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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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Winter Wisdom It’s time for some reminders prompted by many recent information calls. First and foremost, what to do about watering lawns, shrubs and trees?
The need for
watering also applies to evergreens, especially broadleaf evergreens like
Hollies, Azaleas and
All conifers will
benefit from winter watering when it is practical to do so. The same
applies to newly planted trees and shrubs. It may be helpful to remind you
that in the case of trees and shrubs, the roots upon which the
Winter is generally considered a good time for pruning trees and shrubs because the structure is more easily seen without the leaves. Some exceptions, however, are important to note: Early spring flowering shrubs should be pruned only in the period immediately following blooming. If these shrubs are pruned now, you may risk loss of the spring’s bloom entirely. This is particularly true of Lilacs, Ninebark, and some Viburnums. If you grow flowering perennial vines like Clematis, go easy on the large-flowered varieties that bloom early in the spring on old or last season’s wood. The rule of thumb, if you are not certain of the variety or the appropriate pruning time, don’t prune until they bloom. With these and other flowering plants it is very important to know the species and varieties of the plants you purchase. Another area of
continuing concern to many gardeners based on the number of calls we
receive, is whether or not herbaceous perennials should be cut back to the
ground after blooming. Hardy Chrysanthemums are a case in point. Many seem
to prefer cutting them down to the ground. If the plants are healthy, this
is really optional or a matter of aesthetic preference. Some people feel
the remaining foliage affords some protection to the plant roots during
the winter. This can also be said of Peonies, but the key is to be sure
the remaining foliage is not diseased. Peonies often fall prey to fungus
like botrytis, and hygiene is an important part of disease prevention. It
is best to err on the side of caution if you have any question, and remove
the foliage.
Pruning hybrid tea roses is another matter of debate. Many rosarians now advocate waiting until early spring to prune rather than pruning in the late fall. The reason is that by waiting you confine cutting back to broken and damaged canes and portions of canes that did not survive the cold of winter. The Hotline and Winter Wisdom staff hope you will have a happy holiday hibernation, and we shall visit with you again in mid-January, 2004, following a brief hiatus! Articles submitted by Bill Latimer, Johnson County Extension
Horticulture Assistant and Dennis Patton, Johnson County Extension Horticulture Agent. * 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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Winter
Wisdom
Due
to the ongoing lack of rainfall, we should take advantage of
above-freezing temperatures and get out the garden hose. All cool-season
grasses, like tall fescue and bluegrass and their mixtures should get a
good soaking
Rhododendrons.
Experience has shown that these also benefit from application of a spray
which inhibits transpiration, or loss of moisture through leaf surfaces.
There are several brands now available from nurseries, garden centers and
home supply stores. Their use is also helpful in summer as well.
plant
relies for moisture and nutrition are located in the top 12 to 14 inches
of soil. Therefore, watering and fertilization should concentrate on the
top layers of soil within the tree’s dripline. Application of a general
lawn-type fertilizer on the soil surface within the dripline area, when
well watered in, satisfies the need for moisture and nutrition more
satisfactorily and more economically than relying upon deep watering
devices or plant spikes. 
A
light layer of mulch will help moderate the soil temperature and help
protect the underground growth. Most gardeners prefer to leave the almost
evergreen Iris foliage intact, only trimming back exceptionally long,
broken or unattractive leaves.