Visit Our Website

Submit A Tip
See Previous Issues

Local Sponsors
National Sponsors

Subscribe
Unsubscribe

Privacy Pledge










 
SAVVYGARDENER.COM
January 19, 2000

 

Brrr...
Well so much for unseasonably mild weather.  It's cold but unfortunately still very dry.  Considering the lack of precipitation I would sure welcome a few inches of wet snow.  Savvygardeners have been watering during the recent mild weather but we would still appreciate a good wet snowstorm or soaking rain.

It looks like the cold weather will last at least through the weekend.  My advice?  Make some hot cocoa and curl up with a few choice seed and plant catalogs.

~ Shelly               


Forcing the Issue
Savvygardeners who were planning ahead may have planted some bulbs in pots in order to force blooms in mid-winter.  Depending on when they were planted some of them may be coming up now.  If you didn't plan ahead, it's not too late.  While it is probably too late to try to force tulips and daffodils - they need around 12 weeks or more - you can still force early blooms from crocus and hyacinth.  Follow these simple steps:
  1. Get a clean pot with drainage holes and put about two inches of potting soil in it.
  2. Place the bulbs closely together in the soil. Add more soil until only the tips of the bulbs are showing.
  3. Water thoroughly.
  4. Place the pot in a cool (35-50 degrees), dark place 6-8 weeks.
  5. Once the shoots appear move the pot to a room temperature area with little light. Water.
  6. When you see several inches of growth move the pot to a sunny place.
  7. Water regularly and enjoy the blooms!

Resist Temptation
Even though it doesn't feel like late January our last frost date is still several months away.  Starting your seeds indoors now would be a mistake.  They will likely become "root bound" and could stop growing.  At best they will be under-achievers in your spring garden.

Be a Pot Washer
A good use of winter "down time" is making sure your pots are in tip top shape.  If you still have soil in any of your pots - dump it in the garden!  Moisture in the soil will freeze and expand causing your pots to break.

Remember - clean pots help produce healthy plants and a good scrubbing now will save you time later!  Personally, I like the mossy, weathered look on the outside of my clay pots so I leave them alone.  The insides on the other hand are thoroughly scrubbed with diluted bleach and dried with a towel before I put them away for the season.

Finally...
"What sunshine is to flowers smiles are to humanity.  They are but trifles, to be sure; but, scattered along life's pathway, the good they do is inconceivable." - Joseph Addison, poet, 1672-1719

 

© 1999-2000 savvygardener.com, inc. 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.