NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State
University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665
January 29, 1998
Ron Smith, Extension Horticulturist
North Dakota State University
Q. I'm enclosing an article about grapes. Can you tell where I can purchase those varieties? I would like to start a patch of Juneberries. Can you give the name and address of some Canadian nurseries that sell good varieties of Juneberries? (Clifford, N.D.)
A. Thanks for sending the clipping on grapes. That was a great article in The Forum by Bob Lind. Makes my mouth water to read it again!
Some of the vines can be obtained locally at nurseries, others through catalogs. I suggest trying St. Lawrence Nursery in Potsdam, N. Y. Their address is 325 State Hwy 345, zip 13676. I suggest phoning for a catalog at (315) 265-6739. He is an organic grower of some good winter-hardy fruit stock such as grapes, apples, Juneberries and others.
Thanks for writing.
Q. I would like to grow potatoes in my garden. How deep should potatoes be planted? Any information you can give me will be appreciated. (Valley City, N.D.)
A. Potatoes should be planted about 2 inches deep in mid-May and about 12 to 16 inches apart. It is a good idea to rotate varieties regularly. You might want to try Red Norland. I had good yield from that variety one year. If possible, provide irrigation to your potato planting to keep them from becoming stressed with the hot summer weather.
Enclosed is a copy of NDSU Extension Service circular No. H-266, "Potatoes for the Home and Market Garden." Others may obtain a copy from any county office of the NDSU Extension Service, or from Distribution Center, Morrill Hall, NDSU, Fargo, N.D. 58105; phone, 231-7882.
Q. At this time of year I start thinking about the garden. I have some good wood ashes, and was wondering if there would be any value to putting them into the soil. Will egg shells or sheep manure enhance the soil? (Fargo, N.D.)
A. Wood ashes are mostly a source of potassium and usually have quite a high pH level, neither of which our soils really need. Egg shells are a good soil conditioner and, eventually, become a source of calcium. Sheep manure is OK as long as it has had a chance to age or compost a little.
Q. I have a Christmas cactus that hasn't bloomed for several years. How can we get this plant to bloom? (Grand Forks, N.D.)
A. The Christmas cactus is a plant that will respond in a similar way to the poinsettia. It needs long, uninterrupted nights, cool temperatures, and needs to be kept slightly on the dry side beginning about October 1 of each year.
Q. What kind of grass should I plant on property that faces south? It has sandy soil. The ground has about a 30 to 40 degree slope. What shrubs would you suggest? (Mandan, N.D.)
A. I would not recommend any grass that would require mowing for such a steep slope. The non-mowables like the bluestems, wheatgrasses and sand lovegrass would be better. Woody plantings would not be recommended. I suggest wildflowers or prairie flower plantings that can either be directly sown or sown with a hydromulcher. I suggest the following flowers: purple prairieclover (Petalostemun), prairie coneflower (Ratibida sp.), gayfeather (Liatris sp.), Mexican redhat (Ratibida columnaris), yarrow (Achillae millefolium), and blankflower Gailardia aristata). These, mixed in with some grasses, would fit more naturally into the setting you describe, eliminating maintenance, erosion or water problems.
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Source: Ron Smith (701) 231-8161
Editor: Barry Brissman (701) 231-7866