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December 4, 2002

'Tis The Season...
Three weeks from today we will be celebrating Christmas.  Time to get down to business!  Thanks to Kevin's mom Mary, the house is trimmed and decorated like never before.  Poinsettia's everywhere, wreaths in the windows, decorated mantels and window boxes filled with greens.  She thought of every last detail, right down to the English ivy kissing ball.  Once again we chose a Frazier fir Christmas tree from The Sweet Onion.  It stands 8 feet tall and is magnificent!  The house is so fragrant with the smell of Christmas.  I love this time of the year.  There is so much to do and be thankful for.  The heart of the holiday season - good health, spending time with family and friends, Christmas caroling, Christmas giving and yes, turning another year older.  How fun!

Kevin and I took advantage of warmer weather and watered on Monday!   I saw many other Savvygardeners doing the same.  Don't forget, if we do not receive any precipitation you must keep watering when the weather allows - especially those evergreens and lawns.  Come next spring you'll be glad you did!

Don't forget all of the Savvygardeners on your Christmas list.  What gardener would not be thrilled with some type of gardening tool or ornament for the garden?  Earl May, Family Tree, Moncrief's Greenhouse and The Kelly Gallery are all great places to get your holiday shopping done.  Just three weeks left and counting!

~ Shelly  

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.

Good Winter Reading...
As we surge headlong into winter you might want to start ordering seed and plant catalogues.  They will then arrive in time for lots of wintertime planning and daydreaming.  We've listed some of our favorite catalogs, complete with links, on our website.  Check it out here...

Winter Watering...
In case you haven't noticed, precipitation has been scarce lately.  Unfortunately this time of year it's all too easy to forget about your lawn and garden's watering needs.  Unless we get some decent rain (or snow) you should try to get about ½ to one inch of water to your lawn and evergreens every two weeks.  Perennial and bulb beds can be watered every month.

 


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Pesticide Precautions...
This is a good time to remember that pesticides are dangerous poisons and must be stored properly for the winter months.  Store them in a frost-free location away from food and out of the reach of children.  If a pesticide is in a paper container, put the whole package in a plastic container and seal it well.  Be sure that all bottles and cans are tightly sealed and well labeled. 

Store liquid pesticides where temperatures will not fall below 40°F.  Too low a temperature may result in a breakdown of the chemical.  Also, if the liquid should freeze, there is the danger of the glass container breaking and scattering the chemical in the storage area.

Are Poinsettias Poisonous?
It seems that every year about this time the rumor is resurrected that poinsettias are poisonous.  Though there may be an allergic reaction to the milky sap, there has never been a recorded case of poisoning.  This rumor has been so persistent that members of the Society of American Florists have sought to dispel it by eating poinsettia leaves for the press.  In the 1985 AMA Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants, the poinsettia "has been found to produce either no effect (orally or topically) or occasional cases of vomiting.

Source

 


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Winter Wisdom...
In an abbreviated column this week we pay tribute to the hotline staffers and give our readers a special link to the Johnson County Extension Butterfly website.  Let your imagination fly in this week's
Winter Wisdom...

Christmas Tree Care...
As you already know, Kevin, the kids, and I picked up a beautiful Frasier Fir 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 1 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.  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...
"Every year at just this time,
In cold and dark December,
Families around the world
All gather to remember,
With presents and with parties,
With feasting and with fun,
Customs and traditions
for people old and young."

~ Helen H. Moore, Poet

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