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January 30, 2002

Viva Las Vegas...
Kevin and I just spent two days in Las Vegas and did we hit it big!  Unfortunately it wasn't playing slots or the tables, it was better than that.  We were in a gardener's paradise.  We stayed at the Bellagio Hotel which is renown for it's Conservatory and Gardens.  We were lucky enough to receive two special tours.  One of the Conservatory itself and the other through the 30,000 square foot greenhouse and floral department.   Wow!  What a production!  Kevin and I were totally captivated by the immense beauty and scent of the arrangements strategically placed throughout the casino.  We were able to spend time with the Conservatory Supervisor, Leah Moore and staff gardener Lysenda Kirkberg.  Both incredibly nice women with an enormous amount of talent and knowledge.  Read more about our tours (complete with photos) here...

We only spent two days in Vegas but while we were there it snowed!  It was the craziest thing I have ever seen.  It only lasted about ten minutes and certainly didn't accumulate.  Unfortunately that wasn't the case at home.  We landed in the middle of the ice storm that hit K.C. Tuesday night.  I wish I could say that driving on slick roads was the worst of it.  As I right this on Wednesday night tree limbs of all sizes are dropping from our trees.  Power is out and it looks like we have a smashed picket fence.  Looks like a lot of clean-up ahead.

The Metropolitan Lawn & Garden Show is just over a week away (remember the ice storm that hit during the first day of the show last year?).  Kevin and I are busily preparing for the show.  We hope that you have time to drop by and introduce yourself.  When you do please bring a friend who may not be familiar with us so that they too can receive Savvygardener.com.  Our booth number is 559.  Can't wait to see you!

~ Shelly  

Savvy Storm Damage Repair...
As mentioned above our trees are getting hit hard by the ice.  Chances are yours are too.  Here's some good tips to get you started on cleaning up and fixing up those damaged trees:

  1. Clean-up: Remove all the debris so you don't trip over it. 
  2. Decide whether it is feasible to save a tree.  If the bark has been split so the cambium is exposed or the main trunk split, the tree will probably not survive and should be removed.  If there are so many broken limbs that the form of the tree is destroyed, replacement will be the best option.  Topping, where all the main branches are cut back so that there are only stubs left, is not a recommended pruning procedure.  Though new branches will normally arise from the stubs, they are not as firmly attached as the original branches and will likely break in subsequent storms.  Also, the tree must use a lot of energy to make these new branches, leaving less to fight off diseases and insect attacks.  Often, the topped tree's life is shortened. 
  3. Broken branches should be pruned back to the next larger branch or back to the trunk.  If cutting back to the trunk, do not cut flush to the trunk, but make the cut at the collar area.  The collar area is the transition area between the branch and the trunk.  Cutting flush with the trunk will leave a much larger wound than cutting at the collar and will take longer to heal.  

Large limbs should be taken off in stages.  If you try to take off a large limb in one cut, it will often break before the cut is finished and strip bark from the tree.  

  • First make a cut about 15 inches from the trunk.  Start from the bottom and cut one-third of the way up through the limb.  
  • The second should be made from the top down but started 2 inches further away from the trunk than the first cut.  The branch will break away as you make the second cut.  
  • The third cut is made to remove the stub that is left and is made at the collar area.  
  • Note: This can be dangerous!  Consider hiring a trained arborist to do major work such as this.  

Also, a good arborist knows how to prune trees so that storm breakage is less likely to occur.  Preventing damage is better than trying to fix it once it has happened.

Source

Savvy Citrus Crop?
Here's a mid-winter project that is sure to be fun for Savvygardeners of all ages - grow plants from citrus fruit seeds.  Store-bought oranges, grapefruits, lemons and tangerines, may have viable seeds.  Try germinating them in a light, potting-soil mixture containing half peat moss.  Keep the seeds well watered and in a warm location.  If seedlings fail to appear in six weeks, try again with new seeds.  Citrus plants grown from seeds generally will not produce flowers or fruit, but they do have attractive shiny-leaved foliage.

Bug Off!
Mealy bugs on your house plants are a real nuisance.  They are fairly easy to eradicate however.  Just touch them with the tip of a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.  

 


Seed Starting?   Of Course You Are!

EVERYTHING You Need is at
Gardener's Supply!

Just Click Here!

 

 

Viability Verification...
So, you're getting ready to start some seeds indoors and don't know if last year's leftovers are still good.  Well, you can start by checking the viability of 20 popular vegetable seeds in the table below:

Vegetable Viability
(Years) 
Vegetable Viability
(Years)
Beans 3 Muskmelons 4-5
Broccoli 3-5 Peas 3
Brussels Sprouts 3-5 Peppers 2-3
Cabbage 3-4 Pumpkin 4-5
Carrots 3 Radish 5
Cauliflower 3-5 Spinach 5
Corn, Sweet 2 Squash, Summer 3-4
Cucumbers 5 Squash, Winter 4
Lettuce 5-6 Tomato 3-4
Lima Beans 3 Turnip 4-5

To be absolutely sure here's a trick we use to determine if seeds are still good:

  • Take ten seeds from the package and place them on a paper towel that you have moistened with warm water. 
  • Fold the paper towel over to cover the seeds.
  • Keep the towel moist and warm (on top of the fridge usually works for warmth) until they start to germinate. 
  • If less than six seeds (60%) germinate you might as well throw the rest away. 
  • If six or more germinate it will be worthwhile to plant the rest. 
  • Don't waste your test seeds!  The ones that germinate should be carefully moved to your preferred seedling container and cared for until ready for transplanting outdoors.

Source


Our Products Are For The Birds!

~
Wild Bird Centers
~

Click Here To Shop!

 

 

Winter Wisdom...
As people are planning for additions to their landscapes, we often receive requests for the names of trees and shrubs that do well here, and which encourage visits by songbirds and wildlife.  Our Winter Wisdom staffers have narrowed down a choice few and described them in this week's Winter Wisdom... 

Seed Scarification...
The coat of certain seed is extremely tough and must be penetrated by special means.  Particularly hard seed may be scarified.  Scarification involves breaking, scratching or softening the seed coat to allow moisture penetration.  Two methods of scarification commonly used by the home gardener are mechanical and hot water.  

  • Mechanical scarification involves breaking or weakening the seed coat with a file, sandpaper or hammer. 
  • Hot water scarification involves placing seeds in water that is 170 to 210 degrees F. After the water cools, seeds should continue to soak for 12 to 24 hours. 

Then they are planted. Specific instructions for scarification are usually mentioned on the seed packet or in the seed catalog.

Source

Finally...
"One of the healthiest ways to gamble is with a spade and a package of garden seeds."

~ Dan Bennett, American Journalist

 

 

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