At winter’s end, gardeners want nothing more than to see the first flowers of the season. These pretty petite bulbs are some of the first spring beauties to appear. Many spread over time amplifying their beauty even on the coldest days of early spring. And all of them feed bees.
Author: JESSIE KEITH
Plants are the lens Jessie views the world through because they’re all-sustaining. (“They feed, clothe, house and heal us. They produce the air we breathe and even make us smell pretty.”) She’s a garden writer and photographer with degrees in both horticulture and plant biology from Purdue and Michigan State Universities. Her degrees were bolstered by internships at Longwood Gardens and the American Horticultural Society. She has since worked for many horticultural institutions and companies and now manages communications for Sun Gro Horticulture, the parent company of Black Gold. Her joy is sharing all things green and lovely with her two daughters.
How Do I Keep Ticks off of My Lawn?
“What is the best way of getting rid of ticks? My lawn and yard are infested, and I have gotten Lyme disease.” Question from Kathy of West Rutland, Vermont
Answer: Ticks are the worst and a real worry for people living where Lyme and other tick-borne diseases are a problem. Of course, tiny deer ticks are the carriers of Lyme disease, and they contribute to over 99% of all tick-borne diseases in the state of Vermont, but there are several other larger tick species in the state that can also be problematic.
Six Steps for Tick Removal in Yards and Lawns
Here are six good ways to keep ticks off of your lawn and away from your yard. Some are more practical and doable than others.
1. Spray the yard with all-natural tick repellents and killers, like Tick Killz and Wondercide Flea and Tick Spray. These products can be costly, but they are effective. The best application times are in mid-spring and midsummer.
2. Set tick traps, such as Thermacell Control Tick Tubes, along your yard’s periphery. These capture and kill ticks and are not a threat to pets or other organisms.
3. Plant tick-repellent plants in your garden and along your yard’s periphery. These include strongly-scented plants such as lavender, sage, mint, feverfew, pennyroyal (this can cause allergic reactions in some people), and marigolds. (Amending your soil at planting time with Black Gold Garden Compost Blend will help all of these plants grow better!)
4. Cut your grass short, bag your clippings, and keep your grass leaf-free. Ticks like to hang out in yard waste and leaves as well as tall grasses and shrubs. Keeping your grass clean and low will help deter ticks.
5. Treat your pets for ticks, and try to keep wild animals out of your yard. Pets and wild animals are tick carriers. Some wild animals, like possums, eat ticks, but most are just carriers. Deer are some of the worst. Applying a quality animal repellant around your yard can help.
6. Consider investing in chickens or guinea hens, which require care and protection but eat ticks in large quantities. You may not have space for chickens, but they will take care of tick populations in the lawn right away, and you’ll get eggs.
I hope that these tips help!
Jessie Keith
Black Gold Horticulturist
What Do You Grow in Vermiculite?
“What do you grow in vermiculite?” Question from Sara of Oroville, California
Answer: That’s an excellent question. Vermiculite is one of the most popular growing mix additives. The natural mineral pops up like popcorn when heated. Then it is processed into small pieces for use in potting mix. It provides mix with needed air porosity and it absorbs water and nutrients well for better root growth. Vermiculite size dictates use. Coarse vermiculite is added to mixes formulated for growing larger plants while fine vermiculite is a popular ingredient in seed-starting mixes.
Fine vermiculite can be used alone to start seeds or root cuttings. It is also used for hydroponic growing. Growers and gardeners also purchase vermiculite to create their own potting mix formulations.
Happy gardening!
Jessie Keith
Black Gold Horticulturist
Cultivate’19
See us at Booth #2515!
Presented each year by AmericanHort, Cultivate is one of the biggest and best national shows for horticultural professionals, and Black Gold will be proud to be there! This growing trade show, education series, and networking event is both fun and professionally rewarding for all attendees. It will be held in Columbus, Ohio from July 13-16, 2019 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Sun Gro will share space at the Solutions Marketplace with hundreds of other green industry companies displaying their new and innovative products and services.
Help! I Can’t Keep Herbs Alive.
“I can’t keep any herbs alive. I’ve killed 3 basil plants and a thyme plant. I’m also not really sure how to cut them to use them. Do they grow after you cut them? Please keep in mind I live in Arizona and have killed several cacti. I guess I need major help.” Question from Denise of Mesa, Arizona
Answer: One of the most common killers of herbs (and cacti) is overwatering. These plants are prone to root rot if watered too much. Underwatering will also kill herbs quickly, especially if you live in a really arid climate, like Arizona. Let me cover all the growing basics for basil and thyme, so you can determine where you may be going wrong.
Basil and Thyme Growing Conditions
Basil is a warm-season annual that will survive just one season, and thyme is a hardy perennial that should survive in the ground for years. Many herbs like these, including basil, French thyme, lavender, and sage, are the Mediterranean in origin and require full sun and well-drained soil with a neutral pH and moderate to low fertility. In very hot climates, like Arizona, you should provide your plants with shade in the early afternoon when the sun is highest and temperatures are hottest. Water in-ground plants deeply and allow them to get a bit dry between watering. If your garden soil is very dry, amend it with Black Gold Garden Compost Blend for better growing results. If you get poor leaf development, fertilize sparingly with a slow-release fertilizer.
If your plants are container-grown, choose large pots, which hold more water, and fill them with well-drained potting soil for organic gardening, like Black Gold Natural & Organic Potting Mix. Make sure your pots have drainage holes and bottom saucers to catch water. When you water, water thoroughly until water runs from the bottom of the pot. Then let the soil become dry down to a 2-inch depth before watering again. (Just stick your finger in the soil until it feels lightly moist to a 2-inch depth; then water again.) This is most important for indoor herbs. Those growing outdoors will dry out a lot more quickly and should need daily water in your arid climate.
Please watch this video to learn more about growing herbs indoors.
Harvesting Herbs
Both basil and thyme are cut-and-come-again herbs that can be clipped for harvest over and over again. When harvesting leaves and stems, just be sure to leave enough behind for the plant to feed itself and rejuvenate. For further guidelines on how to harvest basil, please watch my video below.
Let me know if these tips help with your herb-growing success!
Jessie Keith
Black Gold Horticulturist
How Do You Prune Bay Leaf?
“How do you prune a Bay Leaf plant?” Question from Mark or Warren, Ohio
Answer: Whether potted or grown in-ground in a Mediterranean climate, spring is the best time to prune back a bay laurel. Start by removing branches with unhealthy leaves. Then prune to shape by either shearing stem tips or cutting small or overgrown stems back to the main stem. Shearing stem tips will result in denser growth. Be sure to use clean, sharp bypass pruners for your cuts. (I like Felco pruners.) Leave plenty of healthy foliage on your tree, so it can recover quickly. Here’s a little more information about keeping potted bay laurels happy.
Growing Bay Laurel
Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) is a broadleaf evergreen tree from North Africa and Asia that is hardy between USDA Hardiness Zones 8-10. Thankfully, it is very easy to grow indoors, if you have a sunny spot that remains relatively cool through the winter.
Bay laurels require less water in fall and winter. During the summer months, bay pots grow better outdoors and require more water. Upgrade your bay when it outgrows its pot.
Fast-growing bays should be planted in pots twice the size of the root ball–be sure to leave at least 2 inches of top space for watering. We recommend planting bay in a rich, well-drained mix for edible growing, like Black Gold Natural & Organic Potting Mix, which is approved for organic gardening.
Fresh bay leaves can be harvested all season long, just be sure to leave enough leaves on the plant for good growth and plant health.
Happy bay laurel growing!
Jessie Keith
How Do You Plant Cyclamen?
What is the best way to plant Cyclamen? Question from Melba of Texas
Answer: It depends on whether you are planting tender, greenhouse-grown Cyclamen in pots or hardy Cyclamen in the ground. I’ll cover the planting details for both and how to get them to bloom beautifully.
Potted Cyclamen
Cyclamen grow best in well-drained potting mix that is kept just moist, never wet. Water them just from the base or bottom water them, by filling the pot’s saucer with water, to avoid getting the flowers and foliage wet. Plant them in a pot that’s several inches larger than the old, and gently work the plant’s roots if they are pot bound. Place several inches of Black Gold All-Purpose Potting Mix at the base of the pot, and fill in around the edges, while being sure to leave at least an inch or two at the top for watering.
Indoor cyclamen like cool indoor temperatures and bright indirect light. Feeding them with an all-purpose slow-release fertilizer will keep them flowering well.
Hardy Cyclamen
There are several hardy cyclamen that will grow well in your Texas garden. These include the shade-loving Cyclamen hederifolium ‘Silver Arrow’ (USDA Hardiness Zones 4-8), which has pink spring flowers that appear without the foliage and silver foliage that pops up in fall. Cyclamen mirabile (USDA Hardiness Zones 6-8), is another pretty hardy cyclamen for partial sun to shade with pale pink flowers that bloom from September through December above leaves that have silver and green patterns. Both of these plants appreciate soil with high organic matter and excellent drainage. I suggest raising their planting areas and amending with Black Gold Garden Compost Blend before planting. Provide them with moderate moisture during the growing season.
I hope this helps!
Happy Cyclamen growing!
Jessie Keith
IGC Show 2019
Now in its 13th year, the Independent Garden Center Show will be held from August 13-15, 2019 at Lakeside | McCormick, a modern facility with floor-to-ceiling windows that offer sweeping views of Lake Michigan. The landscaped deck is a serene place to enjoy the cascading waterfall overlooking the lake.
The IGC Show is the country’s only show dedicated to independent garden centers, and Sun Gro Horticulture will be at the industry trade show, along with hundreds of other vendors, highlighting the best new products and services we have to offer. The event will also include great keynote speakers, educational seminars, tours, concerts, and other networking events.
One of the notable keynote speakers includes Jeff “Skunk” Baxter who will present on the topic “So what can a classic rock star do to help your store?” Plenty! Jeff is a founding member of Steely Dan and a Grammy-winning guitarist with The Doobie Brothers in addition to being a consultant to the U.S. Department of Defense!
Farwest Portland 2019
Sun Gro Horticulture will be at Farwest Portland 2019, the largest green industry show in the American West. This year’s event will be held from August 21-23, 2019 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. We will be there with over 400 green industry exhibitors. This exciting event features a grower’s showcase, a new plant varieties showcase, workshops and seminars, and a new products showcase. There are also lots of fun and exciting networking events for its thousands of attendees.
What are Some Good Root Vegetables for Containers?
“I need ideas for growing root vegetables in containers.” Inquiry from Karen of Randolph, Vermont
Answer: You can grow just about any root vegetable in containers, but I choose smaller varieties for greater yields–petite French Breakfast radishes rather than giant Korean daikon radishes. Here are some excellent small, fast root vegetables for pots:
D’Avignon French Breakfast Radish: This traditional radish always tastes crisp and sweet when I grow it, and it is fast! Give the roots just 21 to 30 days for full development.
Adelaide Baby Carrot: These are the most crisp and sweet baby carrots ever! Give them around 50 days to mature from seed.
Boro Beets: Harvest these deepest red beets as baby beets or wait until they are a bit larger. They are very fast growing–ripening in about 50 days from seed.
Scarlet Ohno Turnips: Red exteriors and pink interiors make these crunchy, sweet turnips extra special. Like the other root crops mentioned, they take about 50 days before they are ready to harvest.
All of these root crops are just right for spring. Be sure to plant them in containers that are deep and wide enough for a good crop. Plant them in Black Gold Natural & Organic Potting Mix, which is OMRI Listed for organic gardening and holds moisture well. To learn more about growing beets, take a look at our video below!
Happy root gardening!
Jessie Keith
Black Gold Horticulturist