Trouble in the Turf!

Although my small-scale garden is rich with blooms, greenery and fresh produce this month (all great reasons to participate in the Adventure of Gardening)… this droughty summer has provided Southeastern Wisconsin with lots of healthy, happy WEEDS!  

I have some weeds in my veggie gardens and raised beds—thanks to chipmunks who often bury seeds in the strangest places— the largest contingent of assorted weeds occurs within turf grass areas.

Some weeds can be dug out successfully, but often a tiny bit of root remains which can regenerate an entire plant in a few weeks in some weed species.  Weeds can be sprayed, if you are so inclined; but my horticulture instructors  suggested if there are just a few weeds present, just dig-and-dispose, which is kinder to our environment. 

Annuals and some perennials required supplemental watering this summer, but weeds can manage well in poor quality soil, compacted soil, minimal water and crowded conditions! Some weeds that are tenacious and troublesome in the turf are shown here:

White Clover

White Clover

:  Although clover has “some” redeeming qualities (pollen for bees and it fixes nitrogen in the soil) clover is tenacious and troublesome in residential turf.  If you have kids or grandkids running in the yard, they could easily disturb bees busy collecting pollen and could get stung.  I understand if dogs ingest clover, it can cause stomach issues … and probably a trip to the veterinarian.  

White clover has gained popularity as a turf grass substitute— a ground cover that does not need mowing.  (sorry, NOT for me!)

Black Walnut

Black Walnut:  The Juglans nigra tree is known to deposit juglone in the soil wherever its root system spreads.  Juglone can be deadly for plants like tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, petunias, and many others.  

When a squirrel buries a nut in my garden or turf, I destroy it immediately (as soon as tiny pinkish leaves emerge, so I can confirm it is black walnut.) 

Quack Grass

Quack grass: (with full root shown, pointy white spikes, can grow two feet long) This weed is invasive and TROUBLE!   Since it is a monocot, and desirable turf grasses are also monocots, an herbicide that might kill broadleaf weeds won’t have an effect on quack!  If quack is present in your turf grasses, it can easily send rhizomes underground and invade your weed-free garden beds.

Black Medic

Black Medic:  This weed is tough and tenacious AND a prolific reseeder!  Each tiny yellow flower (approx. ¼” diameter) is capable of yielding 20 -30 viable seeds per flower. It is active during our entire growing season, and is an unwelcome resident in the turf.  (Seeds can wash into your turf from a neighbor’s yard, which is how my problem began 10 years ago… the Battle of Black Medic continues.  I am determined to achieve victory!)    

M. Lynn Schmid, Master Gardener
A.A.S. Landscape/Horticulture/Arboriculture

Summer Sights to Savor

Aren’t all gardeners anxious to celebrate Summer Solstice 2023 

occurring in a few days?   

It marks the official start of our summer season, as well as the most daylight in a single day of our calendar year.  This day is sacred in some cultures, but for gardeners it will be a day to get a few additional garden tasks completed before sunset!  Although summer hasn’t officially begun, there are numerous summery sights appearing throughout Southeast Wisconsin backyards, gardens, parks, neighborhoods. 

One summery sight I eagerly anticipate in June is the emergence of peony blooms… always bold and dramatic, and always a welcome sight; mine began blooming last week. The hot pink species in my garden has minimal scent, but those who raise peonies which bloom in WHITE can boast of that aromatic, intense floral scent!

(NOTE:  within any floral genus, often the WHITE species have stronger aromas than their COLORFUL counterparts.   My horticulture instructor explained that white blooms must work harder to attract pollinators, so the white blooming plants managed to develop scent glands over time.)

Paeonia… peonies can be used in bouquets or left on display in the garden.  Some varieties require support for each plant, while newer varieties are being propagated with stiffer, stronger stems and don’t require structural support.   I especially enjoy planting something small and dainty below those bold blooms of the peony.  During 2022, I planted a specimen from the genus Dianthus, the cultivar ‘Angel of Peace.”  It wintered over beautifully and was filled with bi-color blooms since May.

Iris sibirica, my favorite species from the genus Iris, has been relocated from my backyard garden to the front yard.  Digging this plant can be a challenge since its roots are a mass of tangled tissue… I was able to transplant one specimen with a two-ft. diameter in early May.  I was pleasantly surprised when buds formed and began to open last week!  (Some plants take a “rest” after transplanting so floral buds may not form during initial growing season.)

Hosta, a genus which commonly appears in Southeastern Wisconsin gardens, offers an incredible variety of colors, textures and sizes.  Many hostas are shade lovers, but the specimen shown here is SUN-tolerant!   Since our area has received barely ¼” of rain this past month, it felt awesome to photograph it following a summer shower!

Although plants listed above are considered perennials, I also like to pay homage to annuals, which provide amazing colors and textures for our Wisconsin gardens. The dwarf snapdragon pictured here wintered over in our basement under a grow-light system.  It has been blooming boldly since early MAY and should bloom all summer!

M. Lynn Schmid, Master Gardener
A.A.S. Landscape/Horticulture/Arboriculture

Is it really Spring?! Well...yes it is!

Seven Sure Signs of Spring!

April 2023 offered a unique blend of weather conditions that kept Wisconsin gardeners guessing which tasks were appropriate to tackle on any given day.  

Hot and humid days (in the 80’s) are unusual in Southeastern Wisconsin during April… but we had a few.   These warm days were interspersed with cold, windy days as well as a few hail storms and some snow.   

The variety of weather conditions in April has an effect on gardeners for sure, but also on the plants themselves.  If plants achieve a sufficient number of growing degree days in springtime, they will begin to push either floral buds or foliage buds.  Since we might experience frost or a late freeze (the one I recall was June 3 several years ago), some of those vulnerable buds are exposed and can be frozen.   

Frost won’t kill the entire bush or tree, but can destroy ALL the blooms for this growing season. 

Has springtime actually arrived? I’m going to align with optimists here… yes, spring is here.  I can offer “proof” … seven sure signs of spring:

Daffodils have been blooming throughout April (despite assorted weather events.) One of our great grandsons (age 18 months) likes to play in our garden and discovered that daffodils look pretty cool!

Lilies of the valley and peonies have emerged and should form flower buds soon. 

Siberian bugloss (the first perennial to flower in my home garden each spring) has been displaying blue blooms since mid-April.

By late April the variety of tulips I planted bloomed … pastel and pretty!

Hundreds/thousands of migratory birds have returned to their spring-summer home here in Wisconsin.  Just a few of my sightings during April: one bald eagle,  blue heron, cardinals, robins, sandhill cranes—also butterflies and dragon flies!

Let’s not forget those springtime veggies and herbs:  parsley, chives, garlic chives and topsetting green onions all were available during April for our culinary creativity!  It is such a pleasure to have an abundant supply of fresh herbs (besides those I grow indoors in winter).

As April blends into May, I send my wishes to you for an inspiring gardening experience this season!  Large or small garden spaces— they all contribute to making our world a little more beautiful… and we NEED a beautiful world!

M. Lynn Schmid, Master Gardener
A.A.S. Landscape/Horticulture/Arboriculture

Bareroot Trees - Plant NOW & watch them Bud & Bloom in YOUR Yard!

"Spring in Wisconsin!"  - that's all we need to say...

but the bareroot trees do like this weather!

BAREROOT Tree Sale EXTENDED - Thanks to Mother Nature!

Stop in & check out the variety of shade, decorative and fruit trees - while supplies last & the weather is cool. 

Plant them now and watch them grow! 

Happy Spring! 

Pretty Plastic Pots

Although I support the global need to reduce production and consumption of plastics, I feel plastic products that are re-used/repurposed for decades deserve some consideration.    

I actually own a few plastic kitchen items inherited from my mother-in-law who passed away more than 40 years ago; these items are still in good condition and are re-used frequently in our household.  

But my focus for THIS blog will be pretty plastic pots for indoor/outdoor plants. 

Each of these decorative plastic pots might be made of resin/plastic/polyethylene, but all are synthetic and do NOT decompose when placed in landfills.   The sturdy plastic urn-style pot shown here has been used for several years for winter outdoor arrangements as well as summer container plantings (like German ivy with Osteospermum/South African daisies.)   

One of my horticulture instructors suggested we toss out any plastic containers after using since any disease or bacteria could become embedded in plastic interior surfaces and might transfer to a new plant.   I strongly disagree with tossing out these expensive decorative plastics after a short season! 

Instead, I will share the plastic pot cleaning “recipe” I have used for decades; it works!

One cleaning rag (a piece of old cotton T-shirt works well)
One cup water plus TWO TABLESPOONS liquid bleach mixed in an old glass container
One pair plastic gloves (PPE for protecting skin, hands and fingernails)
One pair safety glasses (preventing eye injury is always important)
One soiled plastic pot

INSTRUCTIONS:  If working outdoors, remove all soil and roots from plastic pot to be cleaned; rinse with hose if available.  Inside of pot might be stained from soils used, but it should clean up nicely.  While wearing plastic gloves and eye protection, simply dip cleaning rag into bleach solution.  Wipe off interior surfaces of large pot and allow bleach solution to linger for five minutes; next a quick rinse and allow plastic pot to air dry, or dry with an old towel if you wish. Dispose of the soiled cotton cleaning rag in trash; a cotton rag WILL decompose with time.  

Shown here is a birch-bark style plastic pot I purchased from Lammscapes a few years ago, which I’ve used in every season for various plants.  Here it is shown after I removed a dead plant before I bleached the planter. After using the above cleaning method; it looks like the day I purchased it from the Garden Center.   I have never experienced any negative issues when re-using a disinfected plastic pot.  NO diseases have transferred to my new plantings.  (It is important to use fresh potting soil or your homemade compost to fill the cleaned pot; using the tired, spent soil could be problematic.)

The month of March in Wisconsin doesn’t provide many days where we can “dig in the dirt.” But time spent in March cleaning and refurbishing pots means they will be ready for planting in MAY and JUNE!

M. Lynn Schmid, Master Gardener
A.A.S. Landscape/Horticulture/Arboriculture

Gardening Resolutions & Best Intentions

By early February some New Year’s resolutions have already been compromised, or maybe they weren’t sustainable resolutions at all.  Some people make extreme promises to themselves with all the best intentions, but does cutting back on carbs really translate to never again indulging in a warm cookie—fresh from the oven?  Resolutions can be more attainable and sustainable if they are reasonable goals… sensible improvements to your current lifestyle. 

If your resolutions include eating more whole foods in the new year AND spending more time outdoors AND getting more exercise and movement into your routine, then YOUR GARDEN is ready to help you succeed!  Eating whole (minimally processed) foods can be incorporated into your current lifestyle and diet, even if the change is gradual. (All your garden produce can be considered whole foods.)

If you’ve grown culinary herbs in your garden in previous years, you already understand how satisfying it is to prepare a meal using freshly harvested herbs for flavor, color and nutrients.  If you’ve grown a few veggies in previous years, then a reasonable resolution might be to try TWO new varieties this season. (Try NOT to overextend yourself when planning your garden space… don’t plant more than you are able to care for!  If you do, gardening loses its charm and becomes a chore.)  February and March are perfect months to peruse magazines and seed catalogs to determine which varieties or cultivars will grace your garden space in 2023!

If your resolutions include getting more exercise and movement each day, then a gentle stretching session before heading to your garden is the perfect way to prepare your limbs and joints for tasks awaiting you.  Many gardeners approach their garden space with the intention of weeding; but when they arrive, they notice a few items ready to harvest, and several plants that need water or mulch.   Saying most gardeners are multi-taskers is an understatement!  While their HANDS are picking fresh herbs and veggies, their HEAD is planning how to serve them (or preserve them!) 

Among your gardening resolutions, you shouldn’t forget annuals, perennials and flowering/fruiting shrubs!  Each will provide enticing flowers or fruit to attract pollinators to your garden space.   

My Herbaceous Plants instructor taught it is ideal to get pollinators accustomed to visiting your garden space EARLY; 

planting perennials will invite pollinators to visit and linger in your space… pollinating along the way.  

Many annuals bloom continuously four months or longer, so these will keep bees and butterflies coming back often.

Resolutions are not exclusive to January 1^st.     

Resolutions pertaining to gardening are just getting started!   The most important resolution I can offer:  TREASURE THE JOY YOUR GARDEN PROVIDES AND SHARE THE EXPERIENCE WITH A YOUNG CHILD IF YOU CAN… DIGGING IN THE DIRT CAN BE FUN FOR “KIDS” OF ALL AGES!

M. Lynn Schmid, Master Gardener
A.A.S. Landscape/Horticulture/Arboriculture