The Inner City Tennis, 5th annual benefit for KIDSPEED

HLG decorated the entrance and stage for The Inner City Tennis 5th annual KIDSPEED event on Oct 24th. It was a sold out event. They hoped to sell 30 tables of 10 and they exceeded their expectations. Congratulations!
To learn more about ICT and KIDSPEED click on this link: http://www.innercitytennis.org/

Bulbs!

Now is the time to get your favorite spring flowering bulbs planted before the ground freezes. Check out your local garden center for numerous varieties of daffodils, tulips, alliums, and minor bulbs such as muscari and hyacinth.

Winter Preparation

What should you be doing in the gardens to prepare for our winter's arrival? Many things, from tending to your plants and putting away your garden tools. We've been busy this past week cleaning gardens, pulling out annuals, and cutting down perennials.

• Which perennials do we choose, those that bear no winter interest or are more prone to get fungal diseases, such as peony, irs, monarda, roses and phlox. Perennials that are typically left up for winter interest include, astible, rudbeckia, echinacea, sedums, and various grasses.
• Another important item to take care of before the deep freeze sets in, is storing away your breakable pots. Often when the soil is left in the pots and kept outside over the winter, moisture accumulates in the soil and then goes through the freeze/thaw cycle often times causing your ceramic pots to crack. The best way to protect your breakable pots is to empty out the soil and store them inside a garage or shed.
• Hoses are another important garden tool. Once you've decided it's time to shut off the outside water, it is also a good time to prepare your hoses. They should be drained of standing water and properly stored out of the elements.

Cool Nights and Your Vegetables

Most vegetables need warm days and a lot like warm nights, especially peppers and tomatoes. This year due to our cooler nights in the uppper midwest, peppers and tomatoes are taking longer to ripen. Did you know that all peppers start out green. If you bought a colored pepper such as purple, red or yellow they take another 20 or so days to turn the color that was on the tag when you bought it. Also when you pick a pepper it's "warm", to cool the pepper and to help them keep better in the refridgerator run cool water over the pepper after you pick it to take the field heat out of it.

All this information comes from News from the Farm. Check out their website http://www.atthefarmwaconia.com/

Which common weed is a healthy addition to any salad?

Purslane. Many of us think of purslane as an annoying weed often found in the cracks of our drive or walkways, maybe in the sandy open section of your garden but purslane is actually a very nutrious succulent herb. This new and upcoming addition to the edible landscape is a source for one of the highly sought after Omega-3 fatty acids, alpha linolenic acid as well as protein, vitamin E and vitamin C. No need to pay for fish oil when most of us can get it (purslane) for free. Purslane is a delicious addition to many recipes, add it raw to salads, stir fry it up, or put it in soups and sauces. Check out this link for recipes.
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/plantanswers/98promotions/april/recipes.html

Is Playing in the Soil Beneficial?

As gardeners playing in the soil is a common activity. We all know that gardening is hard work and a very active passtime or career. We get many physical benefits from gardening but did you know that the soil itself contains a bacteria that turns on a group of neurons in our brain that promotes the hormone serotonin, also known as the "happiness hormone". Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in regulating mood, metabolism, anger, aggression, sleep and appetite. So maybe we should all spend more time playing in the dirt. http://news.softpedia.com/news/Eat-Mud-to-Get-Happy-51563.shtml

KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN

The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive insect native to Asia. This insect infects and kills North American ash species to include, green, white, black and blue ash trees. Since its discovery on the North American continent in 2002 originally in Michigan, it has now been seen in 12 states and two Canadian provinces. In May of 2009 the EAB has been discovered in the Twin Cities Metro Area, in particular, St. Paul. The adult beetle will eat the leaves of an ash tree causing little damage. It is the larvae (immature stage or the borer stage) that tunnels into the outside bark (what we see) of ash trees feeding on the inner bark. This inner bark transports nutrients and water between the leaves and the roots of the tree allowing it to live. Once the tree has been infected with the borer, the EAB disrupts the trees ability to transport water and nutrients from the canopy and the root system and vice versa.
What to look for:

• D-shaped exit holes (made by the adult) on the outer bark of branches and trunks
• The adult insect has metallic green wing covers and a coppery red or purple abdomen. They are about 3/8 to 5/8” long. Present from late May to early September but most common in June and July.

• A declining leaf canopy beginning in the top 1/3rd progressing until the tree bare
• Epicormic shoots-sprouts growing from roots or base of trunk and leaves larger than normal
• Increased woodpecker activity

What you should do if discovered:

Call the Minnesota Arrest-the-Pest Hotline (1-888-545-6684)

MAINTENANCE NOTES

• Now is the time to dead head perennial blue salvia and blue nepeta to get a repeat bloom
• Pay attention to your container gardens and cut back the more aggressive plants to open up the other plants to the light and also so you can see them
• If you haven’t done so already begin staking your prestigious fall blooming perennials, such as Eupatorium (Joe-Pye Weed), Rudbeckia ‘Herbstonne’ , and Asters. They may not be flopping now but when they bloom the flower heads can get heavy or a storm (we wish) with heavy winds and rains may cause them to topple over.

SEASONAL TIPS: COOL SUMMER AND WATERING PRACTICES

It’s the middle of July and we are having 70 degree temperatures in Minnesota. I don’t know about your state but Minnesota is experiencing a relatively cool summer but little rain. What does that mean; water, water, water. Minnesota, the western United States, and portions of the south and southeastern United States continue to be in a drought. Container gardens dry out faster than our gardens in the ground, so check your containers at least every other day particularly the ones that are in full sun. For the most effective use of water, water in ground gardens in the early or later part of the day when the sun is not as prevalent to prevent evaporation. If you do tend to water in the evening be sure to water early enough so the foliage of the plants have enough time to dry off which helps prevent disease.

Remember to give your trees and shrubs supplemental watering, and don’t forget your evergreens, they need ample amounts of water to successfully survive the winter months.

SEASONAL TIPS: WHAT'S HARVESTABLE IN YOUR GARDEN

July is the perfect month to make a fresh garden salad, your favorite blueberry pie or ratatouille for dinner. Available this month in your own garden or at your local farmers market is an array of fruits and vegetable at their peak of freshness. Such things include, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, peppers, zucchini, eggplant, lettuce and other greens, kale, broccoli, beets, kohlrabi, summer squash, radish, edible flowers, and various herbs.

NEW AND UP AND COMING PLANTS

It’s hard to think about summer annuals for 2010 while we are in the middle of enjoying our 2009 summer but as growers and as professional gardeners we get a little excited to see what is upcoming and new for next year. This is a busy time of year for nursery people and growers to travel around the country in search of that awesome new petunia, a new potato vine to add to our many in the collection, a calibrachoa that has double blooms or maybe a tree that in sterile that provides the beauty in its canopy but doesn’t drop messy fruit on your sidewalk/driveway. Across the country new plants are being trialed all the time. Where a lot of trials occur in the warmer climates, in particular, California there are trials taking place right here in the state of Minnesota. I encourage you to tour the trial gardens done by the University of Minnesota at the Horticulture Garden on the St. Paul campus, or while traveling to your cabin stop by the North Central Experiment Station in Morris or the West Central Experiment Station in Grand Rapids. Don’t forget the Minnesota Arboretum or the arboretum in your state.

Watch Garden Ideas Online

Need quick and easy garden ideas? I just did a segment with Diana Pierce of KARE11 on ideas for your garden. It's not too late to mix it up a bit. Check out the video online. Go to the www.bloomonmn.com website under Happenings to see all the great garden tips, tricks and ideas presented to the KARE11 audience.

Enjoy and feel free to comment!

Roses in June & July

Roses are experiencing their first flush of bloom right now. Ever blooming roses typically flower in June, July (they take a break in the heat of August) and push one last burst of color in September. Remember roses are a thirsty and hungry plant, so water deeply and feed every other week, with osmocote timed released pellets always at their feet.

Roses can be susceptible to fungus, insect and diseases. The best preventative for a healthy rose is to site in plenty of sun with adequate moisture. When plants are vigorous, they are more able to fend off attacks from nature. When they are finished blooming it is best to dead head roses to encourage new growth. While even rosarians may disagree on where to make that cut, you would be safe to cut back to the first leaflet with 3 leaves cut back to new growth (which is usually reddish in color).

We stop feeding roses in August (all perennials actually) so that they can begin to slow down and gather their reserves for the winter. We also do not dead head the last September bloom to enjoy rose hips in the winter. Some varieties of roses produce hips better than others. Hmmmm, I know humans with the same issue!

About the Allium Flower

Leave Allium fading blooms up for interest. Different types of Allium bloom at varying times through out the month of June. If you prefer, cut them and put them in a vase without water to enjoy the "fireworks" flower head or months as they dry inside.

Tips for Your Spent Daisies & Columbine

After the wild daisy & columbine are done blooming, but their flower stems back to the ground to tidy up. If you are interested in getting more plants, shake their faded blooms/seeds onto your garden beds, or give them to a friend to try.

How to Plant in Containers

I'm always asked about the best tips and tricks to planting wonderful containers. Here are some I have learned over the years. Be sure to share your tips!

Use a coffee filter to cover the hole at base of container.

Use premium potting soil already fortified with wetting agents (soil moist or calsine clay) and timed released fertilizer (osmocote). Tamp soil down until it is firm.

Consider using a Thriller (height), Filler (mid section) and Spiller (trailing over the edge). Thriller is generally installed first and does not HAVE to be in the center but could be positioned on the back to create a one sided display. Thriller is typically a #1 (or one gallon) container.

Back fill potting soil until Spillers (many times 4-inch pots) can comfortably rest 2 inches below rim of container. If Fillers are 4-inch pots place them in now or continue to pack soil around installed plants.

Arrange smallest pack annuals as Filler or Spiller and back fill one last time. Push soil medium down around the rim to ensure that soil will not spill over the edge when watering. The goal is to have soil level 1 to 2 inches below the lip of the container to facilitate watering.

Water in with an organic fertilizer. Water deeply to fully wet dry soil. Watering is suggested every three days or so (weather depending) When watering, fill up container until water almost spills over the edge, let it drain down. Fill up the container a second time and let the water drain down. Fill up the container a third time and let the water drain down one last time. This ensures that moisture is getting all the way to the bottom of the container. This not only encourages longer roots on the plants, which helps them develop more drought tolerance, but also ensures that you watering chores will be lesser.

Pruning

PRUNING SHRUBS: One of the best ways to create a sustainable landscape is to prune appropriately. Proper pruning can lengthen the life of a plant. Different species of shrubs not only require different pruning techniques but there are appropriate times to prune woody plants, even within a species.

SHEARING: The most common technique is shearing or more affectionately coined "hack and whack". There are only a few shrubs that respond well to being cut back hard like this every season. Generally they are ones that bloom in the summer on new wood i.e., Spirea japonica (not the early blooming bridal wreath varieties), Ribes - alpine currant and Hydrangea aborescens 'Annabelle' the "mop head" hydrangea.

REJUVENATION PRUNING: Hydrangea paniculata 'Unique', 'Tardiva' and the like respond better to opening up the plant so that a butterfly could fly through it. First remove any dead, diseased or crossing branches. Then tip growth can be cut back to a strong leader to encourage sturdier branching to support the blooms. Other shrubs that respond well to this are Cornus - dogwood, Roses, Weigela

EVERGREENS: May and early June is a wonderful time to prune evergreens and many Taxus - yews, Buxus - boxwood and Alberta Spruce need it this season as they experienced a lot of tip browning or winter sun scald. Many times taking out long branches all the way back to a notch opens up overgrown evergreens and helps them put out new green growth. Evergreens do not respond favorably to "hack and whack".

SPRING BLOOMERS: Lilacs, Forsythia, Azalea, Rhododendron, Magnolia, etc. should be pruned with rejuvenation pruning right after flowering. With Lilacs it is suggested that 1/3 of the oldest canes be removed every year to help their flowering.

Be sure to check out our calendar of events for the summer at: http://www.heidislifestylegardens.com/calendar.html

A sneak peak...
What: 2009 Wayzata Depot Summer Concert Series: Bend in the River Big Band Big Band Where: Wayzata Depot
When: Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Why: Enjoy an evening of Music and Learn about the French Portager Style of Vegetable Gardening with Heidi Heiland and other Lake Minnetonka Garden Club Members who tend the Depot Gardens for the City of Wayzata.

What: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum: Annual Benefit – Azalea Lights
When: Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Is there an easier, and healthy, way to control weeds other than the old-fashioned pull each weed?

The best way to control weeds is to maintain good cultural practices. The early spring weather is when the first flush pushes out. The BEST way to eradicate is good old fashioned hand pulling or hoeing, these friendly approaches are better for the planet all the way around. Pre – emergent herbicides effect the storm sewers & bake the good organisms in your garden soil. Corn Gluten Meal is a green bi – product that can be employed but it has been found to be only 50-60% effective in controlling weeds. It should be applied in April/May and then again in August. Effectiveness increases over time. It requires moisture to be active but can wash away in a heavy rain and excessive moisture reduces its effectiveness. Hand pulling provides good exercise for the gardener and gives them an opportunity to view up close and personal all that is going on in their garden! :)

What should I be doing now to control weeds in my garden?

Once the soils warm up in June and after your gardens are hand weeded, or cultivated/hoed, that is the time to apply a summer mulch. Summer mulch (not to be confused with a winter mulch of hay/leaves that keeps plants dormant if there is no snow cover) retains moisture, suppresses weeds, looks nice & can improve soil quality. One year mulches (coco bean, rice hulls, compost) should be applied every season. They can then be turned into the soils that fall or the next spring to improve the soil structure. Wood chip mulch needs only be applied every couple of years otherwise plants can be buried too deeply & “volcano mounds” around trees invite stem girdling roots which can spell demise to a tree.

A little note on bulbs

My Crown Imperial - Fritillaria imperalis is gorgeous and stately. This bulb does not always winter here, but it is amazing this season. This bulb does smell kind of skunky tho.

What are your thoughts? Do you have bulbs blooming in your garden?

Tell Me About Your Shrubs

In my yard, the native Elderberry – Sambucus has a wonderful white flower on it as does my Regent Serviceberry – Amelanchier. I love this small hedging serviceberry as it next develops purple berries then has red foliage in the fall. Three bangs for your buck! I sure hope my dogs don’t eat the berries of the serviceberry this year! J My forsythia is just starting to fade but the lilacs are beginning to swell! My friend Douglas described it as all “this abundance as the earth wakes up and so much life comes spilling out, so much like an explosion, yet so artfully orchestrated”. I do not have the correct site for rhododendron, so I am not even going to try anymore. They really want to be.

What shrubs do you have in your yard/garden? What do you like about them?

Keeping Thumper & Bambi Out of the Garden

I don't know about you, but I am seeing a lot of Thumper and Bambi's friends around my gardens this time of year. The most important issue is to begin the control early in the season before they have developed their browsing pattern. We always apply our "triple threat".

First, spread Milorganite like chicken feed throughout susceptible gardens. It is a fertilizer made from sludge and the animals don't like the smell of a human predator.

Second, use coyote urine, or other animal urine, as a perimeter control of the whole property. We spray this on the wood of trees, fence post, decking, every 10 feet or so, to mark the territory.

Third, apply a topical spray on the foliage of the susceptible plants as a taste deterrent. We apply any and all of the products readily available on the market, Treeguard, Deer Off, Deer Away, Liquid Fence, Hot Pepper Wax, etc. The biggest key to this application is to rotate products every other week so that the pests do not build up a tolerance for the product.

At HLG have yet another control that is systemic. The manufacturer suggests that the repellant lasts for up to two seasons in the plant. Repellex tablets are "planted" in the soil around the base of the plant where the roots take in the deterrent and emit it through the leaves. The real benefit of this product is that rains do not wash it off.

I'm interested in what you use to keep the critters from eating your hard work and garden beauty. Post your comments!

What to Plant When

I know it's hard to remember what fruits and vegetables go in the ground when. That's why I created this handy guide. I hope you find it helpful.

To see a full screen view, please visit our web site at: http://bloomonmn.com/what-to-plant-when.html

Horticulture Hints

Watch for sawflies on your trees and shrubs and eradicate by hosing down.








Pull noxious weed Garlic Mustard then make pesto! See the Prodigal Gardens web site for more information and pesto recipe.




What's your horticulture hint?

What's Bloomin' in Your Yard?

Hi all.

I just thought I'd share with you some of the fabulous things that are boomin' in my yard this spring. What's bloomin' in your yard?

Puschkinia scilloides

Striped SquillGalanthus nivalis

Snowdrops

Iris reticulata

Eranthis hyemalis

Winter Aconite

About Heidi

Spring greetings -

I’m Heidi Heiland, owner and Chief Experience Officer at Heidi’s Lifestyle Gardens. Welcome to our blog. We’ve developed this blog for you, the garden community. I believe we develop a strong family, community and environment through collaboration and learning. Gardening began with our grand parents by sharing slips of iris over the fence. Through this blog we hope to inform, share and inspire one another. I hope you will join us by clicking on “Follow” in the upper right of this page.

A little about me outside of the garden. I'm blissfully married with three children and one brand new granddaughter! Oh and I can’t forget my golden, Zel and lab Bea. I'm a former Vestry Member of St. Martin’s by the Lake Church in Minnetonka Beach, Minnesota; where I was baptized, confirmed and married, twice! I enjoy alpine ski racing, playing 4.5 league tennis, traveling, listening to music and of course designing flower arrangements.

Hopefully together we can Bloom On!

You can learn more about me and Heidi’s Lifestyle Gardens at our web site: http://www.bloomonmn.com/heidicrew.html. I hope to hear from you soon!

-Heidi Heiland

Welcome...About Heidi's Lifestyle Gardens

Hello and welcome to Heidi's Lifestyle Gardens' (HLG) blog. We've developed this blog as a resource to teach, learn and serve gardeners and garden lovers in and around the Midwest.

Heidi's Lifestyle Gardens (HLG) is a full service garden design and landscape company based in Corcoran, Minnesota. We've been teaching, learning and serving our community for 30 years. We're proud to partner with our community by providing sustainable landscape design and installation for home, business and non-profit organizations.

We aspire to nourish our nation with edible landscapes and connect our kids, and whole family, back to the earth. Our idealistic company also collaborates on educational opportunities – presentations, corporate events, and even kid’s birthday parties – to share how to be stewards of the land.

We hope you will join in our conversation on topics such as: garden planing & management, victory gardens, garden solutions, how to be stewards of the earth, sustainability and so much more.

To learn more about our company visit us at: http://www.bloomonmn.com/.

In our next post we'll introduce you to our founder, Heidi Heiland.