XPost: misc.rural   
   From: jpmcw@comcast.net   
      
   Larry Caldwell wrote:   
   > In article ,   
   > dchadduck@comcast.net (Doug Chadduck) says...   
   >> So when's the best time to apply the bone meal? I've never had the best   
   >> of luck with Peonies, thought CA Bay Area is not the best local. I do   
   >> keep trying. Grew up with peonies with dozens of 6" blossoms on every   
   >> plant. Fragrance heavenly. Can still smell them 40 years later.   
   >   
   > Early spring (March), before new growth starts.  Peonies get a lot of   
   > benefit from the phosphate in the bone meal.  Also, make sure they are   
   > not planted too deep.  Peonies are like gladiolus, the corm needs to be   
   > very close to the surface.   
   >   
   > You should be able to grow peonies nicely in the Bay Area.  They should   
   > flower sometime around mid-May.  Don't let them get water stressed until   
   > after bloom, then drop back on the water and let them work the roots a   
   > little.  During the summer, only water when the leaves show water   
   > stress, then give them a 12 hour slow irrigation set that will soak the   
   > soil deeply.   
   >   
   > It's rhubarb and strawberry time in Oregon right now.  I just made a   
   > batch of strawberry-rhubarb jam last Thursday after work.  I had to buy   
   > the strawberries, but I have a couple big rhubarb plants that are really   
   > pretty in the landscaping.  I cut about 20 lbs. of rhubarb, so I ended   
   > up spreading it around to my co-workers Friday.   
   	   
      
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