Did you start plants indoors?

Many of us are now starting seeds and getting ready for the upcoming gardening season. However, time and time again I have lost plants due to what's known as "damping off". Damping off is a fungal disease. Plants wilt up and look look like they are to dry - even thoug tat's not te case. Various fungus in the soil root the stems at the soil surface, causing the seedlings to fall over and die. Getting good air circulation, such as having a fan blow on the plants. Other tips to help prevent damping off include:

Using good quality, sterile potting soil to start seedlings. Makse sure you select a neutral pH potting soil, since acid soils are ideal for fungus growth.

Before planting, make sure the soil is well watered.

Don't overcrowd your seeds! Crowded seedlings do not dry quickly after watering, resulting in humid, moist conditions, which is the perfect environment for fungus spores to germinate.

You can sprinkle a thin layer of sand or perlite on the surface of the soil. This helps keep stems dry at the soil surface where damping-off occurs.

Do not overwater. When you od water, water around the base of the plants and try to avoid getting the foliage wet.

Rock Gardening

Does your property have an area with a slope or perhaps with interesting rock formations? If so, then you have an ideal location for a rock garden. All you need to do is find a few loads of topsoil and some rocks - preferably rocks that have some interesting characteristics. If you end up having to bring in your own rocks and soil, start small and bring in a few loads at a time. The job might end up being bigger than you think.

When looking for rocks remember things will look more natural if you find rocks that are native to your area. Large rocks with irregular sapes add interest to a rock garden, but remember you will also need small rocks to fill in areas where larger rocks won't fit. Move rocks around to get the formation you are looking for, then shovel enough soil around the rock to anchor it firmly. After the rocks are in place let the soil settle for a few days and take a look at the garden from a distance to make sure your formation is the way you want it to be before adding plants.

March is time to trim back winter interest plants

Did you leave Ornamental Grasses or other perennial stems for winter interest? March is the time to cut back (if you can get through the snow).

Cut bck Ornamental Grasses before any new growth begins. Use hedge shears or hand pruner to clip the plants back to several inches above the soil. Smaller grasses, such as Blue Fescue and Blue Oat Grass can either be clipped back or left intact.

Also prune back plants such as Russian Sage or Lavender.

Basic priniples of landscape design

The basic principles of landscape design are those building blocks that influence the way in which all landscape components are used to create an overall pleasing design. If forms, structures and plants are organized according to these principles it is easy to achieve a landscape design that is pleasing to the eye. Following are the priniples that you should include in any landscape design:

1. Unity. This is achieved by grouping, placing or arranging elements in such a way that individual components appear to be "one". Remember a desirable appearance should be achieved from several points of view. Repetitive patterns are one way to achieve unity.
2. Balance - this refers to a sense of equilibirum - which can be either symmetrical or asymmetrical. Symmetrical balance means that there is a "duplicate" on either side of an imaginary line - such as on both sides of the front of a house - both sides would have the same types and sizes of plants. Asymmetrical balance still uses that imaginary line, but different plants and sizes are used. Plants are still used together to achieve that graphical balance. This tends to give a more relaxed and natural appearance.
3. Proportion. This means using sizes that are proportion to each other and the building you are landscaping around. For example, you wouldn't want very tall trees in front of a one story house or small shrubs in front of a two story home.
4. Harmony. This refers to how the different parts of a landscape work together.
   
5. Contrast. To provide some interest in the landscape you need some contrast, such as colors, textures and features.
6. Rhythm. This is the conscious repetition of equal or similar components in the garden. Slowly changing from one thing to another will create repetition and transition and give your landscape rhythm.
   

Think spring

With the new seed catalogues arriving in the mail its time to think SPRING. It's a great time to look around your yard before things start greening up. You can actually look at the overall design and see what's missing, what works and what doesn't work.