March Newsletter

NATIVE PLANTS

In the last newsletter we talked about native plants in relation to sustainability. It is important to understand that native or indigenous plants have adapted to a particular region over hundreds of years, making their success rate better than non-natives. Reasons for adding them to your garden include:

• Preserve bio-diversity
• Save water
• Need little or no fertilizer
• More resistant to pests and diseases
• Home for local wildlife
  

OUTDOOR ACTIVITY

Research indicates that “grass and trees in outdoor spaces increase the use and social activity in outdoor places.” The paper “The fruit of urban nature: Vital Neighborhood spaces” by William Sullivan Frances Kuo and Stephen DePooter (2004) indicates that grass and trees “contribute to the social cohesiveness and vitality of a neighborhood.” This makes sense, because we know that people will gather in friendly nature-specific environments, as opposed to areas paved with asphalt or concrete. A bench under a tree is more inviting and a welcoming place to meet.

RAISED PLANTERS

There are many advantages for adding raised planters to your garden. In addition to making access easier, you are able to control the soil that is used (especially in poor soil areas). Using a rot resistant wood, such as cedar, prolongs the life of the planter. Treated woods should not be used, especially if you plan to eat what is grown.

SPRING EQUINOX

The word Equinox comes from the Latin word aeguus for equal and nox for night. According to Wikipedia the Equinox occurs on “the 21st day of the last month of every quarter of the calendar year.” On this day “the center of the Sun will spend a nearly equal amount of time above and below the horizon at every location on Earth and night and day will be of nearly the same length. There are all kinds of traditions associated with this event. A favorite personal activity is to cut branches of forsythia and place them in a vase of warm water. This ’forces’ the plant to bloom earlier—bringing a welcome sign of Spring. You can also try branches from cherry trees, quince and other early flowering plants.

PRUNING ROSES

Early spring, when the buds begin to swell, is the optimal time to prune roses. Make the pruning cuts one quarter of an inch above an outward facing bud at the same angle of the bud. Pruning the interior will improve air circulation and prevent disease.

FLOWERING QUINCE

Chaenomeles sp. or Quince is an old ‘estate’ plant that seem to have disappeared. However, they are worth considering again. They are a flowering shrub that bursts with color in early spring. They like full sun and well drained soil. Taller varieties can grow up to 6 feet high. Shorter varieties such as Cameo and Jet Trail are 3 feet tall. Pruning helps to keep their size under control. They are also a good plant for forcing in early spring.

THE MOON

Farmers have been guided by the phases of the moon for the best times to plant. Plants are believed to grow faster and larger when planting is coordinated with the cycles of the moon. When the area of light on the lunar surface gradually begins to increase after a New Moon, this is the time to plant above-ground vegetables such as lettuce and peas. When the light after a Full Moon begins to decrease, this is the time to plant below-ground vegetables such as turnips and potatoes.

TIPS

In order to reduce the spread of diseases, be sure not to touch vegetable plants when they are wet from the morning dew, irrigation or rain, according to Barbara Bromley, Mercer County Horticulturalist.

"Gardening is an exercise in optimism.”
-- Anonymous

Green is great in 2008!