Planning is Key to Garden Success

 

“Anyone who thinks that gardening begins in the spring and ends in the fall is missing the best part of the whole year. For gardening begins in January with the dream.”

This quote by Josephine Nuese, author of The Country Garden, is the excuse gardeners use to ignore the snow covered yards and bare limbed trees to settle in with the seed catalogs and gardening books.

In February the dreaming is over and the important task of planning begins for home gardeners. Whether planning to grow vegetables, herbs or flowers, it’s time to choose what, where and when.

An important part of planning is having information about your yard and garden.  Note what light is available DURING THE GROWING SEASON – full sun for 6 or more hours each day during the growing season, part sun/shade, and full shade. For some plants it is important to know if the site is wet or dry.

Since the soil in your garden is the container for your plants, have it analyzed through Penn State with a soil test. These are available in Penn State Extension Offices for around $9. Call the offices before you go. The results will help you decide if you need to add anything to your soil to help the plants grow well. Once you receive the results, call your Extension Office if you need help in understanding them.

George Weigel, Pennsylvania Certified Horticulturist and author, notes in the Pennsylvania Getting Started Garden Guide, “you can’t put whatever you like wherever you want.” If you want to have the best chance of success, get information about what you want to plant by checking catalog descriptions, seed packs or plant markers.

UPDATE: Franklin County, PA, is now solidly in Zone 7a according to the 2023 USDA Hardiness Zone map. Click to go to the 2023 USDA Hardiness Zone Map for Pennsylvania.

(Look for plants that are listed for Zone 6b, the Franklin County USDA Hardiness Zone. ) Hardiness zones are areas with the same temperature - the coldest zone is 1 and the warmest is 10. In buying plants, especially from catalogs, check where they are grown. Plants shipped from other hardiness zones may not thrive in our area. Checking out Master Gardener plants sales is a great place to start. They are either grown locally or selected for optimal growth in their area.

~ Carol Kagan, Master Gardener

TRiViA - Sage

Sage (Salvia officinalis) 

Considering the use of Sage by Benjamin Franklin to deter counterfeiting of Colonial money, perhaps we could nominate it to be the Pennsylvania State Herb.

In 1737 Benjamin Franklin used the art of nature printing to transfer a Sage leaf image onto the back of paper money bills.  The distinctive contours of leaf spines, stems and veins were meant to thwart counterfeiters and Franklin’s workers managed to keep the printing technique a secret that has puzzled modern scholars.

In the Language of Flowers Sage means domestic virtue. It was said that a Sage plant will be healthy when all is well and will wilt when things go badly. 

White Sage (Salvia apiana) is not typically used for cooking but is well known as an incense to burn for spiritual purposes. Leaves are picked and then rolled into a 'smudge stick'. This stick is then burned in an attempt to purify one’s body or home, reminiscent of how it was used by California settlers. We will need several fields of White Sage for 2020.

Sage was used as meat preservative in ancient Greece and Rome.  A University of Arizona study found this herb does have anti-bacterial effects. Sage extracts have a long history of use as food antioxidants, where they help delay the onset of rancidity and preserve color, flavor, and nutrients. #sage #smudging #money

Are you interested herbs? Check out the Herb Sampler at this Blog  POST : [  gardenandlifenotes.blogspot.com/2021/01/herb-sampler-my-book.html  ]

The Second Edition Herb Sampler (2019) is available through Amazon at this LINK. [ https://www.amazon.com/Herb-Sampler-Second-Carol-Kagan/dp/1482067463  ]

Plants for Winter Interest: Harry Lauder Walking Stick

Harry Lauder Walking Stick in Winter

Tree/shrub

Perennial
Growth: to 10 ft.
Culture: Sun to partial shade; drought tolerant
Flowers: Unremarkable
Grown for unusual twisted, corkscrew branches
Hardy: Zones 4b-8 (Franklin County is Zone 6b)
Winter interest plant
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This intriguing shrub (Corylus avellana 'Contorta') lends plenty of winter interest when sited to show off its silhouette with twisted, corkscrew branches. Every Harry Lauder's Walking Stick was propagated from a single plant that was discovered in an English hedgerow in the 19th century.  When planning your landscape changes, consider this plant for sites that will show off its winter interest.

Not its best feature, it does have textured green leaves that fade to pale yellow in fall. Hardy in zones 4B-8, it has a slow growth rate and can reach 10’. It has a high tolerance for drought, likes sun or part shade and does well in most soils.

A member of the hazel family, it produces flowers called catkins which may hold on into winter, though it does not produce nuts. Usually grafted onto Turkish hazel (Corylus colurna) rootstock, gardeners need to prune off any suckers to prevent the plant reverting to the rootstock characteristics.

Icy coating is beautiful winter display.

You want to know why the name, don’t you? Presumably it was named after Harry Lauder, an early 20^th C. English vaudevillian who carried a crooked walking stick with him on stage. In real life, he also collected crooked walking sticks which were sold at auction for very high prices. Check out this link [CANES] to see some of his canes and walking sticks.

PARSLEY: 2021 Herb of the Year

 

Italian Parsley (Petroselinum crispum neapolitanum)

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) is the 2021 Herb of the Year™ of the International Herb Association. It is one of the most familiar of the culinary herbs used for both flavoring and garnish.

There are two common types of Parsley - the curly variety and flat-leaved variety, also known as Italian Parsley (Petroselinum crispum neapolitanum). Although they can be substituted for one another, Italian Parsley is generally preferred for its richer, more robust taste. Chefs value parsley for its ability to blend other flavors and it should be added  to hot dishes at the last minute or to simmering dishes no more than 30 minutes before done.

Parsley is a biennial plant that is typically grown as an annual. When left to overwinter it will usually return the next year and bloom. The plant attracts several species of wildlife. Swallowtail butterfly larvae can be found feeding on its bright, green feather-like leaves for several weeks before going into their chrysalises. Bees and other pollinators will visit the flowers in the second year and small birds such as Goldfinches will eat the seeds. Seeds may be saved for future planting.

It is hardy in Zones 4-8, prefers a sun to part-sun and well-drained site. Plants can be grown from seed but because germination is slow, they are often started indoors, winter-sown, or bought as starter plants. Plant them 8-10” apart near the last frost date. A member of the same family as Dill, Parsley has a long tap root and, once established, does not transplant well.

Harvest parsley throughout the growing season by cutting stems at the bottom. It can be held fresh in water for several days. To dry small amounts, wash and dry it. Wrap a paper towel over and around, making sure no edges are open. Secure with a rubber band and label. Do not put in a container or plastic. The paper towel will absorb the moisture as it evaporates from the herbs and the frost-free refrigerator feature will help it evaporate from the towel. This should be dry in 2-3 weeks. Parsley can be dried and stored for out-of-season use in containers away from light. Check the contents a few days later to make sure it is dry.

Carol Kagan, Certified Penn State Extension Master Gardener, Franklin County

Interested in herbs? Check out my book, Herb Sampler. Available on Amazon @[   https://www.amazon.com/Herb-Sampler-Second-Carol-Kagan/dp/1482067463  ]  . Want more information on the Herb Sampler? Check out this Blog POST  [https://gardenandlifenotes.blogspot.com/2021/01/herb-sampler-my-book.html]

Coffee Revs Up Your Morning and Compost

Photo: Pixabay

A recent post on the Penn State Extension Master Gardener Facebook page reminded me of this post.

Stopping by the Master Gardener compost pile I noticed a large plastic bag which turned out to be full of coffee grounds. Why are these here? This prompted me to see what’s up with coffee grounds and compost.

Composting is the process where natural materials are broken down by microorganisms to form a nutrient rich, soil-like material call humus or compost. Compost uses two different materials:  Green matter, such as vegetable scraps, grass clippings and, yes, coffee grounds, and brown matter like dead leaves, straw, shredded paper and non-diseased plants. Composting is an easy way to reduce waste and create a valuable gardening supply.

Coffee grounds are the granules that are left after brewing coffee. These are considered green matter in the compost pile. Checking Penn State Extension sources as well as Extension Services in other states revealed that coffee grounds are a good addition to compost as part of the green matter. They can be added to vermicomposting or worm composting. This is a natural method using worms to help compost food and organic scraps. It can be done year-round, indoors and outdoors. 

What’s in Coffee Grounds?

The Brooklyn Feed Website reports “Starbucks commissioned a study in 1995 to better understand the make-up of the organic matter we call coffee grounds.” See the chart for the information provided.

Applying coffee grinds directly to your garden: Coffee grounds can be applied directly as a top dressing/mulch to acid loving plants like blueberries, hydrangeas, and azaleas. Adding brown material such as leaves and dried grass to the mulch will help keep a balanced soil pH.

I am quoting Linda Chalker-Smith, Univ. of Washington, on her bottom line to this topic:

"Recommendations

Given the incomplete and conflicting scientific data so far, the scientific jury is still out reviewing the evidence. Nevertheless, I do feel comfortable in making some general observations and recommendations for those of you who would like to try coffee grounds as part of your compost pile or as a mulch:

In compost

• Percentages of 10 to 20 percent of total compost volume have been reported as optimal for compost quality and effectiveness, while over 30 percent can be detrimental.

• Only small amounts of coffee grounds are required for effective disease suppression. Therefore, I recommend using no more than 20% by volume of coffee grounds in a compost pile. A diverse feedstock will ensure a diversity of microorganisms.

• Don’t assume coffee grounds will make an acidic compost; pH levels will undoubtedly change over time. For mulching

• Coffee grounds are finely textured and easily compacted.

• Compacted coffee grounds create a barrier to moisture and air movement, especially when applied in thick layers.

• Therefore, I recommend against using pure coffee grounds as a mulch; instead, try using a thin layer (no more than half an inch) of coffee grounds and cover with a thicker (four inches) layer of coarse organic mulch like wood chips."

More information about composting for the home garden is available at:

Penn State Extension: Home Composting Guide

Washington State University: Myth of Coffee Grounds (pdf)

Bucks County, PA: Coffee Grounds for the Gardener

~ Carol Kagan, Master Gardener

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                                HERB SAMPLER Second Edition

Buy one for yourself and consider getting a few more. They make great hostess gifts, housewarming, and anytime gifts.

The Second Edition Herb Sampler (2019) is available through Amazon. 

Just click this link to find it. 

Rosemary- Spending the Winter Inside

After posting a Tuesday Trivia about Rosemary on the Penn State Extension Master Gardener Facebook page, member Jai Cee asked about overwintering rosemary in Centre Co., PA. Here's some information I copied from a previous Master Gardener post.

Flowering Rosemary Indoors at Barb P's house

Master Gardener Barb P. shared photos she took of the flowering rosemary plant in her sunroom. This reminds me about overwintering rosemary outdoors in our area. See more information at this link. But what about bringing it indoors?

Another photo from Barb

Bringing rosemary (and other herbs and plants, typically tender perennials) indoors for the winter requires some different attention than when they were outdoors during the milder seasons.

Rosemary in a container outdoors in summer. (C. Kagan)

OUTDOORS TO INDOORS

Because rosemary does not overwinter well in our area, it is advisable to treat it as a container plant which makes it infinitely easier to bring indoors. However, if you have rosemary planted out, you may pot it up using appropriate potting soil (not garden soil) and pot size with a drainage hole and tray. Follow recommendations about preparing your plants to bring them inside.

If possible, acclimate the plant to the indoors by bringing it inside a few weeks before the first expected frost date, October 15 here in S. Central PA. If you can open the windows and keep the indoor temperatures lows, it will make the transition easier than suddenly bringing it into a warm house.

INDOORS

All I want is for my rosemary to make it through the winter in living condition, so I can drag it back outside when the weather gets warm next year. I have a sentimental attachment as someone special gave it to me.

Fertilizer and Pruning: I don't encourage my rosemary to grow during the winter so I don't fertilizer or prune, except for a snip here and there. Rosemary will go dormant during the winter.  

Light: Rosemary needs 6-8 hours of light as it did outside. A good south facing window may well do but you may have to supplement it with artificial light. A fluorescent light or grow light can help.  Rotate the plant every week or so to keep the plant growing evenly on all sides.

Temperature: As a native Mediterranean, mild-region plant, rosemary will expect cool winters (not freezing) temperatures. An area that is consistently 55 - 60°F is good.

Watering: As with most plants brought in to overwinter, consistent watering is one of the important keys to keeping it alive. Water when the surface is dry, usually once every 2 weeks until the soil is wet and water comes through the drainage hole.

After about an hour, empty the water from the saucer so the roots are not sitting in water. Rosemary will benefit from misting. A tip for watering all indoor plants is to allow tap water to sit in an open container overnight to allow the chlorine to dissipate. 

Air Circulation: Good air circulation can alleviate some problems with mildew and mold. If you have several plants overwintering indoors make sure there is good spacing between them.

ABOUT ROSEMARY

Rosemary is the herb of remembrance. Although today we typically think of it as remembering loved ones that have passed, the Greeks thought it increased memory. Greek scholars were said to wear wreaths of rosemary around their heads when taking exams to help them remember their lessons.

The name rosemary derives from the Latin for dew-"ros"- and sea -"marinus;" thus, dew of the sea. A legend says that the Virgin Mary spread her blue cloak over a white-blossomed rosemary bush when she was resting causing the flowers to turn blue. The shrub then became know as the "Rose of Mary."

Update: July 2026
🌿 Rosemary Remembers

Myth: Long ago, around the 8^th Century BCE, Greek students whispered that rosemary could hold their memories in place. Before exams, they tucked fresh sprigs behind their ears, believing the sharp, piney scent would keep facts from slipping away. Scholars burned it in study rooms. Brides carried it to remember their vows. Mourners laid it on graves so love would not be forgotten. Rosemary, they said, remembers for you.

Truth: Modern science now speaks up to the newly discovered fact that researchers discovered that rosemary’s aroma contains 1,8‑cineole, a compound that shows up in the bloodstream after you inhale it. And the higher the levels? The better people performed on memory tasks and the faster their cognitive processing. In other words: the old myth wasn’t wrong. Rosemary really does help the mind stay sharp.

Verdict: The Greeks weren’t imagining things. Rosemary’s reputation as the herb of remembrance is part poetry, part chemistry—and entirely earned.

You may also be interested in the eBlog post Overwintering Rosemary Outside

~ Carol Kagan, Master Gardener

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Interested in herbs? Check out my book, Herb Sampler. Want more information on the Herb Sampler? Check out this Blog POST 

Carol Kagan, Master Gardener

JANUARY DREAMING

 

Winter Bench (Trey Gelbach)

"Anyone who thinks that gardening begins in the spring and ends in the fall is missing the best part of the whole year. For gardening begins in January with the dream."  ~Josephine Nuese

It doesn't have to be a cozy chair across from the flickering fireplace. It can be

    cross-legged on the bed with catalogs spread out.
        leaning into the keyboard to look at a photo on a Website.
            putting post-it notes on catalog pages riding in the car.
                dog-earing pages while sitting in the doctor's office.

It doesn't have to be over a graph-paper layout of the yard and gardens. It can be

  seeing a barren landscape with colors of the coming season.
      spotting a neighbor's plant and seeking a spot in your yard.
           imagining what will please your eye as you sit and relax.

                                  Go. Dream.

 

~  Carol Kagan