A26'Lancaster Farming, Saturday. April 23, 1994
Weather’s Right, So Idea Garden Goes In
ANDY ANDREWS
Lancaster Farming Staff
LANCASTER (Lancaster Co.)
Planning fe*ver — n. 1 a : The
incredible urge, when the weather
turns just right, to plant, b : the
stale of mind when planting.
About 12 Lancaster County
Master Gardeners know what
planting fever was like this past
week. The rains passed through
late in the day Tuesday and the sun
broke out clearly Wednesday
morning. The sun warmed things
up. '
It was irresistible.
To Idea Garden coordinator and
Master Gardener Hans Lienhard, it
was warm enough, even in the 60s.
to take a chance that we won’t have
a host. So out came the 1,200
plants in 14 varieties, obtained
from Good Harvest Vegetable
Farm and Greenhouse, Strasburg,
to adorn the entrance and side of
the Farm and Home Center.
The Master Gardeners
spades, shovels, and wheelbarrows
This was the first year, according to Lienhard, that the
gardeners did a soil test, which came back nearly average
on pH. But some soil additions, including lime, were
needed.
TWo weeks ago the gardeners were out tilling up the
ground and working In peat mosa. Also, a 10-10-10 fertilizer
was worked in the ground tor season-long fertilization.
in hand moved mulch and dug
away, beginning at about 8 a.m.
Wednesday. It only took about
four hours before all the varieties
for the annual Idea Garden were
planted.
For some of the plants, such as
the salvias, cold weather, especial
ly a frost, could have a dramatic
effect. But many of the perennials
are winter hardy and could take a
little nip now and then.
“We’re hoping the weather will
hold up, ’ ’ said Lienhard. pushing a
spade to the already wet earth.
Geraniums, petunias, salvias, mar
igolds, Alyssum, and more will
bloom in the coming months
around the building perimeter of
the Farm and Home Center.
Already, the cold winter has had
an effect on the perennials, accord
ing to Lienhard, delaying their
bloom by more than two weeks.
“But in die long run,” he said, “it
all evens out
“Things are coming up much
faster now that the sun’s out”
Last year, the gardeners put the
Idea Garden in late, because of
unusually'cdld weather into May.
But this year, the overall cold
weather “kind of slowed us down
and we were delayed in getting to
work on the ground,” he said.
Two weeks ago the gardeners
were out tilling up the ground and
working in peat moss. Also, a
10-10-10 fertilizer was worked in
the ground for season-long
fertilization.
This was the first year, accord
ing to Lienhard, that the gardeners
did a soil test, which came back
nearly average on pH, but some
soil additions, including lime,
were needed.
An open house to showcase the
Idea Garden will be held in
August, said Lienhard.
For many who want to start gar
dens of their own, this is the place
to get some ideas of what will
work, including the hardier
perennials.
For many who want to start gardens of their own, this is the place to get some ideas
of what will work, including the hardier perennials. Here, Carol Stoltzfus waters the
geraniums.
Lancaster County Master Gardeners know what planting fever was like this past
week. The rains passed through late In the day Tuesday and the sun broke out clearly
Wednesday morning. From left, Hans Llenhard, Elaine Fisher, and Pam Daughton
work mulch Into the garden.
The Master Gardeners—spades, shovels, and wheelbar
rows In hand moved mulch and dug away, beginning at
about 8 a.m. Wednesday. From left, Hans Lienhard and Pam
Oles.
*: *, o - ‘S' /T-
f.
J