June 30th 2011:
*The wet weather will leach the nutrients from the soil in your gardedrn. Fertilize your plants
*Hydrangeas want acid soil rich in nutrients. Apply HydraBlue (acidifer) and Azalea, Rhododendron fertilizer (acid fertilizer)
*Cucumber beetles and tomato horn worms will soon attack your vegetable plants. Apply SEVIN (one ounce per gallon of water). Apply in the early evening so that the bees will not be hindered.
*Roses will require a fungicide spray. Remove the dead flowers at the first five leaf juncture.
*Grandmother told us: "Shear your flowering shrubs the month after they have flowered"
*It is a great season to plant trees and shrubs and perennials.
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July 5th 2010:
The Weather men are predicting a very HOT week this week, with little or no rain in the forecast.. Your flower and vegetable gardens are going to need some extra watering.
July 1st 2010:
It has been a hot couple of days!! Make sure you keep all your plants watered!
Vegetables are starting to produce fruit now. Make sure to check for bugs and fungus.
Cover developing blueberries with netting or the birds will reap the benefits of your hard work.
Prune back annual plant stems by a third to keep them from getting leggy.
May 31st 2010:
Are you vegetable plants planted yet?
Plant your vegetables plants in black plastic because; it helps with weed control, it keeps warmth in the soil to help the veggies grow faster, and keeps moisture in.
Cut your peony buds when they are completely closed and keep them in the refridgeration for later months to enjoy.
Stephanie's tasks of the week:
I planted our vegetable garden this week; inculding pumpkins, gourds, winter squash, tomatoes, and peppers.
I cut our hay this week. We make high moisture round bales and wrap them in white plastic. The white plasitc wrap allows protein to be stored so when we open and feed them out to the beef cattle in the winter they more nutrious.
May 10th 2010:
Temperatures are below normal this week. Make sure to bring all of your tender annuals in at night to prevent frost bite!!
- It is time to plant sweet corn and green beans seeds every two weeks until the end of June.
- Identify insects before deciding if control in necessary, many insects are beneficial.
- Harvest rhubarb stems by pulling, not cutting.
Stephanie's tasks of the week.
- I have been harrowing our fields this week to prepare the soil to be planted with vegetables and our corn silage for the beef cows.
- I have also been working with our two and three month old calves, teaching them how to walk and stand pretty so i can show them this summer and in the fall.
Stephanie going to harrow the vegetable fields!
Stella, Sapphire, and Sweetpea taking a nap after a long walk with Stephanie!!
