Gardening By Kay

08/14/2018

This tropical plant works well for pool landscaping. It grows from a single small seed. Do you know what it is?

08/09/2018

It's not too late to plant vegetables!

Plant these vegetables late summer in your garden for the best possible harvest in the cooler months.

08/03/2018

Moving a tree or large shrub

If your tree or shrub is bigger than 6-7ft, it might be worth buying and planting a new plant, rather than trying to move it. Any large plant that is transplanted, will typically take 2-3 years to recover to the same level of fruit or flower production that it is currently producing.

The best time to move a large plant or tree is in the late-autumn or winter when the tree is dormant.

Ideally you need to start the preparation of the move the autumn the year before. Dig a trench around the plant just outside the tips of the leaves and about 30-45cm (12-18" deep). Cut through any roots, now leave the tree for a year. The tree will produce fibrous roots on the inside of the trench, helping the plant get re-established a lot quicker, once moved.

The following year, or if you can't wait, dig down and underneath the tree, taking as much of the root ball as you can. To protect the roots in transit drag sacking a tarpaulin or a large, strong piece of plastic sheeting, underneath the root ball, gather up the four corners of the sacking and tie to the stem of the plant, wrap delicate branches with a net curtain or fleece to protect them. The plant can now safely be moved to its new position.

Dig the new hole before removing the tree from its existing position, this will reduce the chance of the roots drying out.

Make sure that the tree or shrub is planted at the same level in the ground as it was in its original position. A quick tip is to lay a bamboo cane across the hole, ensuring that the top of the root ball is level with the cane, removing or adding soil to the planting hole, depending on whether it's too high or too low.

Before back filling the hole, stand back, and look at the tree/shrub to make sure that the best side is facing where you will see it most often.

All plants should be watered well before and after moving, potting-on or planting in a border. Add a good layer of mulch after watering to keep in moisture.

07/30/2018

Succulent Plant Pruning

How And When To Prune Succulents General Cactus Care
There are many reasons for pruning succulent plants. Cactus care and pruning is sometimes similar and usually discussed when advising how to prune a succulent. Keep reading to learn more about succulent plant pruning and the reasons for doing so. Reasons for Cutting a Succulent Plant Adult succulents growing in too little light often stretch out, a common reason for pruning succulent plants. This involves a process called beheading, or removing the top part of the plant. When cutting a succulent, use sharp, clean pruners to avoid disease or start rot in the stem. Not as bad as it sounds, beheading your plant provides at least one new plant and possibly more, depending on the length of the stem. The remaining base will likely have some leaves or grow new leaves or both. You can remove leaves and propagate them for new plants. The top that was removed will callous over to be replanted. It is a common practice to let all plant parts scab over before planting them. This prevents the succulent piece from taking in too much water, which is usually fatal. Some plants grow new babies from the bottom of the stem. Learning when to prune succulents will depend on the size of the babies and the room remaining in the container. You may like the look of a full container with smaller plants dangling and pushing over the edges. If so, don’t feel forced to prune until the overall health of the plant cannot be maintained. Succulent plant pruning only becomes necessary when the mother plant appears in decline. When to Prune Succulents Cutting a succulent is needed when: The succulent dies after flowering (some do) It is overgrown, leaning or too crowded Stretched out (too tall, with bare space between the leaves) Bottom leaves die (these can usually be removed without cutting) Disease control If you have succulents, you may also have a cactus or two in your collection. So what about pruning cactus plants? Ideally, you’ve planted your cactus in an area with plenty of room for growth. But, if it has overgrown and can cause danger, pruning may be needed. Cut padded cactus at the joints, never removing part of a pad. Pruning succulent plants makes your arrangements last longer in the same container, while allowing you to multiply your plants. Pruning cactus helps keep them within a safe location. Always wear protective clothing, such as thick gloves, when working with a potentially dangerous plant.

Read more at Gardening Know How: Succulent Plant Pruning – How And When To Prune Succulents

There are many reasons for pruning succulent plants. Cactus care and pruning is sometimes similar and usually discussed when advising how to prune a succulent. Click here to learn more about succulent plant pruning and the reasons for doing so.

07/25/2018

Gardening By Kay offers Gardening Services to residents of South County
Weeding, Planting, Designing
$20 per hour - 2 hour minimum

07/25/2018

Thinking of moving plants around in your yard this summer? Read what is safe or unsafe to move in the heat of summer.

Plans change. Plants change. That shrub in the perfect spot 3 years ago is now in the worst spot you can imagine. So the question is: Wil...

07/23/2018

Dividing and Moving Iris – How To Transplant Iris
Summer is the best time to divide Iris

The first sign that your iris need divided will be decreased blooming. Overcrowded iris rhizomes will produce fewer flowers than uncrowded iris rhizomes. If you have noticed that your iris are blooming less than they have, you may need to transplant the iris in your garden.

To divide your iris, start by lifting the clump of iris plants out of the ground with a spade or fork. If possible, lift the whole mass out whole, but if you are unable to do this, carefully break the clump into smaller parts and lift these out.

Once the iris rhizomes have been divided, you can replant them. First, trim all of the iris leaf fans back to about 6 to 9 inches tall. This will allow the plant to re-establish its roots without having to support a large amount of foliage at the same time.

Next, plant the iris rhizomes in the selected location. This location should receive a good deal of sunlight and should be well draining. Dig a hole where the rhizome will settle into the ground just below the ground level. If planting several iris near each other, point the rhizomes away from each other and space them 18 inches apart.

Don't cover with too much dirt or they will not bloom! You want to be able to see part of the bulb.

Now water your newly transplanted Iris and wait for your new spring blooms!

07/20/2018

What's Going On For the Gardener In St Louis This Weekend?
Want to grow Cactus and Succulents?

July 21st-22nd

9am-5pm—Henry Shaw Cactus and Succulent Society Show and Sale. Choose from a wide array of cacti and succulents shown and sold by the area’s top growers, including thousands of rare specimens and starter plants priced from $2. Cactus Society members will be on hand to answer questions and give plant care advice. Missouri Botanical Garden, Beaumont Room. Entry included with Garden admission.

The Henry Shaw Cactus and Succulent Society, Missouri chapter of the Cactus and Succulent Society of America, is devoted to the study and enjoyment of cacti and succulent plants. Plan to attend an HSCSS cactus meeting or event, where members are happy to help beginners.

07/18/2018

Whitaker Music Festival Tonight

Free admission after 5pm

Music By Al Holiday and the East Side Rythm Band begins at 7:00pm.

Alcohol and food MAY be brought in

For more information visit

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07/17/2018

A must read for summer gardening!

July is an unpredictable month in the garden. These tips will make sure your plants make it through July's heat and humidity healthy and productive.

07/16/2018

The Conservation Department purchased this 4,318-acre area in 1997 to create an urban conservation area. The area includes a view of the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, more than 6.5 miles of river frontage, about 800 acres of bottomland forest and a 110-acre island.