HELLO AGAIN FROM THE PRODIGY GARDENS NEWSLETTER January's behind us - it's been a cold and wet one for many. Those lucky gardeners in Zone 8-11 can really begin to "Think Spring"! Our Staff and Crew have been hard at work to bring you fun and interesting gardening information that you can use right now! Sit back and have a cup of your favorite tea or coffee, and dream about sunny Summer days... and start making plans so that your dreams come true! ************************************************ FEBRUARY TO-DO LIST for Zones 9-10 by Barbara Kilian, Gardening Special Contributor This is tomato month. Plant them from nursery transplants or from the seeds you planted indoors in January. Early Girl is still a top desert producer. Fertilize your two-year-old citrus trees with 1/2 cup citrus fertilizer. For your older trees, 1 cup per inch of trunk diameter. Apply half now and remainder in May. Broadcast the fertilizer out to the drip line of trees and then water well. Finish, quickly, planting your bare-root roses and berries. See our web site for the NEW Monthly TO-DO lists BY ZONE! ************************************************ Through our expanding web site in Prodigy Classic (JUMP Gardening GROUP) And our Green Thumb Gardener site in *P Internet (Hobbies & Lifestyles, to Home & Garden) And our informative Prodigy Bulletin Boards (JUMP GARDEN BB) And our Nitely and Thurs & Sat morning Garden CHATS on a variety of gardening topics (JUMP CHAT and scroll to Gardening) Our Chat sessions are in full swing, including scheduled "Talk To The Experts" nites... These will be posted on the web page, on theBBs and in the Newsletter. Our Gardening Special Contributors never tire of talking about our favorite subject: GARDENING!!! And we know that you all feel the same way! Join us for laughs and advice in the Chat Rooms! ************************************************ FREE GARDEN & ALLERGY QUIZ AVAILABLE The makers of Chlor-Trimeton products are offering gardeners a chance to have fun and acquire a little knowledge with the "Garden & Allergy Quiz." The quiz covers everything from pollen facts to plant names - with a little garden history on the side. An easy scoring system lets the quiz taker know right away whether he or she is an allergy and gardening whiz or someone who needs to know more about how to cope with plants and pollen particles. To obtain a free copy of the quiz, send your name and address on a 3x5 index card to: Chlor-Trimeton Gardening Quotient PO Box 5462, Dept. Q Young America, MN 55558-5462. Each gardener who sends for the quiz will also receive a copy of "The Gardener's Guide to Allergies," a fact-filled booklet with a Chlor-Trimeton coupon produced by the makers of Chlor-Trimeton in cooperation with The National Gardening Association. ************************************************** CONVERSION TABLES Conversion tables can come in very handy in many situations. Keep this information handy near your gardening supplies and also in your kitchen, for easy figuring when you get ready to measure, spray or put out fertilizer. STANDARD WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: 3 level teaspoons=1 level tablespoon 2 tablespoons=1 fluid ounce 8 fluid ounces=1 cup 2 cups=1 pint 2 pints=1 quart 4 quarts=1 gallon 12 fluid ounces=1 pound 16 ounces=1 pound(dry measure) LIMESTONE (Lime) PER ACRE FOR SMALLER AREAS: Acre 100 Square Feet ____ ______________ 4000 lbs 7 Pints 2000 lbs 3 1/2 pints 800 lbs 3 pints 280 lbs 1 cup FERTILIZER PER ACRE CONVERTED TO SMALLER AREAS: (One pint of fertilizer weighs about one pound) Acre 100 Square Feet ____ _____________ 100 lbs 1/2 cup 200 lbs 1 cup 400 lbs 1 pint (lb) 600 lbs 1 1/2 pints (lbs) 800 lbs 2 pints (lbs) 1000 lbs 2 1/2 pints (lbs) 2000 lbs 5 pints AMOUNT OF FERTILIZER TO USE IN 10-FOOT ROWS SPACED THREE FEET APART: Acre Three feet ____ _________ 2000 lbs 3 cups 1000 lbs 1 1/2 cups 800 lbs 1 1/4 cups 600 lbs 3/4 cup 400 lbs 1/2 cup 200 lbs 4 tablespoons 100 lbs 2 tablespoons SPRAY MATERIALS Amt. per 100 gals. Amt. per 1 gal. ______________ ____________ 2 lbs 1/3 oz or 2 teaspoons 3 lbs 1/2 oz or 2 teaspoons 4 lbs 2/3 oz or 3 teaspoons 6 lbs 1 oz or 1 tablespoon 1 pint 1 tsp or 5 cc 1 quart 2 tsp 1 gallon 3 tablespoons 3 gallons 1/2 cup 10 gallons 1 1/2 cups PLEASE NOTE The figures in the tables are only approximate since they are based on average weights of measures. If directions for mixing small amounts are on the container, or are otherwise available, follow them. All measures are level. READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW DIRECTIONS...THE LIFE YOU SAVE MAY BE YOUR OWN. ************************************************** GENERAL APPLE TREE MAINTENANCE by Marion Hess, Gardening Special Contributor Apply a 4-6" layer of rich compost around the tree yearly. Remove any dead fruits or leaves that fall each year. Keep things neat and clean in all gardens and you will be doing all you can for most plants. Use a foliar spray of fish emulsion or seaweed spray before they bloom. Avoid excess nitrogen type fertilizers if you use any, (keep the first number on the fertilizer specs low). Test soil to make sure you don't have a potassium deficiency, adding potassium sulfate if needed. If magnesium is low use a product called SUL-PO-Mag or K-Mag , which is a mined mineral (langbeinite) that increases both magnesium and potassium levels. Do not use this if you use dolmitic limestone. If you have a boron deficiency you can use a borax recipe or liquid seaweed to help. For sprays and other helps for trees and fruiting shrubs, see my web site. Http://www.crtnet.com/oceana/index.htm. Let's get ready for Spring before it catches us without our supplies and plans! ************************************************** PLANT PATHOLOGY: Prevent Root Rot Problems on Houseplants by --Paula Flynn, Plant Pathology Most of the problems that occur on indoor plants are not caused by infectious plant diseases, but are related to improper cultural practices or unfavorable environmental conditions. Cultural and environmental factors relate to moisture, light intensity, growing medium, pot size, temperature, humidity, fertilization, air circulation, and other factors. An infectious disease problem that can occur when cultural and environmental factors are unfavorable is Root Rot. Several root rotting organisms of concern include species of the fungi Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium. These fungi can attack seeds, seedlings, cuttings, and the root systems of established plants. Most often they attack after a stress has weakened the plant's defense system. One of the most common stresses that predisposes plants to root rots is an excessively wet growing medium. Plants infected with a root rot organism usually wilt, often from the bottom leaves upward. Leaves may yellow and drop off. When the roots are examined, they appear darkened and collapsed. The outermost root tissue may slough off, leaving a thread-like appearance to the root. An examination of the foliage symptoms and the root system will give a good assessment of the presence of root rot organisms. In order to determine which fungus is present, however, microscopic examination of the root system or laboratory isolation is required. The best method of combating root problems is to prevent them. Avoid over-watering. The growing medium should be pasteurized if possible, well aerated, and easily drained. (Water should drain out the bottom of the pot after watering.) Know the needs of each of your houseplants. The amount of moisture required is dependent upon the type plant, the size of the pot, the type of growing medium, and other environmental factors. Also, avoid over-fertilization. If a root rot problem develops, try reducing the frequency of watering. Repotting may help. reprinted from ISU Extension Horticulture & Home Pest Newsletter IC-467(26), December 9, 1994 Additional information about Selecting, Growing and Caring for Houseplants can be found on our web site, Gardening Group, on PlantPerson's Pages. ************************************************** WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT HOUSEPLANTS? A HOUSEPLANT IQ TEST.... by Pauline Marx, Gardening Special Contributor The houseplant answers - and the questions - are as follows: 1.d 2.b 3.a 4.d 5.b 6.c 7.a 8.c 9.b 10.c 1. In the care of plants, which of the following is essential for good growth? a. proper lighting b. sufficient water c. well-drained soil d. all of the above 2. When growing plants such as African violets, what light exposure is required? a. full sun (south window) b. indirect light 3. When lighting artificially, what light source is most often recommended? a. fluorescent light b. incandescent bulbs c. metallic halide lights 4. The properties of a good potting soil include the following: a. drains well b. holds moisture . c. must be fertile 5. The most common problem encountered when growing house plants is: a. too much light b. over watering c. lack of fertilizer 6. Most houseplants are tropicals in origin and prefer temperatures in the range of: a. 45-55F b. 80-90 F c. 65-75 F 7. Watering practices vary among plants. Most plants need water when: a. top inch of soil feels dry b. thermostat is turned higher c. when the plants are actively growing d. all of the above 8. Over fertilizing a plant can be a problem. How often should one "feed" houseplants? a. with every watering b. monthly - May through September c. weekly d. never fertilize - just repot 9. Chilling injury can occur to plants indoors when the temperature drops to: a. 30F b. 55F c. 70F d. none of the above 10. During the winter months in heated homes, house plants occasionally exhibit burning on the tips and edges of their leaves. This happens because: a. low humidity b. heated air is dry c. a and b ************************************************** MMMMMMM - HOW ABOUT A NICE STEAMING CUP OF NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER by Tom Orton, Gardening Special Contributor 2 dozen hard-shell clams in the shell 1/4 lb salt pork 1 medium onion minced 3 tbsp flour 2 cups diced raw potatoes 3 tbsp butter 3 cups milk,and 1 cup cream dried tarragon and thyme(to taste) freshly ground black pepper(to taste) Scrub clams well with a brush. Put in a deep kettle and pour over 1 cup water. Steam tightly covered just until the shells open. Remove clam meat and finely mince the tough parts. Strain the juice through cheesecloth and set aside. Dice the salt pork and saute over low heat until crisp and golden. Add onion and cook until transparent,then add tough part of the clams. Cook slowly for 5 minutes. Sprinkle flour over and add the strained clam juice/water which you cooked the clams in. Add the potatoes and simmer covered just until potatoes are tender. Add the soft part of the clams and the butter, bring to the boil,add the milk and cream and reheat, but do not boil. Add the seasonings, and remove from heat. Let the chowder "ripen" at least one half hour before reheating to serve. Great with a piece of homemade bread! ************************************************** EVER BEEN LICKED BY A SLUG? Slugs lick their prey with their radula, a tongue with thousands of tiny teeth. The rasping radula usually makes ragged, ratty holes in leaves and fruit, but with tough plant tissue the holes may be cleaner. Slugs come in many shapes and sizes, with varying life cycles, dining habits, and hiding places. You might lure large brown slugs with bait and not notice that it's the little gray slugs actually doing the most damage. The two real demons are the European black slug, about 6" long, and the milky slug, about 2-3". Though it's called a black slug, this type also can be brown or orange- brown. And the milky one varies in color from white to mottled dark gray. Fewer homesites will make for fewer slugs. They love to set up housekeeping under boards, bricks, rocks, pots, plants, compost, tall grass, firewood and piled trash. Got any of these that really don't need to be there? Slugs go to work in the cool moist evening...watering in the late afternoon and evening is just fine with them! Morning watering allows the plants and soil to dry during the day, making them less hospitable to slugs. Did you know that slugs can burrow into the soil to stay moist? They can 'hibernate' waiting for wet weather. Baits laced with pesticides draw slugs - and it's lethal to your pets - so there's no reason to scatter it by the handful, they'll find it. The less toxic ones paralyze the slug, and on a hot day it's intended to leave the slug to dry out. However, if it's a cool humid day the slug will recover and learn to avoid bait! So what other choices are there? You can remove slugs that you see by hand, gloved or ungloved, if you aren't too squeamish...or with tongs. You can chop them with your shovel or trowel. But many are too tiny even to see. They love marigolds and zinnias, so you could plant a few of these away from the main area as a distraction. Even dropping a few blossoms now and then works for the few. But there are still egg laying ones around to reek havoc. Beer is the elixir of the gods to slugs! It anesthetizes them so they cannot escape and so they drown. Make sure that whatever container you use is at least 1" above the ground so that beneficial beetles don't accidentally fall in. The best one I've seen begins with an old plastic soda or water bottle. Cut it in half crosswise, and invert the top minus the cap, and pour in an inch or so of beer. They will crawl UP the outside of the bottle, fall down thru the upside- down neck of the bottle and into the beer. Be sure to empty the container regularly to make room for more and to avoid any overcrowding at the bar. Change the beer regularly also. The dead slugs are great for your compost heap! ************************************************** MOON WATCH The February '97 full moon, known as the Snow Moon, will occur on the 22nd. Each moon in the year has a different name, and the Blue Moon refers to a second full moon in the same month. In 1997 there will be no Blue Moons. ************************************************** PHYSICAL CONTROLS FOR APPLE TREES by Marion Hess, Gardening Special Contributor I hope to cover most of the general fruit problems here with physical controls since my last article in the newsletter covered sprays. CODLING MOTHS: Remember that they often produce several generations per season. Trapping the pupating caterpillars can help control them. Make sure all loose bark is removed from tree. Wrap a band of cardboard of burlap around tree trunk. Periodically remove and destroy pupae. Thin apples so no fruit touches. Apples that drop early may be infested so pick up and destroy them. Trap male moths with Pheromones. Use Mating disruption pheromones. Plant trees well away from host plants (females don't fly far to lay eggs). Host plants are other Apples, Pears or Walnut trees. Trichogramma wasps may control them in some areas, depending on weather and timing of wasp, but worth a try. BTK (Bacillus thuringiensis variety Kurstaki) controls some of it. Timing again is critical since you must apply it during the 3-5 days between the time the eggs hatch and they enter the fruit. BTK might be used in conjunction with a feeding attractant like Molasses. These fruit destroyers appear in early spring as adults, to lay eggs within 2-6 weeks of blossom time. Eggs hatch in 5-14 days and if you aren't extremely vigilant, they will enter fruit and depart before you notice the holes. APPLE MAGGOTS: These can be controlled with the red balls coated with Tangle Trap. Buy them or make your own. In mid June hang one trap per dwarf tree or 4-8 traps per full sized tree. Hang traps at eye level, 2-3'from branch tips, check and clean every couple days and reapply sticky coating. PLUM CURCULIOS: Beetles that scar the surface of the apple but otherwise the apple is edible. You can knock them off by spreading a sheet on the ground and jaring the trunk and branches with a padded mallet.... Collect and destroy. Keep fallen apples cleaned up. Mutsu apples are one of the more resistant ones. APPLE SCAB: Keep leaves cleaned up in the fall to prevent spread of disease. Compost in a hot compost pile or till leaves into soil, or spray with nitrogen source to speed decomposition. Some cultivars are resistant. CEDAR APPLE RUST: This originates in various juniper species. This is airborne and must be controlled by spraying, Sulfur sprays are somewhat effective... If you have other diseases that need attention, let one of us know...either on our Bulletin Boards or on our Special Contributors Page on the web site... we will do our best to find answers, if indeed there are any. Also, Check out the Rodale's Organic Gardener's Handbook of Natural Insect and Disease Control Book....there is so much info there for the home gardener you'll be glad you found it. ************************************************** IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN! TIME TO SMELL THE FLOWERS AND DREAM 1997 Flower Shows Jan 17-19 St. Louis Flower Show Cervantes Convention Center at America's Center, St. Louis, MO 314.569.3117 Jan 24-26 Virginia Flower and Garden Show Virginia Beach Pavilion Virginia Beach, VA 804.486.0220 Jan 29-Feb 2 Tacoma Home and Garden Show Tacoma Dome Tacoma, WA 206.756.2121 Jan 30-Feb 2 Atlanta Garden and Patio Show Galleria Centre (across from Cumberland Mall on the Cobb Parkway) Atlanta GA 770.998-9800 Feb 2-3 Idaho Horticultural Show Boise Convention Center Boise, ID 800.462.4769 Feb 1-9 Colorado Garden and Home Show Colorado Convention Center Denver, CO 303.696.6100 Feb 5-9 Northwest Flower and Garden Show Washington State Convention and Trade Center Seattle, WA 206.789.5333 Feb 6-10 Miami Spring Home and Garden Show Coconut Grove Convention Center Miami, FL 305.666.5944 Feb 8-16 National Home and Garden Show International Expositions Center Cleveland, OH 800.600.0307 Feb 19-23 Portland Home and Garden Show Portland Expo Center Portland, OR 503.246.8291 Feb 19-23 Southeastern Flower Show Atlanta City Hall East Atlanta, GA 404.888.5638 Feb 20-23 Maymont Flower and Garden Show Richmond Centre Richmond, VA 888.RICHMOND Feb 20-23 Rhode Island Spring Flower and Garden Show Rhode Island Convention Center Providence, Rhode Island 800.776.1670 Feb 21-23 Arkansas Flower and Garden Show State House Convention Center Little Rock, AR 800.459.7469 Feb 21-23 Palm Beach Tropical Flower Show Waterfront of Flagler Drive West Palm Beach, FL 561.655.5522k Feb 21-Mar2 New Jersey Flower and Garden Show Garden State Exhibit Center Somerset, NJ 908.919.7660 Feb 22-Mar 2 Cincinnati Home and Garden Show Cincinnati Convention Center Cincinnati, OH 513.281.0022 Feb 22-Mar 2 Southern Spring Show Merchandise Mark Charlotte, NC 800.849.0248 Feb 26-Mar 2 Fort Wayne Home and Garden Show Allen County War Memorial Coliseum Fort Wayne, IN 800.678.6652 Feb 27-Mar 2 Nashville Lawn and Garden Show Tennessee State Fairgrounds Nashville, Tn 615.352.3863 Feb 28-Mar 2, Mar 7-9 Spring Maryland Home and Flower Show Maryland State Fairgounds Timonium, MD 410.863.1180 Mar 1-2 State Garden Show of Texas Waco Convention Center Waco, TX 800.727.9020 Mar 2-9 Philadelphia Flower Show Philadelphia Convention Center Philadelphia, PA 215.625.8250 Mar 5-9 FloralScape '97 Cleveland Convention Center Cleveland, OH 216.721.1695 Mar 5-9 Toronto Flower and Garden Show Toronto Congress Centre Toronto, Ont 416.239.6774 Mar 5-9 Washington Flower and Garden Show Washington Convention Center Washington DC 703.569.7141 Mar 6-9 Wichita Lawn Flower and Garden Show Century II Wichita, KS 316.721.8740 Mar 8-16 Chicago Flower and Garden Show Navy Pier Chicago, IL 312.321.0077 Mar 8-16 New England Spring Flower Show Bayside Expo Center Boston MA 617.536.9280 Mar 13-16 Greater Rochester Flower and Garden Show Dome Center Henrietta, NY 716.442.7760 Mar 15-23 Indiana Flower and Patio Show Indiana State Fairgrounds Indianapolis, IN 317.576.9933 Mar 21-23 Richmond Home Show Fairgrounds on Strawberry Hill Richmond, VA 804.288.5653 Apr 3-6 Ann Arbor Flower and Garden Show Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds Ann Arbor, MI 313.998.7002 Apr 10-12 New York Flower Show New York Coliseum New York, NY 212-757.0915 Apr 10-13 Southern California Spring Garden Show South Coast Plaza Costa Mesa, CA 714.376.6594 Apr 16-20 San Franciso Landscape Garden Show The Pavilions at Fort Mason Center San Francisco, CA 415.750.5108 Apr 23-27 Cincinnati Flower Show Ault Park Cincinnati, OH 513.579.0259 May 8-11 Carmel Garden Show Quail Lodge Resort and Golf Club Carmel, CA 408.649.7649 June 17-July 6 Del Mar Fair Flower and Garden Show Del Mar Fairgrounds Del Mar, CA 619.793.5555 Aug 16-24 Southern California Home and Garden Show Anaheim Convention Center Anaheim, CA 714.978.8888 Aug 22-24 Farwest Show Oregon Convention Center Portland, OR 800.342.6401 Sept 4-5 Southwest Horticultural Trade Show Phoenix Civic Plaza Phoenix, AZ 602.966.1610 Oct East West Orchid Show New Otani Hotel & Garden and Weller Court Shopping Center Los Angeles, CA 213.485.1177 Plant Sales Mar 14-16 Spring Plant Sale Mobile Botanical Gardens Mobile, AL 334.342.0555 Spring and Fall Plant Sales University of California Botanical Garden Berkeley, CA 510.642.3343 Apr 11-13 Annual Spring Wildflower Sale Cheekwood Botanical Garden Nashville, TN 615.353.2146 Apr 25-26 Annual Plant Sale AHS(American Horticultural Society)Headquarters River Farm Alexandria, VA 800.777.7931 May 9-10 Annual Plant and Book Sale Denver Botanic Garden Denver, CO 303.331.4000 May 18 Huntington Botanical Garden Plant Sale San Marino, CA 818.405.2160 June 6-7 Hosta Extravaganza Iowa Arboretum Madrid, IA 515.795.3216 June 7 New England Wild Flower Society Plant Sale Garden in the Woods Framingham, MA 617.877.7630 2nd Week in June Fiesta Plant Sale Birmingham Botanical Gardens Birmingham, AL 205.879.1227 Sept 12-13 Scott Arboretum Plant Sale Swarthmore, PA 215.328.8025 ************************************************ ARE YOU ENJOYING OUR NEWSLETTER? Articles, tips and tricks are always welcome! Share your knowledge with us, and we'll share it with everyone! Just send an email to: prodigygardens@listserv.prodigy.comORdailreid@prod igy.com We LOVE hearing from you! The PRODIGY GARDENS are GROWING!!! Issue 19 02.01.96 Dail Reid, Don Kuhn and all of the other Special Contributors in the Prodigy Garden Group! ************************************************