March 19, 2008

Anyone Can Have a Green Thumb

We’ve all heard about people who have “green thumbs.” We marvel at the abilities of some gardeners to create beautiful landscapes while others are lucky to have marigolds last through the summer. What is the secret to having a green thumb?

The secret is…..there is no secret.

Barb Wiehe, greenhouse manager at Ohio Wesleyan, shatters the green thumb myth. “It’s all about researching what you do before you start,” she says. “You can’t just throw something in the ground and then complain that you don’t have a green thumb.”

At this time of year it’s too early to plant perennials or annuals, but shrubs and trees can be planted now. “You can also take this time to assess your yard,” Wiehe advises. “If you didn’t do a fall clean-up of your yard, you can do a spring clean-up.” She says that gardeners can cut back some plants now such as ornamental grasses, but they might want to wait until the weather breaks to cut other plants like roses. “When it dries out, you can also check for insects and diseases in plants.”

For now, Wiehe does not recommend mulching. “Wait until the ground gets warmer,” she says. “You don’t want to force perennials out before they’re ready. Also, you don’t want to use mulch that’s been left out all winter because it could have disease.”

When planting time does roll around, Wiehe says it’s important to consider what you expect out of your garden. “If you just want a bed to look good for the summer, or for one party, you obviously don’t have to be as careful as if you are thinking long-term,” she says.

To successfully plant annual flowers, you’ll want to wait until after the frost-free date, which is May 15. You can plant perennials in May or June, but Wiehe suggests waiting until the fall. “Fall is actually a much better time to plant perennials; they have a better survival rate when planted in the fall” she says. “But most people associate planting with spring and summer.”

Regardless of when you’re planting, it is important to pay attention to those little tags accompanying the plants and flowers you buy. If the plant information says the plant likes sun and you stick it in the shade, don’t get your hopes up. But the source of your plant can be a factor in this situation.

“If the plant comes from Georgia and says it likes shade, you might get away with planting it in the Ohio sun,” she says. “It really just depends on the species you’re buying.”

Wiehe also advises that there is a difference in the flowers you buy at Wal*Mart and the flowers you might buy at your local garden center. “Certainly there is a quality difference,” she says. “But that’s not to say that you can’t buy good flowers at Wal*Mart. You can, you just need to know what you’re looking for. Take your time to really look at the plant to see if it looks diseased.”

Re-conditioning soil is also crucial to successful gardening. “In perennial beds I recommend re-conditioning every four to five years,’ says Wiehe. “You will see a difference. It’s important to put nutrients back into the soil.” She notes that liquid fertilizer isn’t necessarily a solution, and that it’s best to re-condition soil with fertilizer like cow manure.

“And I’m not against using chemicals if people know what they’re doing,” she says. “But even if you use chemicals, you still have to fix the actual problem. For instance, if it’s insects you’re worried about, insects are simply reacting to a situation. By the time insects arrive, the plant is already stressed. You have to examine the conditions that are causing stress to the plant. I don’t see a need for insect sprays in most home gardens.”

For more gardening tips, Wiehe suggests that you consult employees at your local garden center or that you contact your local extension agent.

– Ericka Kurtz