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November 2, 2005

Falling For This Weather...
I am having a tough time sitting here at my desk typing this editorial. I have enthusiastically opened the doors and windows to allow the breeze to work its way through the house. The fresh air has my mind drifting. What a day! It is hard to believe that it is November 2nd and it is almost 70
° and tomorrow is suppose to be even warmer. It just goes to show you that you can't always count on the calendar to determine what the weather is going to be.

The leaves are falling in Westwood faster than anyone can rake them up. Yes, not only do we have to contemplate when to put the garden to bed but we also have to deal with the leaves. The leaves will continue to fall throughout the month of November and sometimes even into December. The good news is that the city of Westwood owns a giant leaf vacuum which makes its rounds throughout the neighborhood picking up leaves you have placed on the curb. The upside to that perk, less raking and bagging. How great is that?

~ Shelly  

Late Season Seeding...
Last week we talked about the fact that it's too late to put down grass seed. If you didn't get seed down but need new grass you currently have two options:

  1. Dormant seeding can be successful in areas not susceptible to erosion. Anytime after Thanksgiving and through March you can lay grass seed with the expectation that it will germinate and grow when spring arrives.  Wintertime precipitation coupled with the soil's freeze/thaw cycles will aid in proper setting of seeds.
     
  2. Sod can be used successfully during almost any time of the year that the ground isn't frozen.  The trick is getting it established.  The secret is water.
    • Keep it soaked the first week.  It should be so wet that you cannot walk on it.
    • Keep it wet the second week.  It should be very squishy under foot.
    • Keep it moist the third week.  Water lightly every day.
    • Make sure it gets about an inch of water per week thereafter until it's established.

Christmas Tree B & B...
It may seem a little early to be thinking about Christmas trees but if you are considering a live, balled & burlapped tree that will be planted after the holiday you should start planning now.  It's time now to choose the planting spot and, more importantly, dig the hole for it.  If you wait too long the ground may be frozen by the time you think about it again.  

After you dig the hole (preferably twice as wide as the tree's root ball) fill it with leaves or straw to protect against any early freezing. You might also cover it with plywood if the hole presents an injury or accident risk.  Keep the dirt from the hole in a garage or shed so you have some loose soil to use during planting.

Time For Trees...
And speaking of trees.. now is a great time to plant one (or more).  While the visible part of the tree will be dormant, the roots will remain active and growing through the winter.  This assures that the tree will be well established and ready for spring and summer next year.  Need help?  Just read our newest feature article, Planting Trees...

 


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Seed Saving Savvy...
After you have collected seeds from your favorite flowers and vegetables be careful how you store them.  The two words that best sum up the right conditions are "cool" and "dry".  A seed is actually a living infant plant with a limited amount of food to sustain it until it germinates.  Warm storage temperatures may let it consume too much food and damp temperatures may encourage mold or bacteria to use some of the food and kill the plant.  Dry seeds in a paper envelope will not trap moisture, and kept in a cool and dry place, will survive well so you may plant them next year.

Source

Long Live Geraniums...
If you want to keep your garden geraniums over the winter you would do well to treat them as houseplants.  Before they get damaged by frost cut them back to about half their original size.  Using only the healthy, insect-free plants individually pot them up using dry potting soil.  Water them thoroughly and as needed to keep them somewhat moist (not wet) through winter.  Pinch back the tips of shoots once or twice to promote branching and prevent weak growth.

Fertilizer Finale...
A November application of fertilizer is extremely important to keep your lawn healthy and looking good this fall and next year.  Late fall Nitrogen promotes good root development, enhances storage of energy reserves, and extends color retention this fall.  Most of the benefits from late fall Nitrogen will be seen next spring and summer with earlier green-up, improved density, and improved tolerance to diseases and other stresses.  Apply near or after your last mowing of the year, but while grass is still green.  Timing is not overly critical as there may be a month or more between your last mowing and the time the grass turns brown or goes under snow cover.  Generally Thanksgiving is a good target fertilzing date but because it's so late this year we'll shoot for any time in the first few weeks of November.  Use a soluble Nitrogen source such as urea, ammonium nitrate, or ammonium sulfate and apply 1 to 1½ lbs. N/1000 sq. ft. 

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

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