Boardash: ArcaMax Gardening Daily Tips for Tuesday November 10, 2009

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

ArcaMax Gardening Daily Tips for Tuesday November 10, 2009

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Gardening Daily Tips
For You
Tuesday November 10, 2009

Magnolia, Southern (Magnolia grandiflora)
Q&A: Installing Decorative Stone Mulch
Q&A: Growing Carrots
Tip: Desalt Houseplants
New Healthy Life Daily Videos
Reader Photos

Magnolia, Southern (Magnolia grandiflora)

Today's Featured Plant
Magnolia, Southern (Magnolia grandiflora)

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Q&A: Installing Decorative Stone Mulch

Question: What is the best way to add decorative stone mulch to our established landscape? Do we need to put down a weed barrier and if so, how do we work around the shrubs and boxwood that are already planted? In addition, how do we determine how much rock will be needed?

Answer: A sturdy landscape fabric will block most weeds. Black plastic is not recommended because it does not allow air or water to pass through it to the soil. The fabric will also keep the gravel from working its way down into the soil during the annual freeze-thaw cycles. To work around existing planting you will have to cut pieces of fabric, fit them around the plants, and then overlap them to cover the seams. If you have any perennials or bulbs in the area, wait to do the work until all the perennials are up, so you don't inadvertantly cover them. Also, be sure not to cover spring bulbs. The amount of rock will be determined on how deep a layer you desire. Basically, you'll need to measure the area in square feet, then multiply it by the depth. For example, a 10 x 10' area is 100 square feet. If you want a layer 4", or 1/3 foot, deep, then multiply 100 by 1/3, and you get about 33 cubic feet, or about 1 1/4 cubic yards. I also caution you on several points: The rock heats up in the sun and reflects heat back at your plants. The extra heat can cause your shrubs stress, both in summer and bright winter days. Boxwoods in particular are sensitive to this. Also, stone has no nutritive value and thus does nothing to enrich the soil. A natural mulch such as shredded bark will feed the soil as it breaks down slowly over time. Finally, you will find that weeds will eventually begin growing in the rock because autumn leaves, etc., work their way under the rocks, rot down and form a humusy seed bed on top of the fabric.

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Q&A: Growing Carrots

Question: In our area, we have a difficult time growing carrots due to the hard red clay. We would like the name of a variety that would do well for us (if possible).

Answer: There are three varieties that reportedly grow well in heavy or poor soils. They are 'Royal Chantenay', 'Thumbelina', and 'Short 'n Sweet'. All of these varieties are available from Burpee. You can obtain them by calling Burpee at 1-800-888-1447 or, by visiting the website. You would probably have a great deal of success if you tried to improve your soil a bit by adding in lots of organic matter such as compost, leaf mould, or composted cow manure. This will not only improve the soil's composition, it will enrich it with a lot of nutrients that all plant life needs. Adding in organic material does wonders for clay soils if done consistently. Also, have you considered growing carrots in containers? Both 'Royal Chantenay' and 'Thumbelina' are well suited for this. Half whiskey barrels work great!

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Tip: Desalt Houseplants

If houseplants have brown leaf tips or are wilting and have white crusty residue on the pots, one possible cause is a buildup of fertilizer salts in the pot. Repot the plants with fresh soil and clean the pots well.

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Sincerely,
ArcaMax Editors