Tag: cover crops

Master Gardener Reflections: What Brings Joy in the Garden?

On By durhammastergardenersIn cover crops, gardening, Gardening information, Gardening Joy, gardening NC, native plants, regenerative agriculture, Uncategorized, wildflowers

By Martha Keehner Engelke North Carolina Extension Master GardenerSM volunteer of Durham County

As 2024 comes to an end, we celebrate the success of the Durham County Master Gardener SM Blog. There have been 68 posts this year. These posts have been viewed 131,381 times by 105,658 visitors. Most visitors live in the United States (114,033) but we have had a significant number from Canada (5,324) and the United Kingdom (3,177). Visitors from countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa have been the recipients of research-based information posted on our blog.

This is possible because of the contribution of the 16 authors who have written for the blog. They have generously shared their knowledge and insight over the past year. They are experienced gardeners with a wealth of information. To close out the year and offer the “gift” of their knowledge to our readers we asked them “What brings you joy in the garden?” Here are their thoughts:

Creating Happy Soil

I am trying a new to me technique for starting cover crops in my vegetable garden. These are eight raised beds which contained the remnants of my tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and zinnias.  I removed and composted the biomass, covered the area with a silage tarp for two weeks to slow down the weeds, spread an inch of compost, and raked in the cover crop seed. No tillage.  I watered daily for a week, and tada, I have cover crop coming up.  This will keep a living root in the soil all winter, and make the soil happy for spring planting.  The cover crop is the over wintering mix from Sow True Seed (5 lbs), containing cereal rye, crimson clover and hairy vetch.  These do not winter kill, and will require termination in the spring.  (Peter Gilmer)

‘Finessing’ the Details

Without a doubt, the most joy I derive from working in the garden is ‘finessing’ — taking something excellent and making it superb. Whether it’s pulling weeds with curved forceps out of a cactus container, raking patterns into a gravel pathway, deadheading spent flowers, or pruning small stems to keep the shape of a topiary, devoting the time, attention and effort to the smallest of details is like a meditation for me. It fills me with satisfaction, and I absolutely love it. (Deborah Pilkington)

A Subtle but Brilliant Native

I had many garden delights this year but my favorite was incorporating the native spotted bee balm (Mondarda punctata) into my perennial beds. I’ve only grown brilliantly-colored bee balm cultivars in the past. Spotted bee balm is less showy, but its subtilty is its beauty, with its soft greens and creams that mature into ballet pink bracts surrounding purple-spotted pubescent flowers. Plus, it’s got a fantastic, whimsical shape. Did I mention it is always buzzing with pollinators? This plant makes me smile. (Melinda Heigel)

Transition in the Landscape

What brought me the most joy this year was my ongoing development, planting, experimentation, and maintenance of my landscape sun and woodland gardens. The first and foremost objective of my efforts was continuing to transition the gardens to primarily native trees, shrubs and herbaceous perennials. This season I reached a benchmark of 60% native with a target goal next season of 70%. Several years back I achieved certifications from the NWF certified Wildlife Habitat and the NCWF Butterfly Highway Programs. Participating in the Southeast Pollinator count and the Cornell Birdfeeder watch have been frosting on the cake this year. (Jeff Kanters)

Learning Resilience

The plant in my garden that has given me the most joy this year is Salvia microphylla. What’s not to love about a plant that goes by “Hot Lips”? She has bloomed from spring to fall despite the multiple major pruning sessions I have provided. Every time that I cut her back she rewards me with more red and white flowers-looking quite patriotic on the 4th of July and quite seasonal as Christmas approaches. The thing I value most about Hot Lips is her resilience–knock her down and she gets back up stronger and more beautiful! Deer, humans and disease are no match for her. This is a lesson I needed to hear this year and she was there for me! (Martha Engelke)

Bursts of Color

In the spring of 2020, I planted a dahlia (‘Otto’s Thrill’). Over the years, it produced about 4 big blossoms before it would be struck down with the first frost of the season. After 4 years of applying leaf mulch before every winter, it finally performed this year and I was delighted to see as many as 14 blossoms at once. I also planted three different classes of chrysanthemums (‘disbud’-type) that I got at the State Farmer’s Market after I was notified by Pana, Master Gardener Program Assistant, that these plants were available from the Central Carolina Chrysanthemum Society (CCCS). I followed the instructions carefully and slowly they appeared in late summer and grew into large buds (I snipped off the smaller buds). I attribute my success to weather that was timed just right for these late bloomers: an unusually high rainfall in September (over 13 inches) and a warm October and November. The worm castings I applied while they were growing helped too! Thank you Pana and the CCCS for bringing such pleasure and a smile to my face as I walked out my front door this fall. (Wendy Diaz)

Delighful ‘Eyesores’

Although I love to see the hummingbirds lapping up nectar from the columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) in the early spring, the bees and wasps flitting about mountain mint (Pycnanthemum species) in mid-summer, and the goldfinches eating seeds on the purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) in late August, the observation that brings me the greatest joy is what many may consider an eyesore—the dead trees on my property. While even I will admit that they don’t add the beauty that flowering plants do, when I see the lichens, fungi, and moss growing on the dead wood and contemplate the many ants, beetles, bumble bees and even butterflies that rely upon dead wood as their home for at least part of their lifetimes, I have a deep appreciation and yes, joy for the many ecological functions that my dead and dying trees provide. (Jeannie Arnts)

Building Community

Out of many beautiful moments spent gardening, what was especially fun was helping install the landscape at Durham’s Stanford L. Warren Library. The rudbeckia in this photo (taken at dusk in August) were cultivated from seed by Extension Durham Co. Master Gardener Volunteers. We nurtured, planted, and trained excited library staff to continue care. It’s rewarding to connect with the community while doing something I love. Stop by the library, borrow a book, and check out the garden! (Ariyah Chambers April)

Dancing Wildflowers

I am a new Master Gardener, from the class of 2023, and just beginning to learn about the incredible variety of plants out there. I have found a new favorite. It’s called gaura, (oenothera lindheimeri ), and it has a perfect common name, wandflower. Watching the flowers dance in the wind and the pollinators attracted to the delicate flowers brings me joy every time I see it in my garden! (Lisa Nadler)

(Image credit: cassi saar: cc by-NC-4.0)

An Existential Voyage

When gardening, joy is never far away if you look for it. 356 days a year, I can walk outside and see the fruits of my labor growing. For every ‘continuing challenge’ there are always both old reliables putting on a show and new surprises brightening the day. The joy continues when the cut flowers come inside and are put into the vase, the fruit sliced onto morning cereal, and the herbs and vegetables chopped up for dinner. The joy multiplies when I go to Briggs Avenue Community Garden every week and meet up with my fellow garden voyagers as we journey into new challenges, unexpected rewards, and lots of laughs. So looking forward to the joy continuing. (Eric Wiebe)

(Image credit: Allie Mullin)

Thank you to everyone that has contributed to the blog this year and especially to our agent Ashley Troth who has given us unwavering support! If you know people that would like to receive regular postings from the blog, they can sign up by entering their email and clicking on the FOLLOW link on the right side of this post.

Note

Unless otherwise noted, all pictures were taken by the authors of the quotes. Special thanks to Extension Master Gardener volunteer Allie Mullin, whose photographs have been a treasure to the blog editors throughout the year.

Resources and Additional Information

Whatever Brings you Joy! Stay tuned for next year. Our authors are already planning posts on garden innovations, upcoming events, and plant spotlights! See you in 2025.

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To Do in the Garden: October 2024

On By durhammastergardenersIn Accidental Cottage Garden, azalea lace bugs, bees, beneficial insects, bulbs, cankerworm mitigation, cankerworms, composting, container gardening, cover crops, dealing with fall leaves on lawn, fall cover crops, fall gardening, fall vegetable gardening, forcing bulbs indoors, native bee habitat, nesting bees, nesting insects, soil samples Durham NC extension, sustainable fall pruning for insects and wildlife, sustainable fall pruning for wildlife, tree banding in the fall, tulips, Uncategorized

By Gary Crispell, NC State Extension Master GardenerSM volunteer of Durham County

While the Accidental Cottage Garden (ACG) took a hit from all the rain, the blooms of the zinnia (Z. elegans) and gaillarda (G. pulchella) still delight with punches of color. Scene from the late-season and very soggy ACG. (Image credit: Melinda Heigel and Gary Crispell)

And suddenly it’s October. When and how did that happen? Although, I’m pretty sure I got here by boat. Hopefully, the three-month monsoon season is over, but we could still get another gift from the tropics. (Someone needs to do something about the butterflies in West Africa.) 

The rain gauge indicated 12 inches for September. The last time I remember anywhere near that amount was in 1996, when our dear, yet very angry friend, Fran, visited for a harrowing overnight stay. 

The Accidental Cottage Garden is bowed but not broken. Everything is beaten down and bent over. Kinda looks like myriad ground covers gone berserk. However, in the tangles, one can find an assortment of delightful blooms. Zinnias (Z. elegans), African marigolds (Tagetes erecta), mock vervain (Glandularia bipinnatifida), plucky gaillardia (G. pulchella), evening primrose (Oenothera lamarckiana), Autumn Joy sedum (S. ‘Herbstfreude’), hardy ageratum (Conoclinium coelestinum), and two volunteer cosmos (C. bipinnata) are doing their best to overcome the odds and keep the neighbors smiling. 

So, what’s going on in your garden? Perhaps you’ll find something useful or amusing (or amusingly useful) in here this month (or not). Either way, let’s garden. 

LAWN CARE

Attempt to prevent leaf accumulation on lawns, especially newly seeded or overseeded ones. And be sure those receive adequate moisture. (Yeah, I know. Really?!?) About those leaves, please compost them or put them into a natural area. They do not belong in the landfill. Continue mowing cool-season grasses (tall fescue, bluegrass, perennial rye) at 3 ½” to 4.”

FERTILIZING

Not much to see (or do) here, folks. Drop some fertilizer on the spring-flowering bulb beds. 10-10-10 or equivalent will do just fine. Work it into the soil where possible. Store any leftover fertilizer in sealed containers in a dry location until next season. 

PLANTING

(Left to right) Pansies brighten up the shorter autumn days. Tulip and pansy pot planted in the fall. The pansies were joyous for 3 long seasons: fall, winter, as well as in the spring when the tulips also came into their own. (Image credit: Melinda Heigel and Marcia Kirinus)

“FALL IS FOR PLANTING,” repeated…again. Things planted now will have most of the winter to put down roots and get established so they’ll be ready for another Sonoran June. Consider planting a cover crop on any part of the veggie garden not growing a fall crop. Crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum) or winter rye (Secale cereale) will keep the soil intact and add nutrients to it.

Plant spring-flowering bulbs (tulips, daffodils, narcissus, etc.) this month. Plant salad greens and short-season root crops (carrots, radishes) in a cold frame. Do something nice for yourself and plant pansies. A pot full of their smiling faces can do a lot to lift the gloom of a day when it’s 34 degrees and raining. Caveat: deer LOVE them.

PRUNING

Wait until it gets cold (post-killing frost) and intends to remain that way for a bit. The goal is to avoid any new growth attempting an emergence until spring. Cutting back everything in the perennial garden is something your grandmother did but is no longer considered “best practices.” Apparently, there are solitary native bees that lay eggs on or overwinter in the stems of said perennials. Your grandmother didn’t tell you because she didn’t know. Somebody with a great deal of intellect, curiosity, and, quite frankly, an amazing amount of time on their hands figured this out in the not-too-distant past (post-grandma period). So, DON’T cut back your perennials unless the HOA is fixin’ to put a lien on your house. Chances are an HOA wouldn’t let you plant perennials (aka, weeds) in your yard to begin with. They—the stems, not the HOA—are better left until spring. Root prune any trees or shrubs you plan on moving in the spring. Have you noticed that most of fall is spent preparing for spring? That’s what the plant kingdom does. Those of us in the animal world get ready for winter. Plants have their eyes on the future. 

Close up of the rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium), an example of a hollow-stemmed plant that provides valuable over-winter habitat for nesting insects. This photo shows the stems after cutting in the spring once insects may have emerged. Other plants with hollow stems include anise hyssop, bluestar, milkweed, tall tickseed, and pink muhly grass, among others. Pithy-stemmed plants like purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) provide habitat for some bees who use pith to build their nests. (Image credit: Debbie Roos)

SPRAYING

Most of the pesky little &*@$# have gone to sleep for the winter. There are two notable exceptions: lace bugs on azaleas (especially those in full or mostly sun) and scale on euonymus and camellias. Both can be treated with horticultural oil. It smothers the adults and their eggs. 

Damage caused by azalea lace bug, Stephanitis pyrioides (Scott). (Image credit: James. L. Castner, University of Florida)

PROPAGATION

Some of you are starting plants from cuttings. Maybe even in a cold frame that doesn’t have veggies planted in it. Be sure to monitor it at least bi-weekly for health and vigor. Water as necessary. 

Other amazingly fun stuff to fill whatever “perfect October days” we may be granted by whomever is in charge of such things:

Take soil samples while they are FREE through November. Sample collection boxes and instructions are available from the Durham County Extension office at 721 Foster St. or from the NCDOACS.

Repeating: compost any leaves you gather up. Sending them to the landfill is a definite no-no.

Cleanse the bird feeder(s), fill ‘em up, and put ‘em out. Sit back and watch. It’s therapeutic.

Prepare all your lawn and garden equipment for its long winter’s nap.

if you band your trees to mitigate the number of insect larvae that might feed on your trees in the summer (and whose digestive tracts are highly inefficient, causing copious quantities of worm feces to accumulate on whatever is under said trees—a friend told me about this), now is the time to do this (if you remember what “this” is after the mid-paragraph digression).

Sticky bands capture female moths who will begin crawling up tree trunks in the fall to mate and lay eggs that will hatch into the small caterpillars we call Cankerworms. In the spring, these hungry caterpillars emerge and eat the leaves of hardwood trees in urban areas and can be a threat to tree health and mortality. Some experts recommend waiting until all the leaves have fallen before banding. (Image credit: William A. Carothers, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org.)

For a glimpse of spring in the bleak midwinter, try forcing spring-flowering bulbs. Daffodils and narcissus are good candidates for this exercise. Plant the bulbs in pots early in October and put them in the refrigerator. This assumes that you have a huge refrigerator and no teenagers in the house. In 12 weeks (Happy New Year!), remove them and set them in a sunny window where you can watch them grow and bloom. Fun! Kids get a kick out of it.

Paperwhite narcissus bulbs forced for indoor bloom. (Image credit: University of Florida/IFAS Extension and Cornell Cooperative Extension)

Bask in the beauty of the season when the leaves show off their true colors without the chlorophyll mask they have worn all summer. We may have to do that close to home this year. The mountains are closed until further notice. Sad. It’s the beginning of fire pit season. ‘Nuff said. Enjoy it, y’all! 

Resources and Additional Information

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