Table of Contents
- Editor's Comments
- Pruning Rose Bushes
- Humor for Today
- Barbecue'n on the Net
- Petunias
- Painting Spills
- Maidenhair Fern
- Subscribe/Unsubscribe
1) Editor's Comments:
With spring here and the urge to get outside, thought
we'd focus our non-gardenting material this week on other outdoor activities.
As always, if you do have questions, suggestions or ideas, do not hesitate
to drop us a note.
Rex Gregor
GreenThumb@rexseedco.com
Tom Krueger
gtt@goalsmint.com
P.S. If you know of anyone who would like a copy of our newsletter,
just let us know and we'd be happy to send them a copy.
[ table of contents
]
2) Pruning Rose Bushes:
Tools for Pruning Your Rose Bushes
 Hand
shears are most generally used for pruning rose bushes. They will work
best for canes up to 3/4" in diameter. The scissor type.
 The
Lopping Shears, are designed to cut canes that are up to 1-1/2"
in diameter.
Popular roses such as the hybrid teas, floribundas, grandifloras, hybrid
perituals and polyanthas should be pruned in early spring. You do this
before the buds begin to swell but before the growth has started. You
should remove all dead wood by cutting at least an inch below the dead
areas. If some of your canes have been winter killed -- remove them.
The vigorous canes should be cut down to a strong bud -- they will look
better if you choose those that are facing outward.
Shrub roses only flower in the spring and should NOT be pruned until
they have flowered. If you have old canes, dead wood or dead flowers,
these should be removed in early spring.
Climbing Roses, which are derived from hybrid tea varieties such as
Climbing Peace or Climbing Crimson Glory, should NOT be pruned heavily
- only remove the dead wood and bloomed-out flower stems.
The vigorous climbers often known as ramblers, only flower in the spring
and should only be pruned after the old wood canes have finished flowering
in the spring. New, 'year old canes,' will generally flower most heavily
if you train them.
Pruning your roses is important and if you love them as I do, you will
really enjoy working with them! I like to listen to a tape of the 'The
Yellow Rose of Texas' while working in my rose beds.
[ table of contents
]
3) Humor for Today:
At Sunday School they were teaching how God created everything, including
human beings.
Little Tommy, a child in the kindergarten class, seemed especially
intent when they told him how Eve was created out of one of Adam's ribs.
Later in the week his mother noticed him lying down as though he were
ill, and said, "Tommy, what is the matter?"
Little Tommy responded, "I have a pain in my side. I think I'm
going to have a wife."
[ table of contents
]
4) Barbecue'n on the Net:
 As the
weather warms, we all want to get outdoors. We also start to think about
our summer pastime, grilling.
With that in mind, here is a great website to visit http://www.barbecuen.com
.
You will find a lot of useful information at this expansive site. How
about helpful guides on gas grills and smokers if you are looking to
get new equipment this season. You'll also be pleased to find a great
recipe archive.
And if you are new to outdoor cooking, be sure to visit their "Beginner's
Corner."
[ table of contents
]
5) Petunias:
 Petunias
have been one of the most popular flowering annuals for years. Their
popularity can be attributed to several traits. Petunias are easy to
grow, bloom reliably all summer, and are available in a wide range of
colors, flower forms and growth habits.
Grandifloras are the large-flowered petunias, with both single and
double flowering forms. Single grandifloras produce blooms up to 5 inches
across. Some single varieties have ruffled petals. Others possess a
trailing habit that makes them ideal for window boxes and hanging baskets
Most petunias do not hold up will during rainy weather -- except the
'wave varieties'. Regular petunias often become unkempt and straggly
in late summer. "Just thought you should know."
A relatively new type of low, spreading petunia is known by the name
of "purple wave." It was the 1995 All-American Selection.
These plants will grow 4 to 6 inches tall, but will spread up to 4 to
6 feet. The flowers measure about 2 inches across. This is an excellent
choice for hanging baskets and there are now more color choices in the
newer varieties.
Petunias flourish in full sun, but they will grow adequately in part
shade. They are adaptable and will grow in almost any kind of soil -
rocky, sandy, or clay. They do best; however, in light rich soil that
has good drainage.
Petunias do not require a lot of care, but they do benefit from some
attention. They are quite drought tolerant but they are a hungry plant
and should be fertilized on a regular basis. Petunias are like pansies
and zinnias -- the more you cut them, the more the plants seem to flower.
Besides the newer Wave varieties, I like the old heirloom varieties.
These are true dwarf petunias that grow only about 4 to 10 inches tall.
Rex’s Seedco recommends the following:
3001 Petunia Mix
These petunias offer profuse blooms in colors of red, white, violet,
rose, salmon, and scarlet.
3007 Petunia 'White Bedder'
This is a compact petunia that is well suited for flower beds. It offers
masses of white blooms throughout the summer.
3003 Petunia 'Red Bedder'
This petunia offers a mass of red blooms thoughout the summer and fall.
When mixed with White Bedder, you have a beautiful flower bed.
3004 Petunia 'Star Mix'
These petunias make a wonderful blend of colors, many in star patterns.
3005 Hanging Basket Petunia Mix
This mix of colors makes a beautiful hanging basket. The multi-colored
blooms in this basket are something else!
Happy Gardening
[ table of contents
]
6) Painting Spills:
Go ahead, admit it. You're just like me - you can't do a painting job
without dripping or spilling some paint.
 When that
drip or spill happens, it is always best to clean it up when the paint
is wet. Latex paint is easily cleaned up with water, but oil base or
alkyd paints require mineral spirits.
While you paint, don't be afraid to keep a damp rag handy to dive into
those drips right away. If you are using mineral spirits, be certain
to dispose of the rag in a manner that will prevent fire -- be sure
not to keep a mineral spirited rag in the house.
If you let those spills and drips dry, you'll be in for a surprise
if you grab that damp cloth and try to clean them up. And it doesn't
matter if the paint is latex -- once dry, they can be as difficult to
clean as an oil based drip.
[ table of contents
]
7) Maidenhair Fern:
The very best book we know about on fern gardining is written by John
Mickel. John writes about the ferns that can be grown in American Gardens.
He describes and illustrates the many ferns in his book. You will find
his book is not only accurate but very helpful for the fern or shade
gardener. I recommend that you go to your local book store to order
it.
[ table of contents
]
8) Subscribe/Unsubscribe
This newsletter, the Green Thumb Times, is sent out only to those who
have requested a FREE subscription by signing up at http://rexseedco.com
or specifically asked to be added
PRIVACY: Your email address is held in the strictest of privacy. It
is never traded or sold to anyone else.
To subscribe to The Green Thumb Times
http://rexseedco.com or subscribegtt@goalsmint.com
To unsubscribe
http://rexseedco.com or unsubscribegtt@goalsmint.com
Rex Gregor, Editor
GreenThumb@rexseedco.com
Tom Krueger, Publisher
gtt@goalsmint.com
Please feel free to forward The
Green Thumb Times to a friend.
[ table of contents
]
Rex’s Seedco has searched the world for quality
growers of garden seeds. Many of these farmers bring together ancient
wisdom and modern science so people everywhere may have good health
and enjoyment in life. We are dedicated to providing the best wherever
they are found.
|
