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October 16, 2002 |
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A Chill In The Air...
Now that fall has set in it is beginning
to get pretty chilly. I have noticed in the last few days
that the low temperatures are steadily staying in the thirties.
I know that a hard freeze is lurking around the corner.
After all they are calling for rain today with maybe a few snow
flakes mixed in. Yikes! Not quite sure I am ready for
that. Hopefully the colder temperatures will wait a couple
of weeks longer. I still have to plant bulbs and I need two
full weekends to plant the 600 I have chosen.
The Marsh clan will head out this weekend for our yearly trip to
the Red Barn Farm in Weston, Missouri. Perfect pumpkins,
hay rides, farm animals, the whole bit. Owners Steve and Cindy
Frey have done a terrific job making Red Barn Farm a place for
learning and sheer enjoyment.
Because of
the construction of low income housing at their old ballpark
location at 20th & Brooklyn, Kansas City Community Gardens is
relocating their operation to a new site at 69th & Kensington in
Swope Park. They need volunteers to assist with the construction
of the Children’s Beanstalk Garden. To volunteer please
contact Leanna Flandermeyer at (913) 642-1672. For general
information about KCCG call 931-3877.
~
Shelly
Moving
The Mums...
Your potted mums can be transplanted into the garden for many
years of enjoyment. For best results, transplant them into
well-drained soil as winter injury is most common when mums are
planted in poorly-drained soils. Potted mums are often grown in
a mix that is very high in organic matter. If these are planted
in very heavy clay soil without first amending it, the difference
between the two soil situations often prevents good root
establishment and increases the chance of winter kill.
After the
leaves have turned brown, cut back the tops and apply a loose
airy mulch several inches thick allowing light to get to the
small basal shoots during the winter. The purpose of this mulch
is to provide wind protection and keep the soil shaded and frozen
so that frost heaving is minimized. This protective mulch may be
removed or pulled away from the crown by early to mid-April after
danger of severe cold is past.
Source
Preventing Persistent Pests...
Ever wonder where those garden pests that attack your
vegetables come from? It may be from your garden itself!
Cucumber beetles, squash bugs, Colorado potato beetles, and
European corn borers can pass the winter in debris left in the
garden. Come spring and summer they are ready to resume
their devilish deeds. You can help prevent them from
over-wintering by removing dead plant material, and composting it
or plowing it under. This should limit your pest population
next year to those insects that migrate into the garden.
Readying
The Water Garden...
Fall means extra work for Savvygardeners with water gardens.
Falling leaves and falling temperatures should be met with the
following actions:
- Try to
keep falling leaves and twigs out of the pond to prevent injury
to the fish.
- Be sure
to feed fish extra food when temperatures cool and continue
until the water temperature drops below 45°F. This allows the
fish to build up additional fat stores for winter survival.
- Stop
fertilizing water garden plants when the daytime water
temperature drops below 60°F. This will give plants the
opportunity to go dormant.
- Tropical
water lilies and other non-hardy water plants can be
over-wintered in various ways. The goal is to keep the plant
alive, but not growing vigorously. Plants can be kept in a
washtub, tank or even in an aquarium in a greenhouse or under
artificial lights. Light the plants for 12 to 18 hours each
day. Water temperature should be maintained around 70°F.
Source
Leaves are not the only things falling!
So are prices at Family Tree Nursery!
Hardy mums now
50% off. Ames tools and
Holland bulbs priced from 10% to 50% off!
Hurry in to rake up the
savings!
Click Here Now!
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Deer
Deterrents...
To protect your young trees from deer damage, there are a
number of deterrents you can try. Hang bars of strong-scented
soap, mesh bags filled with human hair, paper bags of dried blood
(bloodmeal), or strips cut from white plastic bags on trees that
are likely to be attacked. Remember, deer will become accustomed
to most any deterrent, so alternating items will help.
Source
Nuisance of
the Week -
Why Isn't My Red Maple Red?
Why do some red maple trees have yellow fall foliage instead
of brilliant red? Although fall color will vary with different
environmental conditions, in many cases the yellow foliage of
these red maples is simply due to the genetics of the individual
tree. Unnamed red maple trees grown from seed are not always
brilliant red. They have highly variable fall color. If you want
a red maple with red foliage in the fall, choose named,
vegetatively propagated red maple cultivars such as Red Sunset,
Magnificent Magenta or Autumn Flame. October Glory has
outstanding foliage color but is late in acclimating for winter
and can be damaged by early cold snaps. However, even these
"good" cultivars will vary in the level of "redness" from year to
year. A number of things can reduce the intensity of color
including extreme heat or drought during the summer and cloudy
days and warm nights in the fall.
Photo
What's
Hot On The Hotline...
It seems that many of us are looking for new trees to plant.
Some are sought as replacements
for trees damaged by storms, or by inadequate care during periods
of drought. Some are sought to fill an
otherwise empty and uninteresting space in the landscape.
Regardless of reason it is important to remember that
trees are an important investment, and their initial selection
deserves thorough consideration. What to
consider and why in this
week's What's
Hot on the Hotline...
If It's
Growing We're Mowing...
When do Savvygardeners stop mowing their lawns? When the
grass stops growing of course. As long as it continues to grow
keep bluegrass cut to 2 inches and tall fescue to 2½ inches.
Don't
forget to keep the leaves from piling up and smothering the grass
below!
Finally... "October's
poplars are flaming torches lighting the way to winter." ~
Nova Bair, Poet |