December
12, 2001
All
Aboooard....
Kevin and I took the kids out to Powell
Gardens last weekend to see the miniature trains that are set
up in the conservatory (pix).
The boys were beside themselves with excitement. I am
convinced that they could have stood there and watched those
trains for hours. Powell Gardens is beautifully decorated
for Christmas. We hopped on the trolley and took a ride
over to the Chapel. The landscape was so winter-like - tall
golden grasses glittered in the bright sun and the pansies were
shivering in the chill of the late fall air. Once we
arrived at the Chapel we entered and admired all of the different
colors and varieties of poinsettias. What a stunning
display. Of course, the view from the Chapel is so
serene. A great way to spend a few hours. If you have
a train lover in your family, the miniature trains will be
running until January 6th.
As I am
writing a light but steady rain continues to fall outside.
What a welcome sight! We could really use an inch or two
but I am willing to settle for whatever comes our way. This
fall has been so dry and I am fearful for all of our plantings
going into winter. We'll continue to water as long as the
temperatures are above freezing. You should too!
Don't
forget that gardeners love gardening gifts. Make sure you
visit our sponsors to look for those special ornamentals that
will last a life time. I know that The
Kelly Gallery, The
Sweet Onion and Earl
May have Christmas treasures for every gardener on your
list.
PS - It is
not too late to sign
up for the Philadelphia Flower Show. WE WANT YOU!!!!!!!
~
Shelly
Getting
A Handle On Gift Giving...
If you're thinking about buying garden tools as gifts for
that special gardener make sure you choose them carefully.
Getting the basics right can be the difference between a tool
that helps the gardener versus one that frustrates.
- Grips
- The right tool starts with a good grip. For starters, it
should be pliable and non-slip. A pliable, soft grip
will protect your joints and help keep your hand from
cramping. A non-slip handle means you don't have to
waste energy hanging onto the tool.
- Handles
- Tools with longer handles will make it easier to garden by
saving you from bending over or overextending your reach in
the garden. A long handle will also give you some leverage and
help you in using the tool.
- Weight
- Check the weight of any tool you're going to buy. It
should be heavy enough to be durable but not so heavy it is
fatiguing to use. A lightweight tool means more energy
to garden.
- Quality
- Good tools, well taken care of will last forever.
Those tools that get daily use (trowels come to mind) should
be made of materials that are both durable and
effective. Stainless steel and carbon steel blades are
best.
Source
Two Out
Of Three Wise Men Recommend...
The holiday season is full of traditions involving the plants
we grow. Wreaths, mistletoe, Christmas trees, the list goes
on. How about frankincense and myrrh? What is that
stuff anyway? Well, they are both resins - dried tree sap -
that come from trees of the genus Boswellia (frankincense) and
Commiphora (myrrh). The way that people collect the sap is
similar to the way people collect rubber tree sap or pine tree
sap. Cutting the tree's bark causes the sap to ooze out of
the cut. The sap used to create both of these famous resins
comes slowly and is allowed to dry on the tree. Both in the
time of the three wise men and today, frankincense and myrrh are
most commonly used to create incense.
All
Wrapped Up...
You've seen tree trunks wrapped up for the winter but do you
really know why? The aim of tree wrapping is to keep
the trunk from heating unevenly on bright, sunny, winter days.
Bark tends to split as it cools rapidly after the winter sun has
warmed the south and west sides of the tree. Most
Savvygardeners use commercially available tree wraps or put up
canvas or burlap screens to shade young fruit trees. But
even a plank leaned up against the south side of the trunk will
help. Painting trunks with white latex paint is a technique
common in orchards to achieve the same purpose. You should
consider these protective measures if you have young,
tender-barked trees like fruit trees.
Time Is
Running Out!
Secure
Your Spot On Our Trip
To The Philadelphia Flower Show!
Click
Here Now!
|
Pacing
Your Paperwhites...
As the holidays near, you can adjust the bloom time of your
forced paperwhites. If they are coming along too quickly,
place them in a cool room (50-60° F) and water less frequently.
If you need to speed them up a bit, place them in the warmest
room in the house. With a little luck they'll be blooming
right on time!
Illuminating
Houseplant Help...
To keep your houseplants healthy you may need to compensate
for the short days and long nights of winter. Try moving
them closer to windows but make sure their foliage doesn't
actually touch the cold window. Supplemental lighting is
another option. Light units containing special grow lights
can be purchased from mail-order companies or at garden centers.
You can also build your own lighting structure. A standard
fluorescent unit containing one cool white 40 watt tube
and one warm white 40 watt tube provides adequate light
for most houseplants. Plants should be placed within 6 to
12 inches of the lights for maximum benefit.
Source
Don't Keep Secrets!
Tell Your Friends About Savvygardener.com!
You Could Win A $50 Gift Certificate
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Here For Details...
|
Winter
Wisdom...
If the recent up and down temperatures have you feeling a
little confused try looking at it from a dormant plant's
viewpoint. It turns out that our perennials resting snug in
their beds might need some extra care because of the loopy weather. Our Winter Wisdom staff explores some ideas for
tucking-in your plants and even some ideas to help a weary gardener
settle in for the winter. You'll find it all in this
week's Winter
Wisdom...
Cold
Facts About Cool Season Grasses...
With the notable exception of a lack of rainfall this past
fall has been particularly good for establishing cool-season
grasses. Don't get complacent however! Unless we get
appreciable snow, which acts as an insulating cover, cool-season
grasses are at risk from desiccation. Young plants are at the greatest risk,
especially with repeated freeze/thaw cycles. A good soaking
(½ - 1 inch) at the time mowers are serviced and
stored for winter, will help alleviate this problem by supplying
water to the soil and keeping plants moist.
Source
Finally... "I
heard a bird sing
In the dark of December
A magical thing
And sweet to remember.
'We are nearer to Spring
Than we were in September,'
I heard a bird sing
In the dark of December." ~
Oliver Herford, I Heard a Bird Sing |