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January 3, 2001

Happy Anniversary, Savvygardener.com!
Here it is - 2001.  One year since the first issue of Savvygardener.com was published!  So many questions.  What will this year hold for us?  What will the weather be like?  Will it be a good planting year?  I know one thing for sure, spring is right around the corner and I have got to get busy with some planning.  I must admit that I am somewhat relieved that the holidays have passed.  I tend to be most comfortable when there is a routine in place and it has been very difficult these past couple of weeks to adhere to any kind of schedule.  So now that the kids are back in school and the Christmas decorations are down, it is time to plan for this year's garden.  I try to take some time to sit and leisurely browse through some of my favorite gardening catalogs.  My mission - to fill the vacant spots in my garden with plants that should thrive in the spaces available.  Now this is not as easy as it sounds.  "Why?" you might ask?  Well, like so many gardeners, I want everything I see.  Not a good idea.  After all, I am shopping for a small landscape - not two acres.  So, what I try to do is write down the plants that I like (big list) then go through and narrow the list to make it work for my landscape.  This process may take a few days or a couple of weeks.  Once completed I always feel like I am on the right track to being better prepared for planting. 

A special "hello" to Savvygardener Frank C. who is visiting the Netherlands but still making a point of reading Savvygardener.com each week.  That's dedication to gardening!

Well it sounds as if we are going to thaw out a bit this week.  They say the temperatures may be rising into the 50's so we will be experiencing a lot of melting.  It will be nice to see the ground in it's natural state again.  Try to get outside and enjoy the warm-up!

~ Shelly  

Blowin' In The Wind...
When those north winds blow we humans find ourselves feeling colder than the actual ambient temperature would suggest.  We know that as the "wind chill factor".  For warm-blooded animals, wind chills can have a profound effect on their ability to keep warm.  However, plants do not respond to wind chills because they do not need to maintain a temperature above that of the outside temperature.  It's not all good news for the plants however.  Wind is desiccating and can dry plant tissues.  Plant tissues require moisture to survive and high wind speeds can cause excess moisture loss from those tissues.  This desiccation may be great enough to injure or even kill tissue, particularly the smaller size wood as in peach twigs, apple spurs or blackberry canes.

Source

Low Light Lover...
One of the great challenges for indoor gardeners is getting enough light to our plants.  An alternative approach is finding plants that don't require as much light.  Variegated Peperomia (Peperomia obtusifolia) is a good choice.  Best growth occurs in an east window or anywhere with medium light intensity.  It's variegated leaves make a nice show and it's easy to care for.

Source
Photo 

Heave, Ho, Snow...
There's been some talk about the temperatures rising this week and next.  Sounds great but we've learned to take the weather on a day by day basis.  Either way now is a good time to revisit the mulch in our gardens.  Remember, the reason for winter mulching is to keep the ground at a near constant temperature.  It's OK for it to be frozen, we just want to avoid the cycles of freezing and thawing.  One way to get the job done is to use snow mulch.  Just pile the snow (as gently as possible) on the areas of the garden that need extra protection.  The snow will serve as an effective insulator helping to keep soil temperatures constant. 

Belated Bulb Burial...
If you're like me you were counting on warmer weather in December to finish your bulb planting.  Mother Nature had other plans.  If you didn't get your bulbs planted before the ground froze, plant them now in individual peat pots and place the pots in flats.  Set them outside where it is cold and bury the bulbs under a thick blanket of leaves.  If we're lucky the ground will thaw again this winter and we can use the opportunity to transplant them into the garden.

Pelleted Seed Explained...
You may find yourself perusing a seed catalog and come across something called pelleted seed.  Some mail order seed companies offer pelleted seed of lettuce, carrot, and a few other small-seeded crops.  Pelleted seed is like any other seed except that it has a special coating that makes it larger.  While almost anyone will appreciate the convenience of larger seeds it is especially valuable for children and gardeners with arthritic hands, weak eyesight, or poor coordination.  When using pelleted seed, plant in moist soil and keep it moist as the coating has to dissolve before the seed can germinate.

Winter Wisdom...
The holidays are past us now but the plants we associate with the holidays are not. In this week's Winter Wisdom we take a look at three holiday favorites explaining their origins, culture, and growth habits.  Check out this week's Winter Wisdom...

Something's Sneaking Through The Snow...
That blanket of snow outside your window sure is pretty.  Ever wonder what's going on below the surface?  Don't wait for the snow to melt to discover that mice have been sneaking up on your trees for a sub-surface snack.  Tamp down snow near young trees to discourage them from nesting under the snow and damaging the roots or bark.  For sure-fire protection wrap the base of trees with metal hardware cloth.

Finally...
"Melt, O snow! the warm winds blow 
To thaw the flowers and melt the snow; 
But all the winds from every land 
Will rear no blossom from the sand."

~ Christina Rosetti, Author, 1830-1894

 

 

 

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