Pluck interloping weedy grasses now

Q: While out watering our shrubs earlier this past week, I noticed lots of young clumps of pretty bright green grass popping up along the edge of one long planted area we have. I’m all for allowing grass to grow, but know you have cautioned about weed grasses several times. So do I let them stay or get rid of the tufts while they are young? — E.C., Albuquerque

A: Two things in your question make me want to convince you to pull these tufts now, especially while they are young.

First the word tufts to me that suggests the seed, that has now germinated, was blown in. Most weedy grasses do spread by the wind and stop in the first place they run into that seems like it could make a cozy home. Since your tufts are on the edge I don’t have a good feeling about them growing up into polite grasses.

Second, I suggest that you give the tufts a good look-see. Are the grass blades wider than a usual grass? Are the blades a happy, lovely color green? If the answer is yes to one or both of my questions to you, then I’d be out there pulling away.

Granted, an immature sand bur plant tends to grow horizontally and the young plant sometimes wears a purplish hue, but the wicked seed head it sets ... well it’s wicked and really fast-growing.

Grasses like squirrel tail, foxtail or the wicked charmer I learned about last year, Medusahead, are grasses you don’t want to ever allow to go to seed. The bristly awns — seed heads — of these three grasses can work into fur and feet of your dogs, literally puncturing skin. I have known several dogs that have had to have medical intervention in order to remove the seed heads of those nasty critters. Not nice grasses in the least.

I truly believe that since these interlopers, yes, interlopers, are popping up along the edge of your plantings, I believe with all my heart they should go. Go quickly before any mature enough to set seed. Remember, they are easier to pull while young. Also, pitch them into the trash, no composting of these guys. Go get ’em!

Q: I have had very little to no luck at all growing annual flowers from seed in my pots on the patio. What am I doing wrong? — M.G.T., Albuquerque

A: My first thought is that perhaps you planted the seed too deep. So many seeds are wee tiny things and if buried they just don’t have the wherewithal to work through a stout layer of soil.

I’ll suggest that you prepare your pots with the soil and then barely dampen it. Once the soil is wet, go ahead and sprinkle the seed on the top of the soil. Once done, sprinkle a slight layer of sand to just cover the soil. That sand layer will hold the seed in place so it’s not blown away.

When you water, I’d suggest a misting as opposed to a shower. You don’t want to spray the water so hard that you move the sand when you’re watering, or you’ll dislodge the seed. You’ll want to be religious about misting the pots so everything stays damp enough so it can germinate. Try not burying the seed so deep and see if that’s the ticket. Good luck!

Q: I was gifted several canna bulbs recently and need to know if it’s too soon to plant them? I have three big pots that I’m going to use and can’t wait! — C.L., Los Lunas

A: Are the pots you’re planning on using ones that have been outdoors all winter or are you starting from scratch, filling with fresh potting soil?

The reason I ask is if the pots have been outside, the soil might still be a bit too chilly for the heat loving canna. I’d wait until the second week of April so the soil has had a chance to warm a bit more.

Now if you’re starting from scratch, and you’ve had these pots for a while, give them a good washing off before they get filled with the fresh potting soil and go for it. Notice I say potting soil. Packaged soils that say garden soil are not meant to be used in a container. Remember, use potting soil in your pots.

Planted now or soon, please be ready to offer protection from any rogue freeze that could still catch us all by surprise.

Happy Diggin’ In!

Tracey Fitzgibbon is a certified nurseryman. Send garden-related questions to Digging In, Albuquerque Journal, 7777 Jefferson St. NE, Albuquerque, N.M. 87109, or to features@abqjournal.com.