January Gardening Calendar 2024

January Gardening Calendar

Basil

Start planning for Spring. January is the perfect month to start planning your garden for the current year. As a refresher for last year’s thoughts, ideas or plants you were thinking about purchasing, dust off your gardening journal to see what changes or additions you wanted to make this year. A garden is always evolving.

Start looking at seed and garden catalogs. January is a good time to start planning this year’s design features and plants. Seeds and new introduction plants sell out quickly. Don’t miss out and wait, try to order your seeds or reserve your plants soon. Reserving your plant purchase guarantees the plant will ship at the proper time for planting in your USDA zone.

Seed starting Kits. Growers recommend starting the seeds indoors in a bright location to get a jump start to spring. There are seed starting kits which are advertised as seed starter germination kit or seed starter greenhouse kit. The kits usually feature a tray, growing media disks, and a cover for the tray. The kits are an excellent choice to start growing your seeds before spring. Some kits even include a warming matt to get a faster germination rate. 

Bare Root Roses will be arriving soon at local garden centers. Prepare planting beds by digging an area 3 feet wide by 12 inches deep for each rose. Soak bare root roses in a mixture of SuperThrive and water for 24 to 48 hours before planting. Local nurseries will also have available roses in peat pots. These pots are biodegradable and can be planted. Don’t take the plant out of the peat pot. Before planting cut the pot halfway down and around the pot four times. This action helps the peat pot degrade faster. For more information on Rose Care Click Here.

Poinsettias water only when the soil is dry to the touch. Start fertilizing in March. Poinsettias need bright light and cool temperatures even indoors.

Deciduous Trees and Shrubs the structure of the trees and shrubs can be easily seen this time of year. Prune all branches that rub or cross each other. Trees and shrubs can be planted now. Plan to plant on a warm day when the ground is not frozen. When the weather warms for a week or longer, and then the temperatures drop into the twenties, cover Camellias and Gardenias nightly until the temperatures are above freezing. The last week in January prune Pear and Apple trees, and Grape vines.

Vegetable Garden till the soil, if the ground is dry. This preventative measure helps to eliminate weeds, insects, and nematodes. Don’t have room for a vegetable garden, but would like to grow your own vegetables? All vegetables can be grown in large planters. The recommended size for vegetables is 16 inches or larger. In fact, that is how I grow my vegetables each season. For more information on Spring Vegetable Gardening Click Here.

Prune Pampas Grass and all other ornamental grasses down to about 12 inches. Prune Lantana and Cannas to about 2 to 3 inches. Shape Crepe Myrtles and Altheas and remove old seed heads.

Annuals water winter annuals like pansies, violas, ornamental cabbage and kale, after a hard freeze. This helps to rehydrate the annuals faster. Water outside container plants before a hard freeze, too.

Houseplants check for insects. Insects like mealy bugs, scale, spider mites are more likely to infest your plants during the winter months. Spray with a horticultural oil or insecticidal soap, and make sure you spray underneath the leaves. Turn your houseplants a quarter to half turn once a week. This prevents leaning of your houseplants. I turn mine once a week when I water my houseplants.

Need more gardening advice? Follow our BlogSpot for current sales, daily specials, and sound gardening advice. Simply click on Join This Site Link under Followers. Sign Up Is Free. View Current Blog Post Click Here.

All photographs maybe purchased as fine art prints at HibiscusandMore.com  

Cheryl Ann Meola Art

Butterfly Gardening

Houseplants - Grow Fresh Air

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All photographs and digital images are ©Cheryl Ann Meola. All Rights Reserved. All photographs and digital images displayed in this newsletter are for viewing purposes only and cannot be duplicated or copied.

©Cheryl Ann Meola

 

Tips for Winter Gardening in Your Garage

Image via Unsplash

Tips for Winter Gardening in Your Garage

Gardeners in colder climates often despair when the gardening season ends and the long winter moves in. If you have a garage, with the right equipment and knowledge, you can extend your gardening season through the winter. Here are some tips to help you out from Hibiscus and More.

Weatherproofing Your Garage to Regulate Temperatures

Garage doors and windows are not made to be weatherproof, and let in too much cold air for successful winter gardening. If you have a single garage, covering the door with heavy plastic sheeting is effective at keeping out cold air. If windows are in good shape, they can also be covered with plastic sheeting, but this is a good time to assess the need for window repair or replacement. Garage windows are usually smaller, so repair and replacement costs average around $300 per window. Costs vary based on your locality and whether you need simple window repair or a total window replacement. Generally, the cost is offset by grocery savings on fresh, organic food.

Assessing Growing Space

Most homeowners already have numerous things stored in the garage, so creating space for growing plants involves some organization. First, determine how much you want to grow and how you are going to grow it. With inexpensive shop light fixtures and utility shelving, you can grow micro- and mini-greens efficiently and quickly, harvesting a few crops over the winter. For larger plants, such as tomatoes, five-gallon buckets are sufficient and can be placed under an array of lights or single spotlight grow-lights. Spacing suggestions are found on the back of seed packages or online.

Choosing Lighting for Best Growth

Proper lighting is essential for healthy plants. There are several lighting options to choose from, but these two are the most commonly used and more suitable than more powerful solutions for small-space growing.

•             CFL bulbs. The cheapest and often most sensible solution is regular fluorescent bulbs in an inexpensive shop-light fixture. Because they don't produce much heat, they can be used on each shelf of a shelving unit without burning the plants. They are the best choice for growing seedlings and small plants such as micro- and mini-greens.

•             LED lights. LEDs are more expensive initially than CFLs but use less energy. Less expensive LED grow lights often do not produce good results. They are more effective and powerful than CFLs but may not produce the full spectrum of light for some plants.

Controlling Heat, Humidity, and Air Circulation

In colder climates, an uninsulated garage needs supplemental heat, despite putting ample plastic sheeting on the walls. Your heating system must maintain a temperature of 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal growth. Using a propane or natural gas heater requires ventilation and the use of a carbon monoxide alarm system to prevent the gas from leaking into your home. Electric heat costs more but is ultimately safer. The best way to control humidity is with proper air circulation, which requires fans pointed in at least two directions to keep the air moving at all times.

Upgrades to Consider

There are several upgrades to consider that can not only make this space more functional for your green endeavors but also potentially add value to your home. First, consider installing proper insulation to maintain a consistent temperature, crucial for plant growth. Ventilation is another key aspect; installing an exhaust fan can help regulate humidity and air circulation. For watering convenience, you might also think about setting up a small sink or water source. Remember to document your work meticulously, as these enhancements can be appealing to future buyers who might appreciate a versatile, well-equipped garage space. Not only will these upgrades support your winter gardening, but they could also increase the overall appeal and value of your property.

Meeting the Challenge

While growing vegetables in a garage seems challenging, taking it step-by-step can create a successful outcome. With a little planning and effort, you can extend your growing season through the winter months!

For high-quality tropical botanicals and nature photography, visit Hibiscus and More today!

©Larry Waters 2023

Mastering the Art of Edible Landscaping for a Feast of Sights and Bites

An outdoor space that yields both sustenance and visual delight is an attainable dream, regardless of the square footage at hand. From urban balconies to expansive lawns, the transformational journey to an edible and visually arresting landscape is not only fulfilling but also practical. The ensuing guide shared by Hibiscus and More delineates seven critical approaches that aim to cultivate an outdoor oasis where produce meets design seamlessly.

Incorporate Grasses that Serve Dual Roles

Ornamental grasses have always been a garden favorite, but their edible counterparts offer a fresh perspective you should consider. Grasses like Lemongrass can be strategically planted to function both as eye-catching borders and functional barriers. In addition to providing structural integrity to the garden, these grasses have culinary uses, making them a savvy choice for the modern-day cultivator. The most popular varieties for cooking are West Indian Lemon Grass – Cymbopogon citratus, East Indian Lemon Grass – Cymbopogon flexuosus, and Citronella Grass – Cymbopogon nardus.

Choose Plants with Culinary and Visual Benefits

Why settle for plants that only serve one purpose? Garden denizens like Swiss chard offer a feast for the eyes with their vibrant stalks, while their leaves bring nutritional value to meals. Similarly, the delicate flowers of the nasturtium are not just visually captivating; they are also a colorful addition to salads. Thus, these plants tick both boxes: they are visually appealing and provide nourishment.

Chronicle Your Experience Digitally

Expanding the reach of your edible landscape through digital platforms like YouTube opens the door to myriad opportunities, from community engagement to potential revenue streams. If contemplating the venture from a business perspective, discussing the merits of structured planning, such as forming a Limited Liability Company, can offer valuable insights to your audience. An LLC can offer a number of different benefits, include liability protection and certain tax advantages. There are several companies that can help you register all the right paperwork and documentation with the state.

Integrate a Spectrum of Sensory Elements

Creating a colorful landscape involves more than planting a row of tomatoes next to herbs. Integrating plants with various shapes, textures, and hues can give your garden a lush, layered look. A juxtaposition of the deep red tomatoes, the slender and subtle greens of dill, and the architectural allure of artichoke leaves, for example, will lend a sense of rich visual diversity to your outdoor space.

Harmonize Plants Based on Necessities

Strategic grouping of plants according to their individual sunlight and water requirements can streamline maintenance and minimize resource wastage. By planting sun-loving herbs like basil on the sunny sides and allocating shadier spots to moisture-loving leafy greens like spinach, you're setting the stage for each plant to flourish without excessive care and attention.

Optimize Space through Smart Design Choices

Space constraints are not a limitation but an opportunity for creative gardening solutions. Raised beds and container gardening can be perfect solutions for compact areas. Apart from maximizing the available area, they offer enhanced control over soil composition and drainage, making them ideal choices for urban gardeners who want to grow a variety of edibles on a smaller scale. For more information on container gardening.

Adopt Sustainable Pest Management

Harmony with nature is a core philosophy of edible landscaping, which extends to pest control. Chemical pesticides might offer quick solutions but often at the expense of environmental well-being. Natural deterrents like planting geraniums or African marigolds can offer a sustainable yet effective alternative to keep troublesome insects like Japanese beetles at bay. Or one can use a combination of natural deterrents and environmentally friendly sprays such as Safer Soap, Neem Oil, or Dormant Oil.

Achieving an outdoor space that is as productive as it is visually striking is not just an aspiration but a realistic goal. By adopting multi-functional plants, documenting your journey digitally, infusing variety in sensory elements, optimizing space, and embracing sustainable practices, your landscape will not merely be a backdrop but an interactive, enriching part of your life. This melding of utility and aesthetic allure ensures that your outdoor space becomes a wellspring of both inspiration and sustenance for anyone who encounters it.

©Larry Waters 2023.

 

Tropical Botanical Stock Images

 Hello Gardeners,

Recently, Cheryl decided to display her botanical images featured on this blog to a stock photography website.

Do you need botanical stock images? Click here: Stock Images 

Do you know someone who needs stock images for work? Click Here: Stock Images

Please share this post with other media platforms to help me spread the word about my photography.

Thank you.

Snapdragon

 

August Gardening Calendar 2023

August Gardening Calendar

July and August forecast is predicting above average temperatures for most of the United States. For the past two weeks there have been heat advisory warnings daily and to use precautions while working outdoors. The best times to garden in an area that has heat advisories is early morning or late afternoon. When we garden during these heat advisories it is recommended to protect yourself from heat dangers by:

·         Stay out of the sun, if possible.

·         Drink plenty of cool water whether you are thirsty or not.

·         Wear loose, light-colored clothing, and sunscreen. Try wearing clothes that use the Dri-Fit technology.

·         Try to schedule outdoor activities early mornings or late afternoons.

·         While working outdoors pace yourself and take a break when tired.

Prune Tropical Hibiscus you plan to bring indoors for the winter. Plan to place your plant in the sunniest window during the winter months. Trim back enough to fit your location indoors and bring your Hibiscus inside around December or before first frost. After pruning check your Hibiscus for insects and spray with appropriate insecticide. Now is a good time to fertilize your Hibiscus. Hibiscuses are heavy feeders and should be fertilized monthly.

Remove faded blooms and seedpods on your Crepe Myrtles. You may be rewarded with more blooms before first frost. The recommended fertilizer formulation for Crepe Myrtles is 10-15-9 or a similar combination. Don’t forget to fertilize your Crepe Myrtles.

Roses prune out dead canes, and weak, bushy growth. Cut back tall, vigorous bushes by 1/3 the original plant height. Fertilize roses on a monthly basis until October. After pruning you should see new blooms coming in about 6 weeks.

Azaleas Lace bugs on your Azaleas increase rapidly in summer. Check your Azaleas for insects. The damaged caused by these sucking insects looks like tiny white dots and the entire leaf is almost completely white. Spray with appropriate insecticide labeled for Azalea Lace Bugs.

Lawns check your grass for insects, especially for chinch bugs and white grubs. These insects are most active in the summer months. The signs for chinch bugs are irregular circles, and the grass is thin, and then dies. For white grubs, the signs are irregular circles, and the grass is loosely rooted. Check the soil underneath the loosely rooted grass by digging up the soil, the grubs should be about an inch down in the soil, if you have them. Apply the appropriate insecticide and follow the package directions carefully. Lawn Mower Blades should be sharpened once each summer. A sharpened lawn mower blade prevents shredding the grass, and giving your lawn a nice, clean cut.

Mulch check all shrub beds and trees for mulch thickness. We are experiencing extreme heat this summer and shrubs and trees that have 2 to 3 inches of mulch keeps the roots cool and helps the soil retain moisture.

Fruits and Vegetables Start planning your fall vegetable garden this August. Till the soil and add Gypsum and Composted Cottonseed hull. The additives lower the alkalinity and helps the soil stay loose. Tomatoes, Peppers, and Beans should be planted by August 1^st. Starter plants usually are available by August 15^th. Pick the varieties of tomatoes that mature in 65-70 days. Cool season vegetables, broccoli, carrots, lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, swiss chard, collards, spinach, kale, and snow peas are planted in September. Blackberry and Raspberry plants at this time of year have a tendency to trail along the ground. Take the trailing canes or runners and tie them back to their arbor. For more information on planting fall vegetables click to read my blog post Here.

Seeds sow cool season seeds of snapdragons, dianthus, pansies, calendulas, and sweet alyssum to be planted in mid to late fall. Sow seeds of bluebonnets and other spring wildflowers this month to be planted in the garden. The wildflowers will establish a root system during the fall for spring blooms.

Tropical Foliage Plants Check plants that are spending the summer outdoors for insects. Use an insecticidal soap, if needed. Your houseplants can be fertilized biweekly with a water-soluble plant food. Hibiscus and More has a wonderful selection of houseplants and Herbs. Click To Order Houseplants. Click To Order Herbs.

August is a good time to start thinking about fall bulbs. Mail-order houses usually have early bird specials for consumers who order early.

Cheryl now features her botanical photography on two stock websites. Need the Image as Stock? Click Here. 

Cheryl has written 3 books on gardening and can be purchased on Amazon. Click Here.

Need more gardening advice? Follow our BlogSpot for current sales, daily specials, and sound gardening advice. Simply click on Join This Site Link Under Followers. Sign Up Is Free. 

Cheryl Ann Meola

Certified Texas Nursery Professional #1282

 

 

Cheryl Ann Meola Tropical Botanicals and Nature Stock Photography

          Cheryl Ann Meola Tropical Botanicals and Nature Stock Photography 

An avid horticulturist and gardener, Cheryl Ann Meola gained invaluable experience in the eighteen years she worked within the plant nursery industry. Her career began with Cornelius nursery in Houston, Texas where she took classes to become a Texas Certified Nursery Professional. Upon completion of the courses, she was promoted to bedding plant supervisor.

In 1989, she received her Associate in Arts degree in Landscape Architecture from Miami-Dade Community College (MDCC). During this time, she worked for five years at MDCC in their Landscape Technology Nursery, a teaching nursery.

While at the nursery, she photographed the plants, and her plant photography was later used as an instructional tool for Plant Identification students. The photo guide of native and tropical flora inspired the idea to write Southeast Style Gardening. While writing Southeast Style Gardening she became an estate gardener at Deeridge Farms, and was responsible for growing organic vegetables, herbs, tropical fruits, ornamentals, tropicals, and orchids. The ornamentals, tropicals, and orchids were utilized in the landscape, and the fresh edibles were enjoyed by the owners. She enjoyed all the praise!

Cheryl realized while writing Southeast Style Gardening that she could use the same writing format to author other gardening books. After her first book was finished, she began writing a book about Butterfly Gardening as she had already done extensive research into butterfly gardening to design a butterfly garden for a friend. Thus, Gardening for the Butterflies: Designing and Creating a Butterfly-Friendly Landscape was written. The book will allow the reader to plan and plant a butterfly garden. Basic butterfly gardening topics include: the life cycle of the butterfly, an introduction to butterfly gardening, planning and planting your garden, gardening tips and guidelines, and planning and planting butterfly container gardens, watering, and fertilizers to have a beautiful garden. To help in the design process the book includes a butterfly design plan and key to where the plants go, suggested plants for each zone 3-11, and a master list of nectar and larval food plants for zones 3-11 for the design key to help in the design process.

After Gardening for the Butterflies, Cheryl began writing about houseplants and the wonderful health and air purifying benefits houseplants give their owners. Thus, Grow Fresh Air was written. All books can be purchased on Amazon on the links provided in each section the book is mentioned. All Photography in her books is by Cheryl Ann Meola. All images Cheryl needed for the three books became an intensive data base, which got her to have another idea about using her images, Stock Photography.

Cheryl Ann Meola’s stock portfolio specializes in tropical botanicals and Nature photography. Each image has the current botanical, scientific, and common names. Cheryl just added new images to her stock photography portfolio. The new images are Cocos nucifera - Coconut Palm, Cyrtomium falcatum - Holly Fern, Magnolia grandiflora - Southern Magnolia, Platycodon grandiflorus - Balloon Flower, Coreopsis lanceolata - Lance-leaved Coreopsis. This is just an example of what has been uploaded this week. Check back weekly because images are being uploaded daily. You can search Cheryl’s portfolio by common or botanical name. The images are royalty-free images.

Need floral stock photography? Click here. Need botanical stock photography? Click here

All photographs and digital images are ©Cheryl Ann Meola. All Rights Reserved. All photographs and digital images displayed in this newsletter are for viewing purposes only and cannot be duplicated or copied.

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Cheryl+Ann+Meola   

https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/210785031/cheryl 

Coconut Tree

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Fourth of July Sale

                                                                     Live Plant Sale

HibiscusAndMore is very excited to announce their first plant sale of the season. HibiscusAndMore is back in business offering the beautiful plants such as Live Fresh Herbs and House Plants. All plants are planted in OMRI organic listed soil, and the plants are in 3-inch eco-friendly, biodegradable pots that are ready to be transplanted into your favorite container or directly in the garden. Click Here for Live Plants.

This year our beloved Monarch butterfly is now listed on the endangered species list. As gardener’s we need to help and fast. My book, Gardening for the Butterflies will help get you started. Need more information on Butterfly Gardening? Click Here.

Grow Fresh Air will help you with your HousePlants and inform you on the wonderful benefits of having houseplants. Need more information on HousePlants. Click Here. 

Visit Hibiscus and More for fine art Prints because we have more than just plants. Click Here.

Happy Fourth of July From HibiscusAndMore and I hope you enjoy my blogspot and the Fourth Holiday.

Happy Gardening.