Giving the gift of thyme this holiday season a fine idea

Here are some questions that came across my desk recently.

Q: For Christmas I want to give away 4-inch pots of thyme, but I am not sure how to do it.

A: What a nice idea! It is a perennial your friends will enjoy and it has a wonderful aroma. Creeping thyme is ideal, because the tiny leaves cascade over the pot. Most nurseries sell small plants. Place some potting soil in a pot and plant the thyme at the same level found in its pot. Planting it too deep or too shallow will cause problems down the road.

Q: My aunt gave us some amaryllis bulbs, but with no instructions. How do you grow them?

A: Select a container that is an inch larger than the base of the bulb. Place a screen over the drainage holes so the soil doesn't leak out, and fill it with potting soil and a slow-release fertilizer.

Position the bulb so the bottom third is in the soil, that's the enlarged end with roots. Water thoroughly and put container in a cool (55 to 60 degrees) but sunny room to start growth. Water only if the soil mix feels dry, because excess water can rot the bulb. Monitor carefully, because it will dry out fast as the plant grows. Flower buds usually emerge before foliage, at about six weeks. Once growth starts, turn the pot daily for equal sun exposure and stake if necessary. When it blooms, keep the plant out of direct sunlight and in cool temperatures.

After blooming, remove flower stalks but not foliage. Place in a sunny windowsill and water when dry. The continued foliage growth replenishes it for next year's bloom. In the spring, plant in a garden in a sunny location and keep watered and fertilized until fall. Sometime in early fall, dig up the bulb and let the foliage die back on its own. Let the bulb rest in a cool area for about 15 weeks and in a short time, start the whole process over again.

Q: We plan on adding fruit trees to our landscape this spring. Do you have a list of recommended varieties?

A: Nevada Cooperative Extension publishes a great booklet called "Beginning Gardening in the Desert." In it, you'll find varieties to consider. The agency also is testing new varieties and may be adding new ones to the list. Call 257-5555 for a free booklet.

Note the column in the fruit tree section about the number of chilling hours each variety must experience to produce a successful crop. For example, Anna and Dorsett Golden apples need 350 hours, while Granny Smith apples require 700 hours; Red Delicious and Macintosh require even more.

It's hard to determine chilling hours for Las Vegas, because of the warm weather through the "chilling" period. In fact, trees lose chilling hours when temperatures rise above 55 degrees. I use 600 chilling hours a year as a ballpark figure. Some trees take longer to bloom, while others leaf out before blooming if they don't experience enough chilling hours.

Q: Before repairing our chimney, Algerian ivy covered it. We removed it and replaced it with honeysuckle, but it doesn't climb and cover the surface like ivy. What are we doing wrong?

A: Ivy climbs by attaching aerial rootlets to the surface and clinging to it. Honeysuckle can't do this; instead, it climbs by wrapping stems around something like a branch or trellis. If you want honeysuckle to cover the chimney, cover it with chicken wire for stems to entwine.

Q: We want to grow asparagus, but need more information on how to grow it.

A: It takes patience, but it is worth every spear! Plan where to plant it, because it is a perennial vegetable and will be around for years. Asparagus does best in well-drained soil and is a heavy feeder, so be liberal when fertilizing.

This spring, purchase your crowns and open up a trench about 10 inches deep by 12 inches wide to accommodate the roots. The length of the trench is up to you. Every 18 inches, mound up soil 6 inches and place crown on top and distribute roots evenly around it. Cover the crown with 3 inches of soil. As asparagus grows, add soil until the trench is level with the surrounding soil. Don't harvest any spears the first year. In the spring of 2009, remove dead stalks and add mulch and fertilizer; again, don't harvest spears. In 2010, when spears get 6 to 8 inches tall, slice them off just below the soil line. Harvesting lasts about a month. Once again, feed the plants and keep the beds free of weeds.

Q: We planted beets last fall and were wondering why they came up by the thousands.

A: Beet seeds are actually a fruit with clusters of seeds inside. Just plant one seed or fruit every 4 inches and thin seedlings as they develop. Use the thinned greens in salads. Beets need a well-drained, organically enriched soil with lots of sun. They make ideal candidates for a raised bed, but they do want cooler weather so plant them early. Begin harvesting roots when roots get over an inch in diameter.

Q: When pulling my carrots this morning, some had green tops. Are they OK to eat? Some had double bottoms.

A: The green top happens when crowns become exposed to sun. Keep carrot tops covered with soil until foliage covers them. Just slice off the tops and enjoy the rest.

As for split bottoms, it could be because of rocks and/or you're using manure before planting. Heavy soils also may be a problem.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Damon Ohlerking tree planting: At 2:30 p.m. today, plan to attend a special tree-planting ceremony in honor of the late Damon Ohlerking, who designed many of Boulder City's parks and lined streets with thousands of trees. He quickly became the "Johnny Appleseed of Boulder City." The event takes place near the Boyd School of Law on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus.

Christmas tree recycling: Plan to recycle your Christmas tree. From Dec. 26 to Jan. 15, drop your tree at a location near you. Check springspreserve.org site for locations. The preserve turned last year's recycled trees into rich humus now used to grow its vegetables.

Plant giveaway: Get a free native plant to try in your yard. The giveaway of 12 native plants is from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 21 and Dec. 24, so come early to get yours. The preserve also will give away native plant seed packets. The preserve wants to acquaint you with these unfamiliar beauties.

WINTER LIGHTS FESTIVAL

The Las Vegas Springs Preserve continues its light festival. The festivities are open Friday through Sunday and then Dec. 21 through 30 from 6 to 10 p.m. You'll find more than a half-million LED lights draped over hundreds of trees and shrubs. For more information about activities and prices, call 822-8700.

I have a new e-mail address to contact me and let me help you with your garden questions.

Linn Mills writes a garden column every Thursday. You can reach him at linn.mills@ springspreserve.com or at the Gardens at the Springs Preserve at 822-7754.