Winter - Spring Visitors :)

 

While winter is officially behind us, our recent cold and blustery days do not provide a feeling of springtime warmth…  March provided southeastern Wisconsin with several warm “teaser” days, which have helped some daffodils, tulips and winter aconites to emerge.  Gardeners must be patient a bit longer to witness the full beauty of a spring bulb explosion!

To bridge the gap from late summer blooms until my tulip and daffodil displays appear, I often turn to my winter-spring visitors… those flowering annuals that I rescued and repotted before fall’s frost!  A variety of colorful plants have thrived under grow lights and sunny windows all winter long.  Within two months, they will go outdoors and acclimate to cool nights and partial sunshine… most plants will survive and thrive through this transition in preparation for a summer show.

Pictured here are some winter-spring visitors, still performing well in late March: 

German ivy (Senecio mikanioides) and wire vine (Muehlenbeckia axillaris) are examples of trailing plants that will later be incorporated into my large container plantings, grouped with other plants that bloom and provide color and texture for each sun-loving container. 

Shade-loving coleus (genus: Solenostemon) plants are also capable of transitioning from outdoors to indoors, and back outdoors in late May.  (If coleus plants get leggy, take cuttings and root in water so you can enjoy them another season.)  Coleus shown here are cultivars ‘Dipt in Wine’ and ‘Electric Lime.’  They should thrive in a part-sun container.

Finally, our bay window is filled with winter-spring visitors…  Hibiscus, white and pink geraniums, lemon-coral sedum and amaryllis have found their Happy Place at our home.  

Most plants shown here will reside outdoors by     June 1^st!  

Even amaryllis plants will be moved to a shady outdoor location to build strength for next year’s blooms. (The only exceptions are my phalaenopsis orchid and jade plant shown; if outdoors, they might become food for bugs and beetles!)

When selecting plants this spring at your favorite garden center, please consider ANNUALS as a viable part of your garden design.  They bloom 4 – 5 months outdoors… and many can come indoors in autumn to become winter-spring visitors to keep your indoor spaces colorful and cheerful during colder months!

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

Kaleidoscope of Kolors: 2024

While paint manufacturers often promote a certain color each year, and Pantone also declares which color is THE ONE to buy, we need only to look as far as OUR GARDENS to find decadent, delicious colors for our eyes to behold!   

(These colors are truly reminiscent of the toy kaleidoscope I owned as a child… long, long ago!)    

The growing season of 2024 has been quite amazing in Southeast Wisconsin, although some areas received excessive amounts of rain and flooding which does not enhance the ability to grow those favorite flowers and veggies.  Gardeners in our immediate area were quite fortunate since we received adequate rainfall during most months of spring/summer; supplemental watering was sometimes needed to keep plants healthy and happy.

From peonies and poppies in late spring, to purple cauliflower and tomatoes in late summer, bold colors abound in our gardens. 

Pollinators were plentiful in our backyard, and they are always welcome here!   Even a few frogs (not tree frogs and not toads) took up residence in our backyard, which was a surprise to me since there is a river very near that would provide a more suitable habitat.  I have been researching some ways to provide shelter for these frogs, so in 2025, I’ll do my best to provide a clay pot for shelter and a nicer habitat for them.  

(By next year our small rain garden should be completed, so that will likely be an attraction for our local frogs.)

Other Stars of the Show this season were the prickly pear cactus, clematis with its bold purple blooms, and an heirloom tomato (cultivar ‘Mexico Midget’ which grows on an indeterminate plant and often is the largest of all my tomato plants.)   The other tomato varieties I planted look healthy, but most remain VERY GREEN in mid-Sept.   Since tomatoes don’t thrive in temps less than THIRTY-SIX DEGREES, I am hopeful they will ripen on the vine really soon! 

(Just last week we had one cold night of 43 degrees— not much time left to ripen on the vine.)

Can’t forget about herbs and annuals… they contribute color AND texture to our gardens each year.  The marigolds shown here are cultivar ‘Little Hero’ (I have collected seeds each year when seed pods are fully dried on the plant.)  I usually direct sow these seeds in late May, and they begin blooming in early July.  The rosemary plant shown is cultivar ‘Madeline Hill’ and is rated as a Zone 5 plant; since our area has been designated as Zone 5 for several years, I am going to allow this plant to remain in ground over winter. In years past I wintered over indoors under grow lights.

NEW FIND IN THE GARDEN:  On AUG 1^st, a white flower crab spider visited our magenta monarda patch.  A pure white spider with a pink marking— quite beautiful but a bit bizarre too!

TO OUR “GOODNESS IN THE GARDEN” READERS:   Hope your gardening adventures this season were productive, educational AND fun!   Enjoy looking back at blogs from past years (we started writing in FEB 2012) since most articles are timely to a season of the year—but not a specific year.  Happy reading and happy gardening to you!  

Cheers, Lynn

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

 

Those Shady Characters... Caladium!

Each spring when I visit garden centers, I truly enjoy displays of various cultivars of Caladium. 

During summer visits to botanical gardens, I find areas adorned with Caladium seem to draw me near!

Each variety has its own unique beauty: patterned, speckled leaves (large and small), a plethora of color hues from creamy whites and pale pinks to bold reds and greens.  

The contrasting color of veining in each broad leaf provides visual interest as well.

The genus Caladium deserves a space in any ornamental home garden, and is used extensively in container gardening.  

Usually Caladium is considered a shade lover, but some newer cultivars thrive and survive in partly sunny locations.  

My personal experience with Caladium plants indicates they are happy with an eastern exposure location and are quite tolerant of humidity.

While visiting a garden center yesterday, I found a poster indicating some Caladium plants can grow in FULL SUN, providing they have sufficient water.   This is contradictory to what I have learned about this genus, so I will continue to protect those little beauties by planting them in a shady or part-sun location. 

If you wish to experiment with a single plant in a sunny location, be sure the plant tag indicates that particular variety can handle six + hours of sunshine each day. 

The genus Caladium is from family Araceae (Caladium plants are considered tropical perennials; this genus is native to Central and South America.)  These plants usually have a rating of Zone 9 or 10 which means they could be perennials in Southern Florida, but not here in Wisconsin.  

At the end of the growing season, a gardener can lift the tuber or bulb from the soil before first frost.  This bulb can be dried off and stored in a cool, dark location till March of next year; then plant in fresh potting soil.  (I have done this successfully once, but did not achieve success every time.)   

Some gardeners might like to use as a houseplant, but Wikipedia reminds us the plant parts are definitely toxic.

Explore all the possibilities when deciding which cultivars you wish to buy for your garden or containers. 

Try a few varieties together in a container, and enjoy those bold colors all season long!

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

Have you planted bareroot trees?

 Plant Bareroot trees this Spring and love how easy it is!

Lightweight, no heavy pot or soil, easy to transport & plant!

Check out our 

Spring Tree Sale 

including shade trees, fruit trees, ornamental flowering trees & evergreens!  

Save 25% while quantities last on bareroot & potted trees - 

Shop early for best selection!

NEW! 

Browse, shop & order online 

www.lammscape.com 

Fun-Filled February... a Month of Holidays!

For many Americans, THE holiday season focuses on those holidays which occur in November/December.  But the month of February holds its own in the holiday category as well.  Little or large celebrations… all are welcome diversions during a month that often brings us gray skies and frigid temperatures!

Early in the month (FEB 2) many celebrate Ground Hog Day… a single day when a small furry creature is honored by many and is expected to accurately forecast the onset of springtime weather.   By mid-February in 2024, there are several additional holidays vying for attention; some holidays have religious or political associations, but all have earned their special place on our calendars!

For the football-loving audiences out there, Super Bowl Sunday (FEB 11) is a genuine holiday; it signals the conclusion of the 2023-24 professional football season and for many, is a terrific excuse to cook and consume massive quantities of high-calorie foods and beverages for gatherings of family and friends.

Just one day later, we honor the birthday of former President Abraham Lincoln (FEB 12) followed by renowned activist Susan B. Anthony’s birthday (FEB 15.)   Presidents’ Day (FEB 19) is another holiday in USA which is celebrated by many with a Monday off work since it is a Federal and WI State holiday.

Valentine’s Day (FEB 14) is celebrated with love by many sweethearts, couples and even young children who may learn from teachers how to cut out a heart shape from red construction paper!   

This day is often celebrated with giving flowers and plants, chocolates and heart-shaped cookies—as well as greeting cards— all in an effort to remind those special people in our lives how much we care! This year, Ash Wednesday also falls on FEB 14, which officially begins the Season of Lent in Christian communities and churches throughout the world. 

Just ONE DAY prior to Ash Wednesday is known by various names: Shrove Tuesday, Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras Day and in Brazil, “Carnaval do Rio de Janeiro.”   This holiday is celebrated in many countries—each having their own traditions— and in 2024 these celebrations will occur on FEB 13.  Shrove Tuesday often represented a day of indulgence for many Christians, who then “gave up” certain favorite foods during the Lenten season.  Some may still practice this rite of sacrifice even in modern times.

    As a Horticulturist, I would like 

    ANY DAY in FEBRUARY to be designated as 

    BUY-YOURSELF-A-PLANT-DAY!  

(…not a real holiday—I just made this up!) Visit your fave florist or floral department at the grocery store; buy yourself (or a friend) a pretty flowering plant or bouquet…just to bring a smile!

For more holiday info, visit website: timeanddate.com/holidays/us/2024 

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

Savoring the Season of Winter

We've entered a new month of WINTER here in Southeast Wisconsin.  

While some may lament over cold or snowy days in February, I have learned to savor the season by incorporating pleasant activities into each day.  Some may call these “micro-practices” since they aren’t large events, but these tiny activities could become the highlights of your days and keep your spirits up, even when skies are gray.  I’ll share a brief activity list, and you can add to this list to make it your own:

Even those with limited culinary skills can likely cook a pot of spicy chili or a hearty chowder for a lunch-time entrée.  Use a favorite family recipe or check online to find a chowder or chili that appeals to you; add a variety of legumes for color, flavor and fiber.

Take a winter walk (alone or with children/grandchildren/neighbors’ kids) and search for wildlife along your route.  Even during cold weather, you might observe various bird species, squirrels and other critters along the way.  Kids can count how many of each they encounter on your route (observing a barking dog in your neighborhood can be included in their animal count, unless you’re a purist and only wish to count wildlife!)

A calming indoor activity could involve planting bulbs like Amaryllis or Caladium.  The Caladium can be planted in lightweight pots and later in spring, can be added to an outdoor SHADY container plant grouping.  The Amaryllis need approx six weeks from planting bulb in pot till bloom time; should be blooming indoors by mid-March if you plant this week.  NOTE:  Amaryllis bulbs are capable of producing 4 – 6 blooms atop a thick green stalk; the plant in bloom can be top heavy, so suggest a heavy clay or ceramic pot for each bulb.  Don’t put more than one bulb per pot since the blooms will crowd each other which detracts from their beauty. 

Another indoor activity involves baking cookies… always a pleasure during wintry weather!  Bake a batch of SNOWBALL COOKIES using either your favorite shortbread or pecan finger cookie dough; use cookie scoop (2 tsp. size) to portion cookies and roll each into one-inch diameter ball of dough.  Place on cookie sheets and bake. Pour one cup POWDERED or ICING SUGAR into bowl.   After cookies are baked, remove from oven and immediately roll in powdered sugar to complete the look of snowballs.  Arrange on platter and enjoy. (DISCLAIMER: this author does NOT condone any food fights using snowball cookies!)

Final suggestion for today’s blog: observe or photograph the morning sunrise! During February, sunrise occurs after 7AM and from our location, appears over Lake Michigan. The Lake often provides condensation and cloud formations to make sunrise unique… enjoy some brief moments of tranquility, while admiring the morning sunlight!

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

* * * Winter Week in Wisconsin! * * *

A naked landscape during December in Southeastern Wisconsin seemed wrong… 

where was our SNOW??? 

The entire month of December 2023 passed without a snowfall in our area, which is quite rare.  

This trend continued into the first week of January, causing those who wanted to ice skate, snowshoe or snowmobile some sad days.  

As we approached the second week of January, weather forecasts warned of a massive cold front with snow, which would affect several states simultaneously.  

This forecast caused sadness for some, BUT smiles and anticipation for the snow aficionados in our state!

Winter week in Wisconsin is here!  

An entire month’s worth of ice, snow and sub-zero temps occurred the second week of January.  Some areas (like our backyard…) received 12 to 18 inches of snow within a few days, accompanied by fierce winds. 

With sub-zero temps each night, this snow will likely remain with us for some time… our landscape no longer appears naked and is fully clothed in a thick blanket of ice and snow.

Dense snow cover can be beneficial to all our dormant perennials, shrubs and trees.  

While an ICE GLAZE isn’t great for plants, SNOW can insulate the soil and maintain a cold, frozen state for those root systems underground.  

Freezing temps often are NOT the cause of Zone 4 or 5 plants dying, but freeze-thaw cycles can be extremely harmful!

***An ice coating can be especially harmful to conifers mainly if humans try to intervene! One of my horticulture instructors reminded us NEVER to knock off icicles from branch tips of our pines and spruces.  

The branches may struggle under the weight of the snow load, but if ice has formed beneath the snow, more damage can be caused by human intervention.

Thankfully, this massive storm front was followed by a high-pressure system which provided blue skies with sunshine to sparkle the fresh snow.  The air was crisp and fresh each day, and those who care to brave the cold could enjoy being outdoors.

People who prefer being indoors can start perusing seed catalogs and begin planning for springtime planting.  

Indoor enthusiasts can also enjoy watching birds frolicking at their feeders.  (Just a reminder, if you choose to put feeders in your yard, you must keep them clean and filled!  Not a huge task to perform, but a vital service to those hungry finches and woodpeckers who visit each day…)

Allow me to share my favorite Albert Einstein quote to end today’s blog:

“Snowflakes are the fairy dust of winter.”

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

Months of Magnificent Memories!

 

As we cross the threshold into a New Year, I have mixed feelings about letting go of some magnificent memories from 2023.  Although this year was peppered with some moments I’d rather forget, I try to focus on happy thoughts and pleasant memories from the year past… a year which now lingers in our rearview mirror.

Spring and summer months provided sufficient warmth for children and adults to enjoy their warm weather activities. In addition, our flowers and fruits, veggies and herbs had enough warmth and sunshine to thrive and provide much joy each time I walked through the garden gate.

September and October offered gentle weather in Southeast Wisconsin, with ideal conditions allowing autumn foliage to remain on many trees through late October.  Even November days were often warmer/sunnier than usual.  The most difficult condition during our 2023 growing season was a lack of consistent rainfall.   Supplemental watering was necessary to encourage plants to stay alive and thrive.

December weather was quite unusual with only a few snow flurries making an appearance.  In Wisconsin I like to say we measure SNOW in feet—not inches— but that adage was incorrect in December 2023.   It seems odd to witness green turf grass in backyards at this time of year.   Parsley and cilantro continue to grow actively in my herb garden in late December, and I continue to harvest for culinary use.

For me, December offers magnificent memories every year… the joy of hanging each ornament on our Christmas tree is both special and memorable.  Over a lifetime I have received ornaments from relatives, neighbors, and co-workers—often handmade.  Each is a special keepsake that reminds me of the person who gifted me with a memorable ornament they made or bought.  I enjoy those ornaments (and those memories) each time I select just the right branch to display that tiny treasure!

In a World that exhibits more than its share of craziness and selfish behavior, it is refreshing when I can sift through the negativity and pause to appreciate a simple pleasure, like an ornament provided by a thoughtful friend or neighbor. 

My wish for each of our Goodness in the Garden readers:  

As you cross the threshold into 2024, I wish you blessings of peace, joy, courage, and health… may your journey be filled with wonder and beauty along the way!

Happy New Year!

M. Lynn Schmid, Master Gardener

A.A.S. Landscape/Horticulture/Arboriculture

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