[PaPaLarry]

Went to the Plant Clinic at The Sheriffs Annex monday, armed with my bag of weeds and soil sample. Must have been 6 volunteers there, who were very helpful and knowledgable. Along with my samples, also had plenty of questions, and everyone was answered. What great people. I recommend anyone wanting to know anything about gardening, to drop by on mondays. These people have the answers, and if they don't they, will research for you. Found out its useless to try to grow tomatoes (in ground) this time of year. (Just plain too hot) Also, that Bermuda eventually takes over Zoysia, and that everyone has bermuda in their zoysia. You can spray Oleanders, to eventually kill the caterpillers, that like to eat your leaves. Geraniums should be put in shady areas (potted) for most of the day during summer heat. (if droopy, cut all buds off, so plant will get strength) Petunias lose strength, also during summer heat. Sedium grow better in pots, then ground. Use good potting soil in ground, to help plants. (Don't be stingy) Oh I forgot!! Learned about "Crepe Murder" also. hehe I just enjoyed stopping by, and "Hats Off" to those Volunteers, who were so very helpful!!!

[jimbo2012]

How did your soil test?

[PaPaLarry]

Originally Posted by jimbo2012

How did your soil test?

Have to wait for test. They bring it to the University for test

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by PaPaLarry

Went to the Plant Clinic at The Sheriffs Annex monday, armed with my bag of weeds and soil sample. Must have been 6 volunteers there, who were very helpful and knowledgable. Along with my samples, also had plenty of questions, and everyone was answered. What great people. I recommend anyone wanting to know anything about gardening, to drop by on mondays. These people have the answers, and if they don't they, will research for you. Found out its useless to try to grow tomatoes (in ground) this time of year. (Just plain too hot) Also, that Bermuda eventually takes over Zoysia, and that everyone has bermuda in their zoysia. You can spray Oleanders, to eventually kill the caterpillers, that like to eat your leaves. Geraniums should be put in shady areas (potted) for most of the day during summer heat. (if droopy, cut all buds off, so plant will get strength) Petunias lose strength, also during summer heat. Sedium grow better in pots, then ground. Use good potting soil in ground, to help plants. (Don't be stingy) Oh I forgot!! Learned about "Crepe Murder" also. hehe I just enjoyed stopping by, and "Hats Off" to those Volunteers, who were so very helpful!!!

Thank you PapaLarry for passing on all of this information. YOU have now answered a lot of MY questions. I didn't know about this service and it is right down 466 from us. This forum is so great. THANK YOU AGAIN!!

Added later, below...

I have dug up my petunias and put them in containers in the shade and added some Miraclegro...and we will see if they come back or they only live so long because of their genes. ahem.

I have replaced the poor little petunias who were dragging down with full sun Impatiens....who have been genetically altered to face the heat.

You could make all kinds of connections here if you were bright enough, which I am not.

[jimbo2012]

Originally Posted by PaPaLarry

Have to wait for test. They bring it to the University for test

Please report back, can you drop off a soil sample any day if you know?

[Carla B]

The gardeners are only there on Mondays, 9 to 3 p.m. You can get the forms to fill out and the little paper bags to place the soil in on Monday, then drop the sample off the following Monday, unless you just happen to catch the county agent, Jim Davis there.

They are very helpful. We've been in there twice so far this year.

[PaPaLarry]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Thank you PapaLarry for passing on all of this information. YOU have now answered a lot of MY questions. I didn't know about this service and it is right down 466 from us. This forum is so great. THANK YOU AGAIN!!

Added later, below...

I have dug up my petunias and put them in containers in the shade and added some Miraclegro...and we will see if they come back or they only live so long because of their genes. ahem.

I have replaced the poor little petunias who were dragging down with full sun Impatiens....who have been genetically altered to face the heat.

You could make all kinds of connections here if you were bright enough, which I am not.

A good flower for all year is vinca. I have Vincas from 2 years ago, and they are suppose to be an annual?? In the winter they brown, but then I see them sprout in spring. I have red, white, purple.

[PaPaLarry]

Originally Posted by jimbo2012

Please report back, can you drop off a soil sample any day if you know?

Jimbo: I think they are there only on Mondays. But they do have workshops during week at Rec Centers. I think they are on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Info# 352-793-2728

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by jimbo2012

How did your soil test?

I am not an agriculturist, but it looks like sand to me. It could have a positive or negative ph but it has no rich loamy stuff to grow anything like our rich dirty dirt back in Ohio.

My farmin' friend in the village of Amelia, the almost centenarian who grows all those tomatoes, greenbeans, cabbage, green onions, and blueberries etc. enriches her sand with compost. That is why I like pine straw, it biodegrades and gives a little something for the plants to feed on.

[jimbo2012]

The pine straw does that I've read but when they put new plants in on new house I wonder if they do any soil prep before hand, I doubt it, so the straw must add nutrients.

I'm amazed that they throw sod down on top of that sand and it actually grows.

The roots of everything must reach down into the sand and that's why it's interesting to know the test results to know what types of fertilizer to use.