Basically, the word "Maqar" means "cultivating the land". But in a broader sense it includes all types of plant care.
Of course, there is a third definition that explains all the care and education that is very important for gardeners. Yes, good plant care practices can make a big difference in your landscape, and luckily (as you've probably noticed) they grow quickly.
The easiest practice is to cut tall shrubs and many perennials to improve their appearance and increase their density. This is because well-done pinching disrupts the flow of growth hormones (such as auxin and gibberellins) through the stem and leads to side shoots. Many veteran gardeners are completely baffled by mandatory pinching; This habit has become their habit.
But pinching plants, like all good gardening habits, requires paying close attention to what's going on around you as you walk through the garden. Surprisingly, this skill is not as common as you think.
Another habit that needs monitoring is note taking. Pocket notebooks and pencils have been replaced by modern smartphones today.
Today's gardeners can take pictures of dying, pest-infested, or wilting plants and then take detailed notes. Plants that look sick should be re-examined after a few days to see if beneficial insects such as ladybug larvae can control the situation. If so, spraying is clearly not necessary. In fact, most problems such as seasonal fungal diseases of privet leaves are temporary and will resolve on their own.
Starfruit: A spectacular but underutilized fruit tree in central Florida.
Another habit practiced by gardeners is to keep a garden magnifier in their pocket. This little miracle does double duty. Not only does it accurately identify pests and diseases; Your hand lens shows the entire world that is too small for the eye to see. Once you get a close look at the colorful eyes, mouth and wings of a falling wasp, you'll be hooked for life.
I carried the same portable 16X lens for 45 years and rarely traveled without it. Unfortunately, most people I convince to buy these glasses end up in a drawer and forgotten about. Modern contact lenses are usually made of metal or plastic and metal, sometimes with light, and cost less than $10. But even the cheapest can turn your garden into an amazing place.
Cudjowood (Jacquinia aurantiaca or Bonellia macrocarpa) is an evergreen shrub up to 15 feet tall, native to Mexico and the West Indies to tropical America.
This quiet, elegant, slow-growing plant produces fragrant orange flowers and 1-inch inedible orange fruits year-round. Propagation by seed. This plant is difficult to find.
This article first appeared in the Ledger: Want to have a tidy yard? Creating good habits is the key to success
