For:
By: Daniel E. Mullins
Extension Horticulture Agent
Gardening Terms are Sometimes Confusing
Gardening writers seem to have their own language. We toss terms and words around, often believing that they are plain to everyone who ever planted a seed. This reminds me of the term, “If all that you have is a hammer – everything looks like a nail.” Maybe we just operate in our own little world and expect everybody else to know the language.
Take soil for example. There are many terms that are commonly used when determining a good planting site. How many times have we heard or read this term? “Plant in well-drained soil.” In talking with gardeners I have found that this means different things to different people. To one person it might mean that when it rains, the water drains from the soil surface rapidly. To another it might mean that the soil dries out quickly following rain or irrigation.
A well-drained soil is one that allows for good movement of water through its profile. Water percolates or moves vertically, unimpeded by too many extra fine particles, a high water table or a hard pan below the surface. Such a soil allows excessive water to move through it, retaining some but allowing the larger pore spaces to be free of water so that air can enter. The ideal well drained soil, following adequate rain or irrigation, would retain water in about fifty percent of its pores spaces and air in the other fifty percent, which are the larger spaces.
There is a practical test that can be performed in order to tell if the soil in a landscape is well drained. Dig small diameter holes that are eighteen inches deep in several areas. Fill each with water and after a few minutes fill again with water to the soil surface.
Check the water level in each hole after twenty four hours. There should be no water left standing in the hole if the soil is well drained. This test reveals that excess water is percolating or moving through the soil profile and that plant roots can grow to a depth of at least eighteen inches without being constantly exposed to saturated soil.
This simple drainage test works only when performed under normal moisture conditions. It should not be done during excessively wet or dry periods.
Once an area of the landscape has been determined to have poor drainage it should receive special attention. Excessively wet soil is a challenge and can be a nightmare when trying to grow many of the conventional landscape shrubs, flowers and lawn grasses.
Though there are several possible remedies for wet soils, it is often easier to select plants that are adapted to, or can tolerate such a condition. A useful publication entitled North Florida Landscape Plants for Wet Areas can be obtained from your local Florida Extension office. It is also available online. Go to http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/scripts/htmlgen.exe?DOCUMENT_MG253
I am not through with this discussion of common gardening terms related to soil. Others such as “highly organic soil,” “loamy soil” and “slightly acid soil” are also tossed around. We will get to those later.
Question of the Week: What are the white spots on my azaleas and what is causing them?
Answer: This is probably the first sign of azalea petal blight. It is caused by the fungus Ovulina azaleae, which becomes active if conditions are wet at azalea flowering time. On colored petals the first sign of infection is seen as tiny pale or white spots. Rust colored spots develop on white petals. If wet conditions persist the blossoms appear to melt down, turn brown and cling to twigs and branches.
Petal blight does not affect the health of azalea plants, but can severely shorten the flowering season. Several applications of a labeled fungicide can reduce or prevent infection, but must be begun just as the flower buds show color, but before they open. This approach to control is not always practical.
One
thing that all gardeners can do to help prevent petal blight is to avoid
wetting the foliage and flowers while irrigating. This can be done by hand watering near plant
bases as needed or by redirecting sprinkler patterns during the flowering
season.