Proper Basil Pruning

Basil is an easy and delicious, useful addition to your home garden. To grow it so it keeps on giving, prune before it flowers. The result is a bushier plant and more leaves. (If you wait until it flowers, the leaves get bitter.)

- Marti Reed, Region 8

Lighter Load

Before filling a container with potting mix, fill the bottom of it with a few large pinecones. You won’t need as much potting soil to fill the container and it will be lighter and much easier to move around when you like!

- Marti Reed, Region 8

Spring Planting Tips

Sow seeds sparingly! Crowding makes more work for you and it can compromise seedling health. Thickly grown seedlings require thinning or plucking out extra plants to transplant or discard. It is easier over time to sow seeds thinly. Air circulation around the tiny plants promotes their good health!

- Marti Reed, Region 8

Annabelle Hydrangea

Annabelle loves the following:

1.  Constant moisture. Thick layers of mulch are helpful.

2. Morning sun and shade from trees in the afternoon.  (Trees also help keep in the moisture.)

3. Prune back in late fall, 18” – 24”; Result:  Larger flower head next year.

4. Grow on new growth.

5. Slow release fertilizers

6. Plantings of boxwood at the base so the blooms can’t “flop” to the ground!

If you need smaller heads for flower arranging, prune back hydrangea in spring 18” – 24” 

(Stems of the new growth are held up by the stems  from the old growth.)

Annabelle turns green in the fall.

NEW BY PROVEN WINNERS!!

1. Improved Annabelle is called:  Incrediball  Hydrangea  or  Hydrangea arborescens

Characteristics:

Stronger stems—does not blow over

Large blooms

4 – 5’ tall

Needs soil acidifier if bloom edges turn yellow

     Likes rose fertilizer

NEEDS A GREAT DEAL OF WATER

Can withstand a full day of sun

- Lynne Hamilton, Region 3