Crabapple Tree Information

Flowering  crabapple tree

The crabapple is admired for its beautiful spring flowers and also for its late summer fruit. In spring the bloom buds will appear in the shade of reddish-purple and when the buds open the flowers are either white or pink.  

 Crabapple flowers bloom from April to May and the flowers last on the tree for approximately two weeks.  These spring flowers will attract orioles and warblers, the birds feed off the nectar. 

In late summer the tree will produce a small apple that is approximately two inches.  This apple is edible however the fresh fruit has a sour taste.  Many people make jelly from the fruit or they leave the fruit on the tree as forage for birds and wildlife.  

Buying Tips for Healthy Tree

Buy a crabapple tree at your local nursery.  Ask the salesperson if the burlap is natural or if it has a wax coating. If the burlap is natural it is best to plant the tree in the covering however if there is a wax coating it is better to purchase a tree grown in a container.

Planting Tips

Remove the tree from the container and wet the roots. By wetting the roots, you may loosen some of the roots from the root ball. If the roots are stubborn, use your hands untangle the roots.

Gently pull them away from the root ball. If the tree is wrapped in burlap, gently remove the bottom half of the burlap so that the roots are exposed.

Plant the crabapple tree in early spring as soon as you can break ground or in the fall six weeks before a hard frost. 

Grow the tree in a site that has full sun, good airflow and well-drained soil that has a slight alkaline of 6.0 to 8.0.  

Dig a hole that is the same depth as the container and twice the width of the root ball. The hole needs to be wide enough so that the roots are not crowded. Place the root ball in the center of the hole, gently position the roots to grow outward. Add some compost and work the soil around the roots. Fill the hole with the remaining soil and water around the base of the tree. 

Known Disease 

Watch the leaves and fruit for black spots this is a symptom of applescap.  Also look for the symptoms of fire blight.  The branches and leaves will turn black if they are infected with fire blight and this disease if not treated will eventually kill the tree.  

Cedar-apple-rust is very noticeable as there are orange-red spots on the leaves.  Powdery Mildew is more prevalent when there is not enough air circulation or high humidly. 

Check the leaves, flowers and fruit for the white powder fungus.

Care for Crabapple Tree

1. Care for your tree by keeping the soil evenly moist for the first two years. Water the tree daily with drip irrigation.  The moisture in the soil will encourage a deep rooting.
2. Apply four inches of organic mulch around your tree. 
3. Feed your tree in the spring with a fertilizer formulated for flowering trees.
4. Plant your tree  in the late afternoon when the sun is not intense or plant on a cloudy day.

Transplant Tree or Shrub (How to)

Planting a tree or shrub is not difficult however purchasing a healthy tree or shrub may be a little tricky. Many trees and shrubs sold are root balls wrapped in wax-coated burlap. If purchasing from a nursery ask to check the root ball.

Look for a healthy root that is growing outward. If the root ball is tightly matted then it better to purchase a tree or shrub grown in a container. Before purchasing the tree or shrub, check the bottom of the container, if roots are growing out of the drain holes this is a good indication of a strong root. Another way to determine a healthy tree or shrub is to look for a full tree or bush with new growth.

Redbud tree newly planted

Planting Tips

Set the container on its side and gently roll the container on the ground. This method will loosen the root ball from inside the container.

Remove the tree or shrub from the container. Thoroughly wet the root ball prior to planting. By wetting the soil, you may loosen some of the roots from the root ball. If the roots are stubborn and are growing in a tight circle, use your hands to untangle the roots. Gently pull them away from the root ball. This is a necessary step to enable the roots to grow outward into the soil. 

Clear the planting site by removing all of the grass. Dig a hole that is twice as wide and as deep as the container. Add six inches of compost to the bottom of the hole. Mound the compost into the center of the hole. Set the tree or shrub on top of the mound. Spread the roots out so that they will grow outward into the soil. Fill the hole with the remaining soil and water thoroughly.

Apply two to four inches of mulch around the tree or shrub trunk. The mulch will add nutrients to the soil, retain moisture, and will prevent weeds. Water your tree or shrub daily in the morning before the heat of the day.  The soil should be evenly moist but not wet.

Notes From Susan:   Plant your tree or shrub in the late afternoon when the sun is not intense or plant on a cloudy day.

 

Zinnia Flowers for Sun Gardens

Zinnia flowers are the perfect choice for sun gardens as these flowers like it hot and will brighten your yard and garden from summer to fall. 

Every year I shop online at parkseeds.com and will buy seeds in bulk if they are avaialbe.  I grow zinnia flowers in the masses because they remind me of growing up and picking the flowers from my Dad's garden.

Zinnia flowers have a long bloom time and  they are a maintenance free flower that provides repeat blooms that brightens my gardens. 

As a kid I recall seeing the zinnias growing along the side of our chain link fence and they did flourish.  There was some afternoon part shade that prevented them from baking in the 100+ temperatures.   

I like the way the zinnias look when they are grown as a border along a fence but I have a wood fence and need to grow the zinnia  two to three feet away from the wood fence to make sure flowers get adequate air flow. 

One way to plant zinnias is to plant them in a garden with purple coneflowers or scarlet red bee balm.  The purple and red are eye appealing contrast colors that will accent your zinnia flowers.

Another way to grow zinnias is to plant them in containers.  As long as you meet zinnias growing requirements; full sun, hot weather, well drained soil, and watered in the morning at the soil level with drip irrigation then you can grow zinnias easily from seed.

Image credit by Vallian

Planting zinnias by growing the flower seed indoors on a sunny windowsill or under a grow light. When the zinnia seedlings are three inches in height, and the danger of spring frosts has passed then transplant them outside.

Grow  Zinnia CALIFORNIA GIANT Flower From Seed

Caring for Zinnias

Apply one inch of mulch around the stem to help aid in moisture control and to deter weeds.  
Care for zinnias by watering them in the morning with drip irrigation as it is not wise to get water on the leaves.  
Plant zinnias in an area where there is good air flow. Zinnias are susceptible to powdery mildew.

Learn more about growing zinnia flowers from seed by viewing this YouTube.com garden tips video:

Lavender Growing Tips and Uses

ENGLISH LAVENDER  GROW FROM SEED

 

Growing lavender is easy, and the benefit of its beauty and fragrance will return every season. Lavender is a perfect plant for those hot sunny locations in your yard where nothing else will grow. I grow lavender directly outside of my dog kennel and along the gravel path that leads to my patio. I also planted lavender in containers; wheelbarrow, vintage footed bathtub and also in a wooden barrel.

I grow English lavender because it is a fragrant and pretty flower.  The plant features dense branches that will grow to the heights of three feet and the leaves are long and narrow. 

Lavender Usage

Lavender herb is a natural way to repel stray cats and mosquitoes from your yard and garden, you can also plant aromatic lavender close to your dog kennel.  I like to dry the lavender and use it in floral arrangement during the fall and winter months.  It looks nice in harvest wreaths and also sensational when you tie a bunch of lavender flowers with silver or gold ribbon and then decorate a Victorian Christmas tree. 

You can also make a bar of lavender soap, here's how:

Another way to benefit from the lavender herb is to mix it with rose petals for an aromatic potpourri or make heavenly scented sachets for your drawers.  There are many benefits for growing lavender, why not plant some seeds for windowsill garden or outdoors in container or yard.

Create a cozy spot in your garden by growing Lavender

Growing Tips for Lavender Herb:

1. Grow lavender in a sunny location that has sandy soil that is well drained.  
2. Lavender prefers a location where the soil is dry.  If the root receives too much moisture it will rot.  
3. Start the lavender seeds indoors 8 to 12 weeks prior to the last spring frost.  The best way to achieve this is to plant the seeds in starter kits. 
4. Grow lavender indoors in a windowsill herb garden.  
5. Set the container garden next to a window that has a southern exposure or you can grow lavender under an artificial grow light.  It takes approximately 8 to 12 weeks for the lavender seed to germinate.  
6. When plants are four to six inches in height transplant them outdoors after the threat of spring frost has passed.

Tips:

Lavender is a flowering herb from the mint family.  The lavender flowers produce nectar and thus honey bees, butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to the lavender blooms.

Introduction photo by Heron/ Wikipedia Creative Commons 

Conserve Water in Your Yard

During the heat of summer when the thermostat is soaring well into to the nineties one will water their yard and gardens twice daily. 

While the gardens are flourishing and your neighbors may be complimenting you on your grass and flowerbeds, your water bill has crossed over to the danger zone. Your first reaction to offset a costly water bill would be to cut out useless water usage. You may stop watering your yard daily and depend on nature to water your yard; however, this may mean that your grass, gardens and prized flowers and vegetables may dry up and die. Before taking such drastic measures, you may want to consider these useful tips on how to conserve water in your yard.

Where I reside the summer months are brutal, many days peak at over 100 degrees and it is impossible to keep many plants hydrated.  A few years ago I installed a dripline watering system and find it to be the best way to water my plants, shrubs and flowers.  The dripline flows at the soil line and that is where the water is needed as the water seeps into the soil and gets to the roots. I have my dripline on a timer and set it to start watering at 6 am and to stop watering at 7am.  By watering early in the day enables the water to get to the roots and not to evaporate.  The dripline watering system has helped me to save energy as I am not watering twice a day.  

Conserving water is always on the top of my to do list as water is costly and during the summer months we have drought conditions.  In the spring I make a point of collecting the spring rain water.  I have several rain barrels that I place directly under the gutter down spout.  When one barrel is full I move it and set up another.  Collecting rain water in a barrel is good way to water your flower and vegetable gardens. 

Note:  Water your grass when needed. Do this by stepping on your grass, when you remove your foot and the grass stays flat to the ground then water your grass in the early morning. 

View youtube video for more tips on conserving water in your yard and garden:

 

 

Bearded Irises Transplanting Tips

Divide your bearded irises during the months of July through August as this time will allow the roots to be established before a hard frost.

A photo of the irises that grow in my yard. 

Started to divide and transplant the irises 

Irises that are grown in a tight space will have small blooms or no blooms, these irises are also susceptible to disease and borers.  I

If irises are planted too close they will need to be divided within a year, otherwise, irises need to be divided and transplanted every 3 to 4 years.

Growing irises is easy, once they are established in your garden they will bloom for many years however; you must check the iris periodically for overcrowding. It is also important to keep the iris bed free of weeds, leaf matter, and debris.

Dividing and Transplanting:


Before digging up the iris rhizomes that need to be divided get the iris garden ready by cutting the leaves to 1/3 of their height.

Dig up the iris with a spade or a pitchfork.  Gently remove the entire iris clump without breaking the roots.  Shake the dirt from the root and then use your garden hose to wash away the dirt from the roots and the rhizome.  Removing the dirt it will enable you to inspect the rhizome.

Inspect the rhizome for soft spots or wormholes, as this is an indication that the iris is infected with borers (grubs).  This generally occurs when irises are overcrowded or there is leaf matter covering the iris bed.

If the damage is small then you can treat the rhizome by cutting off the soft spot with a sharp knife and then soaking the irises in a solution of 10% bleach mixed with water. Soak the irises for a half hour.  Then allow the irises to air dry in shade.  Plant the treated irises in a separate garden.  Do this so you can watch the irises for further infection.

Divide large healthy irises by cutting the young rhizome away from the clump with a sharp knife.

Transplanting Irises

Remove leaves and weeds from the iris garden

cut leaves and transplant spacing plants at least a foot apart 

Grow irises in a garden bed that is located in full sun.  The soil must be well-drained and mixed with organic matter such as compost or manure.  Keep the iris garden weed, leave, and debris free. 

Irises grow best when they receive 6 hours of full sun followed by part shade.  If you reside in an area where there is extreme heat (mid-90 to 100F) then afternoon shade would benefit the irises.


Plant the rhizome in soil no deeper than one inch. Set the rhizome on the soil, spread out the roots, and then cover the roots with soil.  It is best to leave the upper part of the rhizome exposed so that it can absorb nutrients. If irises are planted too deeply then there will be no flowers in spring and the rhizome will rot. Water transplanted irises.

Here are some bearded irises that I grow in my yard and garden. And all need to be divided and transplanted this year.

Maintain your irises and get beautiful spring flowers

Learn more about irises by viewing this video:

  

 

Signs of Early Spring

There are ways to determine if the spring season is going to be early or if you are going to have a long cold winter.  If you are in tune with nature, you will be able to view the signs of spring in your backyard.  Today the sun was bright and the snow on the ground has begun to melt.  The temperature shot up to 32 degrees and for me, it was a warm day and I took advantage of the warm temperature by looking in my yard for signs of spring.  

Grass-like foliage of crocus

I did not need to walk far because under a patch of melted snow I could view the grass-like foliage of the crocus had pushed up out of the soil. I moved the ice and the leaves that had gathered around the crocus and found that the crocus had grown to the height of two inches.

Normally the snowdrops are the first to bloom and I hoped that I had not missed their blooms and then out of the corner of my eye I saw the lovely white bloom of the Snowdrop Galanthus. 

Snowdrop blooms in very early spring

The early spring bulbs are blooming in my yard and this is certainly a sign that winter is coming to an end and spring has begun.

You can inspect your yard for signs of early spring by gently pushing back the organic mulch or show from your flower garden.  Look for the spring bulbs; tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils. Another sign of spring can be found on your spring-flowering shrubs; forsythia or the lilacs.  Observe the branches, look for tiny bumps.  These bumps are leaf buds and a sign that your area will have an early spring.

Here are photographs of the signs of spring in my yard, the crocus is blooming and daffodils are growing.

Today I viewed leaf buds on the branches of my spring blooming hedges, this sign of spring makes me believe that my yard will be in full bloom by the end of February or maybe the first week in March.  

Nature knows when it is time for the flowers to grow, and they will come up through the ice and the snow