THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 16, 1995 TAG: 9504140075
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G2 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: GARDENING REMINDERS
SOURCE: Robert Stiffler
LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
MANY RETAIL OUTLETS are filled with annual bedding plants now, but be wise and don't buy those with flowers. When you buy such plants as petunias, marigolds, zinnias, impatiens and begonias, choose plants with healthy leaves - not blooms. The bloom drains energy out of young plants.
If you insist on buying plants in bloom, pinch off all flowers and most of the flower buds when you plant them. This gives them more energy to grow healthy roots and leaves. TIME TO GO BANANAS
The Virginia Beach banana lady, Esty Vollrath, reminds readers that the end of April or the first of May is the proper time to put their banana plants outdoors, after there is no danger of frost. Plants will grow much taller, look better and be more apt to bear fruit if planted in the ground as opposed to leaving them in pots, Vollrath says. She has several banana plants kept in her greenhouse all winter that have new leaves unfurling and will be a month ahead of any stored under a house. Price is $5 per foot, if you're interested. Call 486-3217. SAFE REMEDIES TO PLANT DISEASES
Try a dose of compost tea, urges the press release on a new book by Barbara Pleasant titled ``The Gardener's Guide to Plant Diseases - Earth-Safe Remedies,'' (Storey Communications, $12.95 paperback).
Pleasant, who gardens in Huntsville, Ala., describes techniques for prevention and control of garden diseases plus tips for identification of more than 50 diseases. She offers economical and environmentally friendly alternatives to chemicals for controlling garden problems.
Pleasant does all her garden organically. She is a good writer and has previously written ``The Gardener's Bug Book'' and ``Warm-Climate Gardening.'' To order, call (800) 441-5700, Dept. SET OUT VEGETABLES
From now to late June is the best time to set out vegetable plants. If you've planted yours early, they just sit and sulk on cold days and nights. Tomatoes, peppers and eggplant refuse to grow until the soil is warm.
Remember to water the planting hole before you plant to put the water near the roots. There's pretty good proof that vitamin-hormone solutions added to the water help plants get a better start. Every garden center has them, sold under various brand names, often with the words ``plant starter'' in the name. MASTER GARDENERS PLANT SALE
Virginia Beach master gardeners will hold their annual plant sale Saturday at Pembroke Mall. Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Plants of all kinds, including herbs, will be for sale. ANNUAL HERB SALE
The Fred Heutte Center in Ghent Square, 1000 Botetourt Gardens, will hold its annual herb sale from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 4 p.m. next Sunday. More than 100 varieties of herbs will be available, as well as containers, potpourri and other things related to herbs. Call 441-2513. PHONE NUMBER CORRECTION
An item ran in this column on March 26 about a new book that can help you grow plants from seed, but the phone number listed was incorrect. To order Eileen Powell's book, ``From Seed to Bloom - How to Grow over 500 Annuals, Perennials & Herbs,'' (320 pages, $18.95, soft-cover), call Storey Communications at (800) 441-5700, Dept. YP. by CNB