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December 1, 2004 |
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Snow
Business...
I guess it would be safe to say that winter is here. What a
surprise it was to wake up last Wednesday morning to a very heavy
six inches of snow!
We were awakened bright and early by the sound of the
power transformer in our neighbors back
yard lighting up the sky like the 4th of July. Most
of the trees in the neighborhood were practically touching the
ground. Weaker limbs had already buckled under the wet, wet snow
(photos).
What a night! Lightning, thunder, sleet and snow. A storm that
left many without power including us - all on the eve of
Thanksgiving. We survived thanks to a friend who generously let
us borrow his generator and then on Thanksgiving morning at
around 3 AM we were back in business. Lights, heat and the
refrigerator stuffed to capacity. Thanksgiving came and went
without a hitch, something we were all very thankful for.
The
Christmas tree is up and I am busily trying to finish decorating
the rest of the house. I love this time of year. What fun it is
to celebrate the season with family and friends. I think having
snow on the ground has certainly helped set the mood. Maybe we'll
have a white Christmas? I guess it is a bit premature to be
thinking about that but with two snowfalls already under our
belt, why not?
A huge
thanks to all of you Savvygardener's who have already
made a donation to help support me in the Breast Cancer 3-Day
walk on June 17-19. I have received many inspirational e-mails
about loved ones surviving and passing due to this horrible
disease. Please help me help others by graciously making a
donation. Your support and generosity is overwhelming.
Savvygardener's are the greatest!
~
Shelly
Preventing Storm Damage...
Last week's heavy snow sure did a number
on some of the area's trees
(photos).
Much of the damage was due to the fact that many trees still had
leaves on them. Snow that accumulated on these leaves was too
heavy for many trees to bear. That said, there are good
practices that homeowners can follow to help prevent storm damage
to their trees:
- Pursue a regular
maintenance program to remove dead, diseased or unsightly
branches.
- Remove water
sprouts growing around the tree's base.
- Remove branches
growing in toward the tree's center or cross branches that rub
and cause bark damage.
- Remember, it's
never too late to reduce the number of narrow, acute angle
crotches, although it is much easier when the tree is young.
Select the main scaffold or lateral branches that grow at wide
angles to the trunk. These should be stronger and resist
splitting.
- Prune your trees
to encourage their natural or characteristic form.
- If you are
starting with a new tree, choose a species or variety whose
normal growth form has wider angled branching. One to avoid is
the notorious "Bradford" pear with its narrow-angled crotches
that split easily under stress. Most nurseries stock other
varieties of Callery pear that bloom profusely but have wider
branching patterns than Bradfords.
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
Still Time To Till...
Autumn is an excellent time to add
organic materials and till garden soils. However,
even winter can be a good time to take
care of this chore as long as the soil isn’t frozen. It is far
wiser to till now than to wait until spring when cold, wet
conditions can limit your ability to work soils easily. Working
soil when it is wet destroys soil structure and results in hard
clods that are very slow to break down.
There is a
limitation to how much organic material such as leaves can be
added in one application. Normally, a layer 5 to 6 inches deep is
the maximum that can be added at one time. Shredding the material
before application will encourage faster and more complete
decomposition due to increased surface area.
Source
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.
Cold Facts On Watering Houseplants...
Before you give your houseplants that next drink you should
know that according to Ohio State researchers cold water can
destroy the ability of root cells to take in water and
nutrients. Water below 50°F was found to reduce leaf size, cause
leaf drop, and eventually contribute to the death of potted
plants. Those requiring frequent watering, such as spathiphyllum
and ficus, are especially prone to damage and should not be
watered with water below 65°F. Other tests show that warmer
water (about 90°F) actually stimulates growth.
Source
Winter Wisdom...
If you have been outstandingly good
this year, someone, maybe even a family member, may be thoughtful
enough to brighten your home during the holidays with one of the
plants which have been associated over the years with
Christmastide. It's not just about
Poinsettias anymore! Find out about amaryllis and Christmas
cactus in this week's
Winter Wisdom...
Christmas Tree Care...
One of the most enduring traditions of the
season is the Christmas tree. We put ours up this past
weekend. Here are some helpful tips if you are planning on
putting one up yourself.
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... "Those who
contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength
that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something
infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature the
assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter." ~
Rachel Carson, Author |