Many heucheras have the habit of rising, with the years, well above ground level.
Dear Helen: I’ve had heuchera plants in my garden for several years now. A few of them are looking rather peculiar. The ornamental foliage I value in these perennials seems to be perched well above the ground. Why has this happened, and is there a way to return the plants to their low-growing ground cover habit?Many heucheras have the habit of rising, with the years, well above ground level on woody bases that gradually elongate.
Dear Helen: I’m wondering about the “fruit protection bags” you wrote about in a recent column. Do you leave them secured around each apple all summer?Yes, until harvest time. Once the fruit has been thinned and the bags are placed over the small, newly formed fruit, there is nothing more to do except watch for any loosening in the ribbon drawstrings that keep the bags closed. I’ve had only two fall from the tree, on windy days, and I’ve found a few with slightly loosened drawstrings.
If the weather is hot, limit the lifted bulbs’ exposure to direct sun to only half a day, to dry the outer skins. After that, it is generally recommended to hang in bundles or lay the harvested plants out in a dry, airy location for three weeks to cure before cutting the bulbs off, brushing them clean of clinging soil, and storing them in an evenly cool place, out of sunlight.
Dear Helen: I have masses of bracken fern emerging in my garden, which is surrounded by forested areas. I leave some of it, but I need to pull the plants up where I have cultivated food and flower beds. Are the bracken plants all right for composting? I’ve heard they do not decompose well.Bracken ferns, chopped up, are good for composting.
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