Tune into Star 93-5 Thursday mornings at 8:35 for the Star 93-5 Garden Girl... horticulturalist, Kate Terrell from Wallace's Garden Center. Kate will answer your gardening questions and give you tips and tricks to make your garden the envy of the neighborhood! The Star Lines will be open for your questions(322-9352)! If we use your question on the air, you'll receive a $10 gift card from Wallace's Garden Center!

Topic for 9/2/10 - Harvest time dos and don'ts! (got a question for Kate, click here to email your question)

Topic for 8/26/10 - Quick fixes to freshen up landscapes for fall!

1) Fertlize the lawn- all the rain has really washed nutrients out of the soil
and we recommend an additional fert treatment to green it back up

2) freshen up mulch in garden beds by adding a fresh top-dressing or fluffing up
with a rake. 

3) Weeds- get them pulled or spray with round-up 

4) flowers- there are a lot of great new flower crops for late summer fall that
can add a splash of color to the front porch or replace flowers in containers
that have died out.  We recommend blooming zinnias and mums that are starting to
show some great fall colors. 

5) General clean-up- rake up and dispose of dropped leaves, spent flowers,
broken and hanging branches, etc. 

We've all been hiding in the air conditioning or out of town on vacation and
it's time to make our homes a place we want to come back home to. 

Topic for 6/24/10 - Gardening with the Kids!

Kids have a natural curiosity about nature and the fresh air is much better than video games

Fun Games:
Insect Scavenger Hunt- Challenge kids to find 5 different types of bugs/worms in the garden (bonus for older children- find out what they are and if they are good bugs or bad bugs)

Use plain white paper and crayons to do rubbings of all the different leaves in the yard (this can be a rainy day project)

Terrariums:
Fairy Gardens

Grow a 'Pizza Garden' with all the ingredients you need to make a pizza (basil, oregano, tomatoes, onions, peppers)

Make/Buy a hummingbird feeder and make it the kid's job to keep it full.  Have them keep a journal of how often they fill it and how many birds visit it, what time of day, etc. 

Build a bird house- kits available at craft stores

How much rain?  Make or purchase a rain gauge and have kids keep a log of how much rain they get at their house.  Compare to the amounts found in the newspaper. 

 

Topic for 6/17/10 - Garden Diseases

Fungal spores are always present but it takes the right recipe to make them flare up (i.e. right temp and right amount of moisture) 

Fungal Diseases- are much easier to prevent than they are to cure.  so... if you know that you get a certain disease at the same time each year- start treating a couple weeks before

Organic fungicides are available as well as synthetic. 

When cutting diseased portions of plant out- clean pruners thoroughly so disease doesn't spread

Common plants to look for diseases on include- ninebark bushes, roses,tomatoes,  phlox, bee balm, honeysuckle vine, lilac bushes, and crabapple trees.

Garden Clean-up is really important- rake up and dispose of diseased leaves that fall on the ground- do not compost

All of the rainy, cloudy weather has really been helping a lot of garden diseases to flourish

Lawns get diseases too- look for rust on the  blades or brown spots in the lawn.  Can be difficult to diagnose but almost all are covered by an application of Bayer Lawn Fungus control.  Many lawns will simply 'grow out' of a disease (like rust) if the yard is simply fertilized.

Topic for 6/10/10 - Perennials

1) June is perennial garden month
2) perennials are plants that come back year after year
3) myth- they still need maintenance- dead-heading is important to prolong bloom.  Some plants like hostas, daylilies and daisies perform much better if divided every other year or every 2-3 years
3) Perennial plant of the year is Baptisa (False Indigo) 3' x3' with a gorgeous blue flower (very sturdy prairie native).
4) Perennials perform much better with rich, fertile soil- best to put 2-3" layer of compost over perennial garden in the fall and let it break down over winter.  Also, slow release, organic fertilizers like Espoma Plant Tone work really well to improve soil and plant performance
5) Some easy to grow plants for beginners include hosta, daylilies, shasta daisies, coneflowers, bleeding hearts and peonies.
6) Many perennials are great attractors for hummingbirds and butterflies
7) Most do not bloom all summer like an annual but have set bloom times so you can plan the garden to have something blooming all the time.

Topic for 6/3/10 - Bugs

Emerald ash borer is a real threat that is coming our way- Ash trees should be treated now.  Treatment lasts for 6 months.

Now is the time to put down grub control on the lawn.  Use Bayer Season Long Grub Control to protect grass all the way through fall

Japanese beetles are about to come out- scout yard for the earliest ones and you will reduce your population for the whole year. 

Japanese beetles and other insects can also be killed with sprays that are synthetic or organic.  A great organic is 'Captain Jack's Dead Bug' Brew.  Captain Jack's is a natural bacteria that was discovered at an abandoned rum distillery in the Carribean.  Kind of a fun story. 

Step 3 lawn fertilizer has insect control that does not kill grubs but will take care of fleas and ticks in the yard. 

Topic for 5/27/10 - Roses

Roses like Full sun at least 5-6 hours per day

Should be planted in good, well drained soil- use compost to plant

Easy to take care of - Use Bayer All in One Rose and Flower Care for 6 week protection from Insects and diseases as well as 6 weeks of fertilizer.  Easy to apply mix with water and pour on soil- no spraying

There are different types of rose- Hybrid Teas and Grandifloras need the most care and look like the roses you buy at the florist.

Shrub roses are usually about 3' by 3' and are more winter hardy and do not need to be covered. They are usually more disease resistant as well- not usually fragrant

 'Sedona' is the Jackson and Perkins Rose of the Year

-'Easy Does It' is the 2010 Winning rose from the All America Rose Selections

Topic for 5/20/10 - Tomatoes

can be grown in containers or in the ground

Need full sun

Containers tomatoes should be grown in potting soil and tomatoes in the garden should be grown in rich black soil amended with compost

Should rotate locations within the garden each year

Container tomatoes will need a calcium supplement in order to produce quality fruit- use a tomato fertilizer or a calcium spray like Bonide Rot Stop

Tomatoes in a container or in the ground should be staked

'Fourth of July' is a new variety that will produce the first tomatoes of the year

'Patio' is a fantastic variety of Cherry tomato that is perfect for container growing

'Topsy Turvey' Planters are a gimmick and do not produce as many tomatoes or as good of quality tomato as those planted in the garden. 'Topsy Turvey planters also get very, very heavy and it can be difficult to find a place to support the weight.

Topic for 5/13/10 - "Annuals" Planting 

Make sure containers have drainage or soil is well-amended.

Choose plants for correct light exposure

Empty out all of last years potting soil ( all soil has to be replaced each year)

Use good potting mix, Wallaces Container Mix is same mix we use in our greenhouse.

Even though we are getting to Frost Free date- cover plants if low is blow 37 degrees.

Foliage plants can add a lot of color- try using coleus or caladiums

Incorporate Slow release fertilizer into soil when planting

Fertilizer weekly with a water soluble fertilizer like Miracle Gro

Some plants don't need dead-heading but some do. Remove spent flowers on geraniums and daisies for best blooming.

Leave a 1" lip around the edge of the planter for watering

Water enough to keep soil moist but not wet and don't let dry out (should feel like a damp sponge)

Topic for 5/6/10 - Mother's Day Live Broadcast tomorrow (5/7/10)

Davenport location (Northwest Blvd. & Division)

Find Jeff and the Garden Girl for a free tomato plant (One per family)

Buy a 12" patio pot for your tomato- only $1.99

Weed B Gone Max on sale buy one get one free during remote

Free inflatable slide for kids

Dozens of gift ideas for mothers day

Gift ideas for mothers day:

Flowering hanging baskets

Geranium porch pots

Plant a mixed herb container

Blooming lilacs

'Invincibelle Spirit' Hydrangea (pink Hydrangea, $1.00 from each one sold gets Donated to Breast Cancer Research Foundation)

Confetti Baskets  

Topic for 4/29/10 - Planting

Proper planting of a tree will ensure its survivability and long-term health. 
Easy Steps to Proper Planting

Prepare the Planting Hole 
1)  The planting site should have well-drained, amended soil. 
2)  Dig the hole at least twice the width of the container and equal to the 
depth of the container. 
3)  Mix soil amendments with the soil that was dug out of the hole in a 
ratio of 1/3 amendment to 2/3 backfill soil.  Wallace’s recommends 
compost or Miracle Gro Garden Soil. 
4)  Use the soil mixture to create a 3-4” high mound in the bottom of the 
hole and firm down to prevent settling. 
Remove the Container 
1)  Lay the plant on its side.  Tap the bottom of the container and gently 
slide the container off of the root ball. 
2)  If the container does not slide off easily, cut it down the side with a 
sharp knife. 
3)  Vertically score the root ball on all 4 sides with a knife or sharp blade. 
Plant the Tree 
1)  Place the plant in the hole so that the top of the root ball is slightly 
(about 2”) above the existing soil level. 
2)  Adjust the root ball so the trunk is straight. 
3)  Gradually backfill and continually pack the soil mixture around the 
root ball. 
Care for the Tree 
1)  Water well immediately after planting.  Use a starter fertilizer like 
Bonide Root and Grow or Miracle Gro Quick Start to promote root 
development and reduce transplant shock. 
2)  Mulch the area with a 2-3” layer of your preferred mulch.  The 
mulch will conserve moisture and reduce weeds.  Remember to leave 
a ring around the tree trunk so the mulch is not touching the trunk. 
3)  Continue to water the tree with 1 1/2” of water per week.  This is 
especially important during the first planting season and during hot, 
dry periods. 
4)  After the first growing season, use a tree and shrub fertilizer every 
spring and fall. 
Tree and Shrub Planting
Most important rules are- 
*Amend clay soil with organic matter
*An old phrase we like to use- a $5 plant should be planted in a $10 hole- meaning that the soil preparation makes all the difference to the plant.

Topic for 4/22/10 - Fertilizer

Fertilizers provide nutrients or building blocks for plants to make food and grow

All fertilizers have a 3 number formulation  example 10-10-10 that represents the amount of N, P, and K in a plant (Nitrogen= shoot growth, Phosphorus=root growth, flowering, & fruiting. Potassium= All over plant growth.

Lawns should be fertilized between 4 and 6 times per year for healthy grass. 

Annuals and containers should be fertilized weekly throughout the season with a water soluble fertlizing

Tomatoes need a fertilizer that is fortified with calcium to prevent blossom end rot

Established trees and shrubs should be fertilized every fall and every spring.

Use a root stimulator on new plantings to reduce transplant shock and encourage strong root formation.

Organic fertilizers are soil amendments that make nutrients more available to plants

Organic fertilizers are slower to break down and usually require more volume than when using a synthetic fertilizer. 

Topic for 4/15/10 - Weeds

If crabgrass came up before you put crabgrass preventer on the lawn you can still do Weed Beater which will prevent crabgrass and kill anything that already came up as well as dandelions and other broadleaf weeds

Round-up is non-selective and will kill anything green and growing that it touches.  It is inactive once it hits the soil so you can spray over top the roots of desired plants.

Preen is a great way to prevent weeds in garden beds.  It won't kill weeds that are already growing but it will prevent any more from coming up.  Lasts for two months.  Available with or without fertilizer.  Organic form is also available but only lasts for 4 weeks.

Stop weeds now before they flower and form seeds that spread and create even more weeds

There is a spray that can kill grass and grassy weeds in the garden without harming groundcovers or other perennials.

Topic for 4/8/10 - Starting Your Vegetable Garden

Growing Potatoes, Onions, and Asparagus

All need full sun and well-drained soil

All are best planted in mid-April right now

Produce great yields- 1 lb of seed potatoes can produce 15-30lbs of potatoes

Onions can be planted to grow green onions for cooking or the large storage onions that we chop up for cooking. Onions like more fertilizer than most vegetables

All of these crops can be fertilized with 10-10-10 basic garden fertilizer

Asparagus can't be harvested during the 1st growing season

Green onions can be harvested after 30 days

Storage onions and potatoes are harvested after 90-120 days (when plants start to turn brown & die)

Some of the easiest vegetables to grow without a lot of pest problems

Seed potatoes should be bought at a garden center and certified disease free (not from the Grocery store).  Cut seed potatoes into sections (containing 1-2 eyes) and let heal/callous over for 1-2 days.

Topic for 4/1/10 - Lawn Care

Now is the time to put down Step 1 of your lawn program- this includes a fertilizer as well as a crabgrass preventer

This is also the time to start putting down grass seed

Always use a starter fertilizer with grass seed and water once per day

Certain crabgrass preventers will stop grass seed from germinating- make sure you are buying the right product

Time to get mower blades sharpened (Dull blades can rip grass blades and stress grass plants- Blades should be sharpened at least once per year)

Clean salt out of spreaders from winter

Follow label directions

Organic fertilizers are now available. Always use and organic fertilizer in the shade.

Water new grass seed every other day or every day if sunny and hot

Topic for 3/25/10 - Springtime care for potted plants - Re-potting 101

Do in Spring when plant starts actively growing again

Use a container that is only 1-2" larger than the old container

Container must have drainage

Use fresh potting soil

Use systemic insecticide to keep bugs off

Place plant back in same location to reduce stress.

Topic for 3/18/10 - Garden Pests

Taking care of a mole problem:

Now is the time of year to get rid of moles (before they have babies)

Mole Max (organic castor oil product is the best product to use)

Trapping is successful but takes time, lots of practice setting traps and the traps have to be emptied (kind of gross)

Smoke bombs, flooding, and poison peanuts are the most commonly sold products and they do not work

A 10,000 sq ft lawn can only support 1-2 moles.  Most in-town yards are half that size- people think they have a mole infestation but really it's only one mole

Taking care of a rabbit problem:

Fencing is the best way- rabbits are more likely to dig under a fence than to jump over. 

Trapping works if you use a large trap and fresh apples

Repellents work if you change brands frequently

Topic for 3/11/10 – Pruning

Here are some useful pruning tips:

March is the best month because it is when cuts will heal the fastest, also easier to see what you are doing without the leaves. 

Certain plants can be cut all the way to the ground and will grow back even better- spirea, barberry, dogwood, potentilla

Shrubs that bloom in spring, have already set their blooms and should not be pruned - includes lilac, forsythia, rhododendrons and weigela.  Pruning now will cut off the flowers. 

There is not a wrong time to cut out dead wood- look for stems that are black or rotted. 

Tools should be sharp to make clean cuts- use tools strong enough for the size of branch you are cutting- most hand pruners can only cut branches up to 3/4"

Click here to visit the Wallace's Garden Center website.

Kate's Bio:

Kate Terrell has a Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture from Iowa State University. She spent 3 years as perennial manager for an upscale garden center in the Chicago area before returning to the family business, Wallaces Garden Center, as Nursery Manager and perennial grower. Kate regularly lectures on a variety of gardening topics and is a frequent guest on Paula Sands Live and Quad Cities Today. In 2007, she was a finalist for the national Young Retailer Award and has written several articles for trade magazines in the green industry.In her free time, Kate enjoys going to the movies, playing volleyball, spending time with her husband and yellow lab and of course, gardening.