By Tamara Galbraith

Whether you're a gardener or merely a fan of eating fresh vegetables, the terms "heirloom" and "hybrid" have probably hit your ears at one point. So what's the diff? Do we need both heirloom species and the continuing parade of new hybrids in the plant market?

The simple answer: yes. Both are important, for several reasons.

Hybrids, as the name suggests, has been genetically engineered so that they contain many qualities of the strongest species. Think of them as bionic plants that have been bred to resist a variety of diseases, or to be more drought tolerant, or to have shorter, stronger stems, etc. In the case of food crops, hybrids are often developed for bigger yields, or a longer shelf life after harvest. The benefits of hybrids are clear and are definitely a boost to the business side of agriculture.

Unlike hybrids, which are sterile, heirloom plants are generally open-pollinating, meaning they naturally reproduce themselves, thus preserving the purity of the species. Their disease resistance isn't as good as hybrids, and yields are lower.

Heirlooms, however, are all about tradition. About preserving and celebrating the past. Want the best-tasting tomatoes? Grow them from heirloom seeds. They may not look like the boring, perfect red globes in the grocery store bins, but they out-flavor them by a mile.

A pepper or two in the salad, a big bowl of chili, maybe some stuffed hot peppers...all these are delicious, if you are used to eating spicy food. For those who don't know exactly how hot is too hot, here's some advice:

Many people bite into a hot pepper only to discover too late that it's a little beyond their tolerance range. The heat in a pepper comes from capsaicin, and the hotter the pepper, the more capsaicin it contains. There are a number of remedies for the effects of eating a pepper that is too hot for you. Over time, your taste buds can build up a tolerance to the heat of peppers and you won't have to resort to the cures mentioned below--at least, not as often.

Rule number one is to never drink cold water when eating peppers. The capsaicin, which is an oil, does not mix with the water but is instead distributed to more parts of the mouth, spreading the heat even more. The old saying that "water spreads the fire" is quite accurate. Many people recommend drinking tomato juice or eating a fresh lemon or lime, with the theory being that the acid counteracts the alkalinity of the capsaicin.

More useful solutions include drinking milk (rinse your mouth with it as you sip) or eating rice or bread, which will absorb the capsaicin.

Most hot pepper aficionados will tell you that the best remedy against a pepper attack is to simply eat another. And if that doesn't work, eat another one. We recommend taking that advice with some grains of rice--or a few slices of bread.

Grasshoppers are among the most difficult insect pests to manage in the garden. When numbers are low, they can be hand-picked and squashed. Floating row covers and other protective covers provide some protection if their numbers are not high. However, grasshoppers will eat through cloth or plastic row covers if they are hungry enough.

Most grasshoppers are general feeders, but they prefer young, green plants, especially lettuce, beans, corn, carrots, onions, and some annual flowers. Grasshoppers do their damage by chewing and can remove large sections of leaves and flowers in one sitting, sometimes devouring an entire plant. An odd grasshopper here and there is nothing to be alarmed about, but should you face a full invasion, there are some steps you can take to combat this destructive pest.

The best way to control grasshoppers is to apply a bait containing carbaryl around the borders of your garden. Make sure to re-apply baits after any period of rain. For non-edible plants, you can also use a spray directly on the plants. It usually helps to do a repeat spray every couple of weeks until they leave your garden. Make sure to spray late in the evening or early morning when bee activity is lower; you don't want to kill our important pollinators.

Are you considering a new landscape for next year? If you're tired of your old garden look or have a brand new yard that needs landscaping, consider our team for all of your design and installation needs.

Green Arrow Nursery Consultants are experts in landscape design. We know which plants grow well in our area, and our design team is knowledgeable in all of the latest plant introductions and landscape techniques.

We work with you to design and create a look that is unique for you and truly reflects your needs and desires. But many people make the mistake of contacting us in late spring when we are already booked up for most of the year. It takes time to design a landscape plan for your home, so we invite you to plan ahead and let us design your landscape plan now so we can add you to our work schedule.

Give us a call today at (818)894-8306. We're here to make sure all of your garden dreams come true!

How often should I cut my lawn?

Answer:
The easy answer would be once per week in the growing season. A good rule-of-thumb is to remove no more than one-third of the grass height at any one mowing. For example, if you are maintaining your lawn at 2 inches, mow the lawn when it is about 3 inches high. Cutting off more than one-third at one time can stop the roots from growing and will require more frequent watering during the heat of summer to keep the grass alive and healthy.

Following the one-third rule will produce smaller clippings that will disappear quickly by filtering down to the soil surface. If the grass becomes too tall between mowings, raise the mowing height and then gradually reduce it until the recommended height is reached. For the best appearance, mow and maintain your lawn at the best height for growth as determined by the type of grass you have.

You can usually mow a grass that spreads horizontally shorter than an upright-growing bunch-type grass. Grasses with narrow blades can generally be mowed closer than grasses with wide blades. If your lawn is under stress--such as heat, drought or shade--mow at a higher level of cut. Proper mowing is important in maintaining a healthy lawn because it encourages a dense stand of grass plants. A dense turf keeps out weeds through competition for sunlight and nutrients. A weak, thin turf allows weed seeds to germinate and grow.

Mowing practices can also affect the occurrence of disease. Many times an increase in disease can occur when turf is cut too low or is mowed when the foliage is wet.

One final tip: Don't mow in the same direction each time. Alternate your mowing direction and you'll have more upright grass growth and a smoother-looking lawn.

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Coneflowers (Echinacea species) are native American wildflowers that have found their way into our gardens because of their stunning beauty and hardiness. Originally only available in shades of purple and lavender, coneflowers now come in a wide range of colors. Thanks to the efforts of breeders across the country, they can now be found in shades of pink, white, purple, yellow, orange and salmon. They come in a range of sizes as well, from dwarf coneflowers that grow only 18" high and wide to varieties that grow 4-5' high and half as wide.

The 3-5" diameter flowers on these robust deciduous perennials are arranged above sturdy, elongated, upright stems that are perfect for cutting and last in a vase from 5-7 days. The flowers have somewhat weeping petals that surround a coned center (thus, the name) and are produced from summer into fall.

Coneflowers prefer full sun locations and regular watering in well-drained soil that keeps them moist, but not wet. They require a couple of feedings per year of a good flower food to keep them healthy and strong.

Coneflowers make an excellent addition to any perennial garden and also look great in border or container plantings. They are a perfect selection for butterfly gardens. We invite you to stop by and take some home today!

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