The English-Gardener

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NEWSLETTER RESPONSES & FAQ's

Question. My Rhododendrons did not bloom very well this year. What can I do to make them bloom better next year?
Answer. Rhododendrons love acid soil so make sure you fertilize with Miracid if your soil tends to be alkaline. After the flowers have dropped their blooms, prune the spent flower heads. Although Rhododendrons do not like wet feet, they do require even moisture especially during hot, dry weather. Mulch the roots and water at regular intervals. Next year’s flowers are set in the fall. Protect the shrubs from drying winds and winter sun.

Question. My perennial garden is 4 years old. Some of the plants are very large and taking over the garden. Others, such as the iris, did not bloom well this year. Is it time to divide them?
Answer. Most certainly. Many perennials will show reduced blooms if they have gotten too large. In the case of your iris, dig up the rhizomes and cut off the main plant. Replant the smaller, newer plants so that the rhizome is just below the soil level. Discard the old rhizome. Plan to divide your garden on a day that is not too hot or too sunny, preferably in the spring or early fall. Dig up the plant and slice through it with a sharp spade. Replant some of the divided plants and water very well. Make sure that the plants receive some water everyday until they establish themselves, usually two weeks. Repot any extra plants, making sure they are free of any pests or noxious weeds and give them to your friends.

Question. I live in a rural setting that uses well water. The purification system softens the water by adding salt. Consequently, the water damages most of the garden plants. What can I do?
Answer. See if you can turn off the purification system and water the plants with untreated well water. If you are unable to do this, I recommend that you use rainwater. Purchase several 32-gallon garbage cans and place them near the downspouts of your home. Have the downspouts so that the rainwater will flow into the garbage cans. The cans will fill up rather quickly so it is a good idea to attach an overflow valve near the top of the cans to divert the excess water away from the house.

Question. How can I control ground elder once and for all?
Answer. Digging or hoeing out the pesky ground elder leaves fragments that quickly re-colonize the soil to become a problem again next season. So your problem hasn’t gone away despite all that effort. The best way to tackle this pernicious interloper is to zap it with a glyphosate weed killer such as Monsanto Roundup or Scotts Tough Weed Killer. Always read the label and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. These products work systemically, which means the chemical is carried in the sap from the root to the shoot tips and quickly destroys cells. It is biodegradable so it disappears naturally when soil bacteria attack it. Use from now until August, when new growth is forming. Choose a warm, bright spell of weather but avoid showery conditions when the chemical is likely to be diluted or washed from the foliage before it takes effect.

Question. I’d like to grow some drought tolerant plants in a sunny spot, but the soil is clay – a Jerusalem sage has already died.
Answer. To grow drought tolerant Mediterranean plants the soil needs to be opened up considerably. Try incorporating horticultural grit or sand. Compost will also open up the soil but will improve the fertility, which is not necessarily what you need in this situation. Mushroom compost will also improve the drainage on clay. It is probably simpler to grow your Mediterranean style plants in terracotta pots filled with well-drained compost.

Question. My seedlings in a tray are looking weak on the north facing tabletops. The alternative is a sunny windowsill. Can you suggest how I can give them the optimum conditions needed for good results?
Answer. Seedlings need plenty of light, but not strong direct sunlight. I’d opt for the sunny window, but drape a net curtain temporarily from the rail to give light shade. If the room is kept very warm or the windowsill is over a radiator your plants will be "pushed" into making weak and leggy growth. You can remedy the situation when you prick the seedlings out though, making sure you plant them deeply so their lowest leaves rest just above the surface of the compost.

Question. I have some pallets, enough to make a home made compost bin. Tips please on how to make an efficient container?
Answer. Making compost is fun and easy as most garden waste can be eaten by soil organisms and turned into compost. These organisms need a chopped up mixture of sappy (nitrogen containing) and woody (carbon containing) raw materials. To do their job well they need moisture and oxygen. A well-insulated container is needed to keep the temperature of the compost up to 140’ F – this will kill troublesome weed seeds. Pallets are ideal but for your compost bin, but you do not need air gaps in the sides. Fill the gaps in with any spare wood you can get hold of, then nail the pallets together to make a box. Place the box on bare soil with a couple of air channels dug in it; fill with rough twiggy material. Then simply fill it up making sure you have a good mix of material (with the same moisture content as a squeezed out flannel). As the organisms work on the compost it will heat up, the hot air in the compost will rise drawing in fresh air from the base by the "chimney effect". Your compost bin will benefit from a lid to prevent the compost getting too wet so if you have a piece of old carpet or black bag, this will retain heat. Now just wait and reap the rewards.

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