Hydrangeas The Old Farmer's Almanac

Gardening Question

How do I change the pH in my soil to change the color of my hydrangeas?


It's easy to modify your soil's pH. Start with the Hydrangea macrophylla variety. Soil that is on the acid side (pH between 4.5 and 5.5) will produce blue hydrangeas. Once established, you must fertilize them yearly with an acid fertilizer... It's easy to modify your soil's pH. Start with the Hydrangea macrophylla variety. Soil that is on the acid side (pH between 4.5 and 5.5) will produce blue hydrangeas. Once established, you must fertilize them yearly with an acid fertilizer according to the package directions. When you plant initially, modify the soil with two pounds of sulfur and peat moss. If you want pink to light red hydrangeas, the soil needs to be neutral to alkaline, with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. Add ground limestone only around the plant to make the blossoms pink. A pH above 7.5 will result in poor growth. http://www.almanac.com/garden/index.php

Growing Poppies by Fran Sorin

If you‘d love your garden to be filled with poppies this spring, here are some simple tips on sowing them directly in the garden.
The poppies that I am talking about are the annual strains of Papaver such as Somniferum, Giganteum and others. They need loose soil, preferably 3 inches of it. Use a pick or fork to work the soil, making sure that all rocks are removed.
Because poppy seeds are so small, the best way to sow them is to sprinkle them on top of the soil. Mix the seeds in with some sand to thin out before sprinkling them onto the soil. Tamp soil down. Poppies do not like to be transplanted so be sure to sow the seeds where you want the flowers to be.
Contact Fran Sorin at fransorin.com.

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Winter Pruning Guide..From the Farmer's Almanac

Winter Pruning Guide

Abelia
Autumn to early spring maintain a graceful arching form by cutting away some of the oldest stems at ground level. Pinch growing shoots in spring if you want bushier growth.
Azalea
Late winter or during the growing season before growth begins for the season, improve the form of the bush by shortening stems that jut out of place. During the growing season, pinch growing shoot tips where you want bushier growth.
Butterfly bush
Late winter cut all stems to the ground.
Chaste tree
Late winter or early spring Evergreen species need little pruning beyond cutting out weak, twiggy, dead, or broken branches.
Crape myrtle
Late winter Wherever the plant is not totally winter-hardy, cut off winter-killed wood or cut the whole plant to the ground. Little pruning is needed where this plant is cold-hardy.
Hydrangea
Mostly late winter for smooth hydrangea, cut all stems to the ground. For bigleaf or oakleaf hydrangea, cut stems with old flowers still attached back to fat flower buds.
Smoke bush
Late winter or early spring, before growth begins needs little pruning unless you grow it for its purple leaves rather than for its flowers. In this case, prune severely to stimulate vigorous new growth each spring.
- from The Pruning Book, by Lee Reich

http://www.amazon.com/Pruning-Book-Lee-Reich/dp/1561583162

Gadening Jobs For February..From the Farmer's Almanac

Spread wood ashes around lilacs to benefit growth and bloom in the spring.

Test buds of peaches and other sensitive fruits for freeze damage. Bring in a few twigs cut from the trees and place them in a vase of water. If the twigs bloom in a week or two, expect blossoms in the spring and a crop next fall.
Set up birch branches that may have been bent by snow or ice, as soon as possible. If neglected, the branches will permanently adopt their leaning position.
Cut poles for peas, beans, and other climbers now. Peel off the bark and set them in a dry area until they are needed.
Keep this in mind while pruning. Fruit usually grows on the horizontal branches, rather than the vertical ones. Vertical branches may be trained to become horizontal by weighting them down for a few weeks. This may also be done in the summer.
A barrel or other covering placed over rhubarb plants will hasten the spring crop.
Start onions from seed now. They'll be ready for setting out in April. Onions from seed are generally firmer and longer lasting than from sets.
Start parsley indoors now. You may think you have successfully wintered over the plant, but it is a biennial and will soon go to seed.
Take cuttings of wintered-over lantana, coleus, fuchsia, and begonia for plants to be set in May or June. http://www.almanac.com

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