Monthly Archives: March 2011

Soil and its Limiting Factors

Posted on March 18, 2011 by Kerry VerMeulen

I found this fascinating map while searching what kinds of soils are distributed throughout the US.  This is from a worldwide database that measures the suitability of soil for agricultural purposes.  As you can see from the map, most soils … Continue reading →

Posted in beautiful gardens, Fertilizing, Nitrogen Levels, Phosphorus Level, Soil preparation | Tagged | Leave a comment

Azalea Diseases-Leaf Gall

Posted on March 14, 2011 by Kerry VerMeulen

Although daffodils may stand proudly in the midst of freezing, drizzly spring days, your azaleas may not appreciate the moisture all that much.  As we all know, there’s nothing on earth that loves damp, moist, wet, chilly, drippy, cool places … Continue reading →

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Primroses

Posted on March 10, 2011 by Kerry VerMeulen

Way more than what you see at the grocery store, these baddies can hang in there for years popping up just when you need a harbinger of spring.  Unfortunately, of all the primroses I stuck in the ground after they … Continue reading →

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Test Sunlight Before Planting Azaleas

Posted on March 5, 2011 by Kerry VerMeulen

Azaleas need at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight to bloom properly.  I have read countless times that azaleas and rhodendrons are great “shade” plants, but this is a misnomer.  They’ll tolerate partial shade, but the more sun the better … Continue reading →

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You Got Poison Ivy Where?

Posted on March 4, 2011 by Kerry VerMeulen

If there’s one thing I’m sure of in this world, it’s that no backyard gardener really knows for sure what poison ivy looks like.  And for good reason, there are as many different types of poison ivy leaves as there … Continue reading →

Posted in Killing weeds, Spring to do's | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Keep the grocery store Azalea alive inside

Posted on March 2, 2011 by Kerry VerMeulen

I know they are always so tempting.  Who can resist the allure of all those blossoms tucked together, spilling over the sides of the pink paper? But how to keep it pretty can be another story altogether unless you follow … Continue reading →

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Columbines

Posted on March 2, 2011 by Kerry VerMeulen

One of the sweetest transplants from the tough American west, specifically the Rocky Mountain area, this plant seems to defy gravity with it noddingly gracious petals.  An easy to grow and self seeding plant, this is a must for any … Continue reading →

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