Gardening Daily Tips
For You
Tuesday February 9, 2010 |
Kale, Flowering (Brassica oleracea) | Today's Featured Plant
Kale, Flowering (Brassica oleracea)
Read the full profile of this plant at ArcaMax.com.
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Q&A: Plum Tree has Black Growths Question: This spring I noticed my plum tree has many black, rough growths on the branches. What are they, and what should I do about them?
Answer: The growth is black knot fungus, and it infects plum as well as cherry trees. It will cause dieback and can eventually kill the tree. The knots have been desribed as looking like blackened marshmallows on the twig -- the same rough, blistered, corky appearance. Remove the black knots on the smaller limbs by pruning out infected branches four inches below the growths.The best time to prune is in late winter, before growth begins. Burn the pruned branches before the spores are released. For larger limbs that you don't want to remove, scrape the black growth off the bark with a knife. Check each winter thereafter for regrowth. To manage severe infections, apply a lime sulfur fungicide spray in early spring before new growth emerges. You may have to spray more frequently if weather is warm and humid. |
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Q&A: Growing Herbs from Seed Question: We live in southern California climate, about 10 miles from the ocean, and are interested in growing lavender and rosemary from seed. We have soil that drains well and have good luck with nursery-grown rosemary and lavender plants. Can you educate us on any difficulties or give advice on seed starting?
Answer: All species of lavender and rosemary will grow well in your mild southern California climate. Both take full sunshine and fast-draining soil. Start seeds of lavender by giving them a pre-chill prior to sowing. Mix seeds with moistened growing medium, seal in a plastic bag, and refrigerate for 4-6 weeks. At the end of the chill period sow seeds just on the surface of moistened seed starting mix and cover trays or pots with plastic wrap to help hold in moisture. Seedlings will appear in 21-90 days when kept at 55F-65F. Remove plastic as soon as seeds sprout and place seedlings under a source of bright light. Rosemary seeds do not need a pre-chill treatment. Sow on the surface of moistened seed starting mix and barely press them in. Seeds will germinate in 18-21 days when kept at 55F. Both lavender and rosemary are easy plants to cultivate. They thrive under sunny, somewhat dry conditions. Water thoroughly once each week during the summer season and pinch the growing tips back regularly to promote bushy plants. |
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Tip: Turn Under Cover Crops Once the ground has thawed and dried, cover crops planted in fall such as ryegrass and clover, should be tilled under. If the tops are taller than 6 inches high, mow the cover crop down first, then till. |
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-- From the ArcaMax editors |
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Sincerely,
ArcaMax Editors |
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