Harnett County Center

CAUTION:The information and recommendations in this article are applicable to Harnett County, NC and may not apply in other areas.

GARDEN RAMBLINGS, 1/16/98

Join me today on a stroll through my garden.

OVERGROWN REDTIPS

The first thing you may notice are the overgrown redtipped photinias. Neglected for years, they are thirty feet high and not very healthy. I think a severe pruning is in order. On a cold day in February, I will cut these back to a few feet off the ground.

Does that sound a little drastic? Perhaps so, but with a little extra fertilizer this spring and summer, they should respond well. I will also clean up all the dead leaves to reduce reinfection with the dreaded leaf spot disease.

Other shrubs that will tolerate such severe pruning include Chinese and Japanese Holly cultivars, Ligustrum, Osmanthus, Elaeagnus, Waxmyrtle, Rose of Sharon, Hydrangea, and Spiraea.

FESCUE CARE

You will also notice that I have fescue growing. And guess what, it is time to fertilize! "In the middle of winter?" you ask in disbelief. If you remember, fescue is a cool season grass. Fertilizing fescue now or early February will prepare it for that early spring growth spurt.

You'll also notice that my lawn has plenty of dandelions, wild strawberries, and other broadleaf weeds. A broadleaf herbicide will help solve that problem.

CUT BACK PERENNIALS

I still have a few perennial plants, such as daylilies and sedums that need to be cleaned up. I had left the foliage standing for winter interest, but now it's time to get that dead and dying foliage out. Left in place, it will harbor insects and disease organisms.

I'll cut back the liriope, monkey grass, and other ornamental grasses while I'm at it to promote fresh growth this spring.

SPROUTING BULBS

I also notice that some of my daffodils and other bulbs and perennials are beginning to put out new growth. This was probably stimulated by the recent warm weather, but I think they will hold their own until spring. In the meantime, it's a good reminder that they will soon need fertilizing.

WATERING

So far, this winter has been cold and wet, but beware of cold dry spells during February or March. Plant roots need water year round. I'll be especially careful of the new patch of fescue I planted in October.

TRANSPLANTING

Always a tinkerer, there are a few things I'd like to move around. This being the dormant season, it's a great time to transplant shrubs. Here's a few pointers I'll try to keep in mind during this project.

First, dig up as much of the rootball as possible. It is normally not necessary to prune back the top. Be sure to handle the plant by the rootball, and never use the trunk as a "handle". Move the plant as quickly as possible to its new home. If there is any delay, keep the plant moist and shaded.

If, after reading these ramblings you say, "Yes, but I want to know more," then you may want to sign up for the Master Gardener Volunteer training. Master Gardener Volunteers receive extensive training, and then serve the community through volunteer projects. The next training class will meet on Tuesdays from 1:00 to 5:00 pm, February 3rd through March 31. If you have a passion for plants and a desire to serve, please call me for an application form.

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