FEED HIBISCUS, PREPARE FOR WINTER VEGETABLES.Byline: >JACK E. CHRISTENSEN 1. Hibiscus hibiscus: see mallow. hibiscus Any of about 250 species of shrubs, trees, and herbaceous plants that make up the genus Hibiscus, in the mallow family, native to warm temperate and tropical regions. plants appreciate a light dose of evenly balanced plant food now to encourage additional blooms through autumn. There is a huge array of dazzling colors in these dependable plants, many easy to grow. The only problem seems to be giant whiteflies, which should be sprayed off with water several times each week until they go away. 2. Cut off any flower spikes that form on rhubarb rhubarb: see buckwheat. rhubarb Any of several species of the genus Rheum (family Polygonaceae), especially R. rhaponticum (or R. rhabarbarum), a hardy perennial grown for its large, succulent, edible leafstalks. plants. Flowering rhubarb plants produce far fewer usable leaf stalks. Though rhubarb stalks are best harvested in spring, it's OK to harvest just a few more stalks in autumn for holiday pies -- but be sure to leave several to nourish the roots. Continue regular watering into November. 3. If you haven't done so already, now is the time to get earnest about your winter garden by working plenty of compost into the ground as deep as possible before it cools off. Buy seeds and pony-packs for planting. From seed, plant beets, carrots, parsnips, peas, radishes, Swiss chard Swiss chard: see beet. and turnips. From pony packs, put in broccoli, brussels sprouts Brussels sprouts, variety (gemmifera) of cabbage producing small edible heads (sprouts) along the stem. It is cultivated like cabbage and was first developed in Belgium and France in the 18th cent. , cabbages, cauliflower cauliflower (kô`lĭflou'ər, käl`ĭ–), variety of cabbage, with an edible head of condensed flowers and flower stems. Broccoli is the horticultural variety (botrytis); both were cultivated in Roman times. , kale kale, borecole (bôr`kōl), and collards, common names for nonheading, hardy types of cabbage (var. , lettuces and parsley. 4. Plant onion sets now, too, and continue putting in more every month or two. That way you can harvest green onions as they are ready throughout the winter. Be sure to let some grow on to become bulbs. They will be ready for digging next summer. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: no caption (hibiscus) |
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