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October 16, 2002

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!

 

 

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

 


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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

Click Here for Earl May!

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