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Dirty Hands Garden Center!

July / August 2006

"Heat, Ma'am!" I said; "it was so dreadful here that I found there was nothing left for it but to take off my flesh and sit in my bones."
-- Sydney Smith (1771-1845)

Yes, it's hot, hotter, and hottest! But don't let the high temps keep you out of your gardens. There is so much beauty to be had, if you're willing to put forth just a little bit of effort.

Canna Lilies are at the top of the list, when looking for horticultural eye candy, this time of year. There are numerous varieties to choose from, with leaves that are dark, green, or variegated. The color palette for the flowers runs to the "hot" colors, and why not?! They are considered to be marginally hardy for those of us in zone 7/6 ranges, but we have found them to be reliable if properly planted and mulched heavily, come winter. They will provide about six months of bloom, and are attractive to nectar seekers. The trick is to keep them dead-headed, and cut off the stalks as they are spent, to encourage new growth.

Lavender is a wonderful addition to any garden, any time of the year, but this is the time to reap the rewards. If you cut your lavender now, chances are good you will get a second bloom. Be sure to harvest in early morning, when the buds are dry and the oil content is high. For best color retention, catch the buds just before they fully open. If you wish to save the herb, hang upside down in an open, airy location. It is a lovely addition to cards and letters you might send, and gives the recipient a fragrant bonus to your attentions. There are so many uses for lavender, including medicinal, culinary, and spiritual. Check our archived newsletters for fun uses!

Hemerocallis, commonly known as daylilies, is another group of plants that are too often panned. The possibilities are staggering, and the maintenance is fairly carefree. Daylilies are so named because each bloom lasts about one day. The profusion of buds, though, assure nearly constant flowering throughout the season. Additionally, there are numerous hybrids available that are extended bloom, which means you will have flowers that last longer. Daylilies that are listed as repeat bloomers benefit from regular removal of spent blossoms, too. Snap the old flowers off. Do not let the hard, green seed heads form. When the entire stalk has finished, cut it to the foliage. This will encourage re-blooming and result in more vigorous plants, overall.

To beat the heat, here are a few quick tips:

Water your plants in the morning, if at all possible. When in a rush, take a few ice cubes and place them around the root base. The water is easily toted, and the moisture will slowly sink in, during the course of the day.
Keep water off the foliage. During the hot months, various fungal spores have a field day (pun intended) on your lovely plantings, and the conditions are right for plundering by diseases and pests. Remember, plants draw moisture from their roots.
Ignore damage done by the dreaded Japanese Beetles. The havoc they wreak is ugly, but not fatal. Cut off the affected parts and don't look, for about three weeks. Watch the refreshing changes, as the seasons change, as well!
Snip your herbs regularly. If you are harvesting more than you can use quickly, try drying your bounty, or in the cases of mint, basil, lemon verbena, etc., place in ice cube trays and freeze as you normally would. Once frozen, the cubes can be stored in freezer bags. The seasonings are easily added to beverages, soups, and desserts.
When grilling, wrap your fare in freshly cut herbs. The scent is marvelous, and the flavor divine. Instead of the usual skewers, try using strong stems of rosemary. The difference is astounding, and the presentation is everything!

Dirty Hands Garden Center has fresh shipments of lovely botanical oils and incense, as well as brand new selections of statuary, garden art, and fandangle for your horticultural haven. We are your oasis, on the busy road of life. Come see us!

Folks, please remember to ALWAYS bring plant and bug samples in a plastic bag. It is very important that everyone be aware of the possibility of contaminating businesses, homeowner properties, and the Earth in general (think of it as a horticultural condom).
THANK YOU!

As always, all information given in the newsletter and on the website in general apply primarily to the zone 7/partial zone 6 regions of Virginia.

There are many new and fabulous things in store for you, at Dirty Hands Garden Center. We always appreciate your suggestions and opinions. Please feel free to contact us directly at Dirty Hands Email. Or, better yet, come see us in person!
Woo-Hoo!
Peace out.
Rock forward.

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As always, if you have questions, please feel free to contact us directly, either through the contact form, or by calling 804-598-8945, or visiting us at 2603 Anderson Hwy., Powhatan, VA. 23139 (This information pertains to the greater Richmond, Va. area and may vary slightly with each locality).