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Table of Contents
1) Editor's Comments:We complete our two-part series on Hosta. For a change, we've also included a couple items on food, as well as a couple more growing tips.As always, if you do have questions, suggestions or ideas, do not hesitate to drop us a note. Rex Gregor Tom Krueger 2) Hosta (Part II):Last week we looked at the characteristics of Hosta and about their popularity. This week we'll look at caring for them.
Further, if you improve your hosta's soil with large quantities of organic matter, it will help the plant to maintain the moisture it needs. Organic mulch will also help the soil remain cool and moist. Finally, providing shade from the sun during the hottest period of the day is best with all varieties of hosta.
Since slugs like moist areas, they will find the moist areas beneath your hosta plants ideal. There are many home remedies to control a slug problem. In fact, we had articles about slugs within the past few weeks (Volume 1, Issues 35 and 36).
Regarding deer, they will generally not bother your plants when other food is available. And, hosta is not really one of their favorite foods. Dogs, man's best friend, are very territorial. If you have dog, make them work for their daily meal - have them watch for the deer.
You may also want to check out the American Hosta Society, founded in 1968. They have over 2,500 members. They publish the Hosta Journal twice a year; they also publish a Hosta Yearbook. You can visit their site by clicking here or visit http://www.hosta.org/hostafaq_1.htm. Remember what my gardening friend says about hosta -- it takes an axe and a sledge hammer to kill them! Give the gift that will be treasured for generations. 3) Humor for Today:A 92 year old man went to the doctor to get a physical. A few days later, the doctor saw the man walking down the street with a gorgious young lady on his arm. At his follow up visit, the doctor talked to the man and said. 'You're really doing great, aren't you?' The man replied, 'Just doing what you said Doctor. 'Get a hot mamma and be cheerful. The Doctor said, 'I didn't say that. I said you got a heart murmur. Be careful.' 4) Smaller Size Packages Aren't All BadThe big thing these days are the huge warehouse club stores like Costco and Sam's Club. But do you really save money by buying the big packages and containers of food?
Too often unused portions end up going bad in the refrigerator. If that's the case, how much money have we really saved by buying the big container? If you can eat a gallon of green beans before they start looking like landfill material, it makes sense to go ahead and buy 'em. Otherwise you may well be better off spending a little more per ounce for the small cans. In the long run you'll be spending less. 5) Protect Young Trees:We are quickly drawing near the end of another growing season. Summer is gone and fall is here - winter is not far off. Now might be the time to consider how you'll protect young trees from mice and rabbits. Wrap trunks loosely in sheets of aluminum foil to about 18 inches high. The glittering, rattling surface will keep the nasty gnawers away. Click Image for Larger View 6) Quotes for Today:"It takes as much courage to have tried and failed as it does
to have tried and succeeded." "In this world it is not what we take up, but what we give up,
that makes us rich." 7) Pasta Portion - No Way!
According to the info we got, restaurant pasta portions can be up to eight servings worth or more. Wow! 8) Four Signals for Repotting:
You can do the repotting anytime, especially if it is suffering. But the best time is before the growth begins - in most cases that is in the spring. However, you also need to realize that not all plants have the same growing cycle. 9) Subscribe/UnsubscribeThis 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 To unsubscribe Rex Gregor, Editor Tom Krueger, Publisher Please feel free to forward The Green Thumb Times to a friend. 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
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Since
nature created the hosta with large leaves, they require large amounts
of moisture. If you supply your hosta with adequate moisture, your plants
will look fresh and beautiful.
So
what about potential hosta pest problems? If you keep your hostas healthy
with good moisture, you will seldom have problems with pests. The exception
is probably slugs or deer.
I
do not like to use chemicals, unless I absolutely have to. Couple of
quick things to do, keep your hosta bed clean of garden debris, and
when they need moisture, water your hosta in early morning. Remember,
slugs are night feeders and your hosta leaves will dry before nightfall.
Last
week I mentioned that hostas are the most favored perennial in the United
States. There are amazingly over 2,450 registered varieties to chose
from. Besides these, home gardeners have grown hundreds of mutations
of the hosta plant. If you don't currently have hosta in your flower
gardens, you may want to check them out.
We
all know it is a good idea to comparison shop by looking at price per
ounce -- but it is not always what we should be looking for when purchasing
food. When was the last time you went into the refrigerator and found
a bowl of something with a "gray beard?" It happens here.
Are
you a pasta lover like us? Well, we just picked this up on the Net this
week. Hard to believe, but a single serving of pasta is about the size
of a tennis ball. I was shocked.
So
when is it time to repot a plant? Here are some things to look for:
I't's time to repot if new leaves or stems grow slowly, even if you've
fertilized; if the soild dries out quickly; if water doesn't enter the
soil easily; and if you've got roots coming out the drain hole.