Johnsons's Garden Centers Text File document - copyright 2002
PDF file available at http://www.johnsonsgarden.com/newsletter/gardentips.html

Garden Tips
October 2001 
Marty Johnson, President, Johnson's Garden Centers, KS. Certified Nurseryman

FALL LAWN CARE
    If your soil is hard and dead, bring it back to life this fall with
Natural Guard Grass Clippings Decomposter. This product contains humate,
the active ingredient in a compost pile. Humate turns grass
clippings, thatch and debris into organic material for your soil.

    It is beneficial, but not necessary, to core aerate before applying
Decomposter. Remember that Decomposter doesn't take the place of
fertilizer, but it will increase the ability of the grass to use the
fertilizer applied now.

FALL MULCH
    Mulch is an important part of winterizing your landscape ... 
especially shallow rooted perennials, roses and other heat loving shrubs
like crapemyrtles and butterfly bush. Use cedar mulch or cottonseed
hulls to keep soil moist and soil temperature even. The objective is to
keep the soil frozen, not warm, so don't mulch too soon. Have your
material ready and then wait for several freezes ... usually around
Thanksgiving time.

FALL COLOR
    Continue planting mums, pansies, ornamental cabbage and kale to give
your fall garden a burst of color. Use ferti-lome Premium Pansy Food in
the soil when planting and then follow up with a balanced water soluble
plant food (like 20-20-20 Geranium, Hanging Basket & Pansy Food).
Pansies will bloom through fall, into winter and again with your bulbs
next spring. Mums are perennials and come back year after year to flower
in the fall.

POINSETTIAS & CHRISTMAS CACTUS
    These traditional holiday plants need a little special attention if
you want color again this Christmas.

    Poinsettias need long nights to trigger the color change in the
bracts. Early October is generally the time to start these artificial
"nights." The 12-14 hour dark period must be uninterrupted by any light
source. Even a dim light can throw off the treatment. During the
remaining "day" period poinsettias need a sunny location. The process
takes about 6 weeks, then you can leave the plants in bright light to
finish the color change.

    Christmas cactus may also be given longer "nights" to trigger bud
development; or they can be kept cool. This can be achieved by leaving
plants outdoors as night time temperatures drop into the 50s. Bring
Christmas cactus inside to a bright location after the buds set on.

TULIPS & OTHER BULBS 
    When planning your spring garden, remember that bulbs make a more
effective display when planted in groups rather than singly.