http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/michael_martin_mills RSS Feed for Inq Col Michael Martin Mills en-us Fri, 29 Jul 2011 14:00:11 GMT 2011-07-29T14:00:11Z en-us http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/michael_martin_mills/20110729_Time_to____.html Enjoy the lower-key nature of high-summer garden maintenance. It's too hot (and, most likely, dry, despite a recent downpour) to be planting or transplanting. Pruning of woodies (woody ornamentals) should be on hiatus till late fall. The grass has ceased its rampant growth. So, weed, water as needed, harvest consistently, and deadhead to keep the annuals blooming. Then head for the hammock. Fri, 29 Jul 2011 14:00:11 GMT http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/michael_martin_mills/20110729_Time_to____.html 2011-07-29T14:00:11Z http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/michael_martin_mills/20110715_Time_to____.html Take advantage of the experts and get some choice plants from plant society sales. These events are the best source for superb varieties rarely found in commerce. Plus, society members have tips and knowledge of local growing conditions that no catalog will ever match. Here are four for your calendar, including one Saturday: Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:50:11 GMT http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/michael_martin_mills/20110715_Time_to____.html 2011-07-15T12:50:11Z http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/michael_martin_mills/20110701_Time_to____.html Consider this weekend as a deadline and turning point in the garden. Several tasks should be completed as soon as possible, because putting them off will have disappointing results. Fri, 01 Jul 2011 14:08:35 GMT http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/michael_martin_mills/20110701_Time_to____.html 2011-07-01T14:08:35Z http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/michael_martin_mills/20110617_Time_to____.html Stake or cage anything prone to flopping when taller, even if the plants are little now. Old shoelaces are excellent ties - soft and thicker than twine, usually made of a non-decaying synthetic fiber. Or repurpose the giant twist-ties that come with lettuce and other produce. With both, be a little loose with your bindings - plant stalks should be able to sway a little in the breeze. Fri, 17 Jun 2011 13:39:10 GMT http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/michael_martin_mills/20110617_Time_to____.html 2011-06-17T13:39:10Z http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/michael_martin_mills/20110603_Time_to____.html Get the last of the nursery stock acquired in April and May into the ground - now. Wait until direct sun has left the site and be generous with water for the rest of summer. Fri, 03 Jun 2011 14:08:11 GMT http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/michael_martin_mills/20110603_Time_to____.html 2011-06-03T14:08:11Z http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/michael_martin_mills/20110520_Time_to____.html Complete your acquisitions for flower and vegetable beds and get newly purchased plants into the ground promptly - the solstice is barely four weeks away, when nights start getting longer, shortening veggie growing time. Wait until direct sun has passed the planting area. If hot sun is forecast for the following days, shade small plants for a couple of days (newspaper tent, upside-down clay pot, bushel basket). Water well. Fri, 20 May 2011 13:48:32 GMT http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/michael_martin_mills/20110520_Time_to____.html 2011-05-20T13:48:32Z http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/michael_martin_mills/20110506_Time_to____.html It's Time to. . . Plant, plant, hallelujah, plant! Do so on a cloudy day or in late afternoon when shade has returned to the site. Water well and if a heat wave arrives, consider rigging some shade (umbrella, crude tent of old sheets) for midday. Fri, 06 May 2011 13:16:28 GMT http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/michael_martin_mills/20110506_Time_to____.html 2011-05-06T13:16:28Z http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/michael_martin_mills/5973666.html Wed, 02 May 2007 18:00:26 GMT http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/michael_martin_mills/5973666.html 2007-05-02T18:00:26Z http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/michael_martin_mills/20070126_Garden_Q_A.html Question: What can I expect from my daffodils come spring? With the recent warm spell we have had here in the Philadelphia area, some of the daffodils were up about four to five inches, and some even started to show buds. Mon, 07 May 2007 14:41:43 GMT http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/michael_martin_mills/20070126_Garden_Q_A.html 2007-05-07T14:41:43Z http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/michael_martin_mills/20070112_inq_magazine_GARQ.html Question: I have two clematis growing on trellises, each about five years old. I have never trimmed them back, and each year I'm rewarded with more and more beautiful blooms in the spring. This year, their size became a problem, pulling the arbors over from the weight of the plants. Underneath the new growth were dried vines with no leaves or blooms. Now that all the leaves have fallen off, I'm wondering if I should trim it back. Fri, 13 Apr 2007 15:01:56 GMT http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/michael_martin_mills/20070112_inq_magazine_GARQ.html 2007-04-13T15:01:56Z