Soil amendments could help with irises

Q: You answered a question about working iris beds last week. You didn’t mention any soil amendments (compost), just adding blood meal. Would there be any advantages or disadvantages to adding compost when replanting iris? — M.B.

A: Go for it! Adding almost any soil amendment to the soil around here would always be a good thing .

One condition though, I won’t recommend you add fresh manure into a space that you are going to plant in right away. Fresh manure could be too “hot,” containing too much quick-release nitrogen, that you’d run the risk of burning the roots of whatever you were planting. But yes, adding products like compost, well-aged manure or topsoil would more than likely be very helpful for reconditioning a bed .

Just know that irises prefer a fertile, well-draining soil, so don’t go overboard making the beds so they hold water constantly. The iris plants like a bit of an airy growing space. Not arid, mind you, just not thoroughly dampened all the time.

Also, I want to say that the process of reheeling a bed of iris is typically a project that is done in late July. This year — having been so dreadfully hot — maybe it’s for the best that this type of project is done once we have milder temperatures. I will caution that if you are considering reheeling an established iris bed this year, you have the process done by the end of August at the latest. The plants need some time to settle in, spread their roots and regroup before the winter months come. Also remember that the reheeled beds will require watering during the winter months. Unless we’re blessed with precipitation, expect to water every two weeks if it’s dry during the dormant months.

Also, I believe you got confused. I didn’t suggest adding blood meal to the planting areas. I suggested the addition of bone meal. These two products offer completely different elements to the soil. Blood meal is known for its high nitrogen content. Bone meal is applied to add phosphorus. Since you will want the freshly planted iris to settle in and produce healthy roots, you add bone meal. Remember, nitrogen is utilized by plant life to create upwards green growth. Phosphorus is utilized by plants to feed roots and blooms. So, I was taught you add bone meal when reheeling an iris bed to assist them in settling in.

Q: I am new to the gardening world and am frustrated! Every time I’m out working in my yard I’m pestered, and that’s putting it lightly, by bees and sometimes wasps. They just unnerve me to the point that I don’t want to be outside working in my garden. Help! — T.A., Albuquerque

A: I’ve mentioned this before, but it’s worth repeating, especially if you are finding yourself pestered while you are attempting to work outside.

First and foremost, don’t go out smelling like a flower. Have specific clothes that aren’t washed with floral scented soaps or fabric softeners — ever. Highly-scented shampoos and lotions can also be enough to make some insects most curious. Get in the habit of smelling plain when you are aiming to work outdoors.

Next, wear clothes that aren’t printed with bright colors. Truly! Any bee worth its salt will want to see what this bright flower is. Typically, I wear a dull colored T-shirt and then have a loose fitting plain white long sleeved men’s dress shirt as protection from the sun. I always wear jeans and close toed shoes too.

Just don’t go into your gardens smelling or looking like a flower or you can bet you’ll be investigated by scent and color driven insects.

Stay safe and unscented while you’re out there 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.