Q & A

Q When can you start planting in spring?

A Depending on your area, you can start planting perennials when the ground thaws and night temperatures are above freezing.

Q When is the best time to divide perennials?

A The best time to divide perennials is either early spring (March or April depending on when the ground thaws), before they start growing out too much, or early fall. September is the best month to divide in the fall, so the plants can reestablish themselves in the ground before a killing frost.

Q When should you deadhead your perennials?

A You can deadhead your perennials when any flowers are spent. You don't have to wait until all flowering is done. By deadheading you can encourage re-blooming in many varieties of perennials.

Q When should you cut back perennials?

A You can cut back perennials during the season if they are looking ratty, overgrown or if they have holes chewed from insects or slugs. They will re-grow within a couple of weeks. At the end of the season you can cut back perennials late September-November, depending on your schedule and the weather. If we have a nice fall, you may wish to wait until late fall to cut your perennials back.

Q What varieties of perennials should be cut back during the season to encourage re-bloom?

A Varieties that can be cut back to encourage re-bloom or that may need to be cut back because they are overgrown during the season are: Androsace, Bellis, Campanula, Coreopsis, Delphinium, Dianthus, Dicentra, Geranium, Heuchera, Knautia, Lamium, Lavendula, Leucanthemum, Lychnis, Malva, Monarda, Myosotis, Nepeta, Primula, Rudbeckia, Salvia, Scabiosa, Tradescantia, Verbena, Veronica, Viola

Q When is the best time to water perennial gardens?

A Early in the morning is the best time of day to water your gardens for several reasons: -You can minimize insect problems
-It's better for the plants to be watered in the morning so they can dry out during the warmer part of the day.
-To prevent disease problems.

Q Do you need to fertilize your perennial garden?

A It is recommended to apply a slow release granular fertilizer in mid May. A 6-9 month is good at a ratio of 10-10-10. It is recommended to fertilize during mid June through August about 2-3 times with a water fertilizer combination(blue water) 1:100 (one part fertilizer to 100 parts water).

Q What can you do about slugs chewing holes in plant foliage?

A There are a couple of things you can use. You can pour beer in tray and place near the problem areas. If you do this make sure the tray is level with the ground. You may have to bury it to get it level. You can also spread _"-1" of a diatamatious material around and under the plants affected.

Q When should you uncover perennial gardens in the spring?

A You should uncover your gardens typically in the month of March (depending on your area) when the night temperatures are above 32 degrees. If you peek under your coverings and see new growth starting you should uncover your gardens.

Q When should you cover perennial gardens in the fall?

A You should wait until after the ground is frozen and the forecast predicts it to stay frozen.

Q What can you do about rabbits, mice, voles and other rodents that cause damage to plants?

A To control damage to your plants from rodents you can use simple baiting techniques, live traps and waxed bars of mouse poison all work well in outdoor applications.

Q Should you cut back Clematis in fall?

A You can either cut back clematis in the fall or early spring. Although, by leaving 1'-2' of old growth in the fall you will get better results the following season.