Re: intro and mulching Iris
- To: i*@egroups.com, c*@etal.uri.edu
- Subject: Re: [iris-talk] intro and mulching Iris
- From: R*@aol.com
- Date: Sun, 18 Jun 2000 08:51:40 EDT
Dear Claudia, Your " letter" brought back many fond memories of RI, but
first to answer(?) your question! It depends on how and with what you
mulched, I think. Back in the late '60s one daughter's navy husband was
transferred up there and they lived in Greene, and she very successfully
mulched her irises which was a BIG no-no to this part of the country
-Baltimore area) . When they were transferred, most of her irises (bearded
and Siberians) and lilies were transplanted to my garden before winter set in
- the navy always managed to do their transferring shortly before Christmas,
especially if you had chilldren!! (that was my introduction to Siberians and
what I then called lily-lilies - they were not daylilies). SO to cut down on
weeding I adopted the mulch-idea, to the horror and dire warnings of everyone
in this region. It worked for me, and it wasn't long before others mulched!
The trick was, for this area, the mulch is not over the bearded, but between,
around, not on! Early Spring, I check and be sure no mulch has washed onto
the bearded rhizomes.
Now, I even use weed-clo th between the rows with soaker hoses (especially
for my REBLOOMERS) and mulch on top to make it look better! How Times do
change! i used to use the finer mulch - now I use shredded hard mulch .
With horses etc you are so lucky to have all the "black gold" right there! (I
have to go after it) But that could be your problem if you use it too raw.
In that state it must not touch the irises, but years ago, I knew someone who
mulched with it, and even had the walking area made of the straight stuff!.
That's certainly one way to "age" it!!! (I put it in the compost pile)
My other fond memory goes back to nearly 70 years ago when myhusband and I
were invited by a friend of my mother's to spend a week with her - in her
woodsy cabin in the wilds - and I THINK it may have been near where you live?
This friend was a Nature Person and we had walks in the woods and boggy area
etc. I remember it was unusually hot that year for the area. Now I'd better
get back to my irises before it gets too hot again. This week has been
miserable. Rosalie nr Baltimore, USA zone 7 ryfigge@aol.com
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