Header image credit: Texas A&M University Engineering
12.06.2024 - 02:41 / theprovince.com / Brian Minter
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Our cooler spring weather, with some late mountain snow falls, is helping delay the inevitable drought realities coming this summer, but still, we need to plan our gardens more thoughtfully for when the hot weather arrives.
Planting less is not necessarily environmentally good because plants of all species contribute so much good to our planet. From producing oxygen, opening up soil to allow in air, to providing food for microbes and producing nectar and pollen for beneficial insects, as well as providing food for birds and wildlife.
Water is becoming less available during the summer months, so we need to grow plants that require less water to thrive. We also must use water more efficiently by means of drip systems and soaker hoses rather than sprinklers. Rain barrels are more important today, and many folks are now beginning to use underground cisterns to capture all the rainwater from their roofs via eaves troughs.
The soil we use for planting needs to be enhanced with organic matter that will help retain moisture. Mulches around plants will hold water and cool the ground.
Where we plant is also an issue. Many sun-loving plants will tolerate heat, but it’s important to understand that between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. the sun is at its most intense, and that’s when plants are at greatest risk of heat stress. Trees are wonderful air coolers and great providers of oxygen, however, try not to plant under their drip lines because larger trees can extract water from the soil each summer day and transpire that moisture into the atmosphere. If you need an
Header image credit: Texas A&M University Engineering
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Companion planting is the centuries-old practice of pairing plants in the garden that benefit one another. Our gardens function as interconnected communities, with different plants providing unique services. Some plants attract beneficial insects, others ward off pests, while some enhance soil health. Anyone who’s grown tomatoes knows they are heavy feeders, and often plagued by foliar diseases and a diversity of insect pests. They certainly stand to benefit from tomato companion plants that promote healthier plants and increased yields.
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In January I visited the world’s largest horticultural show in Essen, Germany, and came away with some great take-aways, but I was especially impressed with the significant trend of pruning, training and grafting certain plants into new and unusual forms.
There's perhaps no vegetable more humble than the potato. This starchy spud grows quietly underground but, once you've dug up your harvest, you're treated to everything from sides dishes like perfectly crisp homemade french fries to scalloped potatoes to recipes from breakfast to dinner. Potatoes are the versatile workhorse of the kitchen and, depending on the variety you plant, your harvest season could last several months.
From kitchen gardens to edible landscapes, rosemary pairs beautifully with a wide range of plants. Many of the same herbs and vegetables that mingle with rosemary in the pot, like peppers and oregano, also work well as garden neighbors. Rosemary companion plants also include ornamental species. With upright and spreading forms available, rosemary can be used in a variety of garden settings, from containers to rock gardens. The soft blue flowers attract pollinators and other beneficial insects while complementing ornamental grasses and perennials.
Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) is one of the easiest plants to find in the wild, since its strong, sweet scent hangs on the air. Native to most of Europe, it is a common sight and smell in our woodlands and hedgerows in summer, twining itself around trees and scrub and luring a wide variety of wildlife. In A Midsummer Night's Dream, Oberon describes Titania's sleeping place as 'quite overcanopied with luscious woodbine'. It is certainly a plant fit for a queen, since each of the flowerheads resembles a crown of cream and gold, formed of a ring of tubular blooms.
House plants bring an extra dimension to your home. Many have evergreen foliage that adds colour and texture, and they create a natural atmosphere that helps promote feelings of calm. Tall house plants are ideal to add structural elements to a room and define the style of the space. With the huge amount of choice that’s now available, you can opt for the dramatic impact of a plant with bold foliage, such as the fiddle leaf fig, or go for a softer look with the wispy fronds of the asparagus fern or the cascading leaves of the ponytail palm.
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