– Christine Gelley, Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator, OSU Extension Noble County

Photo: Debra Smith, Fairfield County Master Gardener

A pop of positivity to start your week is here! Peonies are popping across Southeast Ohio!

As I write this article, my peonies are still in bud, but will grace my yard with their gorgeous displays any day now. I can’t wait! My peonies are blooming two weeks later than they did last year. A common thing to see with peonies is a gathering of ants on the buds and blossoms. These ants do not damage the plant at all. They are there because of the sweet nectar that coats the buds. There is no need to treat or disperse the ants, unless you cut the blossoms and wish to bring them indoors. In that case, dip the flower in Continue reading Peonies About to Pop →

Do you have a Spring Beauty in Your Landscape?

Source: Jerry Iles, Extension Educator-Fairfield County

The spring of 2020 has not been as good as recent springs when it comes to my Redbud (Cercis canadensis) and Dogwood (Cornus florida) tree blossoms. Don’t get me wrong I’ve got some trees that are flowering very well but overall, the weather pattern has not been ideal and the trees are not quite as showy this year.

Let us look at the Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis), This is a native tree to much of eastern North America ranging from southern Ontario to northern Florida. It can thrive as far west as California. One of the first trees to bloom each spring and always a welcome site after a long Ohio winter.  The redbud grows well in the understory of my primarily Oak and Hickory forest. My trees receive limited sunlight after the larger Oaks leaf out. If planted in areas where they receive more sunlight, they develop more dense blossoms and foliage.

They prefer Continue reading Want Native Trees In you Landscape? Learn more here… →

DO NOT PLANT THOSE TOMATOES just yet!! WHY NOT?  It is too cold and we still have the potential for frost in Fairfield County.  Tomatoes do best when planted in warm soils and we have lots of 60 plus degree days!!

If you are new to gardening or want to learn more for success in the vegetable garden..now is the time to check out the Fairfield County Master Gardener Blog…Gardening 101 at the top of this page has all of the answers you need to get you started..it even features great videos with some of our Master Gardeners on Garden Journaling, Starting Seeds and much more…It is easy to find at u.osu.edu/fairfieldmg.

If you want more detailed information on what is happening weekly in the lawn and landscape then check out Buckeye Yard and Garden Line tab ..It is a great source of information from OSU Horticulture Specialist based on observations across the State of Ohio.

Tomatoes like to be planted in warm soils..planting in dry soil after Mother’s Day is your best bet for tomato success