Winter Wisdom

Brought to you in cooperation with the Kansas State University Johnson County Research and Extension Master Gardeners.   Each week we feature interesting topics for winter reading.

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Week of 11/11/02

There are still many productive days left for gardeners before the onset of winter.  By now, you should be well along with planting spring-flowering bulbs, and with cleaning up the garden, removing waste, debris and dead foliage.  Not only is the appearance improved, but the source of many diseases is removed.  It is a good idea to replace lost mulch with two or three inches of new mulch to protect perennials and help moderate the soil temperature.

Speaking of mulch, give some thought to mulching fallen leaves from your lawn rather than bagging them.  The use of a mulching mower or mulching blade gets the leaves off the grass and returns the leaf residue to the lawn to feed and protect the turf. It is generally easier than raking, and means less of a load on the landfills as well.

Once you are through with your mower for the season, it should be prepared for winter storage.  A few minutes spent now will pay big dividends in the spring.  Clean it and sharpen or replace the blades.  If you do not drain the fuel, be sure to add a fuel stabilizer that can be purchased at any hardware store.

Fortunately, it looks as if we shall be going into winter with a fair amount of moisture in the soil.  It is still important to remember that evergreens, both conifers and broadleaf, benefit from a good soaking whenever it is warm enough to use a garden hose.

With the exception of spring-blooming shrubs, it is a good time for pruning trees and shrubs.  With the leaves off, it is easier to see the structure of the plant on which you are working.  While you are at the task of pruning, don’t forget to prune perennial vines.  Be sure you know the variety of the vine. In the case of flowering vines, it is especially important to know if they bloom on old or new wood, for this determines the timing and extent of pruning.  Generally speaking, perennial vines like Clematis that flower on new wood need more extensive pruning to remove excess foliage.  These are the later blooming varieties that bear smaller flowers. Starting from the ground up, all growth above 18 inches should be trimmed off.  Old wood, that produces most of the early large- flowering Clematis, should be trimmed lightly, if at all.  The English speak of “tidying”.  This process involves starting at the top and working downward, removing only dead or broken stems as you go.  Once the pruning is done, whether on Clematis or other perennial vines, tie them to a trellis, fence or other support in several places to protect them from wind and critter damage.  Better yet, consider growing them on shrubs or trees for some dramatic results.  Mulching around the base with well-composted cow manure moderates soil temperature and also provides a slow feeding that helps the plant recover from stress caused by pruning.  Also, keep in mind that most vines are heavy feeders and drinkers, and appreciate attention throughout the year if nature does not supply adequate rain or snow.

It seems that every year brings a new theory about pruning Hybrid Tea Roses.  The present consensus seems to favor pruning canes back before winter only to remove broken or damaged canes, saving more extensive pruning until new growth begins to appear in the early spring. In somewhat similar fashion, it is now suggested that dried, disease-free foliage be left on chrysanthemums to provide extra winter protection.  When new growth begins in the spring, the old foliage is removed.

Once all these tasks are behind you, it’s time to rest on your laurels, after mulching them carefully, of course.  Then it’s time to contemplate the triumphs of the season past, and those aspects that were somehow less than triumphant. In other words, while relaxing by the fire, get your planning completed for gardening season 2003.  It’s only a few short months away!

Articles submitted by Bill Latimer, Johnson County Extension Horticulture Assistant and Dennis Patton, Johnson County Extension Horticulture Agent.

2001 - 2002 Winter Wisdom Archive
2000 - 2001 Winter Wisdom Archive

* Winter Wisdom is an information service of the Kansas State Johnson County Research and Extension Master Gardeners.  Research-based responses are provided by Extension Master Gardener volunteers weekdays from March 1 through October 31, from 9:00 am to 4:30pm .  To telephone, call (913) 764-6306 or visit the Extension Office at 13480 South Arapaho Drive, Olathe, Kansas.  Visit their website at www.oznet.ksu.edu/Johnson 

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