5 things to do in the garden this week:
1. You can test the drainage of any soil by digging a hole 1 foot deep and filling it with water. If the soil drains within four hours, you have decent drainage. If the soil requires more than four hours to drain you have a drainage issue that could lead to soil fungus problems, and significant soil amelioration with organic amendments is recommended. And then there’s the simple shovel test: Is your soil easy or difficult to dig? If you have a hard time digging, you will need to incorporate as much soil amendment as your back will tolerate.
2. This is the moment that Martha Washington geraniums (Pelargonium x domesticum) are looking their best. I see masses of their pastel blooms in pink to red to purple on hefty shrubs that reach four feet high and three feet wide. Leaves are finely cut around the edges, adding to the handsome visage of this woody perennial. Marthas appreciate full sun and do equally well whether planted in pots or in the garden.In the manner of geraniums of every kind, they propagate easily from stem and shoot tip cuttings, 4-6 inches in length.
3. Plant hydrangeas now. Hydrangeas grow well as long as they are protected from hot sun. They do require constant soil moisture and, for this reason, it is wise to grow them near the front door so you do not have to drag a hose through your garden in order to keep them hydrated. Fertilize every other month with almost any fertilizer, although some growers are partial to an acid-type formula for azaleas. Expect waves of blooms from spring until mid-fall. Hydrangeas are somewhat cold-hardy and may be grown as far north as Acton.
4. You can stop watering those onions and garlic that you planted in the fall as soon as you see their outer leaves begin to yellow. Bulbs will continue to grow but yellow leaves indicate they are ready to be dug up and eaten. If you wish to store your garlic and onions, wait until all leaves have turned brown before removing bulbs from the earth. As for greens such as lettuce, Swiss chard, arugula, and kale, harvest them early in the morning for maximum hydration, freshness, crispness, and storage longevity.
5. Consider planting a passion fruit vine. Tanaka, Possum Purple, Nancy Garrison, Red Rover, Edgehill, Kahuna, and Frederick varieties are recommended. Give your vine ample light but protect it from the hottest afternoon sun. You will need to grow it on a trellis or train it to grow along a wall. It is not known for cold hardiness but should flourish anywhere in Orange County. Plant it in a wind-protected area and do not water it during the winter. Thin your vine and cut back as much as one third of its growth following harvest.
If you have questions or comments, please email joshua@perfectplants.com.