Knowledgebase

fencers will trample narrow garden #751340

Asked May 21, 2021, 3:54 PM EDT

I have a garden on one edge of my property, 22 feet long and 2 feet deep. Fencers will have to step on this slim wildflower garden. The plant life is about 18-inches high and quite dense already. I'm trying to protect it. Should I cut it down to half height to save it or will it be stronger if I leave it alone and hope for the best? The fencers are coming Tuesday, 5/25/21. I need an answer soon to prep the area, if that's best. Thank you. Eugénie de Rosier St. Paul, MN

Ramsey County Minnesota

Expert Response

Wildflowers are resilient suvivors.  Let the fencers come and after they leave apply 10-0-10 fertilizer and ample every two days to speed recovery.

Steve Miles  Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (Not an AI Bot) Replied May 21, 2021, 5:58 PM EDT
Dear Steve Miles,

Thank you for your information. 
The fencers are coming on the 5/24th to drop posts and 5/31 to install panels.
As they will leave twice, shall I fertilize after each visit or just after the second? 
How long should I apply the fertilizer on the every-two-day schedule?...for a week? two weeks? 
Many thanks.

  
Eugénie de Rosier
705 Mount Hope Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55107
651/699-2657



On Fri, May 21, 2021 at 4:58 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied May 23, 2021, 7:58 AM EDT

Thank you for writing back.  I was sleepy from gardening.  After they leave from the whole job, gently water the site if it has not been raining. (Do not water while they are working--it will make the ground soft). 
Then apply the fertilizer as the plants are starting to recover the following couple days.

  Fertilize again in September after the summer heat is done and make sure the plants do not dry out during before the ground freezes.

Steve Miles  Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (Not an AI Bot) Replied May 23, 2021, 8:47 AM EDT
Dear Steve,

I just realized it was Sunday morning not Monday morning. I'm sorry if I woke you. OY!
Talk about days' mixup. Thanks again for all your help.


Eugénie de Rosier







705 Mount Hope Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55107
651/699-2657



On Sun, May 23, 2021 at 7:47 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied May 23, 2021, 10:18 AM EDT

Dear Steve,

I'm having a hard time finding 10-0-10 fertilizer for my wildflower garden, other than in a 35lb bag, will any other numbers do as well, that I could get in a 5lb. bag?

What's your best suggestion? Thank you. Eugenie de Rosier, <personal data hidden>

The Question Asker Replied June 03, 2021, 12:23 PM EDT

For now use for the first application, use 10 pounds of blood meal and send me a photo in two weeks.

Steve Miles  Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (Not an AI Bot) Replied June 03, 2021, 12:28 PM EDT
Okay thank you.

Eugenie de Rosier

On Thu, Jun 3, 2021, 11:28 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied June 03, 2021, 12:46 PM EDT

Good morning, Steve Miles,

I've put the blood meal on the wildflower garden for two weeks.

Many wildflowers have not returned as they were ruined, but several look much healthier. ..a yellow blossom and the dense taller purply blue flowered plant.  


Steve, I have 2 shots from June 16 and one shot from June 3, but I can't seem to drag them to this page. May I send them to an email address?

June 16, #10, #11

June 3, #17, all the blank spaces were previously filled with green.

Thank you. 

Eugénie de Rosier, June 18, 2021

The Question Asker Replied June 18, 2021, 10:08 AM EDT

Sure send the June 16 ones to <personal data hidden>

Steve Miles  Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (Not an AI Bot) Replied June 18, 2021, 10:21 AM EDT

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