|
January 7, 2004 |
|
Chillin' New
Year...
This week's weather is a far cry
from last week's. It is hard to believe
that the weather was so mild last Thursday and Friday and that I
was outside poking around in the
garden. What a great feeling! I finished my fall clean-up and
actually planted some bulbs. That's
right... planted some bulbs!
The ground was almost perfect for planting. It was a bit wet in
some places but I found that I could work around those areas and
still find plenty of dry ground for planting. What a joy!
Now it is as cold as cold can be
and I find it hard to leave the house. I guess that I can't
forget that it is winter after all and that those mild days we
had last week were a special treat sent
from Mother Nature.
There are
lots of things for gardeners to do this time of year. Keep an eye
on our monthly calendar and we will keep you up to date with
events that are going on in the gardening community. If you have
an event that you would like to see posted no need to e-mail
us, you can go directly to our
monthly event calendar and post the
event yourself. An easy way to get the news out about your event.
Stay warm
and dream about spring!
~
Shelly
Belated Bulb Burial...
If you're like me you were counting on warmer weather in
December to finish your bulb planting (I even
talked about in on TV last weekend!). Mother Nature had
other plans. I got lucky and planted some
last week. If you didn't get your bulbs planted
before the ground froze, plant them now in individual peat pots
and place the pots in flats. Set them outside where it is cold
and bury the bulbs under a thick blanket of leaves. If we're
lucky the ground will thaw again this winter and we can use the
opportunity to transplant them into the garden.
Spring Dreams...
This frigid weather has us dreaming about
spring! It seems like a long way off but guess what? 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
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.
Tell Your Friends About
Savvygardener.com!
You
Could Win A $50 Gift Certificate
Details...
|
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.
Keep Off The Grass...
When temperatures plummet your
grass will respond by moving water to areas outside the cells.
Ice accumulates in spaces between the cells and individual grass
blades become brittle. Walking on frozen turf will force the ice
and cells together and can cause permanent damage to your lawn.
Do your best to avoid it.
Finally... "I am writing in the
garden. To write as one should of a garden one must write not
outside it or merely somewhere near it, but in the
garden." ~
Frances Hodgson Burnett, Writer |