From The Soil with Sollecito

Which is better, morning sun or afternoon sun?  And where does mid-day sun fit into the growing cycle?  Well... it all depends.  To learn how and why, grab your polarized sunglasses and tune in as Jim sheds light on the many shades of sunlight.

Slugs.  They creep while you sleep, often wreaking havoc on garden plants along the way.  Fortunately there are ways to fight back.  Maybe a slug mug filled with beer or a solution of ammonia and water that kills slugs on impact while fertilizing your plants at the same time.  Learn how you can slug it out with slugs and snails.

Remember that old adage that diamonds are forever?  Well so are styrofoam cups, plastic liners, disposable diapers, even cigarette butts.  Paper and wood products break down in a matter of weeks, returning to the soil from which they came.  Plastics are a different matter.  Here's a sobering commentary on the importance of staying natural.

That ugly green sheen on your favorite weekend boat shoes... 'grass' stain from walking behind the mower, right?  Not so.  Grass does not stain.  Weeds do.  Here are handy tips for getting gardening stain off your hands.  And, when weeding, be SURE to wear gardening gloves. You never know when you might find yourself pulling pigweed, poison ivy or other noxious plants.

Take Control!  Rage against the Machine!  Power to the Peonies! The 'Machine' we refer to is, of course, the lawnmower.  Ever feel like it's holding you down, keeping you from reaching your full potential on, say, the golf course or the trout stream? Here are tips for cutting down on the cutting down and, in the process, bringing a more verdant and sustainable approach to maintaining your landscape.

We just can't stop talking about lilacs.  They are easy to grow, generate a fragrance to die for, and add terrific, showy color to the spring landscape.  If only they were not so quick to drop their blooms.  But wait!  Here's news about a new variety called the Bloomerang that Ted Collins, dean of the Rochester Lilac Festival, calls the 'ever-bloomer.' Amazing.

Hey, Vets. Remember that fun drill back in boot camp?  'Dig a hole; fill it in. Dig a hole, fill it in.'  Didn't realize Ol' Sarge was preparing you to become a weekend warrior, did you?  Next time you dig a hole to place a tree, or shrub, or bedding plant, make sure 30 percent of what goes back into the hole with that plant is compost.  Then, stand back and watch the plant take off.  Compost is full of the best nutrients nature has to offer.

Flowering bulbs bring joy to springtime - and then are forgotten.  Remember to feed them, even when they are dormant.  You will see the difference next spring and beyond.  And don't cut those green stems just because the flowers are gone - let them go brown before you cut them down.

Remember what Grandma used to say... 'If the soil ain't happy, ain't no tree, shrub or clingin' vine happy!'  Okay, so that's not what she said, but it IS the point of this commentary on building high quality, highly productive soil. 

A rose is a rose is a rose...  or so they say.  The same cannot be said for lilacs.  There are all kinds of lilacs, and some are better for your landscape than others.  And, if you thought lilacs came from France, grab a lilac muffin and have a listen.  You might be surprised.

Has that old stand of Burning Bush flamed out?  Looking to add some pizzazz to your landscape? Don't settle for same-old-same-old.  Check out Jim's list of high quality cultivars from growers with reliably high standards.