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Letter to the editor

Gardening

Time can stand still with shears in hand

By MARY COLLISTER
Published May 6, 2005

A few minutes can turn into a few hours in your garden. Any time I get a pair of pruning shears in my hands, I end up with a truckload of debris.

I began recently with my "secret garden," so named because of some thick vegetation and a sitting area. A large oak tree shades the east end, and my first attack was to remove a few small, low branches that required ducking under when mowing. I noticed the golden dew drop (Duranta repens) had branches growing up into the oak tree. I decided to remove these.

The golden dew drop is a great shrub in an informal area. It will get 15 to 18 feet wide and at least 10 feet wide if you let it. It is considered a tender evergreen, but mine is closely surrounded by other plants so it has not been harmed in the winter. The flowers are lavender and the fruit yellow. Birds and butterflies are attracted to the plant, but be careful where you plant it because the attractive fruit is poisonous to humans. Keep it out of reach of little ones.

I pulled up a big trash bag full of ferns and raked oak leaves off of the two stepping-stone pathways I have in the area. I also raked leaves from the small patio. This is the only raking of these leaves I do; most stay where they fall. I never buy mulch for this area because there are always plenty of leaves. If I have extra soil or compost, I throw it on top of the leaves to hold them in place.

My cherry tree is the new addition to this area; it's planted on the west end. There was some grass growing in the area where I had removed the sod before planting the cherry, so I pulled that up.

Earlier in the week, I decided to get rid of a rattan planter on my lanai. One of the legs was broken, and it had seen better days. I removed the mother in law's tongue from the container and planted them in this secret area also. I know they can get out of hand, so I will not let them spread too much. Simply pulling them out will control their numbers.

After all my raking, pruning and pulling, I noticed a few bare areas to stick some flowering annuals or perennials.

A neighbor recently asked me how to care for a grapefruit tree, and I offered this advice:

Water: Grapefruit requires moist soil, but never freestanding water. It needs air in the soil. Established trees should be watered every other week. If newly planted, water at least twice a week. Don't let the trees get to the wilting point. It is best to place a very slow-running hose (a fast drip) near the trunk of the tree a couple of times a month during our dry season.

Drainage: The soil must drain quickly. No citrus likes its roots sitting in water. If you are planting a new tree, incorporate peat moss, sawdust, ground bark or other organic materials into the soil.

Mulching: Grapefruit tree roots grow near the surface of the soil as well as deeper, so mulch is beneficial. Use 2 to 3 inches of mulch, but keep it away from the trunk.

Fertilizing: Use 1 to 2 pounds of actual nitrogen for mature trees each year. To get pounds of actual nitrogen multiply the percentage of total nitrogen, as stated on the label, times the weight of fertilizer. It's best to apply a third each in late winter, in June and in August.

Spread fertilizer beneath and well beyond the branch spread of the tree and water in deeply. Use a high-nitrogen formula. The tree may suffer from iron chlorosis or zinc deficiency. Chlorosis (yellowing of leaves with dark green veins) may also be caused by excess water. Treat with chelated iron or iron sulfate. Zinc deficiency shows up as a yellowish blotch or mottle between leaf veins. Control with zinc foliar sprays. Commercial products are available as sprays containing both iron chelates and zinc.

Pests and diseases: Aphids, mites, scale insects and mealy bugs may be a problem. If these pests' natural enemies fail to handle the infestations, and if jets of water fail to keep the pests in check, spray with appropriate chemicals. If scale remains troublesome, spray with light oil in early spring. Bait or spray for snails and slugs whenever necessary, especially during warm-night spells of winter and spring. Snails and slugs are usually a problem with young, newly planted trees.

Pruning: Remove dead and crossing branches as needed.

If you follow an appropriate maintenance routine, you should have more grapefruit than you can eat. Share with those neighbors who don't have their own tree.

Our weather is warming up. I suggest you finish up those big projects before it gets any hotter. During our summer heat and humidity, I try to limit the amount of time I have to work in the garden so strive to have it in good shape by the middle of May.

[Last modified May 5, 2005, 01:31:12]