What to do on a rainy day?

Do you think since it's raining out that you can't work on your garden?  Think again!  If you're not averse to getting a little damp and having muddy knees, a little summer rain makes the perfect conditions for weeding and transplanting.  Rain loosens up the soil around plant roots, helping those pesky weeds to slide right out when you give them a tug at the soil line and moist soil combined with cloudy or overcast skies help to reduce the shock plants receive when they are moved to a new home.  Just be careful not to trample beds too much or you may compact the soil, making it difficult for plant roots to penetrate as they grow.  Of course, if there is thunder or lightning, be sure to seek safety immediately!  Even if it's storming, you can always peruse catalogs and garden books to plan for changes or additions to your garden or research any recent pest or disease issues you've been experiencing.  Give the Master Gardeners at your local county extension office a call if you get stuck.  Now what are you waiting for?  Get to work!

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Fern Propagation Workshop 8/7

I will be hosting a Fern Propagation Workshop next Tuesday, August 7, 2012 from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm in the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Burlington County at 2 Academy Dr., Westampton, NJ 08060. Master Gardener Educator Joanne Szeliga will teach about the unique and interesting botany of ferns then she'll lead the class in propagating some Japanese painted ferns (Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum' ) of their very own from spores. All necessary supplies will be provided. A $5 fee will cover materials. Pre-registration is required as space and materials are limited. Please contact me to register at (609)265-5050 or bmcminn@co.burlington.nj.us.

Painted fern. PHOTO CREDIT: PERENNIAL PLANT ASSOCIATION