4 Gardening Tips from Merrifield Garden Center

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If you have a garden, here is some advice from Merrifield Garden Center for what you should be doing now:

August and September is the ideal time to divide irises and daylilies. These perennials can be easily separated into multiple plants and then replanted right away. Irises and daylilies should be planted immediately after dividing.

Many plant diseases cause only minor damage and can be left untreated. Bring samples to your local garden center or extension agent for diagnosis before applying pesticides. Most diseases require moderate temperatures and moisture to infect the plant. Many plant diseases have remained active this summer because of the frequent rain. Mildew and leaf spot diseases cause minimal harm to plant health and don’t require treatment.

Plants are an economical and effective solution to erosion problems. Landscape slopes with ground covers, trees and shrubs slow down and reduce runoff. Plants reduce the impact, slow the velocity and increase the infiltration of rain. Plants protect the soil from the wind and roots stabilize the soil.

American goldfinches are vegetarians and feed exclusively on seeds. Attract them to your garden with full birdseed feeders and these perennials: milkweed, coneflower and woodland sunflower. The males are bright yellow and black May through August, then molt and change to dull yellow/brown in the fall.

Tips for gardening

New comers to the Deep South from cooler parts of the country are truly shocked at just how hot it gets here during the summer.  The heat and humidity are oppressive not just during the day, but also during the sultry nights.  The high temperatures and humidity can last for months testing natives as well as the newcomer’s patience and air conditioning.

The summer heat is tough on plants too.  For your garden plants to survive, choose the toughest plants adapted to the southern zones.  Colorado blue spruce or Jersey blueberries belong in those states, not Mississippi.  Even so, your local plants might need some help to survive and prosper.  Following are some tips on keeping your garden in top shape through the summer with a minimum of time and effort.

1) Keep plants mulched.   

You probably already know of the many benefits of mulch. Keep the mulch replenished in the heat.  Use your old newspapers and grass clippings. Apply fresh grass clippings in a thin layer of and let dry for a few days before adding more.

Vegetable Gardening Tips

With the costs of living rising all the time, it may be possible to save money and increase your family's health at the same time by growing vegetables in your backyard.

It's a good idea to choose your favourite vegetables to grow and plan beds for early, middle of the season and late varieties.

Most vegetables require at least 6 hours of sunlight per day, some need 8. Some quick growers like lettuce and radish can be grown between the rows of plants that take longer to mature, like beet or corn, thus making full use of the area available.

Safe Pest Control Tips

Pest control must be done with utmost consideration to safety; safety in terms of the plants, animals and humans. This holds especially true for those with vegetable and organic gardens.

The main purpose of growing vegetables organically will be defeated if they become tainted with pest control chemicals.

Here are a few long-term maintenance tips to make pest control less damaging and more environmentally friendly.