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December 1, 2004

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

 


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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

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