Visit Our Website

Submit A Tip
See Previous Issues

Local Sponsors
National Sponsors

Subscribe
Unsubscribe

Privacy Pledge










 
SAVVYGARDENER.COM
January 12, 2000

I'm Sooo Confused...
OK... the date at the top of this newsletter says "January" but I'm not convinced.  It feels a lot like April to me.  I hope you watered over the weekend.  If you didn't now would be a good time.  Check out last week's newsletter for specifics.

Take advantage of this weather while it lasts.  There could be six inches of snow on the ground after all.  Think of it as a dress rehearsal for Spring.  Get outside and act like a gardener!
~ Shelly               


Over-Anxious Bulbs
We humans have calendars to remind us of the actual date.  Plants aren't so lucky.  This weather may have them fooled and it's up to us to protect them from their naivete.  Look around the garden.  Look closely.  Are there any bulbs poking their pretty little heads through the soil?  If you see any confused plants simply, but gently, push them back into the soil and then cover them with a layer of leaves or mulch.

It's not all bad news for your bulbs however.  If you still have some bulbs laying around that you meant to plant last fall you can take advantage of the warm weather and plant them now.  Don't forget a little bulb booster to help them out!

Your Indoor Garden
This month is a good time to remember your houseplants.  If any of them are getting too big for their pots simply divide them and re-pot.  While you are at it give them some TLC by doing the following:
  • Prune judiciously. A light trim is usually sufficient.
  • Check for bugs.  Aphids and other critters can usually be eradicated with some insecticidal soap.
  • Make sure the low winter sun isn't hurting your plants placed near windows.  You can relocate them or simply rotate them periodically if necessary.
  • A different window related problem may be the cold.  Leaves don't like touching cold glass.
  • If your house is really dry (like mine) make sure you mist your plants occasionally.  It's like giving them a kiss!

Bloomin' Trickery
One of my favorite winter tricks is cutting small branches from forsythia, quince, pussywillow, and other flowering trees and forcing them to blossom indoors.
  • Use sharp pruners and cut to fit in a favorite vase.
  • Use a hammer to smash the cut end before you put it in water.
  • They will do best if allowed to blossom in a "coolish" place.
  • Like cut flowers you should keep the water fresh to prolong their beauty.

Rake Those Leaves...
If you still have leaves laying around the lawn rake them up!  Your grass needs to breathe and can't when wet leaves are smothering it.  *Bonus* - You can use the leaves as mulch on your flower beds!

A Splash of Color of a Different Sort
Ever finish weeding and can't find that tool you just set down?  A bright color on the handle might have helped.  Take time now to paint wooden handles or wrap some colored grip tape around plastic or metal ones.  Your tools will be easy to find even in the thickest of foliage!

Finally...
"Ever since I could remember anything, flowers have been like dear friends to me, comforters, inspirers, powers to uplift and to cheer." - Celia Thaxter, poet, 1835-1894.


© 1999-2000 savvygardener.com All rights reserved.  If you wish to copy, transmit, or otherwise duplicate any of the material from our website please ask us first.  Thank you.