Spring 1998
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A Bio-Filter with multiple water dispersion nozzles and lava rock. Coupled to a Top Hat Filter Bucket with dual sponge pads and cotton-filter element to house the pick-up pump. Minimum 40% of water surface covered with plant material. Minimal feeding of fish to reduce fish droppings (which raise ammonia levels and nitrogen) which feeds and breeds algae. Use of Koi (Japanese catfish to consume algae) and not just goldfish which require constant feeding. Requisite numbers of algae-converting plants (water hyacinths) living in the Bio-Filter. Your daily and weekly observations as Pond Manager as to which major elements need adjustment, and the willingness to do it promptly.
Whatever the case, call us and we'll help you become a better Pond Manager through our Water Garden Workshops or individual consultation, all free.
Fertilizing Evergreens & Conifers
The urge to dose every plant with fertilizer as soon as a few warm days come should be restrained. Late, freak frosts will kill new growth and possibly the plant itself. Our last frost date is April 20th in this USDA Zone 6b. Wait until the end of April.
In the case of all evergreens and conifers, it's best to fertilize at the end of April, and a second time in the fall, on first of August and only use acidic Holly- Tone. fertilizer, granular, time-released, evenly-balanced fertilizer. Unlike Mir- Acid. which is a high-nitrogen, constantly-applied fertilizer, Holly-Tone shows results gradually and doesn't dose the plant with too much, all-at-once. Mir-Acid requires repeated applications, "jump-starting" and "crashing" the plant constantly. Holly-Tone is much gentler with a more even feed.
Yews are classified as evergreens also, but won't respond to either fertilizer very well. They're better left un-fed; somehow they take care of themselves and prosper.
By waiting until the end of April, and feeding all Hollies, Pieris japonica, Pines, Blue and Norway Spruce, Mountain Laurel, Rhododendron, Azaleas, Dogwoods, Cherries and other conifers with Holly-Tone, you'll have a much richer and lusher garden until the Fall feeding time arrives.
Fertilizing Gardens
There are indeed many ways to fertilize gardens; one plant at a time or whole groups or the whole garden as it requires it. And of course, there are different fertilizers for the three applications.
Why not make it easy on yourself this year and do the whole darned garden and let each plant decide its own uptake requirements of nutrients? Try using Osmocote., a timed-release, balanced solid fertilizer that resides inside of little plastic pellets (the size of BB's) with holes, and in the event of a rainfall or watering, releases an appropriate amount of fertilizer. It's either broadcast throughout the entire garden, or a 4oz cup is dumped at the base of each plant for an 8-month feed.
We use it here at the Garden Center & Nursery and on the many landscape jobs we do each year. It's balanced, comes in several formulations and is available for both indoor and outdoor plants. We use it in our hanging baskets so that every time they're watered, they're fed.
Try it, if you already don't.
Page1:
8th Annual Open House
York Area Pet Bird Club Show
Hardy Cactus.
Page2:Tropical Cactus.
www.gdnctr.com Mousepads Available
Getting The Garden Ready
Page3:Early Season Bloomers
Alpine Trough Gardens.
Little Gems.
Page4:Wildflowers - Do It Now
Garden Center Is Available For Meetings & Tours
1998 Workshop Schedule
Page5:1998 Workshop Schedule...continued
Page6:1998 Workshop Schedule...continued
Page7:Clear Ponds.
Page8:Fertilizing Evergreens & Conifers
Fertilizing Gardens
Page9:Year 'Round Container Herb Gardens
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