Tomato, Camellia, Azalea, Berries, Tuberous Begonia, and Celery

GARDEN PATCH POINTERS
By Robert H. and Hoberley Schuler

Q: Is it too early to plant tomatoes in the garden. What do you recommend? Fred Hiatt, Yucaipa

A: Vegetable plants need warmth to develop their roots and foliage. In your climate zone, April usually is the earliest to plant any vegetable unless they are protected from cold weather. Soil temperatures of 60º or more are recommended for tomatoes and is the best for planting summer vegetables. A common trick is to place an inverted clear plastic milk bottle (with the bottom removed and the cap left off) over the plant. This should protect tomato and squash plants planted early. Remember to purchase the right tomato plant for your use. An indeterminate tomato plant is more vine-like, needs trellising and produces fruit over a longer time period. Determinate plants are bushier and usually produce the fruit over a short period of time, such as Romas. Where the weather is not 60º in the early fall, try planting a cherry tomato instead of the larger variety so the fruit will ripen by mid-November.

Wait until mid May to plant seeds of string beans, corn and squash. Cucumbers, peppers and cantaloupe do best if planted in late May.

Q: When is a good time to plant azaleas and camellias? George Voight, Bakersfield

A: When you see flowering azaleas, camellias and rhododendron plants in nurseries, it is their dormant season and is the best time to plant in your garden. They like an acid soil and mulch and will grow nicely in a large container. Do not plant in full sun. There are many new varieties and colors to choose from.

Try planting a Sassanqua camellia in a hanging basket. You can force the branches to hang down by using weights (such as washers or fishing sinkers) tied to the end of the branches with twine. After a month or two you can remove the weights.

Q: I enjoyed the article on strawberries. What kind of other berries can be planted in our area? Jean Smith, Devore

A: Properly mulched, all berry vines will grow well in the Inland Valleys, mountains, and the coastal areas. Boysenberries, gooseberries, blackberries and raspberries do well. The Bababerry raspberry does very well in hot climate and it has larger deep red berries. On established plants, cut the old dead canes to the ground, leaving last years canes. On fall bearing raspberries, cut off the top of the cane that has borne fruit. Dig up berry suckers to make new plants. Fertilize berries when the weather warms with 16-16-16.

Q: I just purchased six tuberous begonia bulbs at the nursery. How do I plant and care for them? Jean Bell, Inglewood

A: Place the bulbs in a porous tray of moist peat, leaving the eyes up (the cup shaped bulb with hollow part up). Do not bury the tops. By starting now in a protected area, you will have plants ready for potting in light shade outside by next month when it is warmer.
This is an ideal plant to start in a container in a green house. Next month try planting other summer bulbs.

Q: Can I grow celery in our area? Charles Correia, Colton

A: Celery plants purchased now will do well providing you have prepared the soil with rich, well drained soil additives, especially from your compost pile and some manure. Celery needs to be planted in full sun. Keep watering frequently to keep the celery growing quickly; fertilize every two weeks with a liquid fertilizer. A month before harvest, wrap the stalks in newspaper and tie them firmly to keep the celery “white”. Place extra soil around the base of the stalks and continue to water and feed.

Do you have a garden question? Contact rhschuler@frontier.com.

Robert H. Schuler, M. G.

GARDEN PATCH POINTERS
By Robert H. and Hoberley Schuler
Oregon State University Master Gardeners; National and CGCI
Garden Study and Landscaping Design Consultants