It is great to be outside and getting some soil underneath the fingernails, isn't it? And our weather has been perfect for yardening. Things are finally in full swing outdoors and the questions are pouring in. Let's get right to them.
First, after last week's rain, a number of people asked about the small little lumps of coffee-ground-like soil all over their lawns. These are castings and they come from earthworms. It is hard for me to remember that many in Alaska don't know about them as earthworms are not native to these parts and a lot of yards are just now getting them
For those who don't know, earthworms are blind and sensitive to light. They come out in the dark and on cloudy days, especially when rain forces them out of their burrows. They pull organic matter underground and then ingest it to get the bacteria, fungi and protozoa that live on it. Worms couldn't care less about the carrier material. When this organic matter passes through the worms, it is processed so that what comes out the other end has a much, much higher concentration of many plant nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen, sulfur and more) than the soil around it. So, these bumps are good for your lawn. People pay for vermicompost and you are getting it for free. Just mow over them and spread the stuff out.
The increased nutrient value is why vermicomposting, or composting with worms, is so popular. You get better soil. You might want to consider a worm bin. You can add your compostable kitchen scraps and turn them into soil. A pound of worms in a bin will process a pound of scraps a day. If you don't use citrus peels, you won't get flies and can keep your system running indoors in the winter, too.
Several other readers want to know what to do about early bugs on their plants. This is always a tricky subject. My standard advice is to use neem oil products because they are so safe. However, they are not selective and will kill the good guys along with the bad ones. As such, it is important that they be applied selectively. Don't spray a whole garden -- just, for example, the tips of those meadow rue that are covered with aphids.
Better yet, why not always start with cold water sprays. What could be safer than that? And, when necessary, use selective icides. Bt products, for example, are used for caterpillars like the ones devouring your delphiniums this week. Horticultural oils and soaps may work best on the sawflies that are starting to look at your gooseberries. Mint oil and garlic sprays are good repellents for stink bugs.
Here is an odd one. What is the one thing I would recommend to make an existing property look better without having to build anything or start something new? The answer is easy. Work the place over (carefully) with a weed eater. These string trimmers are great tools when used properly (and that includes taking necessary safety precautions). Get all that grass the mower misses up along decks and walks and around landscape rocks and even trees (be very careful of the bark). Get under bushes, turn it sideways and get the edges of the driveway. I like to simply put it over dandelions and take off all their leaves. After a couple of hours, you will have a new, better-looking yard.
Two readers wanted to know how much soil they needed to put in new lawns. Good question -- with too many variables for me to answer. However, there are some great formulas on the Web for this. For beds, it is just a matter of multiplying the length times the width times the depth to get the cubic feet you need. Divide this by 27 and you will get the number of cubic yards. Since the soil will compact, you might want to get 15 to 20 percent more than you need. Want to spread a certain amount on your lawn (a great idea to rejuvenate one)? Here is the formula: www.topsoilcalculator.net.
How do you get more raspberry plants? Ah, this is really easy. There are three ways. First, you can buy new plants. They are not expensive and this week there are bare root sales. It is a good way to get new varieties like those delicious golden raspberries. Second, once plants fruit, leave some. It will go to seed. Third, you can take a cane and bend it down to the ground. Secure it there with a rock or use a piece of a coat hanger to hold it down. It will root by the end of the season. Realize, however, that raspberries spread by roots underground. You may not need to do any of these things to increase the number of plants you have.
Finally, several folks seem to think I suggest watering lawns and then putting fertilizer on. This is not quite accurate. I urge homeowners to water lawns in the spring before they do anything to them. Only then, once the grass is up, determine if it needs feeding. From my point of view, most do not if you have been leaving the clippings as you mow. Don't let that Scottish fellow on TV convince you otherwise.
Keep those emails and questions coming: jeff@gardener.com.
Jeffs Alaska Garden Calendar
Harden off, still: Yes, you do. Everything that grows indoors needs to be acclimated even though it is summer.
Start seeds: Broccoli can often be started now and the new seedlings planted in a month will produce at the very end of our season if there isn't an early frost. Lettuces should be staggered throughout the season. Same with radishes.
Stake: Delphiniums, sweet peas, clematis, large tomatoes.
Alaska Botanical Garden Gala: June 25. The most fun you can have in a garden and an important fundraiser for the ABG. Tickets are necessary; visit alaskabg.org/gala for more information. If you can get a ticket, this is a must-attend event. See you there!
Nurseries: Start looking for big sales.