DID YOU SAY "RUBBER" MULCH?

I'm sorry...mulch to me is organic matter derived from once living vegetable matter! It's "Black Gold". A very good name for this most wonderful garden amendment material. But, "RUBBER" mulch?
I saw an advertisement for it in a gardening web-site. I went to the link offered and saw that it is used for playgrounds and horseback riding arenas as well as gardens. Now I can understand the playground, and the arena for horses, but GARDENS??? I don't think so.
Sure, it'll hold down the weeds. But...
The very BEST part about mulch, in my way of thinking is that it enriches the soil. It is the best amendment for your soil as it gradually breaks down and works it's way into the soil. It encourages worms and critters that are so good for the plants. It will help keep the plants it surrounds healthy. It grabs moisture and holds onto it. It blocks weeds. It is a cooling element in the summer, and it will keep your plant roots warm in the fall and early spring.
Forget RUBBER! Think organic...think compost...think like a true gardener!

(The crazy thing about this posting is that you will probably see an advertisement for Rubber Mulch over on the right side of my web site. That's because the browser "spider" will pick up those words and automatically display advertisements for Rubber Mulch. PLEASE, know I did NOT ask for that! My words of advice? Do not use Rubber Mulch!)

NH MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM

I got this today from the University of New Hampshire Extension Service. It's the little "advertisement" for the Master Gardener Program. If you live in NH and have always wanted to be a Master Gardener, here is your opportunity!

"Subject: PSA Master Gardener Program Applications

Applications being accepted for the 2007 UNH Master Gardener Program

The NH Master Gardener Program in Grafton County, UNH Cooperative Extension is accepting applications for it's 2007 volunteer training program. Applications are available online at http://extension.unh.edu/Agric/AGMastGD.htm. Course participants receive training in Botany, Soils, Fertilizers, Entomology, Pesticide Use and Safety, Plant propagation, Vegetables, Woody Ornamentals, Lawn Care, Houseplants, Organic Practices, Plant Pathology, Landscape Design, Annuals, Perennials, Backyard Wildlife, Backyard Livestock, Water Quality, Invasives Species, Trees and more.

After receiving training volunteers give back to the community first as interns then as active volunteers. Volunteers have worked on creating and maintaining demonstration gardens, gardened with the elderly and the physically challenged, conducted gardening projects with youth, written gardening articles and more.

The 2007 class will be held at the Unitarian Church in Concord. Thursdays from 9 to 4 from Sept 6 to Dec. 6th. Application deadline for the 2007 program is July 10th. Applications are available online at http://extension.unh.edu/Agric/AGMastGD.htm. The Grafton County Master Gardeners Association has one full scholarship available for the 2007 program, contact Dana Karuza-Tulp by email at dana.karuza-tulp@unh.edu or by phone at 787-6944 to request a scholarship."

GARDEN CHORES FOR JUNE

JUNE

Plant your window boxes

Prune spring flowering shrubs when they have finished blooming

Thin seedlings

Use balanced, organic fertilizers around flowers

Stake tall perennials and tomatoes

Use a pine needle mulch for blueberries

Be sure your lawn mower is set to cut the grass HIGH

After the iris are done blooming they can be divided

Gladiolus corms can be planted

Dead-head (prune off) spent flowers from plants and shrubs

Cutting back perennials such as dianthus, veronica and other similar shrubby varieties, will possibly produce a second blooming. How great would that be? They'll also look better!

You may still plant container grown shrubs

Plant broccoli seed for fall harvest.

If you have a water garden, there's still time to plant water
lilies.

House plants can soon be moved outside to a shady, protected spot.

These same houseplants can be lightly fed with half strength
fertilizer.

Mulch perennials and roses to keep down weeds and conserve moisture.

Look for Jap. beetles either early or late in the day and shake them into a bucket of soapy water. The reason you don't do it mid-day is because they'll out run you!

Any annuals can be safely set out now.

If you have an amaryllis, now would be the time to move it outside.

Pinch the leading stems of your chrysanthemum's to encourage them to
be bushier and have more blossoms. Continue doing this every 6 inches
or so, as they grow.

If you have apple trees, hang red sticky-ball traps to control apple maggot flies. Small trees can get by with 2 balls. Larger trees should probably have 4-6 balls.

Stop cutting asparagus when the new spears get pinkie-finger thin. Let them grow into ferns instead. It will feed the roots.

Side-Dress Veggies to give them a little boost

Have you got Hosta's? Are there slugs chewing them? Try this solution, if you haven't already.
Combine 9 parts water to 1 part common household ammonia and spray it on the hosta just before dark. When the slugs hit this, they will dissolve!

Are you remembering to turn the compost every once in a while? You should also wet it down if the hose is close by.

Any questions about June?