Hot topics from the home show

Last weekend I spent four great days at the Home and Yard Show at the Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds, visiting and answering your gardening questions. Though there were questions on many different subjects, the same few concerns kept popping up.

What's on gardeners' minds? Snow mold on lawns, the best time to prune roses and what to do with spring-flowering bulbs that did not get planted last fall.

Though the snow may have been a great insulator for the majority of our plants, it may have been too much of a warm blanket for the lawn. As it melts, many of us are discovering what appears to be water-soaked patches of matted grass on the lawn. These patches are a form of snow mold. Their names reflect the color of the patch - gray snow mold and pink snow mold.

The conditions that prompt growth of either of these molds are about the same: snow on lawns that have been fertilized with heavy applications of nitrogen fertilizers prior to dormancy.

Gray mold is most severe when the snow cover lasts more than 90 days. Right now, we're looking at almost 120 days of snow cover, more in some areas. Pink mold shows off its colors under snow that fell on unfrozen, alkaline ground.

So how do we remedy this situation?

After the snow has melted, rake the lawn. But don't be too quick to get out there. Wait until the ground has had a chance to dry a bit. Walking on saturated soil can compact it, which can be just as detrimental as the mold.

After raking, open the lawn to oxygen by core aerating. Though dethatching may seem like a plausible next step, it may do more harm than good. Dethatching can tear up remaining healthy roots, leaving barren areas that may be filled in with weeds and weedy grasses.

If either mold is severe, a lawn fungicide such as Bayleton or Daconil may be needed. If the molds are mild, simply rake the lawn and let warm, dry weather take care of the problem.

As for preventing the mold, don't fertilize in October even though many fertilizer companies recommend it. The last, and most important fertilization should be in mid- to late-September. This fertilization should be low in nitrogen and high in potassium.

When do we prune roses? Not until April, although pruning is dependent upon temperature. If we have warm weather in March, forcing bud development, we may need to prune earlier than April. Keep the plants covered as long as possible and don't get too anxious.

If conditions are right, April is also the time to plant and transplant roses. For those buying rose bushes now, keep them dormant by placing them in a cold, dark room such as the garage.

As for the spring-flowering bulbs that never got planted, don't feel alone. Winter caught many of us off-guard. Plant them outside as soon as you can dig a hole in the ground. You can also plant them in potting soil in pots. Water and set them outside. If temperatures happen to drop into the single digits, simply slip them back indoors. If the bulbs were kept in a cold, dark room, they should bloom this spring.

The main thing is to make sure the bulbs are healthy and firm. If they feel papery, mushy or are moldy, toss them into the compost pile.

Mark your calendar

The Spokane Community Gardens will sponsor a training program for volunteers to help set up and mentor gardens for low-income families. The training is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Manito Park meeting room, east of the Gaiser Conservatory.

The Community Gardens program has helped so many people put food on the table by teaching and helping them grow their own produce. If you can't attend the training class, you can help by donating tools, lumber, seeds, plants or money. Please call the SCG office at 324- 8569 for more information.

The Spokane Cooperative Extension/WSU Master Garden Clinic opens for the season on Monday. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays through the gardening season. Visit the plant clinic and resource center at the Spokane County Extension Education Center at 222 N. Havana, or call them at 477-2048.

The University of Idaho Cooperative Extension will offer a workshop on Landscaping for Fire Protection, Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Kootenai County Extension Office at 106 E. Dalton in Coeur d'Alene.

A workshop titled Managing Your Backyard Forest will be given on March 12 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the same location.

Each class is $5, pre-payment is required. To register or for a complete schedule of workshops, please call (208) 667-6426.

Copyright 2001 Cowles Publishing Company
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