{"id":3013,"date":"2018-03-06T04:43:58","date_gmt":"2018-03-06T04:43:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ongardening.com\/?p=3013"},"modified":"2019-03-06T23:38:29","modified_gmt":"2019-03-06T23:38:29","slug":"weeding-ideas-early-blooms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ongardening.com\/?p=3013","title":{"rendered":"Weeding Ideas, Early Blooms"},"content":{"rendered":"

Gardening friends are pulling weeds that sprouted during our recent warm days\u00a0and wishing for effective treatments. There are no quick and easy solutions to weed problems, but the longer view dictates \u201cweeding before seeding.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ever optimistic, I am testing an organic pre-emergent herbicide that is based on corn gluten, a natural material that discourages the formation of roots. It\u2019s neither cheap or 100% effective, but might be worth a try. For more information on a pelletized product, visit eartheasy.com and search for \u201ccorn gluten.\u201d For a liquid version, go to amazon.com and search for \u201cGreen It.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another organic approach is the application of vinegar, which can kill really young weeds. Household vinegar (5% acidity) has some effect but horticultural vinegar (20-30% acidity) works better but dangerous to the user.<\/p>\n

Other organic weed killers are based on clove oil will kill at least the top growth of mature weeds.<\/p>\n

Still, the best, cheapest and most reliable way to kill weeds is pulling or digging them out by their roots.<\/p>\n

Take a break from weeding to anticipate the coming spring and enjoy plants that are in bloom now in your garden. As I look around, I am pleased to see these early bloomers:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Wagner\u2019s Sage (Salvia wagneriana), a large sub-shrub from Mexico and Central America has gorgeous hot pink or pink and white bracts that are greatly appreciated by hummingbirds as well as gardeners.<\/p>\n

Wagner’s Sage<\/p>\n

\"Salvia<\/a>

Big Mexican Scarlet Sage<\/p><\/div>\n

Big Mexican Scarlet Sage (Salvia gesneriiflora \u2018Tequila\u2019), another treasure from Mexico and Central America, produces brilliant red flowers with a striking black calyx and grows about ten feet high in California gardens. My neighbor has a stand of this plant that has grown fifty feet wide and well over fifteen feet high with support from adjacent shrubs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Wonga Wonga Vine (Pandorea pandorana), from Australia, is a vigorous, woody vine that climbs with support from a tree or large shrub, or a trellis of some kind. Its popular varieties have differently colored blossoms: \u2018Snowbells\u2019 (white), \u2018Ruby Belle\u2019 (pinkish), \u2018Ruby Heart\u2019 (cream with ruby blotch), and \u2018Golden Showers\u2019 (yellow). My specimen grows on 2\u201d x 2\u201d rail attached to a fence and produces white racemes. The plant usually flowers in spring; we\u2019re still in winter, so this is an early bloom.<\/p>\n

Other plants now in bloom include<\/p>\n