Savvygardener.com

Click Here For The Sweet Onion Nursery & Garden Center!

 
Visit Our Website
Previous Issues
Buyer's Guide  
Tell A Friend  

Bookstore  
Magazines 
Gardening Catalogs

Site Search
Contact Us
Submit A Tip

Feature Articles

~ When to Start
Seeds Indoors
~ Seed Starting Indoors
~ Vegetable Garden Calendar
~ Seed Starting Tomatoes

~

Shrub Pruning Calendar
~ Pruning Clematis 
~ Gardening in the Shade
~ Summer-Flowering Bulb Care
~ Drought-Tolerant Flowers for KC
~ Preparing for a Soil Test
~ Changing the pH of Your Soil
~ Growing Herbs
~ All About Composting
~ All About Mulch
~ Worm Composting
~ When to Harvest Vegetables
~ Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
~ Cold Frames & Hot Beds
~ When to Divide Perennials
~ Dividing Spring Blooming Perennials
~ Forcing Bulbs Indoors
~ Overseeding A Lawn
~ More...

Rose Tips
What's Hot... 
Turf Tips...
Winter Wisdom

SavvyChat
~ On-Line Gardening Forum

Books We Love
Great Products
Web Resources
Event Calendar

Local Sponsors

~ Earl May
~ The Kelly Gallery
~ Missouri Organic Recycling
~ The Sweet Onion

 

Subscribe
Unsubscribe 
Address Change
Tell A Friend

Privacy Pledge

 

 

 

Click Here for Great Soil and Compost!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 28, 2001

Philadelphia Fling...
December is almost upon us and there is so much going on.  We picked out our tree this past weekend at The Sweet Onion and finally decorated it Monday evening.  We chose a much taller, thinner towards the top tree as opposed to last year's rounder tree.  I am very happy with our choice and it is quite beautiful and very aromatic.  There is nothing like the smell of a fresh cut Frasier Fir.  It is the smell of Christmas.  Kevin and I enjoyed talking with some of our readers.  It is always so much fun to meet Savvygardeners.  I really enjoy the positive response I receive from all of you.  You are very encouraging and both Kevin and I appreciate that.  If you haven't had a chance to get over to The Sweet Onion, do so quickly as last year they sold out of their trees and I would expect them to do the same this year.  PS - They love to hear that you read Savvygardener.com!

I could hardly wait to tell you about this next part.  Kevin and I would like to invite you to join us in attending the Philadelphia Flower Show next March.  We have never been and what a better way to experience this terrific show than with other gardeners and good friends!  I cannot wait!  What a great Christmas present to give to your gardening partner!  Sign up now!  Space is limited and we don't want you to miss out!  Spring will be here soon and I can't think of a better way of welcoming it!  Traveling Savvygardeners, what a great idea!

So, they are talking snow.  It sounds like only a few flurries but I guess that counts as the real thing.  We knew it was coming it was just a matter of time.  I am thankful for the fruitful fall we had.  I can't believe how much I accomplished.  Hopefully we will see another one of those again next year.  It sure does make getting through the winter a lot easier.  Stay warm and try to enjoy the upcoming holiday season.  December can become rather hectic so don't forget to slow down and enjoy the true meaning of the holidays!

~ Shelly  

Pampered Poinsettias...
Poinsettias are somewhat finicky in regard to soil moisture.  Avoid overwatering as poinsettias do not like "wet feet."  On the other hand, if the plant is allowed to wilt, it will drop some leaves.  So how do we maintain a proper level of moisture?  Examine the potting soil daily by sticking your finger about one inch deep into the soil.  If it is dry to this depth, the plant needs water.  When it becomes dry to the touch, water the plant with lukewarm water until some water runs out of the drainage hole, then discard the drainage water..

Source

Cold Facts On Watering Houseplants...
Before you give your houseplants that next drink you should know that according to Ohio State researchers cold water can destroy the ability of root cells to take in water and nutrients.  Water below 50°F was found to reduce leaf size, cause leaf drop, and eventually contribute to the death of potted plants.  Those requiring frequent watering, such as spathiphyllum and ficus, are especially prone to damage and should not be watered with water below 65°F.  Other tests show that warmer water (about 90°F) actually stimulates growth.

Source

Keeping A Hose Handy...
Last week we talked about the proper way to store your garden hoses for the winter.  One of the most important things you can do to maintain a healthy lawn is keep it watered during a dry winter.  If the weather is dry and the temperatures are favorable we will remind you from time to time to get out the hose and water.
  If possible keep the hose in a heated garage or basement so that it is flexible and ice free when you need it.  

 


Don't Keep Secrets!

Tell Your Friends About Savvygardener.com!

You Could Win A $50 Gift Certificate

Click Here For Details...

 

 

Favored Foods For Feathered Friends...
Birds are finding it harder and harder to find reliable food sources.  Once we get some snow cover it will be especially tricky for our feathered friends to get a good bite to eat.  Keep your feeders full and you will be rewarded with beautiful garden visitors year round.  If you're interested in attracting specific birds here are some popular birds and their favorite menu items:

Bird Type Favorite Foods
American Goldfinch Niger thistle seeds, broken sunflower hearts, oil-type sunflower seeds.
Northern Cardinal Sunflower seeds of all types, safflower, cracked corn, millet, other seeds, unsalted nutmeats, raisins.
Black-capped Chickadee Oil-type sunflower seeds, cracked unsalted nutmeats, safflower, suet.
Dark-eyed Junco Red or white proso millet, finely cracked corn, oil-type sunflower seed, unsalted nutmeats.
Grosbeaks Sunflower seeds of all types, safflower, cracked corn.
Mourning Dove Oil-type sunflower seeds, white and red proso millet, safflower, cracked corn, wheat, milo, other seeds.
Native Sparrows Red or white proso millet, oil-type sunflower seeds, cracked corn, some safflower.
Woodpeckers Suet, unsalted nutmeats, sunflower seeds, cracked corn.

 Source

Winter Wisdom...
Each year, we are asked what gardeners should do to prepare for winter.  With temperatures heading steadily downward, the question seems particularly timely.  In short, do it now, while you can still work in relative comfort outdoors!  A gardener's checklist of chores is in this week's Winter Wisdom... 

Tannenbaum Tips...
As you already know, Kevin, the kids, and I picked up a beautiful Frasier Fir from sponsor The Sweet Onion last weekend.  We love Frasier's for their short, but soft needles and their wonderful shape.  Everyone has a favorite tree but regardless it's important to take care of it once it's home for beauty and safety reasons alike.

Your tree should have a fresh cut across the bottom, about one inch above the old base.  This removes any clogged wood that may not readily absorb water.  Next, it  should be placed in a stand with a large reservoir of water.  Use boiling water for the first watering.  Depending upon the size, species, and location of the tree, it may absorb a gallon of water in the first day, so it should be checked frequently and re-watered as necessary.  Although some people advocate placing various substances in the water to preserve freshness, we recommend that you just keep the tree well-watered with regular tap water.

It is important that the tree always be kept watered and not allowed to dry out.  If the tree does become dried out, it may not be able to adequately absorb moisture once it is re-watered, and it will shed its needles prematurely.  A good rule of thumb is to treat a green Christmas tree just like a fresh bouquet of cut flowers. 

Your Christmas tree should be located in a safe place, preferably near a wall or corner where it is not likely to be knocked over.  Keeping the tree away from heat sources such as hot air ducts, wood stoves, fireplaces, etc., will help to preserve freshness and lessen fire danger.  Similarly, light cords and connections used in decorating the tree should be in good working condition.  Lights should always be turned off at bedtime or when leaving for an extended period of time. 

Fresh, well-watered Christmas trees do not represent a fire hazard.  Trees that are dried out, however, do.  The best fire retardant is to keep the tree supplied with plenty of water.

Source

Finally...
"In the evenings 
I scrape my fingernails clean, 
hunt through old catalogues for new seed, 
oil workboots and shears. 
This garden is no metaphor -- 
more a task that swallows you into itself, 
earth using, as always, everything it can."

~ Jan Hirshfield, November, Remembering Voltaire

 

 

Click Here For Earl May!

© 1999-2001 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.o