Garden Column for the Salisbury Post

Darrell Blackwelder

January 8, 2003

    It's a little late, but have you had a chance to make your New Year's resolution (s)? The recent ice storm for some reason has thrown me behind and I haven't had time to ponder my annual New Years' resolutions. This annual gesture of self-improvement, moderation and a test of our will often fail quickly with the New Year, especially for goals which are not easily obtained. However, I gathered eight resolutions for home gardeners for the upcoming year.
    HAVE YOUR SOIL TESTED-Soil testing is the most often over-looked service that saves time, money and the environment. Most homeowners guess with fertilizer and lime rates for lawns, shrubs and vegetable gardens. Soil sampling is still a free service provided by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture. Soil sampling kits are available at the Extension Center on Old Concord Road. A soil samples are shipped or mailed to NCDA in Raleigh for by the gardener for a nominal fee.
    HAVE A PLAN-Impulse buying and planting without a plan can produce nightmares later as the landscape develops. Over grown plants, improperly spaced plant material, diseased, or non-adapted plant material are typical problems associated with impulse planting. Solicit the help of reputable and qualified nurserymen, landscapers or Cooperative Extension before planting.
    TRY DIFFERENT VARIETIES-Home vegetable gardeners and flower gardeners often plant the same varieties each season. While it makes sense to "stick with a winner", there are new varieties of vegetable and flowers that warrant a homeowner trial. All-America Selections have been extensively tested and are a good choice, whether it's a vegetable, fruit or flower selection. Correctly label new varieties and make notes about growth, development and other pertinent characteristics during the growing season. These notes will be instrumental in selection of next season's crop.
    MAINTAIN EQUIPMENT-Take time this winter to maintain power equipment with an oil change or tune-up if needed. Sharpen lawn mower blades. Sharp blades reduce engine wear, improve the turf's appearance and reduce the incidence of disease. Sharpen or replace pruner blades. Replace all seals and gaskets in hand pump sprayers now so you will be ready when the pests of spring arrive.
    WATCH THE CALENDAR-Label the calendar for gardening chores that must be done and follow them. The window of opportunity for many gardening activities are quite narrow and must be followed in order to have a successful growing season. Keep this calendar handy for quick reference
    CARRY OUT AN IPM PROGRAM-(integrated pest management) Scout for insects and diseases on a routine basis. Use pesticides only when needed. This is a practice used by many commercial growers that reduces unnecessary use of pesticides, yet produces profits.
    PRUNE CORRECTLY-Many homeowners prune fruit trees, vines and shrubs because "its the season to prune" and for no other reason. Learn pruning basics; for example, apple trees are pruned to a central leader and peach trees are pruned to an open vase shape. Correct pruning techniques increase yields, produce better quality fruit and reduce pesticide sprays. Correctly pruned shrubs produce more flowers and berries. Judicious pruning is mandatory for quality fruits and healthy shrubs.
    START A FILE OF GARDEN TIPS AND INFORMATION-Take time to file away bits and pieces of useful information. This is information needed to be a successful gardener. Keep the file readily accessible to periodically update or delete out-of-date information. Have it close to the "to do" list. Learn to better utilize the web. The Master Gardener Web Site at www.rowanmastergardener.com is an excellent source of horticulture and related information.
   

Darrell Blackwelder is an agricultural agent in charge of horticulture with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service in Rowan County. For archived garden columns or other information, visit the Rowan County Master Gardener web site at www.rowanmastergardener.com or e mail Darrell_blackwelder@ncsu.edu or phone at 704-633-0571.