DIGGIN鈥� IN
It鈥檚 hip to be square when growing corn
Recently planted vitex tree can be moved now
Q: Why can鈥檛 I grow corn? No, wait, why doesn鈥檛 the corn I plant grow many ears of corn? Each year I plant a row, about twenty feet long, along the back of my vegetable garden, and it grows pretty well, except the plants grow just a few ears. What might I be doing wrong? 鈥� L.C., Los Lunas
A: It鈥檚 probably the way you are planting your corn. One long row won鈥檛 cut it.
Corn is a wind-pollinated plant, so in order to have the wind spread the male pollen properly, you should plant your corn in a block or a square shape, not a row.
I don鈥檛 know if you鈥檇 still have time to start with another planting this time of year and get it to maturity, or if your veggie garden is chock full of other growing things that you just don鈥檛 have the space, but try this.
Next time you plant corn, plant it in a square. Four rows that are 5 feet long (or more if you really like corn) in a block or square.
Corn plants are so pretty and you have ready-grown decorations for the autumn when you grow corn plants, but unless you start planting in a block or square, you鈥檒l usually never get much of a harvest of actual corn on the cob.
Here鈥檚 to your next planting on the square!
Q: My wife and I went to look at the vitex tree you鈥檇 written about in an earlier article and came home with one. It鈥檚 blooming some, planted kind of close to the front door, and I鈥檓 tickled that it鈥檚 been able to settle in even with all this hot weather.
The wife is anxious because there are bees that are enjoying the blooms. She鈥檚 asking that we move the tree so it鈥檚 not so close to the front door since she鈥檚 not thrilled with the bees. I tell her to ignore them and they鈥檒l leave her alone, but she鈥檚 going to win the 鈥渓et鈥檚 move the vitex鈥� debate. Should we move it now or wait until late summer? 鈥� E.V., Albuquerque
A: So, you just planted this lovely a few weeks ago at the most, right?
I say move it, beg its forgiveness and don鈥檛 lollygag when you do move it.
Have the spot ready for it to move into, carefully dig it up, watching out for the roots. Make sure it stays well watered for the first 10 days after the move for sure. Create an adequately sized moat or well encircling it to hold the water at its base when you do water, and definitely consider applying a dose of root stimulator to offset the stress of this move.
I need to apologize that I didn鈥檛 mention the vitex bloom鈥檚 ability to attract bees. I consider them an added benefit and enjoy watching them work the blooms, gathering the nectar.
I rarely go bee watching smelling like a bouquet of flowers. No overwhelming perfume or fabric softener scents for me while I鈥檓 enjoying their world. Remember that bright-colored clothing tends to make any bee worth its salt nosy. If the missus is working outdoors, suggest drab-colored clothing, and she鈥檒l be far less noticeable to the bees.
But to settle her nerves and help keep peace in the home, move the vitex soon. It鈥檒l settle with your care, and everyone will be happier in the long run.
Dear readers: A little reminder about the Albuquerque Daylily Society show and sale from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, June 28, at the Albuquerque Garden Center, 10120 Lomas Blvd. NE.
Enjoy this event and Happy Diggin In!
Tracey Fitzgibbon is a certified nurseryman. Send garden-related questions to Diggin鈥� In, 近距离内射合集, 7777 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque, N.M. 87109, or to features@abqjournal.com.
