Boardash: ArcaMax Gardening Daily Tips for Sunday January 17, 2010

Saturday, January 16, 2010

ArcaMax Gardening Daily Tips for Sunday January 17, 2010

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Get Healthy in 2010

Gardening Daily Tips
For You
Sunday January 17, 2010

Iris, Bearded (Iris germanica)
Q&A: Seeds for Broccoli Sprouts
Q&A: Pruning Azaela and Boxwood
Tip: Winter Care of Cyclamen
Get Healthy in 2010
Reader Photos

Iris, Bearded (Iris germanica)

Today's Featured Plant
Iris, Bearded (Iris germanica)

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Q&A: Seeds for Broccoli Sprouts

Question: I've heard broccoli sprouts contain high levels of the cancer fighting chemical, sulforaphane. However, I have been told that I should not use commercial packets of seed, because they can contain harmful chemicals. Is this true?

Answer: It's true that many seeds sold commercially are treated with chemicals to maintain freshness and to prevent rot when they are first planted in soil. My advice is to sprout only untreated seed. Many seed companies, as well as health food stores, have responded to the good news about the health benefits of sprouts and are now selling seeds packaged especially for sprouting.

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Q&A: Pruning Azaela and Boxwood

Question: When is the best time and what is the best way to trim azaleas and boxwoods?

Answer: Azaleas need little pruning except to remove dead wood. Overgrown plants may be thinned to reduce their size by cutting back 1/3 of their stems to the ground each year for 3 years. This rejuvenating pruning is best done when the plant is dormant in late winter or after flowering in spring. To prune individual branches back for size or shape, use hand pruners rather than hedge trimmers, individually pruning each branch. Prune back to another branch or bud, so as not to leave stubs which will eventually die and be open to disease and insects. Azaleas should always be pruned to a natural shape. Boxwood can be sheared or left natural. For a formal hedge shear the new growth to produce the maximum number of densly-growing branches. Boxwood can also be thinned and hand pruned for a more casual looking hedge or shrub. Prune in late winter while still dormant for heavy trimming. They may be clipped at anytime for neatness.

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Tip: Winter Care of Cyclamen

To keep your indoor cyclamen flowering beautifully, place pots in a cool (60F), bright, East facing window on a bed of pebbles in a tray of water. Mist weekly to prevent insects such as cyclamen mites from attacking.

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Sincerely,
ArcaMax Editors