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The Online Magazine FOR and ABOUT Southside Virginia

3/19/2024

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In This Issue

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Articles
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VA State Parks Celebrate 75 Years
(Let the Summer Begin)

Staunton River 75th Anniversary
(Additional Photos)

Berry Picking
(Fun Outdoor Activity or Ethical Dilemma?)
By Maria Scinto

Fennel in Your Herb Garden
Submitted by the Southside Virginia Herb Society

Relay For Life 2011 Events
(Southern VA & Northern NC)

Southside Virginia Herb Society selects scholarship winner

Southside Master Gardener Receives 500 Hr Award

 

Columns

Editor's Page
(Cooking Some SPAM)

Southside Gardener
(Monthly Tips & "To Do List")
By William H. McCaleb

South Winds
(The Secret to Inner Peace)
By FCOIT

Ask Bubba - Advice
(Parody)
The Bubba Squad

 

Departments

Festivals & Events

July-Aug-Sept Events

Staunton River State Park Events

Relay For Life 2011 Events

Farm & Ag Info

Farmers Markets Listing (FMs in or near SSVA)

Press Releases

Southside Master Gardener Receives 500 Hr Award

Southside Virginia Herb Society selects scholarship winner

 

Past Issues

Past Issues are available from June 2008 through the current issue.
Select the desired issue from the drop-down box below.

 


Southside Gardener


This month's To Do List for the Gardener

 Contributed By William H. McCaleb

 Master Gardener Coordinator
 Virginia Cooperative Extension

What to do in July & August

 

 PLANT

   It is not always convenient to plant at recommended times. You can plant perennials and annuals at any time as long as you water your plants well. It helps to shade them the first few days. Shrubs in containers can be planted at any time as long as they are well watered.

 

 PRUNE

   Remember not to prune summer or fall blooming shrubs now as the flower buds will be lost.

   Remove dead, diseased wood, and water sprouts from dogwoods if not done earlier.

   Watch for “die-back” on rhododendrons and camellias which may cause a few leaves to curl up, or an entire branch to die. Prune the branch back to healthy wood as soon as it is discovered anytime of the year. Tightsqueeze DoIt Best Ad

   Cut back new wisteria side shoots to about 1 foot to encourage formation next year of flower buds. Young vines need to be tied up until they produce tendrils.

 

 FERTILIZE

   Feed summer flowering shrubs after they bloom. Continue feeding flower beds every week with liquid fertilizer.

 

 WATER

   Watering this month is critical for trees and shrubs. The soil should be watered 4-6 inches deep. Berry Hill Irrigation Ad

   The best time of day to water is early morning. Water evaporates too quickly during the middle of the day, and it is better for plants not go into the evening with damp foliage as they may cause fungus and mildew to develop.

   During hot weather water flower beds weekly, if there has not been 1 inch of rain.

   Water azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias well as next year’s flower buds are forming now. If not watered, they will drop their leaves and buds. Keep plants well mulched.

 

 

 TIPS

   Set lawn mower blades at 3 � inches, or higher, to provide shade for grass roots and keep your lawn greener through dry periods.

   In early July stem-tip cuttings for propagation may be made of azaleas, lilacs, forsythias and viburnum.

   Dahlias may need special attention for a high quality of bloom in September. Pinching and debudding are extremely important until August 1. Strong stakes, which are best driven into the ground when tubers are first set out, are necessary to support the fast growing plant.

   “Butterflies are like flowers on the wing.” Some of the annuals they really enjoy are zinnias, impatiens, cosmos, and verbenas. In your perennial garden they also like butterfly weed, lantana, coreopsis, goldenrod, purple coneflower, bee balm, yarrow, daisies, asters and Joe Pye weed.

 

“Exercise for free – Grow A Garden This Year”

 

   If you have questions about your landscape plants, you can also call the Extension Office and ask to speak to a Master Gardener or the Horticulture Technician.

 

_____________________

 

William H. McCaleb
Program Assistant, ANR
Master Gardener Coordinator
Virginia Cooperative Extension
171 S. Main Street
P.O. Box 757
Halifax, VA 24558-0757
434-476-2147
fax: 434-476-7777
http://www.ext.vt.edu

 

 

 

 

 

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