Early Spring Hydrangea Care

Our early spring weather has allowed us to get a jump on spring chores. I spent the afternoon with my hydrangeas. Cleaning out the dead leaves and winter debris that has logged around the base is very important for the health of the new shoots. Cutting out the dead wood, at the base of the plant, was next on the agenda. I pulled away all of last years mulch to prepare for fertilization.

It has been my experience that my hydrangeas (Nikko Blues) do best with 2 fertilizations a year, one at the very beginning of May and then another smaller dose following bloom, usually at the end of July. There are specific fertilizers for hydrangeas but I just use a 10-10-10 and they do fine.

Mary Sue Colaizzi

Tired of Winter

I'm tired of winter! It's suppose to be in the 60s this weekend so I will be gardening:
cutting back my beauty berry (Callicarpa), caryopteris(Caryopteris x clandonensis) ;
Reliance grapes and pulling the weeds that wintered over. How are they so successful at that?
Mary Sue Colaizzi

EARLY MARCH GARDENING CALENDAR

By Maggie L. Moor

Delaware Cooperative Extension, Delaware State University

Here’s your gardening calendar for March.

For the first half of March:

· Finish pruning shrubs and ornamental trees, except spring flowering shrubs before growth starts. Prune spring flowering shrubs (lilac, forsythia, etc.), as soon as they finish flowering.

· In addition, finish pruning home fruit trees. Do not leave stubs; they usually die and become great entry ways for fungus.

· To prevent the infection of fungal spores and bacteria into the plant as a result of fresh cuts, do not prune in damp or wet weather.

· Plan your vegetable garden on paper. Use space efficiently and rotate vegetables to reduce insect and disease problems.

· Turn your compost pile or start one.

· If soil is dry enough, begin primary soil tillage.

· Add soil nutrients based on results of soil test.

· To support newly transplanted trees from spring winds, use flexible ties between rigid stakes.

· If weeds are beginning to grow in flower bulb beds, pull them by hand to prevent disturbing the bulbs and roots.

· Spray home fruit trees (apples and pears) before buds swell with dormant oil and when temperatures are not likely to drop below 40^o for twenty-four hours.

· Spray peaches with Ferbam or Lime sulfur. No spray is needed for cherries or plums at this time.

· Fertilize trees, roses, shrubs and evergreens.

Signs of Spring in Hazlettville

It is not quite warm enough to work in the garden, but a good time to check on what is happening there. On my walk this morning I found these emerging jonquils enjoying the morning sun.
Fran DeStafeno, Kent County

Gardening Begins in Late February

Gardening begins in late February.
submitted by Mary Sue Colaizzi, Sussex County

On the next sunny day:

finish cutting back the liriope (Liriope) to 3 inches.

severely cut back the trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) to the main trunk--blooms on new wood

cut back the butterfly bushes (Buddleja),to 8 inches --blooms on new wood

water winter containers-- have to do that once a week when there is no rain.

clean up the dead iris leaves-- the dead leaves harbor the iris borer eggs ( the kiss of death for iris) so it's important to keep these cleaned-up.

Enjoy winter blooming plants announcing the distant arrival of spring.

Favorites shrubs in Sussex County (and my garden) are witch hazel (Hamamelis), paper bush (Edgeworthia chrysantha), winter honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima) and flowering quince (Chaenomeles speciosa).

Favorite flowers are hellebores (Helleborus) and snow drops (Galanthus). Snow drops are said to bloom in late February but mine don't come-up until late March. Maybe I have a different

species--don't know as the bulbs were given to me by a neighbor).

Photo is Paper bush in Mary Sue's garden

Kent County Spring Workshops

VEGETABLE GARDENING

Growing your own vegetables and herbs can save you money, is a source for nutritious food, is great fun for the whole family and reduces your environmental footprint. These Master Gardener workshops will guide you through a year in the vegetable garden. Each workshop is planned to build on the earlier workshops but are beneficial alone.

KNOW YOUR SOIL
Tuesday, March 3,2009
Time: 1:00 pm
Instructor: Deloris Donnelly & Beverly Gemmill
A successful garden begins with the soil. Learn how to identify potential problems and steps to take to remedy them before planting. Learn about the importance of and how to take a soil test. Soil test kits will be available for $10. This class will be held at the Smyrna Outreach & Research Center.

PLANNING A VEGETABLE GARDEN
Wednesday, March 18,2009
Time: 6:30 pm
Instructor: Maggie Moor-Orth &Janis Greene
What are your favorite vegetables? We will discuss steps to take on paper before planning, learn which plants are easiest to grow from seeds and which are best to start from plants. Get suggestions from an experienced gardener that will make your Delaware vegetable garden successful.

PLANTS FROM SEEDS
Thursday, April 2,2009
Time: 6:30pm
Instructor: Ila Myers
Grow your own plants from seed. Growing your own plants saves money and gives you more control over the kinds of vegetables you can grow. A Delaware Master Gardener will show you how.

RAISED BED GARDENS & SQUARE FOOT GARDENS
Monday, April 6,2009
Time: 6:30 pm
Instructor: Fred Silva
Master Gardners will show you two ways to construct your garden that will give you more vegetables in less space with great gardening results.

POLLINATORS
Monday, April 13,2009
Time: 7:00 pm
Instructor: Rexene Ornauer
Pollinators are vital to the vegetable garden. We often think of bees as the only pollinators. Learn about them and other important insect pollinators as well as steps you can take to encourage them to make a home in your garden and help your crops thrive.

COMPANION PLANTING
Wednesday, May 13,2009
Time: 6:30 pm
Instructor: Linda Peters & Ana Dittel
Companion planting is the idea that certain plants benefit from others when planted nearby. We will discuss the scientific and traditional basis for these associations. A companion planting chart for vegetables, herbs and flowers will be provided.

EASY HERBS FOR
THE GARDEN
Wednesday, May 20,2009
Time: 6:30 pm
Instructor: Terry Dupuis & Beverly Gemmill
Grow your own herbs and you will taste the difference fresh herbs make in your cooking. We will discuss growing herbs and focus on several common herbs and how easy it is to grow and use them.

Directions to SORC (Smyrna Outreach & Research Center)
from the North: Take Route 13 South to the Smyrna Leipsic road and turn left.
From the South: Take Route 13 N to the Smyrna Leipsic Road (first light after the South Smyrna exit on Rt 1) and make a right on to the Smyrna Leipsic Rd. Look for the farm with a white fence on the right after you cross over Rt
Directions to UD Paradee Center
From the North: Follow Route I South to Exit 95 (Rt. 10 S. Dover/Camden). Turn right onto Bay Rd. and immediately get in left lane. Make 2nd left turn onto Transportation Circle. Paradee Center is brick building on left.
From the South: Follow Route I North to Exit 95 (Route 10 West/113 North) or Route 13 to Route 10 East. Follow through 3 traffic lights beginning at DAFB North Gate. After 3rd light, turn left at second left-hand turn onto Transportation Circle. Paradee Center is brick building on left.If you have special needs, please tell us at registration.

Sussex County Spring Workshops

A Backyard Habitat – Cece Niemi –

Tuesday, March 10 at 1 p.m. –Carvel Center.

See and hear natures own animal kingdom in your backyard.

Your property can become a home to birds, bees, butterflies,

and turtles to name a few. Hear about

one gardeners journey to creating a certified

Backyard Wildlife Habitat.

Companion Planting – Linda Peters and Ana Dittel –

Tuesday, March 24 at 7 p.m. – Carvel Center.

Companion planting is the idea that certain plants benefit others

when planted in near proximity. We will discuss the scientific and

traditional bases for these plant associations A companion planting

chat for herbs, vegetables and flowers will be provided.

Rain Gardens – Nancy Davis –

Tuesday, April 21 at 7 p.m. – Carvel Center.

What happens to rainwater around your home? Ever have problems

with excess drainage? Trouble with erosion? Want to improve your

water quality? A "Rain Garden" may be your answer.

Flower Arranging – Wendy Aycoth –

Tuesday, May 12 at 1 p.m. – Carvel Center.

Learn flower arranging and design from an expert trained in England

and the US. Bring a smll container (6" long and 3" deep) waterproof

basket, or box with a lid. A tuna can painted flat black will also work.

You will need to bring floral shesrs or scissors and greenery cut the

previous evening if possible. You will make a beautiful crescent

shaped floral design to enjoy in your home, A $6.00 materials fee

will becollected on the day of the workshop.

Making Hypertufa Pots – Carolyn Donahoe –

Demonstration Garden.

Two workshops are scheduled. Choose from:

Tuesday, June 2 at 10 a.m. or

Tuesday, June 9 at 1 p.m.

Each workshop is limited to 15 participants.

Materials fee of $15. You will make a hypertufa pot to take home.

Bring heavy-duty latex gloves.

Sussex County Extension Office is located on Route 9, approxiamtely 4.5 miles west from 113 & 9 intersections. We are on the same side of the road as Sussex Tech High School, and a short distance west.
The Demonstration Garden is behind the Carvel Building. Turn after the Gazebo and look for the blue and gold tent. Meeting Rooms are located in the Carvel Building . Signs will be posted for your convenience