Ground
rules and tools for July
July 1, 2004
This American flag garden art is placed in
ground cover at the base of a large live oak tree in Master Gardener Charla Borchers
Today's article is not only the monthly Ground Rules and Tools article
published in this column, but it is a salute to those who have been a part of
the column, to American patriots, and to a former fellow columnist.
This is the 53rd article for The Gardeners' Dirt, and as such, marks the
one-year anniversary that the Victoria County Master Gardeners have written to
you each Thursday morning. As editor-in-chief, I wish to pen a thank you to the
Victoria Advocate for that opportunity, and to commend and thank those who have
contributed and been published in the column. It is a responsibility not taken
lightly, and I, for one, know of the commitment of knowledge and time that go
into each article. Our readers should know that what they read is as factually
correct as possible, backed by scientific research at
With Flag Day recently in June, Independence Day (July Fourth) this coming
weekend, our men and women serving in uniform to ensure freedom around the
world, and the recent passing of our 40th president, I am invigorated by the
sense of patriotism that abounds in our country. As a known "flag
waver" in the community, I display patriotic furnishings throughout my
home, fly the American flag lit at night above my door at the front of my home,
have red, white and blue plantings in some areas of my yard, and also have
patriotic garden art. Tree flowerbeds are currently planted in groupings of red
frill caladiums, white vinca, and blue plumbago, all which are heat and sun tolerant and thrive in
partial sun and shade. Doorstep beds below the American flag, which will remain
at half-staff for 30 days in honor of the passing of former President Reagan,
are in profusion of red pentas, blue salvia and white
gaura. These are my summer patriotic bed selections,
which will be swapped out with winter plantings of red, white and blue, along
with a Christmas tree in similar theme twinkling through a front window during
the holiday season.
An American flag garden art piece stands in groundcover at the base of one
of my very large live oak trees. Displaying a flag in our gardens is a simple
way to show support for the Stars and Stripes, but remember to use proper flag
etiquette, always displaying the flag with the union (white stars on blue) in
the upper left corner and never letting the flag touch the ground. Garden flags
are available in numerous styles, and are made from various products including
fabric, metal, wood and even ceramic, to name a few. I was very careful in the
one I selected to make sure proper etiquette was observed in design because I
have noticed various staked, vertically-suspended welcome flags with the
improper display of Old Glory with the union on the upper right corner instead
of the left. To insure the American flag is properly used and displayed in your
yard - or anywhere else, refer to:
http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html
Note how the union is always placed to the flag's right, and often the viewer's
left, for protocol correctness.
Red frill caladiums, white vinca and blue plumbago are
patriotic heat tolerant plants grouped in tree flower beds.
Red pentas, blue
salvia and white guara are planted for patriotic
color in front doorstep beds that receive full sun.
The official beginning of summer brings a transition in gardening chores for
the month of July. Most intense gardening projects slow down this time of the
year due to the extremes in temperature while maintenance, especially watering,
becomes increasingly more crucial. While the general rule of thumb is to water
deeply and as infrequently as possible, as opposed to light sprinklings -
hanging baskets, container plants and even some bedding plants require almost
daily care. Even with the recent frequency of rainfall, 90+ temperatures
directly on foliage will parch leaves and dry out root systems. Of course, a 3-
to 4-inch mulch layer applied to beds will help prevent evaporation from the
soil and lower the temperature in the root zone, reducing stress on the root
system. Even most varieties of caladiums, which prefer a shady environment,
require plenty of water if they are to remain lush and active until fall.
Remember, too, to water in the early morning. Watering in the
evening and night deposits moist residue on plants and flowers, attracting
pests and laying the groundwork for fungus and disease. To control pesky
mosquitoes, eliminate all sources of stagnant water.
Other maintenance activities include harvesting cut flowers and deadheading
spent blooms in flower gardens, preparations for fall gardening, and some
minor, selective pruning. Cutting flowers frequently for indoor pleasure and
deadheading spent blooms encourages most annuals and perennials to flower even
more abundantly. Use sharp shears or a knife, which will help avoid injury to
the growing plant. A slanted cut will expose a larger absorbing area to water
and will prevent the base of the stem from resting on the bottom of a vase. You
may even consider another planting of warm-season annuals such as purslane and portulaca, or
marigolds, zinnias and periwinkles (vinca), which
will require extra attention for the first few weeks but can provide color into
the fall months.
Weed control in the summer vegetable garden is important, and tilling the
soil occasionally prevents weed seed production. Fall vegetable transplants,
like tomatoes, eggplant and peppers, should be started in flats for
transplanting into your weed-free garden in four to six weeks. If you start
your own transplants, harden them off before transplanting. The tender plants
need time to adjust to the harsh summer conditions.
Pruning of rose bushes mid-summer can be beneficial with the removal of dead
canes and any weak, brushy-type growth. Prune dead or diseased wood from trees
and shrubs with major pruning left for the mid-winter season. Severe pruning
now will only stimulate tender growth prior to cooler weather.
And speaking of cooler weather, (what a nice thought that can be for those
of us in the garden!) it is also time to establish a
new compost pile for fall leaf accumulation and start planning fall decorations
from the garden. Looking beyond the fall, now is also
the time to plan for next spring. Dig and divide spring flowering plants such
as irises, Shasta daisies, cannas, daylilies, violets, liriopes
and ajugas. Take a break from the heat, and browse
through the bulb catalogs that are starting to arrive in the mail. Make your
selections and place your orders for spring flowering bulbs to arrive in time
for planting in October and November. Old man "time" never ceases, not
even in the garden.
Gardening becomes a passion to those who love it - and I, as president of
the Victoria County Master Gardener Association, on behalf of its 106 members,
pay homage to a former master gardener and fellow columnist, Beverly Arnold, for
her passion of gardening. Gertrude Jekyll in a gardening proverb is quoted as
saying, "The love of gardening is a seed that once sown never dies."