Louise Grabell
It’s monsoon season and let’s hope that we get plenty of rain. While our landscapes are irrigated, the desert is not, except for what nature provides. Those of you with xeriscapes don’t have to worry at all! For the rest of us, the extra water is a good thing. And with the additional rain, gardeners need to be alert. With sufficient monsoon rains, you shut off your irrigation system, but don’t forget to turn it back on!
The most annoying result of monsoon rains is the weeds that seem to pop up overnight. Pull them out! Weeds absorb water and nutrients. And speaking of nutrients, monsoon rains can quickly leach away any soil nutrients you may have applied in the spring. In fact, you should have fertilized your flower gardens and citrus at least twice since the growing season began. It’s not only the leaching effect that removes nutrients, it’s the combined effects of the heat and water which decompose the nutrients very quickly, requiring them to be applied twice as frequently as the label instructions.
And we know what monsoon season means. Fall is next. A beautiful season where all the leaves turn wonderful colours and everywhere is picturesque. However, those leaves are going to drop from the trees. And that’s where the problems start. The lawns are the most at risk here. If you don’t remove these leaves, the layer of leaves can invite pests and diseases and can cause problems like snow mold and brown patch. The layer of leaves also acts as a barrier that blocks sunlight, water (nutrients) and airflow from getting down to the roots of your grass. This all inevitably means your grass will struggle to grow. So it might be a good idea to Visit site and look at some leaf blowers as they are the easiest way to sort this problem. The leaves can then be composted and used in other areas of your garden.
Monsoon season is the time for flower garden maintenance; clipping back what is dead and removing the spent blooms is a time for recollection and future planning. Actually, I love to go outside and dead-head. That’s right—I love it! It’s quiet out there; I can hear the bees and the chirps of the hummingbirds and there is no telephone in my garden. And since no one else in my house wants to get involved with this task, I am left alone. I love it. I can clear my mind and just enjoy the beauty of nature. I have a gardener’s bench [Amazon.com] which allows me to sit amongst my colorful beauties and saves me from having to bend over for the hours it takes to clean everything up (I have two flower gardens!). The cardinals and yellow finches always pay me a visit and soon I expect lots of butterflies. What could be better than that? Life is good! And need I say that sunscreen, a hat and a drink are all necessities while you are outdoors? Nope! You already knew that!
This is a good time to think about reorganizing your plantings for the future and figuring out where you will be digging in those fabulous spring bulbs which are planted in the fall and which perennials will need dividing and sharing.
Watch for an announcement from your Master Gardeners about the next garden lecture coming up in October. The Master Gardeners of SaddleBrooke invite you to visit their website: sbmastergardeners.wordpress.com for all up to date information and events for our community. Garden questions? You can reach our very own SaddleBrooke Garden Helpline by calling Pat at 407-6459. Your phone call will be forwarded to a Master Gardener Volunteer who will assist you in the solution of your problem. Your SaddleBrooke Master Gardener Volunteers are here all year round to assist with any plant or landscaping problem.
Remember, nothing brings more tranquility to the heart than a beautiful garden.