THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 15, 1995 TAG: 9510130132
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G2 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: GARDENING REMINDERS
SOURCE: Robert Stiffler
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
NOW IS THE TIME to enroll in ``Pruning: The Gentle Art of Persuasion'' to be held for professionals on Nov. 2 and for homeowners on Nov. 3 at the Norfolk Botanical Garden. The sessions go from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and cost $35, including lunch. Subjects include: pruning methods; pruning without strain; plants as architectural components of the garden; and transitional pruning techniques. The meeting concludes with a demonstration by Colonial Tree Care and Nuckols Tree Care. The symposium is made possible by a grant from the Virginia Department of Forestry, the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service and the tree care companies named. To register, send your check to Norfolk Botanical Garden, Azalea Garden Road, Norfolk, Va. 23518. Call 441-5838. SUB FRESH HERBS FOR DRIED
The All America Selections committee recently sent out a release saying that dried herbs have more concentrated flavor than fresh herbs, so if you substitute fresh herbs in a recipe that calls for dried herbs, you'll need to increase the amount. A rule of thumb is to use twice the amount of fresh herbs in a recipe that calls for dried herbs, unless it specifies using a certain amount of a fresh herb. GET RID OF WEEDS
It's especially important to pull or destroy all seed-bearing weeds and undesirable grasses this time of year. This is when they form seed heads to make sure to come back and haunt you nest season. Pull or hoe out such rascals and don't leave them lying on the ground. Put them in the garbage. SEASON FOR MOONFLOWER SEED
There is continuing interest in moonflowers, and this is the time of year they form seed pods. If you have seed to share, please write. There are dozens of gardeners who'd like some seed, which is often hard to find in garden centers. BOOK AVAILABLE IN N.C.
My new book, ``Robert Stiffler's Gardening in Southeastern Virginia and Northeastern North Carolina,'' is now available at more retail outlets in North Carolina at Bracy Books in Elizabeth City and at Buxton Village Bookstore in Buxton. There will be a signing at Bracy Books from 9 to 11 a.m. Nov. 4. RE-ESTABLISH LAWN
Most folks will agree the summer of 1995 has been too hot and humid. Everything wilted but crabgrass. The good news is that the first good frost will kill the crabgrass. The first step is to overseed now to re-establish weakened turf. It's late but seeding can still be done.
A core aerator, used before reseeding, will help new seed take hold on compacted, heat-hardened ground. First the aerator removes plugs of dirt, creating room for the soil to ``move.'' Broadleaf weed controls may also be needed but most will harm the new turf you've just planted. Wait six weeks or use Buctril, one that is compatible with new seedings.
Next spring use a pre-emergent crabgrass control. Often the cheapest are the weakest and provide the shortest period of coverage. The more expensive controls could save you a re-application later in the spring. This advice comes in part from The Landscape Memo of The Brickman Group, this country's largest commercial landscaper. by CNB