Gardening Charlotte

Help Growing Grapes

The following are emails from readers covering a range of topics:

“… I was wondering if you have reliable resources about growing grape vines.  We have two in our yard and have no idea how to properly care for them. — Lindsay

Charlotte: University of Missouri-Extension has a number of pamphlets with detailed instructions on how to grow a variety of crops including grapes. The last pamphlet I picked up cost 50 cents and had a good list of how to grow grapes from first planting to established plants.

Most extension offices have a variety of publications, some are free but most these days have a small fee to cover printing costs.

If you have specific questions about certain varieties, the Fruit Experiment Station in Mountain Grove is a wonderful resource as well.

Let me know if you need volunteers to do any grape juice testing,

“…I gave my mother paperwhite narcissus for her birthday and she heard she should throw them away after they bloom, does that sound right to you?” – Mary

Charlotte: There’s nothing quite as fragrant as a little stash of blooming paperwhite narcissus, what a nice gift. Depending on how big the bulbs are, you might be able to save the bulbs by planting them outside after they bloom but it may take a few years before they build up energy back in the bulbs to re-bloom.

Since most paperwhite narcissus are promoted as gifts mid-winter, the ground in Missouri is usually too hard to even dig to plant them so in that case, best to compost them. The bulbs will be exhausted from blooming and unless you are willing to baby them until spring, it is probably better to toss them.

If you want to try to keep them going, keep them watered and in a sunny window while they produce green leaves. The leaves will store energy in the bulb so that when you plant them in the ground, they may come back up in a few years.

“I have been using chemicals on my garden plants for years. Can I add bees?” – Jordan

Charlotte: Overuse of chemicals in home gardens is one of the leading causes of bee decline in North America, along with loss of plant diversity and vampire-like varroa mite. You don’t want to get bees only to have them die from chemical exposure so if I had to give you a direct answer, I would not recommend it. Depending on what chemicals you have been using, residue will remain in your plants and soil and affect whatever bees you bring in.

“I have a peanut pumpkin and I want to save the seeds to plant. How do I do that? – Diane

Charlotte: Remove all of the filaments holding the seeds by hand- yes, it will be messy –  that will speed up the drying process. Spread seeds on paper towels to dry. Not too long or they will stick to the paper. Store in container until planting time, mice will love to find this stash mid-winter.

Charlotte Ekker Wiggins is a beekeeper, gardener and sometimes cook. Published once in print and online by El Dorado Springs Sun with author’s permission. Copyright 2017 all rights reserved. This column may not be re-edited, reprinted, republished or otherwise distributed without author’s express permission. Contact Charlotte at chargardens@gmail.com.