rec 1

    1 (T)(F)(L)[ 1] Watering Summer Plants  
    2 ( )(F)( )[ 1]  A blistering summer sun along with inadequate watering often  leads to the downfall of a potentially beautiful yard containing  a healthy lawn, flowers and shrubs.
    3 ( )( )( )[ 2]   Many times the problem isn't recognized until plants are  badly damaged or dead.
    4 ( )( )( )[ 3]   And, over-watering can be as much a  problem as under-watering.
    5 ( )( )( )[ 4]   Here are some suggestions for getting water to the roots of  plants, and keeping it there:  Never water strictly by the calendar.
    6 ( )( )( )[ 5]   Instead, learn to  recognize dry plants and soil, and use these symptoms as your  watering guide.
    7 ( )( )( )[ 6]   When plants are dry, water them thoroughly.
    8 ( )( )( )[ 7]   Water lawns so  the soil becomes wet several inches down.
    9 ( )( )( )[ 8]   This encourages deep  rooting and resistance to extreme dry periods.
   10 ( )( )( )[ 9]   Water trees and shrubs by taking the sprinkler off the end  of the hose and letting the water run slowly for an hour or so.
   11 ( )( )( )[10]   Be sure water is going where you want it and not just running  off.
   12 ( )( )( )[11]   Symptoms for water-logged plants are about the same as those  that have been kept too dry.
   13 ( )( )( )[12]   Plants begin to wilt and turn  yellow.
   14 ( )( )( )[13]   To hold moisture in the soil, use a mulch such as tree bark,  bagasse or pine straw.
   15 ( )( )( )[14]   Besides reducing evaporation, mulches  keep the soil cooler and make weed pulling easier.
   16 ( )( )( )[15]   Be especially  careful to keep newly planted trees and shrubs well watered.
   17 ( )( )(L)[16]   Their developing root systems are especially sensitive to under-watering and over-watering.  

rec 2

    1 (T)(F)(L)[ 1] February Gardening Suggestions  
    2 ( )(F)( )[ 1]  During February it's not unusual to begin thinking about the  warmer days of spring and the things you'll be doing outside.
    3 ( )( )( )[ 2]   But, it may be that you'll want to get outside and work in the  garden during the warm days of February because what you do  during February will certainly affect what your garden has to  offer during the spring.
    4 ( )( )( )[ 3]   You can plant gladiolus during the latter days of January  and the first week to ten days of February.
    5 ( )( )( )[ 4]   You can prolong the  blooming season of glads by planting a few corms each week until  about the middle of March   but no later.
    6 ( )( )( )[ 5]   Also, if you want early flowers, seed annuals in boxes and  keep them indoors.
    7 ( )( )( )[ 6]   February is a good time to fertilize trees.
    8 ( )( )( )[ 7]   Remember, it's  best to put the fertilizer in holes in the soil.
    9 ( )( )( )[ 8]   Fertilize trees  with about a pound to a pound and a half of a balanced fertilizer  for each year of the tree's age.
   10 ( )( )( )[ 9]   A balanced fertilizer is one  such as 8-8-8.
   11 ( )( )( )[10]   Shrubs should be fertilized with about a quarter of a pound  of a balanced fertilizer for every square yard of area covered by  the spread of the plant.
   12 ( )( )( )[11]   You can delay fertilizing your shrubs  until March.
   13 ( )( )( )[12]   If you're more of a vegetable gardener, here are the  vegetables which can be planted during February   beets, carrots,  broccoli, turnips, mustard, spinach, parsley, cabbage, Chinese  cabbage, radishes, Irish potatoes, leaf lettuce, head lettuce  (during the first part of the month), snap beans and corn.
   14 ( )( )( )[13]   Also,  you can transplant broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, head lettuce  and shallots.
   15 ( )( )( )[14]   If you're planning to plant tomatoes this spring, you can  plant tomato seeds in a greenhouse or in hotbeds during January  or by the end of February.
   16 ( )( )( )[15]   Tomatoes require about seven to eight  weeks from seeding until they reach transplant size.
   17 ( )( )( )[16]   Eggplants  and bell peppers require eight to ten weeks of growth.
   18 ( )( )( )[17]   If you're considering planting a pecan tree or two, you  should get it done by late February.
   19 ( )( )( )[18]   The dormant season for  pecan trees ends in early March and trees must be set out before  the growing begins.
   20 ( )( )( )[19]   Container-grown pecan trees may be planted  on into spring as temperatures remain cool.
   21 ( )( )( )[20]   Late February to early March is an ideal time to fertilize  the fruit plants in your home orchard.
   22 ( )( )( )[21]   An annual application of  fertilizer is critical to the maintenance of healthy, productive  fruit trees and plants.
   23 ( )( )( )[22]   Here are a few other things you may want to do in February  if you grow fruit   plant blackberry root cuttings.
   24 ( )( )(L)[23]  check  strawberry plants for spider mites    apply pre-emerge herbicides  to the lawn to control spring annual weeds   plant container-  grown citrus trees   collect fig cuttings and add mulch to  rabbiteye blueberry plants.  

rec 3

    1 (T)(F)(L)[ 1] Ajuga  
    2 ( )(F)( )[ 1]  Ajuga, commonly called Bugleflower, is a popular ground  cover.
    3 ( )( )( )[ 2]   It's used in rock gardens and as an underplanting for  trees and shrubs.
    4 ( )( )( )[ 3]   Ajuga will grow in shade, on flat areas and on  slopes.
    5 ( )( )( )[ 4]   Ajuga grows about five inches high.
    6 ( )( )( )[ 5]   It has a dense, compact  form.
    7 ( )( )( )[ 6]   Its dark green foliage is three to four inches long and  about an inch wide.
    8 ( )( )( )[ 7]   Some varieties turn bronze in the fall.
    9 ( )( )( )[ 8]   Few ground covers grow as easily and as quickly as ajuga.
   10 ( )( )( )[ 9]   It spreads by runners, much like strawberries.
   11 ( )( )( )[10]   For a quick  cover, plant ajuga eight to ten inches apart.
   12 ( )( )( )[11]   It's easy to  propagate.
   13 ( )( )( )[12]   Even the smallest piece with roots will take hold.
   14 ( )( )( )[13]   Ajuga can be planted anytime during the growing season, but  it does have a shallow root system and should be watered in dry  weather.
   15 ( )( )( )[14]   Ajuga has a serious disease, crown rot, which causes plants  to wilt and die suddenly.
   16 ( )( )( )[15]   This disease is most common in hot,  dry weather and occurs most often on heavy, poorly drained soils.
   17 ( )( )( )[16]   To control crown rot, remove affected plants and the soil around  their roots.
   18 ( )( )(L)[17]   Drench the area with a soil insecticide labeled for  ajuga.  

rec 4

    1 (T)(F)(L)[ 1] Boxwood  
    2 ( )(F)( )[ 1]  The American boxwood is a tall, evergreen shrub used for  foundation plantings.
    3 ( )( )( )[ 2]   It has long been associated with the  colonial homes of the South.
    4 ( )( )( )[ 3]   Boxwoods thrive in well-drained, sandy, loamy soils that are  high in organic matter and have a pH of 55 to 7.
    5 ( )( )( )[ 4]   They like  semi-shade.
    6 ( )( )( )[ 5]   Avoid full sun and dry, hot locations.
    7 ( )( )( )[ 6]   Boxwoods have shallow roots and cultivating around them can  disturb the root system.
    8 ( )( )( )[ 7]   Mulch boxwoods with pine needles or  other organic materials to a depth of no more than two inches.
    9 ( )( )( )[ 8]   This will help to conserve moisture, reduce weeds and help them  get established.
   10 ( )( )( )[ 9]   Be sure to water them thoroughly, but don't  plant them near drain spouts.
   11 ( )( )( )[10]   They don't like wet feet.
   12 ( )( )( )[11]   Prune boxwoods yearly for the first few seasons after  planting.
   13 ( )( )( )[12]   Prune in early summer so that new growth can harden  off before the first frost.
   14 ( )( )( )[13]   Keep all dead twigs and branches  pruned.
   15 ( )( )( )[14]   They provide ideal conditions for disease-causing fungi.
   16 ( )( )( )[15]   After the first few years, prune the plants periodically until  you get the plants to the size you want.
   17 ( )( )( )[16]   Keep the stem crotches  at the base of the plant free of any accumulation of dead leaves  and other debris.
   18 ( )( )( )[17]   Boxwoods should be kept thoroughly watered  during the summer drought periods.
   19 ( )( )( )[18]   Fertilize boxwoods in early spring.
   20 ( )( )( )[19]   Apply more fertilizer  in early June.
   21 ( )( )( )[20]   If the soil hasn't been tested, use one or two  pounds of 8-8-8 per 100 square feet of surface area.
   22 ( )( )( )[21]   Don't apply  fertilizer within six inches of the main stem.
   23 ( )( )( )[22]   American boxwoods are especially susceptible to boxwood leaf  miners.
   24 ( )( )( )[23]   These are insect larvae that feed between the two  surfaces of leaves.
   25 ( )( )( )[24]   Other insects that attack boxwoods include  boxwood phyllid nymphs, Japanese wax scale and spider mites.
   26 ( )( )( )[25]   You  can control them with insecticides.
   27 ( )( )( )[26]   The most common disease of boxwoods is phytophthora root  rot.
   28 ( )( )( )[27]   It can injure the plant seriously.
   29 ( )( )( )[28]   There's no chemical  cure for this disease, but the following suggestions may help you  avoid it:  Be sure to buy healthy plants.
   30 ( )( )( )[29]   Don't plant boxwoods in  poorly drained areas.
   31 ( )( )( )[30]   If you must plant them in clay soils,  build up the beds.
   32 ( )( )(L)[31]   Mix pine bark into the planting site to a  depth of 12 inches and remove any dead or dying branches  promptly.  

rec 5

    1 (T)(F)(L)[ 1] Crape Myrtle  
    2 ( )(F)( )[ 1]  A popular small flowering tree used in landscaping is the  crape myrtle.
    3 ( )( )( )[ 2]   There are a number of reasons for the popularity  of the crape myrtle -- its availability, its long blooming  season, its freedom from serious pests, and its ability to grow  under most conditions.
    4 ( )( )( )[ 3]   The crape myrtle begins blooming in May and you're likely to  see colors such as watermelon red, shades of lavender, red, pink,  white and even variegated colors.
    5 ( )( )( )[ 4]   The crape myrtle is sometimes called the "Southern Lilac" or  the "Flowering Tree for l00 Days" because it blooms off and on  during a three month period.
    6 ( )( )( )[ 5]   As soon as the flower heads fade, they should be pruned from  the plant with a knife or shears.
    7 ( )( )( )[ 6]   You should make the cut right  behind the old flower head, leaving as much foliage and stem as  possible.
    8 ( )( )( )[ 7]   New growth will appear and new flowers will follow in  about three to five weeks.
    9 ( )( )( )[ 8]   Then, as soon as these second flowers  begin to fade, they should be cut from the plant.
   10 ( )( )( )[ 9]   In many cases,  you'll find that you will get a third blooming stage in the fall.
   11 ( )( )( )[10]   Crape myrtle should get full sunlight most of the day.
   12 ( )( )( )[11]   You'll find that crape myrtle planted in shady areas will produce  diseased, weak, and spindly plants with only a few flowers.
   13 ( )( )( )[12]   Container-grown crape myrtle can be bought and transplanted  anytime of the year as long as you're careful to give them enough  water after they're transplanted.
   14 ( )( )( )[13]   Although crape myrtle can be  planted anytime, the best time to plant them is in the winter  when the plant is dormant.
   15 ( )( )( )[14]   Crape myrtle needs to be fertilized.
   16 ( )( )( )[15]   Generally this tree  will need about one pound of fertilizer for every year of age of  the tree, up to ten pounds.
   17 ( )( )( )[16]   Apply the fertilizer by punching  holes about 12 to 15 inches deep into the soil and about two feet  from the trunk of the tree.
   18 ( )( )( )[17]   Use one cup of fertilizer, which is  about a half pound, in as many holes as is needed to get to the  amount needed by the tree.
   19 ( )( )( )[18]   When you're looking for crape myrtle, you'll find three  general kinds -- dwarf, the improved weeping types, and the old,  standard, upright varieties.
   20 ( )( )( )[19]   Unfortunately, it's hard to buy crape myrtle by variety.
   21 ( )( )( )[20]   Most of them are sold by color and size.
   22 ( )( )( )[21]   However, several named  varieties which are fairly common include "Near East" which is  flesh pink, grows vigorously and has an outstanding sculptural  form.
   23 ( )( )( )[22]   "Pink Ruffles" is a deep pink flowering dwarf.
   24 ( )( )( )[23]   "Cherokee"  is a bright, true red that is medium sized.
   25 ( )( )( )[24]   "William Toovey" is  the most common large watermelon red.
   26 ( )( )( )[25]   "Potomac" is a large,  long-flowered clear pink variety.
   27 ( )( )( )[26]   "Seminole" is a clear pink  plant with large flowers and several bloom cycles.
   28 ( )( )(L)[27]   "Powhatan" is  light purple and reported to be mildew resistant.  

rec 6

    1 (T)(F)(L)[ 1] Gardenias  
    2 ( )(F)( )[ 1]  The gardenia is a popular flowering shrub, and is limited to  regions of warmer climate.
    3 ( )( )( )[ 2]   This delightful evergreen has  distinctive glossy foliage and fragrant, white, waxy flowers  which bloom in late spring and summer.
    4 ( )( )( )[ 3]   The blossoms have been a  favorite with gardeners for generations.
    5 ( )( )( )[ 4]   Gardenias grow on a wide range of soils, but they do best in  moist, loamy, well-drained soil.
    6 ( )( )( )[ 5]   The soil pH should be between  50 and 60.
    7 ( )( )( )[ 6]   Gardenias grow best in soil mixed with organic  matter such as peat, bark and sewage sludge.
    8 ( )( )( )[ 7]   Mulching will help,  too.
    9 ( )( )( )[ 8]   Each spring, fertilize gardenias with a complete garden  fertilizer such as 8-8-8 and apply additional iron.
   10 ( )( )( )[ 9]   Apply  fertilizer a second time in early or mid-summer.
   11 ( )( )( )[10]   Don't fertilize  gardenias in the fall.
   12 ( )( )( )[11]   Doing so will stimulate tender growth  which may be killed if the temperature in winter drops below 15  degrees.
   13 ( )( )( )[12]   White flies often attack gardenias.
   14 ( )( )( )[13]   They can be controlled  by insecticides or oil sprays.
   15 ( )( )( )[14]   The oil sprays will control the white fly and remove the  black, sooty mold from gardenia leaves.
   16 ( )( )( )[15]   When using oil sprays,  follow the manufacturer's directions.
   17 ( )( )( )[16]   They cannot be used when  temperatures are very hot or cold.
   18 ( )( )( )[17]   Prune gardenias after they have finished flowering.
   19 ( )( )( )[18]   This is  usually in late May or early June.
   20 ( )( )(L)[19]   Prune late-flowering  varieties after flowering is completed.  

rec 7

    1 (T)(F)(L)[ 1] Hollies  
    2 ( )(F)( )[ 1]  Chinese and Japanese are two of the most popular types of  hollies.
    3 ( )( )( )[ 2]   First, let's look at the Chinese holly.
    4 ( )( )( )[ 3]   When they're  left alone they will grow as tall as 20 feet, but most people  control this growth by pruning them.
    5 ( )( )( )[ 4]   Chinese hollies are tolerant of poor soils and poor  drainage.
    6 ( )( )( )[ 5]   Of course, this makes them easy to grow.
    7 ( )( )( )[ 6]   They will  grow in shade but for best growth and fruiting, they need at  least six hours of sun each day.
    8 ( )( )( )[ 7]   The most common mistake people make in growing Chinese  hollies is failing to prune the plants for several years after  planting.
    9 ( )( )( )[ 8]   When the pruning is finally done, it's often severe  and this results in an unattractive shrub.
   10 ( )( )( )[ 9]   A good time to prune hollies is at Christmas.
   11 ( )( )( )[10]   Use the dark  green, glossy foliage and the red berries for decorating.
   12 ( )( )( )[11]   Prune  hollies only to shape them or to remove dead or injured branches.
   13 ( )( )( )[12]   For a heavy berry crop, be sure to have both male and female  plants nearby.
   14 ( )( )( )[13]   Sometimes a male branch can be grafted onto the  back of a female plant.
   15 ( )( )( )[14]   Fertilize Chinese hollies in mid-March or late fall.
   16 ( )( )( )[15]   When  scale insects attack hollies, control them with an insecticide.
   17 ( )( )( )[16]   The other popular holly is the Japanese holly.
   18 ( )( )( )[17]   Japanese  hollies come in several varieties.
   19 ( )( )( )[18]   They grow slowly.
   20 ( )( )( )[19]   Some  varieties attain heights of only three to five feet while others  develop small tree proportions.
   21 ( )( )( )[20]   They can be planted in either  sun or shade and grow best in clay soils.
   22 ( )( )( )[21]   The size of the leaf is the characteristic that helps you  distinguish one variety of Japanese holly from another one.
   23 ( )( )( )[22]   The  leaves are usually between one-half and one-inch long and from  one-fourth to one-half inch wide.
   24 ( )( )( )[23]   They're shiny and deep green.
   25 ( )( )( )[24]   Japanese hollies have dense, slender, brittle branches that  break easily at the main stem.
   26 ( )( )( )[25]   They're a low maintenance plant,  so little pruning is needed except for an occasional shaping.
   27 ( )( )( )[26]   When you plant Japanese hollies, be sure to mix in plenty of  organic matter with the soil.
   28 ( )( )( )[27]   Each spring, scatter a complete  fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, throughout the bed.
   29 ( )( )( )[28]   Use about two  pounds of fertilizer for 100 square feet of planting area.
   30 ( )( )( )[29]   Water  the plants thoroughly after you apply the fertilizer.
   31 ( )( )( )[30]   Don't use  more than the recommended amount of fertilizer.
   32 ( )( )(L)[31]   If you do, you  may burn the roots of the plants.  

rec 8

    1 (T)(F)(L)[ 1] Hydrangea macrophylla - Big Leaf Hydrangea  
    2 ( )(F)( )[ 1]  Plant hydrangeas in a semi-shaded area where the soil is  moist and well drained.
    3 ( )( )( )[ 2]   The soil should be rich in organic  matter.
    4 ( )( )( )[ 3]   Each spring, fertilize with a mixed fertilizer such as  8-8-8.
    5 ( )( )( )[ 4]   Hydrangeas will grow at a pH of 50 to 80.
    6 ( )( )( )[ 5]   At a pH of 65  to 80, the flowers are pink.
    7 ( )( )( )[ 6]   At a pH of 50 to 65, the flowers  are blue.
    8 ( )( )( )[ 7]   Hydrangeas have a shallow, fibrous root system.
    9 ( )( )( )[ 8]   They must  be watered during dry spells.
   10 ( )( )( )[ 9]   Some people call hydrangeas the  "indicator" plant because it can indicate the soil pH by the  color of its flower.
   11 ( )( )( )[10]   It's also one of the first plants to wilt when plants are  under drought stress.
   12 ( )( )( )[11]   A wilted hydrangea usually indicates that  all garden and yard plants need water.
   13 ( )( )( )[12]   If a hydrangea becomes  too dry, it may suffer leaf "burn" or "scorch" during hot, dry  weather.
   14 ( )( )( )[13]   Sometimes, hydrangeas make healthy, vigorous leaf and stem  growth but fail to bloom.
   15 ( )( )( )[14]   Many old, established plants stop  flowering after a few years.
   16 ( )( )( )[15]   Sometimes this occurs when  hydrangeas are planted near larger shrubs which cast too much  shade.
   17 ( )( )( )[16]   Other conditions that will result in a failure to bloom  or decreased flowering are poor soil, over-fertilization, cold  temperatures and late pruning.
   18 ( )( )( )[17]   Prune hydrangeas immediately  after flowering.
   19 ( )( )( )[18]   Flower buds are formed in the fall.
   20 ( )( )( )[19]   If you  wait too late to prune, you will reduce the number of flowers.
   21 ( )( )( )[20]   Because hydrangeas drop their leaves in winter, they aren't  good foundation plants for a building.
   22 ( )( )( )[21]   Sometimes, they're  planted along the side walls or across the back of a building if  evergreen shrubs are nearby.
   23 ( )( )( )[22]   Hydrangeas are best when they're  planted in masses in a side or rear yard where they can be viewed  at a distance.
   24 ( )( )(L)[23]   Mass them in beds near azalea plantings and they  will extend flower color into summer after azalea blooms have  fallen.  

rec 9

    1 (T)(F)(L)[ 1] Juniper  
    2 ( )(F)( )[ 1]  There are many different kinds of juniper.
    3 ( )( )( )[ 2]   All are narrow-  leafed evergreens, but they vary in size, growth habit, color and  form.
    4 ( )( )( )[ 3]   Junipers can be grown as ground covers, foundation  plantings and screens.
    5 ( )( )( )[ 4]   All junipers have common characteristics.
    6 ( )( )( )[ 5]   They can be grown  in full sun and they can tolerate poor soils, but they don't like  wet feet.
    7 ( )( )( )[ 6]   Plant them in well-drained soil.
    8 ( )( )( )[ 7]   Common pests of  junipers are bagworms and spider mites.
    9 ( )( )( )[ 8]   Bagworms can be  controlled by picking them off by hand.
   10 ( )( )( )[ 9]   Control spider mites by  spraying with an insecticide.
   11 ( )( )( )[10]   Many junipers grow rapidly and can easily overgrow their  intended boundaries.
   12 ( )( )( )[11]   Learn something about the characteristics  of junipers before you plant them.
   13 ( )( )( )[12]   The Chinese junipers have an  upright and spreading form.
   14 ( )( )( )[13]   The Pfitzer variety of Chinese  juniper has branches that are at an angle of about 25 degrees to  the ground.
   15 ( )( )( )[14]   Pfitzer juniper has green needles and grows about  five feet tall.
   16 ( )( )( )[15]   Leave plenty of space if you plant this variety.
   17 ( )( )( )[16]   Hetzi juniper is even larger.
   18 ( )( )( )[17]   It grows nine feet tall and  spreads to a width of 10 to 12 feet.
   19 ( )( )( )[18]   Hetzi has blue-green  foliage and branches that are at about a 45-degree angle to the  ground.
   20 ( )( )( )[19]   The horizontal junipers are usually planted as ground  covers.
   21 ( )( )( )[20]   Their maximum height is about two feet and they have a  spread of four or five feet.
   22 ( )( )( )[21]   Shore juniper is a popular  horizontal juniper used as a ground cover.
   23 ( )( )( )[22]   Again, learn the characteristics of junipers before you  choose one and plant it.
   24 ( )( )( )[23]   Most junipers should be pruned on the  tips every year.
   25 ( )( )(L)[24]   They don't like to be pruned heavily more often  than every four or five years.  

