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GARDEN WORDS
BY GLADYS
JEURINK
CRACKS:
Why do Cabbage heads burst? Why do
Tomatoes crack? Wet weather or watering a plant with extensive roots too
much, promotes high absorption. At the same time there is a slower
transpiration (the breathing out of water). Thus the outside layer or
skin of the fruit cracks.
COMPOST:
Plant or animal remains in various stages
of decomposition. Compost particles have a large surface area giving
them the ability to absorb water. Humus has four times water holding
capacity to that of clay so plants can survive short periods of drought.
I have several
trees and a chain link fence that catches wind blown leaves from the
neighborhood. These make a
large compost pile that breaks down slowly unless the lawn clippings
that are high in nitrogen or even some high nitrogen lawn fertilizer are
added on top. The leaves and
other material needs to be damp.
I usually take my finished compost from the bottom of the pile as
it breaks down first. There are a number of compost workshops in
Soil and dirt
are not the same thing! Soil is dynamic and made up of rock particles,
accumulated compost, plus plant and animal life. There are several types
of soil.
1.
LOAM with
a balance of clay (18 to 25%), mineral particles, plus humus. This means
good drainage, good water retention, and high fertility.
2.
CLAY which
is heavy and slow draining and slow to warm up in the spring , often
quite fertile but compact and very easily bakes hard in the summer. To
improve this kind of soil for growing plants, add compost.
ORGANISMS:
Another word you will see quite often
when soil is being discussed is organisms. They are necessary to keeping
our soil fertile. Some are good and some are bad. Bacteria and fungus
like loose soil. Mycorrhizue are fungus attached to the roots to help
take up fertilizers. Microscopic worms help to improve soil. Large
earthworms aid soil by feeding and digging. Soil goes through their
tract and is one of the most beneficial additives you can find. Their
work increases aeration and improves drainage. I sometimes like to lift
a spade of dirt to check on them. I like to have 8-12 per square foot of
soil. Many of the g
BRANCH COLLAR:
The slight swelling just outside where the branch of a tree or shrub
joins the main stem. Leave this collar on the trunk when pruning as this
is where healing occurs and a collar will form. If you cut flush with
the stem, you will harm this protective area.
DEADHEADING:
The removal of spent flowers. They need
to be promptly removed before seeds are formed. This diverts energy to
produce a new crop of flowers or leaves, saving the energy that would
have produced seeds. This also prevents reseeding of some plants you
might not want. Sometimes you can snap the flower off with your fingers.
I like to use scissors and cut down to the nearest branch.
A CUTTING:
Part of a stem, root, or leaf to be used
to produce a new plant. Copyright 2015 |