Regarding replenishing plants native to the region, it is such a
daunting task for me. I search the net and local places; actually I
have only been to Wal-Mart. I am a neophyte at gardening. However,
I would love to become proficient at the task. I enjoy plants so.
I recently purchased some plants from Wal-Mart, repotted them,
watered them and provided them with blooming food, only after a few
days there is no improvement. During lunch I hear others speak of
their success with their plants and I silently say to myself, I will
get this. There are so many stories like that, but, I will keep
trying
In My Garden Blog
Coastal and Tropical South
April 13, 2006
By
Nellie Neal,
Baton Rouge, LA
Enjoying roses is a natural way to celebrate National Garden Month.
How We Garden
America's favorite flower is the rose, the flower of passion and love. April is National Garden Month, time to make a pledge to "garden smarter" so we have more time to enjoy those roses ... and tomatoes, too.
What Mama Said
People get gardening advice from lots of places, but when we get stumped, we remember what a parent or grandparent said to do. Often that advice is still true, such as: "Prune your azaleas right after they bloom" or "A dull saw is more dangerous than a sharp one." Other things they said are outright lunacy: "Paint a white band 2 feet wide around tree trunks" for pest control of various sorts; or "Coat fresh cuts with pruning sealant." We just know better now, thanks to research, that these don't work, and may aggravate the situations they are meant to remedy.
Better Ideas
The ways we garden are changing all the time, and this month is a great time to make some garden resolutions. Investigate new technologies for insect control, particularly traps that will capture the first to arrive or hatch. The control strategies you can use early will prevent further damage and leave a lighter footprint in the garden habitat.
If you are still watering exclusively with above-ground sprinklers, check your water bill and consider drip tubes or soaker hoses. As we "regreen" so much of our regions after the storms of '05, look for places to introduce native plants to your landscape and public spaces, too. Replenishing the food plants and nesting places is essential to restoring wildlife in the regions.
Your Own Voice
From the first time you plant a tomato, or decide to rescue a sad houseplant from the office, simply paying attention to the plant reveals volumes. Watch it, and listen for your reaction. If your first thought is, "It looks droopy" or "That bug wasn't there yesterday," you know it's time to act. On the other hand, a good-looking plant is the garden equivalent of a pat on your back, for taking care of its needs. Celebrate National Garden Month with lots of those pats, and with some of your favorite garden-fresh foods and flowers, too.
add a comment
Comments on How We Garden
add a comment
We welcome your questions and comments about this column. If you have gardening questions unrelated to the column, please ask them on our message boards.
Kathryn C. Jones
add a comment
Nellie Neal
add a comment
Good for you, Kathryn! Yes, I agree that identifying native plants
in the marketplace can be a learning experience. For more
information about natives, finding, buying and planting them, check
with local botanic gardens, nature centers, native plant societies.
Many have annual (or more) sales and educational programs to help
you. And ask around, for often there is a person with this passion
working right at the local garden center who can help you find the
path. For general gardening education, seek out the Master
Gardeners. They are associated with the cooperative extension
service of your state university, and you can join them or attend
their events across the regions. Restoring habitat is a huge issue,
and I fully expect we'll find more allies each year. Thanks for
writing!
Kathryn C. Jones
Thank you for your comment. I actually recently attended a learing
session sponsored by the LSU horticulture school. The focus was to
learn about native plants. We went of a tour around the
horticulture building, it was fascinating to me. At that session,
it was also recommended that I check into the master gardener
session. Thanks agaon. KCJ.