THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 3, 1996 TAG: 9611010089
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ROBERT STIFFLER
LENGTH: 149 lines
IF YOU HAD CHICKWEED last spring and into the summer because of wet, cool weather, you have it again. If you don't believe me, check your beds and lawn and you'll see many tiny, mouse-eared plants germinating.
Chickweed is difficult to eradicate but fall is the best time because the plants are small and tender. In your lawn, use a weed killer or weed and feed that's approved for your type of grass and labeled to kill chickweed. In beds, you can spray with a weed killer or Roundup or Finale. Be aware that the latter two will kill all green growth they touch, so be careful. AN IVY YOU CAN LIVE WITH
The weather is ideal for planting new shrubs and trees. One of the best shrubs is Tree Ivy. This is the English ivy many people hate, but in shrub form. It was discovered at the North Carolina State Arboretum and is a magnificent plant, staying green all winter, with the added benefit of blue berries.
It is slow growing and will grow anywhere but in a wet spot. Some gardeners have complained about vines that shot out at the base of the ground, much like its aggressive cousin. If that happens, prune the vine and it won't regrow.
Ours was planted three years ago, and if they all perform as well as ours, it's one of the best new plants of this decade. It may be hard to find, because it's grown only by wholesaler The Ivy Farm on the Eastern Shore, which sells to local nurseries. WAYS TO ELIMINATE NUTSEDGE
Use Manage or Image to eliminate yellow and purple nutsedge in grass, recommends Balakrishna Rao, research and technical development manager for Davey Tree Co. Two applications are required, eight to 10 weeks apart. If you can't find these products, call a lawn care company to apply them. CUT BACK TALL ROSES
It's been very windy the last month, so as soon as you believe your roses have finished blooming, cut them back to 18 to 24 inches to prevent their blowing in the wind. Wind can loosen their roots in the soil and cause them to die in winter. Shrub roses and tall grandifloras such as Queen Elizabeth tend to be so large the wind really blows them. Some pruning now is beneficial, and complete your pruning in late February. PRESERVE FALL FOLIAGE
If you want to preserve fall foliage, including eucalyptus, now is the time to put it in a mixture of two-thirds glycerin and one-third water. Stems of euonymus, sumac, cottonwood, willow, white ash, mountain ash, viburnum and oak are all good candidates, as are evergreen plants, especially those to be used at Christmas.
Smash the cut ends of the branches and place in a container with the glycerin-water mix. Keep in a cool, dark spot for about a week. When leaves take on a leathery texture, it's time to remove them from the mix. They then should last for years. STORE LEFTOVER SEEDS
If you have leftover seeds, store them properly now. Put seed packets in containers with lids that seal tightly. A drying agent such as silica gel can be placed in the bottom of the container. If that isn't available, non-fat powdered milk wrapped in porous paper will absorb any moisture in the container. Store the sealed container in your refrigerator. GUIDE FOR BEGINNERS
Southern Living's Fall Home/Garden Guide is now on newsstands, filled with do-it-yourself projects for homes and gardens. Much of the information is basic, such as a page describing a hoe, a shovel, etc. But for beginning gardeners, it would be a helpful tool. Cost is $3.95 and it will be on newsstands through Nov. 19. FERTILIZE YOUR LAWN
If you've not fertilized your lawn for the second time this fall, do so at once using a high-nitrogen fertilizer such as 25-5-10. Then fertilize one more time before Christmas. PROTECT BANANA PLANTS
Now is the time to dig banana plants and store them for the winter. Esty Vollrath, the Virginia Beach ``banana lady'' writes: ``We usually dig ours the first of November to make sure the first killing frost doesn't get them. Either pot them and bring them inside for the winter or cut the leaves off, shake dirt off their roots and store in a crawl space or in a garage.''
Esty says she sold many more plants than usual this past spring but still has a few for those who call her at 486-3217. COOL TIP FOR PLANTERS
It's bulb planting time. Reader Dorothy McNicholas of Virginia Beach writes that she makes planter boxes for bulbs out of Styrofoam coolers with holes drilled in the bottom for drainage. She also uses them for other plants. ``Cheap foam coolers work well, and I have also had a small redbud tree in one for at least a year,'' she says. ENCOURAGING WILDLIFE
While I try to attract less natural wildlife, including rabbits, raccoons, squirrels, moles and voles, in some areas where the lots are small and homes close, homeowners desire more wildlife. There are homeowners in the Kempsville area who never see a squirrel and would welcome you trapping and giving live squirrels to them.
If you want to encourage wildlife, The National Wildlife Federation has a Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program. To learn more about it, call (800) 822-9919. GIFTS FOR GARDENERS
White Flower Farm has published its 1996 ``Gifts for Gardeners and Their Friends'' catalog. It's free by calling (800) 503-9624. New in this year's book are selections by Tovah Martin, formerly of Logee's Greenhouses and famed for her books on indoor plants. She selects plants that bring color and grace to a windowsill but require only casual attention. OLD-FASHIONED FAVORITES
A couple of new books on old-fashioned plants appear interesting. ``Fifty Old-Fashioned Flowers'' and ``Fifty Old-Fashioned Roses, Climbers and Vines,'' each by Anne M. Zeman (Henry Holt Publishers, $25 each, hardback) include color photos of each plant.
In these days of new plant introductions every year, it's often hard to get information about some of the old-fashioned plants. The books also list sources for each plant. Any bookstore can order either book. TRY SEEDS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Tired of the same old varieties of vegetables? You can grow those from France with ``The Gourmet Gardener'' catalog. This new collection of herb, vegetable and edible flower seeds from around the world includes many from France and other European countries. Cost per packet of seed varies, but they average $2. For a free catalog, write to Gourmet Gardener, 8650 College Blvd., Overland Park, Kan. 66210-1806. ANOTHER PRIZE PUMPKIN
The Tom Tye family in Chesapeake makes growing pumpkins a family project. In recent years they have grown pumpkins that placed third and eighth at the Virginia State Fair. This year, most of their vines were destroyed by insects or weather, but they nursed along three vines and picked a pumpkin that weighed 260 pounds. The Atlantic Giant pumpkin placed second at the just-concluded State Fair. Congratulations to this prize-winning family of pumpkin-growers. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
ROBERT STIFFLER
The color purple
Ornamental cabbage, above, and ornamental kale brighten a winter
garden. Plants are available now in garden centers and should last
until a hard freeze, often into February.
Photo
TOM TYE
Julia Tye and 6-year-old son, Russell, claim second prize at the
state fair for their family's 260-pound pumpkin. by CNB