Regional Reminders
October 25, 2007
Southern California Coastal & Inland Valleys
By
Yvonne Savio,
Pasadena, CA
Prevent Wobbly Broccoli
Plant cole crops up to the first set of leaves to prevent their developing into weak, leggy plants.
Make Fragrant Decorations and Gifts
Harvest herbs for making wreaths or vinegars as holiday presents. Herb wreaths are easy to make and can include whatever herbs are favorites of the recipients. Good choices include basil, oregano, marjoram, anise, parsley, thyme, sage, dill, and tarragon.
Naturalize Bulbs
Separate and replant crowded clumps of bulbs where they can naturalize. Many types grow well beneath deciduous trees because most of the bulb growth is in the early spring before the trees leaf out.
Plant Posies On Top of Bulbs
For a cover crop of flowers before, during, and after spring bulb bloom, sow seeds or plant seedlings of low-growing annual bloomers after you've planted the bulbs. Think of color contrasts such as purple pansies with yellow daffodils, or white alyssum with red tulips. Good choices include calendulas, pansies, Iceland poppies, primroses, dwarf snapdragons, dwarf stock, and violas. Sow seed thickly, water the area, mulch it lightly, and keep it moist until seedlings have two sets of true leaves.
Fertilize Roses After Last Flush
Trim roses after their last flush of blooms, but hold off on severe pruning until they're fully dormant, in January. Fertilize them with a no-nitrogen, high-phosphorous, high-potassium fertilizer to help them harden off.
|
