Sea Cliff Garden Coach

July 28th, 2015

7/28/2015

sUMMER gARDEN sURVIVAL

Doesn't seem to be much relief from Mother Nature these days...The gifts of water from above seems to be missing the path of the North Shore! The dark clouds of last evening hovered a bit with promise but, I was out watering this morning yet again...So, What's to be done with tired flowers and weeping leaves? Let's back up and look at what can be done...
First , if you hadnt already, a good mulching in flower beds and any new plantings helps hold moisture in while protecting tender root areas from the burning sun!
Second , A sufficient watering system , which may be a timer on a hose connection, an irrigation system or -you..should be on a regular basis during extreme heat as we have had ..
Third , remove drying foliage off plant material and if flowers have wilted , cutting back a plant will help it regenerate in a few weeks
Fourth ..make sure the plant itself has enough soil around the root area to nourish it and hold water....
All in all, it cant be perfect ...but the joy in gardening is also in nurturing !!!!
Any questions...write back or email sgiordanodesigns@yahoo.comThank you Susan Giordano llc

Susan Giordano designs

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RAINY DAY BLOOMS

7/1/2015

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Well...this blooming season has turned out to be a challenging one...First the sun , then not! Mixed in with rain drops and even hail...So , what do we do ?-and what do we expect? First of all..the rain is good and healthy for the plants as they reach down deep for their water and nutrients! So , this is twofold, on one hand we use less water and the plants are drinking daily but on the other hand the 'fleur' are not showing much or get beaten down by rain!-yikes!
Here's the good news...Summer just started!!! When the sun comes back, we're in for a delightful show!!!
Hints & Positive notes: It's great gardening weather! It's easy to weed! It's saving Water! It's calming! The Hydrangea are delighted!
So, this week remember to liquid feed your plants and as the weather warms up your plants will have available nutrients also ...dead head and dead head again!
The Roses should be pruned down 3-5 leaf breaks and spent flower heads should be removed ...All this will encourage new growth....
Happy Fourth to all of you ...Plant a bit of Red White n' the Blue!!!Our tried n' true colors.....Sue

Susan Giordano designs

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HELLO FELLOW GARDENERS!!!

6/1/2015

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HELLO FELLOW GARDENERS!!!

Here we are enjoying the sound of rain!! In a few days all your plants will reap the benefits of a good dose of H2O!!!! If you have already planted your annuals , then the weekend could be a good time to fertilize with a Miracle- Gro product . Water soluble is a good way to go with a gradual warming trend into the first week of June. Your plants will be drinking up these nutrients and showing off their talents 1-2 weeks out!
I've been busy planting for the past few weeks, decorating walkways /pool-sides /patios /& doorways with wonderful annual combos....Here are 'Garden Pot 'recipes:

"Hot Stuff" Croton,deep purple Petunia,Potato vine,&Lantana
                  Mandevilla vine,Lantana, Diplodema
                  Hibiscus(tree/shrub) Petunia, Scaevola/Vinca Vine

"Cool Containers" Caladium,Coleus,Ivy,N G Impatiens
                              Kimberley Fern, Ivy,Coleus
                              Begonia,Ferns(experiment w/varieties)Vinca

Experiment always , but, be aware of growth patterns ! Some plant material like the Mandevilla n' Kimberley Fern can grow quickly , doubling their root ball....Sooo, pot size n' shape is important....Have fun ...no mistakes when you're working with Mother Nature!!!!   Thank you ...Your Garden Coach , Susan

Susan Giordano designs

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SPRING

5/4/2015

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There was much leading up to this Spring
....a tough Winter , temps up and down and now ...well, no rain!
So, I'm here to remind you that despite all the snow melt,it's a bit dry out there...Call on your irrigation companies, get the hoses hooked up and connections in order.
Also, this is the week that we all can relax about a last frost, so we're planting once again.
In order to enjoy gardening try to take it a bit slower by making thoughtful purchases with somewhat of a plan...Reflect on past years pluses, non performers. and possible changes. Make a list of colors you'd like to see and your shade and sunny areas....A good thing to keep in mind is that as our growing season progresses, the variety of annuals and perennials increase and grow as well! Take your time and you'll enjoy the garden more step by step....A couple of hints..Have on hand a slow release 6-9 month fertilizer-Perfect for our growing season-& great in containers..ALSO, when planting flats , measure the area you need to cover-each cell pack will cover @ a foot. ..or I like to plant a cell pack as a bunch every 4-6 " in between for quicker results! Sometimes by buying a 6 or 8" pot of annuals you get get the advantage of finding not 1 plant but 3or4!.......
Have fun and take your time-experiment in a pot and place the containers into the garden bed for height and appeal...
Coming up next: easy garden planting recipes..Thank you-ENJOY!!!! Susan
Susan Giordano designs

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PIGS IN THE GARDEN

4/22/2015

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Spring is still running a bit late this year@ 2-3 weeks which gets us to enjoy the slower emergence of bloom and enjoy the welcome color it seems this past Sunday we all woke up to a burst of sunlit Daffodils and golden sprays of Forsythia ! The magnolia was quietly waiting in the wings ! By Mothers' Day all seem to catch up and we' re all rushing to plant our beds!! Enjoy the tulips next and take time to fertilize all bulbs when in bloom! I'm hoping you all have lined your lawns because here come the wild garlic and onions that no matter how much one mows they seem to grow much quicker than the grass plant itself !!!! sooooo- there are a few things one can do . Since it is an acidic plant , changing the PH will help to control them. Therefore add lime and organic matter to your affected areas. -OR , the best way is to pull out the plant with its many bulbs under ground out ( at least 6" below) instead of using chemicals. Anyway the nature of its'giage resists the staying power due to its glossy like smooth texture . AND if all else fails - get a PIG - yes Pigs love to feast on these garden delicacies but, the drawback is they can really makes mess !!!anyway please take the moment to enjoy the visual delights out there until next week !!! THANKYOU. , your garden coach ,Susan

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SPRING

4/11/2015

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Winter was seemingly endless these past few months and almost no hope of ever seeing the garden bed!!! But, as Nature would have it , here it is ! As fast as it exits, one day, the bulbs we planted are reaching for sunlight with promise of bloom. It is such a thrill to see the green. As soon as they are in bloom be sure to fertilize with BULB -TONE,so as to store nutrients for next years' growth. Today's forecast for the week to come is sixties all the way!!! Now is your opportunity to do some garden prep while the temps are friendly for a good garden workout. Here's a little list to get you going......

Take stock on your garden tools, work gloves,fertilizers/soil treatments
Clean debris from all plant material to make way for healthy new growth emerging
Cut any dead branching off your plant material
If you haven't-cut roses down asap-& sow your cool weather veggies
If you're a lil' late, garden centers will be selling starter veggies
Think about last years' garden and make a plan for new flowers to come
This is the perfect time to make changes with a bare canvas awaits your design
Note the times of bloom in which you plant , beginning now, for a full next year garden
Take an overview of watering needs from the past year and upgrade and repair all watering mechanics
Remember any plant material placed now still needs sufficient watering
Holly -Tone your acidic loving plants and Plant- Tone all other material
Product usage is friendly these days and all info is displayed on packaging
Be watchful & not wasteful....plant those tender flowering annuals @ Mothers' Day
If you cant wait ..do something manageable in a container or any size pot

And with the above in mind sterilize the pots first w/a bit of bleach and water ( 1-9)
And with you in mind , enjoy the Spring enjoy nurturing Nature!!!!

Your Garden Gal...Susan Giordano

Feel free to write back with questions and thoughts!..Talk next week!!!!!!

Susan Giordano designs

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July 28th, 2015

RAINY DAY BLOOMS

HELLO FELLOW GARDENERS!!!

HELLO FELLOW GARDENERS!!!

SPRING

PIGS IN THE GARDEN

SPRING

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