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How Do Insects Survive in a Garden Surrounded By Fear?

March 2, 2020 By Heather Blackmore 14 Comments

Hi there!

I'm Heather and I love to grow stuff. LOTS of stuff. Most importantly, a healthy family. I'm a stay-at-home mom with a passion for playing in the dirt. Read More…

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My Hydrangea serrata has chlorosis, a common issue

My Hydrangea serrata has chlorosis, a common issue with trees and shrubs in areas with heavy clay soil and an alkaline pH. Pretty typical in Illinois.

Plants with chlorosis will have yellowing leaves with veins that remain green. And it indicates an absorption issue in the soil. While it won’t kill ☠️ the plant, it does hinder its ability to produce chlorophyll so the sooner you respond the better.

I submitted a soil sample to a lab 🔬 before applying amendments to know exactly what I was lacking and you can find more on that on the blog. 🔗Just hit the link button for more.

The test revelaved a pH of 7.6, no surprise.

Where the chlorosis begins is a good indicator of what’s going on below. The new growth on my hydrangea was chlorotic and the leaves further down were completely green. That told me I was dealing with an iron issue.

So I loosened up the soil around the drip line of the plant, added compost and top dressed with a ring of @espomaorganic Iron-Tone. Scratched it in and watered. I’ll added a few inches of mulch to help with moisture retention and keep an eye on it.

A soil test is an invaluable tool for diagnosing problems and it prevents you from adding amendments you may not need.

Happy Gardening!

#chlorosis #hydrangea #soiltesting #soiltest #ironchlorosis #gardenproblems #gardentip #soil #ph #highph #organicgardening #smallspacegarden #chicagogarden #alkalinesoil #gardening #zone5b #hereshegrows #soilamendments

This combo is giving me all the feels today. Wench

This combo is giving me all the feels today. Wench is the only bearded iris I grow and I love how she looks paired with Wildberry heuchera, Mini Saffron barberry in the foreground and Seducer hosta bringing up the rear. I love how they grow into each other and the way the chartreuse color of the barberry makes everything around it pop. @provenwinners @pwcolorchoice #plantcombinations #smallspacegarden #beardediris #purpleandyellow #perennialgarden #inmygardentoday #gardening #zone5b #chicagogarden #heuchera #irises #hosta #barberry #hereshegrows

“Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.” My

“Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.” My Scarlet O’Hara peony opened today and unlike Rhett Butler, I DO give a damn. She’s a beauty. #peonies #scarletohara #peonyseason #gonewiththewind #garden #inmygarden #zone5b #chicagogardening #hereshegrows #smallspacegarden

The wren is singing his little heart out while the

The wren is singing his little heart out while the hummingbird takes advantage of my fountain I scrubbed and plugged in yesterday. I start every day during the garden season sipping coffee and enjoying this space. What’s the point of having a garden if you don’t take time to absorb all the beauty it invites? #myhappyplace #inmygarden #hummingbirdsofinstagram #rubythroatedhummingbird #gardenfountain #birdbath #pollinatorgarden #pollinatorgardens #smallspacegarden #waterfeature #birds #zone5bgardening #chicagogarden #hereshegrows #backyardgardener #fountain

Some of my favorite things this morning…🌱Dolc

Some of my favorite things this morning…🌱Dolce Wildberry heuchera is all about the foliage and I’m here for it…🌱I can’t remember the name of this monarda (it was a trial sent a few years ago) but it blooms in May every year and Peter Rabbit wants nothing to do with it…🌱And while I’m on the fence about whether or not the Sicilian Honey Garlic will be around much longer (they flop and grow in all sorts of weird contorted ways) I love the bell flowers. What are you loving in your garden right now? Tell me in the comments! #maygarden #springgarden #smallspacegarden #wildberryheuchera #heuchera #monarda #allium #sicilianhoneygarlic #chicagogarden #gardening #gardenvignettes #zone5bgardening #perennialgarden #hereshegrows

If you need me, I’ll be in the veg garden. The s

If you need me, I’ll be in the veg garden. The soil in my @vego_garden raised beds is 70 degrees and ready for the climbing zucchini, baby butternut squash, salad slicer cucumbers and nasturtium I started from seed in late April. What are you planting in your veg garden? Tell me in the comments! #vegogarden #sustainabilitymyway #vegetablegardening #raisedbeds #smallspacegarden #potager #growwhatyoulove #foodgarden #eattherainbow🌈 #youarewhatyoueatdaily #gardenlife #gardening #growveg #gardentotable #growyourown #chicagogarden #urbangardening #suburbangardening #zone5b #hereshegrows

Just a few moments from my garden this morning…

Just a few moments from my garden this morning…

🌱The Musa basjoo banana is leafing out following winter storage in my basement. A good feed and plenty of 💦 woke him up! I love the alliums surrounding it right now.

🌱Can’t beat the purpley goodness of Cat’s Pajamas nepeta in the foreground. The yellow on the Autumn Frost hostas in the background just pops next to the grey Adirondack chairs.

🌱The most recent addition to the shade garden, Fun and Games ‘Eye Spy’ heucherella, has fabulous foliage and brightens up the space.

🌱And last but not least, the Salvia argentea is about to pop any day now! I grow it from seed and the foliage was gorgeous last year. It’s biennial and will peter out once it completes flowering. But I have a tray of fresh starts waiting in the wings to replant. 😉

How are things coming along in your garden?

#springgarden #inmygardennow #musabasjoo #alliums #backyardgardener #smallspacegarden #chicagogarden #zone5b #garden #gardening #hereshegrows

🐰Rabbits and voles, no matter how cute, can rui

🐰Rabbits and voles, no matter how cute, can ruin your hard work in a blink 👀! I’ve experimented with a lot of stuff but have had great results with @plantskyddrepellents and it’s not just effective for small nuisances. I’m fortunate to not have deer pressure, but it works on them too. It’s 💯% organic, won’t harm your pets or the little critters you’re trying to keep out. In my experience, I’ve only had to reapply it after a heavy rainfall. It also comes with a satisfaction guarantee. If you’re having critter issues, give it a go and let me know what you think! #plantskydd #rabbitrepellant #gardenpests #rabbits #gardenissues #gardentip #rabbitinthegarden #rabbitproblems #rabbitskeepout #freeloaders #inmygarden #chicagogarden #zone5b #hereshegrows #smallspacegarden

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