5 things to do in the garden this week:
Herbs. Rue (Ruta graveolens is a species with distinct visual appeal, possessing softly lobed blue-green foliage and yellow flowers. Its leaves release a foul smell when trodden upon and so served as a strewing herb. Generally speaking, strewing herbs had pleasant scents and covered the floors of houses, especially in England, during the Middle Ages. People did not bathe much in those days and by spreading herbs that released pleasant aromas when walked upon, unpleasant odors could be disguised. But even foul-smelling herbs had their purpose since they were utilized to keep away pests. Rue was considered the most malodorous of all herbs, was even thought to keep away evil spirits, and was spread on church floors for this purpose. You can usually find rue in the herb section of your local nursery.
Fruits. Plant cantaloupe seeds now in mounds several inches tall with four feet between mounds. Sow six seeds per mound, thinning them to two. Allow two to three melons to develop on each plant or even just one fruit per plant for maximum size and sweetness. Water with soaker hoses or drip irrigation to keep foliage dry which might otherwise be infected with devastating mildew.
Vegetables. If you are looking for a giant tomato variety to grow, consider Omar’s Lebanese, a pink heirloom whose tomatoes can weigh over three pounds each, although they generally weigh half that. The plants, growing six to eight feet tall, will need to be sturdily staked to support such a weighty crop. Omar’s Lebanese is a beefsteak tomato, a type characterized by red or pink flesh, juiciness, and sweet, classic tomato flavor. To grow these tomatoes to maximum size, remove most of the flower buds or young tomatoes so that only a few per plant are allowed to ripen.
Perennials. Gerbera daisies bring happiness and smiles of glee as much as any other members of the plant kingdom. They are blooming now and make arresting tablescapes by floating individual flowers in small glass bowls. Do the same thing with gazanias and blanket flowers (Gaillardia), which are Gerbera daisy relatives. Gerberas are as drought-tolerant as any perennial you can grow. I have witnessed gerbera plants that grew for two decades in afternoon sun. Even in the hottest weather, they never needed to be soaked more than once or, on rare occasions, twice a week.
The biggest mistake made when planting seeds is to plant them too deep, whereupon they rot. Seeds should not be planted deeper than a depth equal to their own length. Keep in mind that, in nature, seeds germinate where they fall, which is on the soil surface. I have found that many seeds will sprout if they are buried just beneath the soil surface, as long as they are covered with a thin layer of water-retentive compost to keep them hydrated until germination occurs. It is advisable to water daily until at least three true leaves (not including cotyledons or seed leaves) are seen.
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