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Black locust and its hybrid relative, Idaho locust, both produce many fragrant flowers in the spring. The blooms eventually become long seedpods.
Photograph by Shari Kaplan
Time is ripe for planting vegetables in the garden
By Tony Tomeo
With all of the horticulturally oriented events every spring, I don't have many opportunities to discuss gardening, which is of course also very important in spring. Because the weather has been excellent, gardens now require more attention than at any other time of year. Likewise irrigation, which has been minimal, or eliminated, in some areas through winter, now becomes a concern.
Vegetable plants that will stay in the garden all summer should have already been installed, as well as the first phases of vegetables that are cycled through the growing season. Those that stay in the garden through summer include tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers and beans. Those that are cycled include beets, carrots, corn and onions, as well as many of the greens.
Cycling involves planting small groups, usually from seed, every two to four weeks. Because the vegetables in each group mature at the same rate, they are consumed at about the same time. By the time one group is finished, the next will be reaching maturity. It is best to plant only enough vegetables to supply the interval between planting. For example, if planting corn every two weeks, each group should be only enough to supply for two weeks, unless some is to be frozen or canned.
Incidentally, corn requires good pollination to set fruit. It is therefore advantageous to plant it in compact configurations. Small groups in a single row are not exposed to as much of the heavy pollen as the same number of plants in two rows, half the length, planted very near each other.
Corn and most of the short-term vegetable plants should always be planted from seed. Not only are seedlings relatively expensive, but they have difficulty becoming established in a new environment. Seed usually comes in packages sufficient to provide for more than the first cycle of planting.
There is no advantage to soaking seeds before planting, unless a future date for planting has already been established and the seeds are already available. For example, if one plans to work in the garden on a Saturday, but will not have time sooner, the seeds may start soaking in water on Thursday. If time allows, however, it is best to plant the seed directly in the garden on Thursday so that they may begin soaking in the warm, moist soil. Soaking seeds when they could be planted is only extra work. If soaking is preferred, it is best to soak only what will be planted, because soaked seed will not last until the next cycle.
Tree of the Week: Idaho locust
Many consider the black locust to be like so many species of eucalyptus and acacias--a weed which often naturalizes in areas that are not maintained. Hybridization, however, with another species of locust has produced the Idaho locust Robinia (*X) ambigua 'Idahoensis'.
The Idaho locust grows moderately fast to about 40 feet, about half the height of mature black locusts. The bright, rosy pink flowers are so profuse in spring that the new foliage may not be obvious until after bloom. The finely textured foliage is pinnately compound and decomposes quickly when it falls in autumn, so it need not be raked from deep ground covers or shrubbery.
Locusts tolerate less than ideal soil, if it is well-drained. When established, roots are very drought-tolerant. A few seedlings may emerge under established trees, but not to the extent associated with other locusts. The few seedlings may simply be pulled out or given to friends when they are dormant in winter.
Most species and cultivars of ornamental locusts are grafted onto black locust understock. Therefore, thorny suckers that emerge below the graft should be removed promptly so that they do not overtake the desired tree.
Locusts are not commonly available at all nurseries, so acquiring one might require a few telephone calls. A cultivar known as "Purple Robe" is similar to Idaho locust, but exhibits darker purplish flowers and a longer bloom cycle. Although locusts should be planted in winter, they may be seen now in full bloom, but usually in older gardens that were landscaped when the trees were popular.
Horticulturist Tony Tomeo may be contacted at 408.358.2574.
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Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
