Early Seeding

There have been some bare areas in my lawn in back that are in a high-traffic area partially under a large pin oak tree. I have some landscape beds under part of the tree and around my house in back. I would really like some lawn on the other side of my oak tree, so I thought to try and overseed these areas before it got any later into the spring.

When seeding in the spring, earlier is better. By getting your seed down early, it has a chance to absorb water without actually beginning to grow. (The soil temperatures are too cold.) Once the soil temperatures warm, this seed has a head start and can start growing.

When doing any lawn seeding project, it is important to choose your seed carefully. Great seed makes a great lawn! I used Gold Tag seed because it has zero percent “weed seed,” and zero percent “other crop”. Even a tiny percentage of either of these two categories would lead to potentially thousands of weeds in my new lawn!

My husband & I broadcast the seed by hand and worked it into the soil. Hopefully we will be successful and will have a thicker lawn in a few months. I’ll keep you posted.

Winter Descication

I’ve been noticing some winter damage on my boxwood in front of my house. I snapped a picture of some of the damaged foliage. This is winter desiccation and it is caused by lack of moisture during the winter months.

Most people think all plants go dormant during the winter; however this is not true for evergreen plants. Evergreens (like boxwood) never go completely dormant during the winter months and need to be watered. If they do not receive enough moisture, they dry out and winter desiccation is the result. Desiccation is visible by browning of foliage (like my picture above shows.)

Tree Roots Exposed

Like I mentioned yesterday, my family and I were enjoying the nice weather at Shawnee Mission Park over the weekend. We stopped by the river that runs through the park and I snapped this picture of some trees at the water’s edge. I know the height of the river changes often depending on the amount of rain that we receive. (I’ve seen grass laying down from the force of the water when it’s been full.)

I thought it incredible that these trees are able to stay standing so close to the water's edge. The majority of a tree’s root system is in the upper 10-12” of soil. The roots of these trees are very exposed because of the soil being washed away over the years. You can see that the trees closest to the river's edge are starting to lean over the river. Eventually enough soil will wash away and they will fall into the water below.

Beaver Damage

This weekend I was with my family at Shawnee Mission Park in Lenexa, KS. We enjoy biking and hiking at this park when we can. We came across this beaver damage on two hackberry trees near a stream and river that run through the park. I thought it was neat. The beaver used its large teeth around the circumference of the trunk of the tree. When there was not enough wood left to support the tree, it fell over. You can see where the inner bark was stretched and beginning to tear.

I do not know much about beavers, so I googled it. I found it interesting that beavers are the second largest rodent in the world. They are active mainly at night and slap their tail on the water surface to signal danger to other beavers. Their homes (lodges) are constructed out of sticks, twigs and mud in lakes and streams and they build dams using deciduous wood.

Flowers on Maples

Have you ever noticed flowers on trees? I’m not talking about the trees with showy flowers like magnolias, crabapples or pears. I’m talking about shade trees like maples or ash. Growing up I never really noticed the flowers on shade trees, but I do now. Every spring I look for them. Maples are one of the first trees to flower, letting me know that spring is on its way.

The weather over the weekend was beautiful. While I was enjoying a walk, I noticed the maples were flowering. I brought some branches home so I could snap a picture to share. The top picture is a red maple with flowers in full bloom. The bottom picture is a red maple with the flower buds swelling, right before they open. I love spring!

Random Friday

It is a BEAUTIFUL day here in the Midwest. Has spring finally sprung? My local extension agent cautioned gardeners not to get too excited, yet, as there is still a chance of a hard freeze.

Luckily, this is the prime time for me to plant my sweet peas, so in my world, spring has arrived.

I noticed the other day that my tiny witch hazel had bloomed--and I think I missed it. The blooms now are a little shriveled and down-facing, but maybe that is what the blooms look like on tiny witch hazels. (The other witch hazel didn't survive its first season--it was brought low by the post man.)

The tulips in the backyard still have not been brave enough to peak through. What are they waiting on?!?! Maybe they are afraid of a late, hard freeze, too!

Yesterday I went on a walk and passed one of my favorite landscapes in the neighborhood. Mostly because he has dwarf dawn redwoods, three of them planted in a kind of cluster. Oh, how I want you in my yard, redwoods.

That's all for now--have a great weekend!

Sweet Peas

Photo from: American Meadows

Along with the daffodils, I will be planting some of these little gems as well. I haven't been so successful in the past growing flowers from seeds. Of course, I think the squirrels are the culprit, not my stellar gardening skills *wink*.

Stay tuned for pictures of all the planting fun!