Featured Gardens
Mike and Lynn Chambers-Bartlett, TN
Mike
Chambers is the current president of the Mid-South Hosta Society. After looking
at his garden I think you will agree that he is well qualified. Mike took
time to answer a few questions about how he developed and maintains his garden.
"My
first hostas were planted in 1996 on the advice of a friend visiting from
England. I planted 3 Honeybells and 3 Hyacinthinas. I did it because we had
so much shade that the grass would not grow. I liked the hostas and started
to find a few more when my big trees started to die. When Larry Tucker put
an ad in the paper about a Hosta Society I had about 40 varieties, but knew
nothing about them. Shortly after the Society's official opening in October
1998 I went totally insane. I now have 317 varieties and just over 500 in
the garden. I have about 200 in pots that I have divided in a shade house
at my mother's home."
When asked what was his recipe for success, Mike
gave me this schedule. "In October, I start seeds in my workshop, my
slug control and move any plants I need to split. I clean the yard of leaves
and debris. In January I start forcing plants for the Expo in March. By late
February I spend most every Saturday either redoing beds that I want to change
or those that tree roots have invaded. As soon as the hostas start emerging
I fertilize the smaller ones and all those in pots and put composted leaves
around them. I wait until April to mulch so I can cover up all the fallen
blooms and seeds that are starting to sprout. From March until late May I
spend about 25 hours a week in the garden."
"I water twice
a week, once for 3 to 4 hours with my sprinkler system. I also water each
hosta for a few minutes with the hose or water wand so I can inspect each
plant. I spray Miracle Gro every month from March until July. I very aggressively
attack my slugs by treating them with pellets in October, thus getting them
before egg laying and then spraying with ammonia and water when I have them
under control."
This fall I will redo my mini-beds because the tree roots are moving in which is a problem common to hostas. (Look at Mike's raised bed its a great way to deal with the tree roots. Also lots of his hostas are planted in pots.) I also try to add at least 1 or 2 new trees each year."
"My
yard is clay so I dig a 2 foot hole and remove all the clay and add Pro-Mix
from J&B Products as my new soil. I buy it by the pick up load. Its a
mix of sandy loam, course sand, lots of pine bark and just a very little peat
moss. My hostas love it."
I just had to ask Mike the dreaded question. Which is your favorite hosta? Mike replied "I really like Halycon as my blue green. I think you must have some yellow in the spring to wake up the garden. I like Fragrant Bouquet and Shade Fanfare for this. I like several different ones at different times of the year." I then asked which hostas are looking the best this year? "June, Lakeside Surf Rider and Sun Power are looking outstanding. Also, Tyler's Treasure has really taken off."
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You can email Mike at mschambers@fedex.com.