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November 10, 2004 |
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Practically Perfect...
Today was a perfect day for planting bulbs. Although I didn't
get all of them planted I sure made a big dent. I planted close
to 200 and still have another 200 to
300 to go. Hopefully this cold snap we
are supposed to receive will be
temporary. If the low temperatures stay in the 20's for long
periods of time the ground will surely freeze keeping me from
planting the rest of those bulbs. At this point I will have to
hope for the best. It is November after all.
Thanks to
the subscribers who sent positive words about winter.
Interestingly enough there were at least two who wrote about
having lived in Florida and how it is actually quite nice to have
some time off from the garden. They talked about how it became
such a challenge to keep plants looking great year round. They
also suggested that perhaps to break up the monotony of winter
here, we should take a trip to some tropical location. Now that's
a great idea. I will have to bring that up at the next employee
meeting.
Prepare for
some very cold temperatures Friday morning. It looks like the
lows might drop into the high 20's. Brr...
If there are plants you are still wanting to hang on to
make sure they are covered appropriately. Stay warm!
~
Shelly
Help For
The Not So Hardy...
Our first
frost is behind us and our first hard freeze is due this week.
It's time to do something with those non-hardy bulbs we planted
last spring. Here's what to do:
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Dahlias
Cut the tops of dahlia plants back to about 3 inches
above the soil. Then dig the roots
out of the ground, being careful not to break the neck.
Place the root clumps upside down
and allow them to dry for several hours before storing.
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Gladiolus
Cut gladiolus tops back close to the base, leaving no more than
an inch or so of the stem. Remove the excess soil from the
corms. Spread the corms out in a well-ventilated place, such
as a garage, for about three weeks. Once dried thoroughly,
remove the old corms, stems and husks and discard them. The
healthy new corms are then ready for storing.
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Canna
Cut back canna stems to about 6 inches. Dig the rhizomes out
of the ground and dry for a few hours in the sun. Then bring
them in for storage.
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Tuberous Begonias
Dig tuberous begonias, tops and all, after frost blackens the
tops. Put them in a frost-free place for a week or 2 for
drying. Once dry, cut the tops back to about 3 inches from the
tuber. Let tubers dry for about 2 more weeks. Then break off
the stem stubs and shake the excess soil from the tubers.
Dahlias, cannas, and begonias can be stored surrounded by
vermiculite or peat moss in a shallow box. Gladioli should be
stored in a paper bag.
Keep Your
Cutters Clean...
Your shears and loppers are probably getting a good workout
as you tidy up the garden and landscape. Keep them in good
working order by wiping them with a rag dipped in paint thinner
to remove sticky resins. Regular sharpening and a periodic
thorough oiling will help the better tools last forever.
Mice + Mulch = Mischief...
Mice and other rodents like to creep around and underneath
mulched areas. Who can blame them? It's warm there! But they
can be mischievous little creatures too. To prevent them from
gnawing on your tree trunks and shrubs keep mulch pulled back
several inches from the bases of your trees and shrubs.
Slug Solution...
If slugs were a problem this year, clean up vegetable gardens
and perennial borders very thoroughly. Dry autumn weather sends
these molluscs searching for damp hiding places. If you deprive
them of moist areas that they can use to stay alive, you can
significantly decrease the potential for damage next year.
Source
Moving Mums...
Once again this fall I've bought a
lot of potted mums. There's no better way to
get that late fall color in the garden! Many gardeners
(myself included) choose to transplant their potted mums into the
garden. Well, now is the time to do it.
For best results follow these important tips:
-
Transplant mums into well-drained soil. Winter injury is most
common when mums are planted in poorly-drained soils.
- Before
planting, make sure there is an adequate amount of organic
matter incorporated into the area. 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
leaves have turned brown, cut back the tops and apply six
inches of loose mulch. The purpose of this mulch is to provide
wind protection and keep the soil shaded and frozen so that
frost heaving is minimized. Protective mulch may be removed or
pulled away from the crown by early to mid-April after danger
of severe cold is past.
Source
Winter Rose
Protection...
Get your roses ready for winter by
cutting them back to about 36 inches. Mound mulching material
(compost, straw, leaves, etc...) at least 12 inches deep around
the remaining stems to provide protection from freezing and soil
heaving. Next spring you'll cut back any of the wood that didn't
survive the winter and your roses will be ready for another great
growing season.
Grass Is Greener...
Just because we are getting a hard freeze
this week doesn't mean you should put away those garden hoses!
If you want a green, healthy lawn watering is a year-round
exercise. Droughts can occur in winter and if we go three
or more weeks without any precipitation it's time to water the
lawn. Two things to keep in mind:
-
Drain any water from hoses if you plan to
keep them outside.
-
Make sure temperatures are above freezing if
you decide to water.
Finally... "Man was not made to
rust out in idleness. A degree of exercise is as necessary for
the preservation of health, both of body and mind, as his daily
food. And what exercise is more fitting, or more appropriate of
one who is in the decline of life, than that of superintending a
well-ordered garden? What more enlivens the sinking mind? What is
more conducive to a long life?" ~
Joseph Breck |