HORT shorts
- Crepe myrtles can endure two months without water around their roots.
- Mondo, sometimes called monkey grass, is closely related to liriope. Mondo has a more compact growth habit. It’s useful as fine-textured ground cover. It spreads rapidly to cover bare areas of shady lawns; however, Mondo will not tolerate foot traffic. Container-grown nursery stock can be set out all summer long. Water weekly until established.
- Now is a good time to move bearded iris since it is essentially dormant. Lift clumps from ground with a garden fork. Break or cut apart the thick roots to make several plants. Each root division should have a fan of leaves. Fertilize in spring with slow-release fertilizer high in phosphorus.
- Three elements cultivated soil often lacks include nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. All three are available in commercial fertilizers.
- Malnourished plants will develop yellow leaves. This paleness of color is corrected by applying Ironite, available at garden centers. Apply as directed on the label.
- Order tulips bulbs before mid-October for next spring’s garden. Refrigerate bulbs at 35 to 40 degrees F. for 60 days. Plant bulbs immediately after removing from storage.
- Grass can literally be cut to death during hot summer weather. Close mowing of lawns during hot, dry weather weakens grass, allowing crabgrass and other weeds to establish.
- Plan to move tomato bed for next year’s crop to reduce the chance of diseases carried over in soil.Repair ground covers
- Perennial ground covers such as ajuga, periwinkle and English ivy may be less attractive now than earlier in the year. If so, this is the time to rework the bed and make needed repairs. If dead patches showed a lack of spreading, the problem is due to soil compaction. To correct, remove dead plants, add peat moss or ground bark and complete fertilizer. Spade area, thoroughly mixing peat moss and fertilizer. Dig up young vigorous clumps of ground cover and plant in the prepared soil. Water deeply so that plants can get off to a good start.