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January 19, 2005 |
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Meltdown?
Well today's weather was certainly easier to tolerate. A
great day to be in the yard picking up sticks. One of the many
reminders from the ice storm. Our daughter Morgan and I actually
made a bet today. There are piles of dirty
snow along one of the roads to her school and I looked at
her and said, "So, do you think those piles of snow will be gone
by the time I pick you up today?". Her
reply, coming from a teen may I remind you,
was "Doubt it". She was right. Those giant piles were a bit
smaller but I am afraid that we'll need a couple of more days in
the high 40's to melt them completely away. Slowly but surely and
not quite fast enough I might add, the ice on the grass,
sidewalks and any other place it might have been is disappearing.
It's about time. Wouldn't a nice wet rain (not ice) be welcome
now? A good rain to help clean
everything from all of the sand, salt and other ickiness
that is lying around.
As promised
here are some of the upcoming garden shows that you will want to
put on your calendar.
- The Metropolitan
Lawn & Garden Show, February 11-13 at the American Royal.
- The Johnson
County Home & Garden Show, February 25-27 at the Overland Park
Convention Center
- The
Kansas City
Home & Garden Show, March 17-20 at Bartle Hall.
A great way
to get a jump on spring!
~
Shelly
Be Savvy, Not Soggy...
Overwatering is a common problem with houseplants. Remember,
most indoor plants should not be watered until the soil feels
dry. Water thoroughly, let the water soak in, then water again
until water drains into the saucer. Empty the saucer within an
hour.
Pruning Primer...
If you take advantage of winter to get some pruning done
remember that when pruning large limbs, always undercut
first. This means cut from the bottom up, one-third of the way
through the limb, then finish by cutting from the top. The
undercut keeps the limb from splitting and breaking off, which
could damage the trunk and become an entryway for insects and
diseases. Also, don't cut flush to the trunk. The collar or
enlarged base of a branch produces hormones that help heal
wounds.
Pelleted Perfection...
You may find yourself perusing a seed catalog and come across
something called pelleted seed. Some mail order seed
companies offer pelleted seed of lettuce, carrot, and a few other
small-seeded crops. Pelleted seed is like any other seed except
that it has a special coating that makes it larger. While almost
anyone will appreciate the convenience of larger seeds it is
especially valuable for children and gardeners with arthritic
hands, weak eyesight, or poor coordination. When using pelleted
seed, plant in moist soil and keep it moist as the coating has to
dissolve before the seed can germinate.
Diazinon Is Gone...
As of December
31, 2004 retailers may no longer sell the insecticide Diazinon.
This is part of an agreement between EPA and Diazinon registrants
to phase out and eliminate virtually all residential uses of the
insecticide. Consumers may continue to use diazinon residential
products according to label directions and precautions. If
consumers choose to discontinue use, they should contact their
state or local hazardous waste disposal program or local solid
waste collection service for information on proper disposal. More
information on diazinon is available at:
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/op/diazinon.htm
All-America Selection
Winners
Each year the All-America Selection organization selects the
best new flowers and vegetables based on carefully controlled
trials across North America. Our friends at
K-State
Extension have posted this year's All-America Selections
complete with photos. Use the links below to see them:
Heave, Ho...
We've seen some interesting swings in temperatures lately.
While most of us appreciate the days above freezing, our plants
may be less than thrilled. The freezing and thawing of the
ground can force shallow-rooted plants out of the soil. This is
called "heaving" and should not be a problem if you mulched well
at the onset of winter. If you see any signs of heaving among
your plantings simply replant any that have heaved and mulch with
2 inches of organic material. Those leaves that seem to linger
all season are perfect!
A Better Handle On Things...
Ever finish weeding and can't find that tool you just set
down? A bright color on the handle might have helped. Take time
now to paint wooden handles or wrap some colored grip tape around
plastic or metal ones. Your tools will be easy to find even in
the thickest of foliage!
Finally... "Bare branches of
each tree
on this chilly January morn
look so cold so forlorn.
Gray skies dip ever so low
left from yesterday's dusting of snow.
Yet in the heart of each tree
waiting for each who wait to see
new life as warm sun and breeze will blow,
like magic, unlock springs sap to flow,
buds, new leaves, then blooms will grow." ~
Nelda Hartmann, January Morn |