Boardash: ArcaMax Gardening Daily Tips for Tuesday October 13, 2009

Monday, October 12, 2009

ArcaMax Gardening Daily Tips for Tuesday October 13, 2009

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Gardening Daily Tips
For You
Tuesday October 13, 2009

Impatiens, Garden Balsam (Impatiens balsamina)
Q&A: Poor Flavor of Beans
Q&A: Preparing Strawberries for Winter
Tip: Dig and Store Cannas
Wine and Dine Daily Video
Reader Photos

Impatiens, Garden Balsam (Impatiens balsamina)

Today's Featured Plant
Impatiens, Garden Balsam (Impatiens balsamina)

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Q&A: Poor Flavor of Beans

Question: I planted two 20-foot rows of green bush beans this season. I am happy with the size of the harvest, but am unhappy with the flavor of these beans. They are not bitter, but they are definitely not sweet. In fact, they just don't have much flavor at all. I harvest every two days and try not to let them get overgrown. I am planning a second planting; is there anything I can do to make the beans have more flavor?

Answer: I think one of the reasons there are so many different varieties of beans available is because everyone's taste is different. Some beans varieties are described as tasting very "beany," while others are considered more mild-tasting. You may want to try several different varieties and see if you prefer one over the others. Consider planting some pole beans as well--some of the older, "heirloom" varieties may have a stronger flavor. Stress (lack of water, excessive heat) can also affect the taste and texture of beans. To get plants off to a good start, prepare the soil prior to planting by working in lots of organic matter to help retain moisture and make root penetration easy. Plan to supply 1-inch of water per week, supplementing natural rainfall if necessary. After the plants are up and growing, mulch with organic matter to suppress weed growth and reduce moisture evaporation. Most bush bean plants will produce within 60 days of planting; pole beans may take a little longer.

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Q&A: Preparing Strawberries for Winter

Question: Should I cut back my strawberry plants before I put on a layer of straw mulch for the winter?

Answer: No, it's best to leave the leaves in place. Mowing can stimulate new growth which is more succeptible to frost damage. Let the ground freeze hard before mulching the patch with straw, leaves or covering with a fabric row cover. This will prevent heaving of the soil during warm/cold cycles of winter. If you want to renovate the patch, you can mow the tops after spring harvest. This will stimulate a bunch of new runners, and you can set them to replace your older plants.

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Tip: Dig and Store Cannas

Where winters get below 0 degrees (F), dig and store cannas. After a frost, cut back the tops to 6 inches, dig roots with soil attached, pot them in plastic nursery pots, and store in a 40F basement, occasionally sprinkling with water.

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Wine and Dine Daily Video

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-- From the ArcaMax editors

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Sincerely,
ArcaMax Editors