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January 12, 2005

Seeds of Hope...
I snuggled up on the sofa today devouring the latest seed catalog which arrived in the mail yesterday. I browsed through the pages, looking at the photographs dreaming about spring. It was fun looking at every picture, every word, getting lost in all of them. On days like today, as well as the past few days, it is hard not to wish for spring. This misty, icy, no sun for days weather makes me feel blah. There's nothing like a good gardening catalog to boost the ole gardening spirit.

I think that our Artic Willow is going to make it. It still might be a bit premature to make the call but I am trying to be positive. Since last weekend's thaw it seems to becoming a bit more upright and not so bent over. Everything else looks good. The Magnolia, the Pin Oak and most of the shrubs seem to be unscathed from all of the ice we've had. Good news!

There are several garden shows right around the corner. Sure to make you catch the gardening bug. Make sure to read next week's newsletter. I promise to have a listing of all of the Kansas City-area shows so that you can pencil them in on your calendar.

I still need your help! I am trying to raise $4,000 for The Breast Cancer 3-Day walk in June and I am almost at 25% of my goal. Please help me raise money for a cause that desperately needs our help. It is up to all of us to help find a cure for this disease. It's so easy, just click here! Thanks for your support!

~ Shelly  

Storm Damage Recap...
If you missed last week's newsletter you also missed some great resources for dealing with storm damaged trees.  For your convenience we've listed those resources below:

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.

Belated Bulb Burial...
If you didn't get your spring-blooming 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.

 


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Blowin' In The Wind...
When those north winds blow we humans find ourselves feeling colder than the actual ambient temperature would suggest.  We know that as the "wind chill factor".  For warm-blooded animals, wind chills can have a profound effect on their ability to keep warm.  However, plants do not respond to wind chills because they do not need to maintain a temperature above that of the outside temperature.  It's not all good news for the plants however.  Wind is desiccating and can dry plant tissues.  Plant tissues require moisture to survive and high wind speeds can cause excess moisture loss from those tissues.  This desiccation may be great enough to injure or even kill tissue, particularly the smaller size wood as in peach twigs, apple spurs or blackberry canes.

Source

Don't Forget The Birds!
It's hard for our feathered friends to find food in the winter months. Keep your feeders full and you will be rewarded with beautiful garden visitors year round.  If you're interested in attracting specific birds here are some popular birds and their favorite menu items:

Bird Type Favorite Foods
American Goldfinch Niger thistle seeds, broken sunflower hearts, oil-type sunflower seeds.
Northern Cardinal Sunflower seeds of all types, safflower, cracked corn, millet, other seeds, unsalted nutmeats, raisins.
Black-capped Chickadee Oil-type sunflower seeds, cracked unsalted nutmeats, safflower, suet.
Dark-eyed Junco Red or white proso millet, finely cracked corn, oil-type sunflower seed, unsalted nutmeats.
Grosbeaks Sunflower seeds of all types, safflower, cracked corn.
Mourning Dove Oil-type sunflower seeds, white and red proso millet, safflower, cracked corn, wheat, milo, other seeds.
Native Sparrows Red or white proso millet, oil-type sunflower seeds, cracked corn, some safflower.
Woodpeckers Suet, unsalted nutmeats, sunflower seeds, cracked corn.

 

Anxious For Asparagus...
Want to grow asparagus from seed, but hate to wait the extra year to harvest?  Try seeding the asparagus indoors in late winter to get two year's worth of growth in one season.  Plant seeds 3/4 inch deep in flats.  Sow them 1 inch apart in rows 2 inches apart.  Provide as much natural light as possible and supplement it with fluorescent lighting.  Fertilize the seedlings every three weeks once they have their true leaves.

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.

Finally...
"Quotation"

~ Author

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