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Hi, guys!
I got my seed-starting supplies out of storage and sorted through my seed stash. It's almost showtime!
Every year, I like to experiment with something new — or at least, new to me. This year, I'll be growing the usual golden beets, big boy and bull's heart tomatoes, zucchini, cucuzza squash, basil, parsley, rosemary, thyme, sage, chives and Queen Lime zinnias. And I'll be growing roselles (Hibiscus sabdariffa) for the first time.
Are you familiar with roselles? Also known as Florida cranberry and Jamaica sorrel, the plant's nutritious flowers, high in vitamin C, are used to make jam and tea. Its seeds can be roasted and ground for brewing into a coffee-like beverage. I'm going to give them a whirl.
If you've grown roselles and have tips or recipes to share, send them along!
📬 Ask Jessica
DEAR JESSICA: One of our approximately 12-foot Leyland cypress trees was partially uprooted because of heavy snow. I was able to prop it up diagonally with an old rake. Then we got a second snowstorm before I could get it upright. It's still in the same position, propped up by the rake. Is there any way I can save this tree? —Cathy Stirrat
DEAR CATHY: Yes, there's a chance you can save the tree, as long as you quickly buried the root system after it was upended. Left exposed, the roots would become susceptible to infection, as well as the damaging consequences of light, frost and air.
Using a rake as a temporary measure was good, quick thinking on your part. But the tree needs sturdier, long-term support to re-establish itself.
First, ensure that the roots are level.
Next, get three sturdy, 6-10-foot wood stakes or metal posts (similar to the one pictured above) and insert them 12-18 inches into the soil around the tree, angled in at 45 degrees.
Enlist a helper to hold the tree upright while you tie ropes or cables from the stakes to the center trunk in three places.
Check the tree periodically to assess its progress, adjusting the ropes or cables if necessary.
Leave the support system in place for an entire year — possibly a bit longer — until the roots anchor the tree into the ground, then remove it.
Water the tree periodically during its recovery, but don't apply fertilizer.
Good luck!
💡 If you do one thing this week…
Start pruning dormant deciduous trees, except "bleeder" trees (such as maple, beech, dogwood, elm or sycamore), which should be in full leaf before pruning.
👏 Sunday shoutout
Reader Susan Caruso shared this lovely photo of her very youthful-looking, 48-year-old foxtail fern.
You must be doing something (everything) right! May it grace you with another 48, Susan!
Send in your photo, and you could be featured next (bonus points if you’re in the picture!)
📰This week in my Associated Press gardening column
I write a weekly gardening column for the AP, so you might have seen my byline in your local paper (or news website) — wherever in the world you happen to be. In case you miss it, I’ll post the most recent here every week.
THIS WEEK: Dreaming of summer peaches? Some gardening tips for growing them in many climates
LAST WEEK: Covering ground in the desert
BEFORE THAT: Before you start seeds indoors, make sure they’re not duds
ONE MORE: For a gardening project with a gourmet touch, try growing microgreens indoors
You can read all my AP gardening columns here.
📚📺🎵 Random things I enjoyed this week
🎥 I've always loved Bob Marley — in fact, for the past several years, my ringtone has been "Three Little Birds." It's a nice affirmation that reminds me "every little thing is gonna be alright" every time my phone rings. So naturally, I rushed to see "Bob Marley: One Love" as soon as it was released in theaters. And Kingsley Ben-Adir nailed the Patois accent.
💲 I bought a TV antenna for $19.99 and disconnected my fiber-optic/cable TV service. Since I mostly watch streaming content, it simply didn't make sense to continue paying that (exorbitant) bill.
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📧 How’m I doing?
I welcome your comments and suggestions, so please send them along — as well as any topics you’d like to see covered and questions you’d like answered in the Ask Jessica section.
Great article. I recently started gardening and found this website called Garden Savvy. It helped my build my garden and has AI abilities so I can ask questions when I’m in the program.
I love getting the “dirt” from you.