continued in the manger

This week, we have more goshawk/cage mode reviews that we've talked about recently:

Oh, I want to join this conversation. We have bird feeders and sometimes we have a copper hawk or a sharp-footed hawk. A hawk will roost near a feeding station in an open field or perch on a rain gauge in the yard. Foraging birds are aware of the hawk's presence. They fly for cover or freeze. Sometimes I see that a hawk manages to catch an unsuspecting bird.

We do not cry when a hawk catches a mouse, a mare, or a snake. Everything is part of nature.

This winter has been mild with no snow, so I'm guessing that removing the feeders won't be a problem for the birds to find food for a while. Personally, I love looking at motorized feeders while working in the kitchen.

It should be noted that the reason for the decrease in the number of birds is generally related to human activity. Loss of habitats, drainage of swamps, deforestation, construction of warehouses on former farmland, etc. Every year, many birds die while flying against glass skyscrapers.

I know this isn't just about gardening, but I just wanted to share my opinion. I wish you good health. I missed you without your column .

- Carol Mebus

A week in the park

Plants: Start seeds for cucumbers. Continue planting the seeds to be planted: lettuce, peppers, eggplant and tomatoes. Available next week: Bachelor Balsam, Marigolds, Cockscomb, Gaillardia, Pot Marigold, Morning Glory, Nasturtium, Cantaloupe, Melon and Swiss Chard. Plant bare root trees and shrubs as the soil warms. Make sure the soil is dry enough to work with; Do not dig or plant in mud. Follow your seed starting schedule. Check packages for instructions such as starting four weeks before the last frost indoors. Then, using a calendar, count down from the date (May 10-15) to the appropriate start time in your area.

Seasonal: Apply a top layer of compost to lawns and flower beds. Buy mulch for the winter. Spring and summer mulches should be 2 to 3 inches deep and spaced a few inches from bases, stems, and other plants. Turn the lid and add more as needed. Calculate the amount of spring mulch you need and order or buy it. Test the soil for new deposits and test in low yield areas or soils that have not been tested in the last 3-5 years. When indoor plants show new growth, move them to brighter light and start watering regularly. Trim the ornamental grasses. Share when you see new green growth. Cut and divide perennials that bloom in late summer or fall. Check the trees and bushes. Check the appropriate pruning information for each plant and prune as needed and recommended. Watch tall plants, especially when soil temperatures fluctuate between freezing and thawing. Check the germination rate of all stored seeds and replace poorly performing seeds with fresh seeds this year. Buy seeds for the plants you want to grow from seed.
If you want to keep them until next year, water the amaryllis leaves in a warm and sunny place. After flowering, discard the leafy spaces. If you are using a corn gluten herbicide in the garden, start applying this month and set up a schedule that usually repeats every four to six weeks.

Lawn: Clean lawns of winter debris. Plan and paint the lawn for your facility from mid-April to May. Control the daggers before they come out. Fill holes and depressions in the lawn with seeds.
Seed or repotting until mid-May

Responsibilities: Use a humidifier, humidity container, or mist to increase humidity around your houseplants. Celebrate flower beds, new plantings, plants emerging from late spring dormancy, and hardy plants. If we are experiencing a week with less than an inch of rain, water any new plantings. Repairing damaged filters and garden hoses. Avoid damaged jambs around doors and windows. Protect deer, rabbits and groundhogs from endangered plants. Reapply any bait or odor repellent. Clean and fill birdhouses regularly. Clean up seed spills and empty containers. Empty, scrub, and refill the birdbath at least once a week. Use a heater to save water in freezing weather. Clean the gutters and it will flow directly from the foundation of the house.

Tools, Equipment, and Consumables: Store winter equipment after it has been inspected, cleaned, repaired, or replaced as necessary. Inspect Spring/Summer Equipment - Repair or replace damaged or worn equipment. Inspect power tools and clippers and repair as necessary.

Safety - Whenever possible, use cast iron products that are safe for pets, children and plants. Keep garden chemicals indoors, away from pets and children. Dispose of expired chemicals at local chemical collection points. Photograph storm damage before cleanup or repairs for insurance claims and prompt presentation. Watch out for tick bites when you're outside and the temperature is around 50 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Use an insect repellent containing DEET on the skin. Apply permethrin to clothing. Wear light-colored clothing, long sleeves, hats, and long pants when gardening. Drink enough water Drink water or other caffeine-free, non-alcoholic beverages. Even in cold weather, use sunscreen, wear a hat and limit sun exposure. Wear closed shoes and gloves. wear eye protection; Wear hearing protection when using loud power tools.

Sue Ketic is a gardening columnist, author and speaker. Send your questions to Garden Keeper at grdnkpr@gmail.com or by mail to: Garden Keeper, The Morning Call, PO Box 1260, Allentown, PA 18105.