Garden Clippings
Shade in summer; sun in winter
By RUTH DAVIES
Article published on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008  |
The average homeowner is probably grimacing at the cost of putting gas in the car and when opening the electric bill..
Besides raising the thermostat, planting deciduous trees on the south and west sides of the house (to provide shade) will lower the temperature, thus the electric bill.
There are two trees that I planted, one on the south and one on the west side, a fig and a plumeria.
A cocoplum or viburnum hedge grown and pruned to the desired height to stay below windows will shade the lower part of the house and break up the heat.
For 25 to 50 cents a plant, vegetable sets for the garden are an economical way to feed the family. It’s a bit early, but I planted cauliflower – let’s say it’s an experiment, as I usually wait until the cool fall arrives. I’ll give you a blow-by-blow progress report.
Tomatoes can be planted now. This is one plant that can and should be planted deep. The stem will set out more roots, so dig a hole for the root and a trench and lay the stem in the trench and cover. Staking or using a cage keeps the fruit away from the ground-loving bugs. Varieties are plentiful and the choice is personal. While gardening, I love to munch, so I grow yellow pear tomato as a snack – yellow for less acid.
For new and experienced gardeners, garden clubs offer support and information. They also share their talents with their community by planting and caring for a garden area. Monthly meetings are usually educational with guest speakers.
The season is just beginning after a summer siesta. The Garden Club of Largo meets at The Barrington, 901 Seminole Blvd. in Largo on the second Saturday of the month at 11:30 a.m. Lunch precedes the meeting. Contact Elaine Bicknell at 535-1522.
The Garden Club of St. Petersburg, 500 Sunset Drive, St. Petersburg, has circles that meet weekly. Oct. 6, 10 a.m., Creative Crafts; Oct. 7, 7 p.m., Horticulture for Weekend Gardeners. Go to gardenclubstpetersburg.org or call 381-8920.
For more happening for the gardener, check out TBNweekly.com's Get Outdoors Gardening Calendar.
Ruth Davies is a Pinellas County master gardener and can be contacted at sunflower1368@juno.com.
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Article published on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008
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