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January 8, 2003

A Winter to Remember...
Today reminded me of a warm April afternoon.  The sun felt so warm on my face.  I'll bet the unseasonably mild weather made you feel like Spring is right around the corner!  For me it was a "work in the garden" day - all day.  Isn't it funny to think that a day like today in August would have felt downright chilly?  On days like this it's delightfully easy to forget about those harsh extremes (hot and cold) that we Kansas Citians endure every year.

Well, like many other gardeners in the Kansas City-area, I watered today.  I also raked leaves - a never ending job for those of us who live in Westwood.  It gave me great satisfaction to be "cleaning up" the yard.  I am not quite sure why, other than it just felt good.  I am not too sure that anything could make me happier than being outside the first week of January with a rake in hand and puttering around the yard.  Is it really winter?  

The drought (and it is a drought by the way) is becoming pretty serious.  We are now going on 50-some days without recorded precipitation.  Keep watering and pray for rain.  Hopefully some of the snow that has been missing us will come our way soon!

~ Shelly  

Cure For Spring Fever?
With today's temperature's climbing toward 70º getting a touch of spring fever is inevitable.  What's a Savvygardener to do?  While it is way too early to do much in the way of planting there are several flowers whose seeds can be started this month.  They include Begonia, Browallia, Geranium, Larkspur, Pansy and Vinca.  Check out When to Start Seeds Indoors for more details.

Savvygardeners, Sappy Trees...
If you have ever pruned trees in late winter to early spring, you may have noticed that some weep sap from fresh pruning wounds.  Different species of trees vary in how easily and how much they "bleed."  Those that are most susceptible to bleeding include maples (silver, sugar, amur, Norway and hedge), black walnut, pecan, birch, mulberry, Osage orange (hedge tree) and grape.  Though bleeding may look as if it would cause considerable damage to the tree, that's not the case.  Even if large amounts of sap are lost, there is no apparent long-term damage.  However, many people find the appearance of this bleeding objectionable.  Pruning during the winter when temperatures remain below freezing will help minimize sap flow.  So if you have any of the "bleeders" that need pruned, you might want to do it while the weather is really cold.

Source

Asking About Ashes...
A common question this time of year concerns the spreading of wood ashes from the fireplace into the garden.  Many gardeners have heard that wood ashes increase soil pH.  While this is technically true it would take very considerable quantities to have any significant effect on pH.  Just spread them as evenly as possible and try not to overdo it.

 


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Evergreen Dreams...
With the weather so agreeable now is a good time to look around your property and think about how an evergreen might improve the landscape.  It's all too easy to forget about our winter landscape during the planting season when we are distracted by all of the color.

Boughs For Beds...
Many of our readers are disposing of a Christmas tree in the very near future.  Why not put that tree to some beneficial use? 

  • Evergreen boughs are great insulators and can be effectively used as a mulching material on flower beds. 
  • The whole tree itself makes a nice temporary protective habitat for birds.  Place it in the garden near your bird feeders.

 


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Winter Wisdom...
As you peruse your garden catalogs and dream about "what may be" this spring make sure you consider whether the plants you order are appropriate for our area.  One way to make sure is to buy your plants from local suppliers.  You will find the case for buying locally in this week's
Winter Wisdom...

Houseplant Help...
This month is a good time to remember your houseplants. If any of them are getting too big for their pots simply divide them and re-pot. While you are at it give them some TLC by doing the following:

  • Prune judiciously. A light trim is usually sufficient.
  • Check for bugs. Aphids and other critters can usually be eradicated with some insecticidal soap.
  • Make sure the low winter sun isn't hurting your plants placed near windows. You can relocate them or simply rotate them periodically if necessary.
  • A different window related problem may be the cold. Leaves don't like touching cold glass.
  • If your house is really dry (like mine) make sure you mist your plants occasionally.

Finally...
"'Tis not the season of the leaf
whose fragile body’s broken veins
disintegrate in gusts of winds
while winter blows a frosty coat
that caps the barren land."

~ Lucille Younger, Poet

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