Gardening Tip 21: Put your green thumbs to use in October
12:30 p.m. Monday, October 6, 2008
Ask the 49 Garden Expert!
Whether you are an experienced gardener or a novice, KTKA and Jackson's Greenhouse wants to make it more fulfilling for you.
Fall has begun, but opportunity still exists for gardeners to get down in the soil and plant.
49 News Garden Expert Dave Jackson says now is the perfect time to plant spring blooming perennial bulbs. A variety of spring perennials are available at garden stores.
"They give you blooms and color from early March," Jackson said.
Amaryllis, also known as naked ladies, provide color to any landscape in August, if conditions allow.
Most bulbs look like a Hershey's kiss. Bulbs should be planted with their top sides, or pointed side, up. Place the bulb in the soil about 2.5 inches deeper than the diameter of the bulb.
During the fall the roots system begins to develop. In the spring, the plants will bloom, ideally.
To help the growing process along, Jackson suggests using fertilizer, such as Dutch Bulb Food. That particular variety goes in the bottom of the hole and helps promote with root development.
Jackson also recommends testing the Ph level of your soil to ensure the fruits of your labor pay off down the road. The correct pH for bulbs is from about 6.4 to 7.0.
Gardeners can bring in a cup of soil to Jackson's Greenhouse, 1933 NW Lower Silver Lake Road, to be tested for free.
Gardening Advice
See other interviews with a representative from Jackson's Greenhouse for more advice on gardening.
- Gardening Tip 24: Arrival of fall means more yard maintenance (October 27, 2008)
- Gardening Tip 23: Attack broadleaf weeds before it's too late (October 20, 2008)
- Gardening Tip 22: Next spring's weeds are making plans for your yard (October 13, 2008)
- Gardening Tip 21: Put your green thumbs to use in October (October 6, 2008)
- Gardening Tip 20: Don't assume flower growing season is over (Sept. 29, 2008)
- Gardening Tip 19: Lawn beautification starts with a simple test (Sept. 22, 2008)
- Gardening Tip 18: Some pure seed bags are not that innocent (Sept. 15, 2008)
- Gardening Tip 17: Got rotting tomatoes? The problem may be more than meets the eye (Sept. 8, 2008)
- Gardening Tip 16: Don't waste your money on crab grass killer (Aug. 25, 2008)
- Gardening Tip 15: Protecting your tomatoes (July 21, 2008)
- Gardening Tip 14: Weeding out grass look-a-likes (July 14, 2008)
- Gardening Tip 13: Combating plant-damaging beetles, bugs (July 7, 2008)
- Gardening Tip 12: Freeze threat over; check for soggy ground before planting (May 10, 2007)
- Gardening Tip 11: Don't get too anxious to start gardening (March 9, 2007)
- Gardening Tip 10: Start caring for your plants before weather warms up (February 8, 2007)
- Gardening Tip 9: Bring outdoors inside during cold weather (Nov. 20, 2006)
- Gardening Tip 8: To preserve your blooms, cover perennials at night (Oct. 12, 2006)
- Gardening Tip 7: Put down lawn seed by second week in October (Sept. 14, 2006)
- Gardening Tip 6: Moisture, fertilizer critical to beautiful lawns (Aug. 24, 2006)
- Gardening Tip 5: Soak your plants weekly (July 13, 2006)
- Gardening Tip 4: Water, fertilizer crucial during summer months (June 9, 2006)
- Gardening Tip 3: Hold off on planting fruits (May 11, 2006)
- Gardening Tip 2: Sow your seeds on Mother's Day (April 13, 2006)
- Spring time is almost here; get your greenthumb out (March 9, 2006)
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