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November 9, 2005

Knock-Out Weather...
Talk about being confused... I have Double Knock-Out roses in bloom and it is almost mid-November. 80° one day, 60° the next and 70's going into the weekend. I don't know about you but I am having a tough time riding this extreme weather rollercoaster. I can't even imagine what it must be like for the plants. Think about it. Most plants this time of the year have already started their hibernation process. Sleeping, regenerating, and getting ready for their big spring hurrah. It goes from cold to warm to hot in just a matter of days. It is a bit hard to figure out. I think I'll wait to put the garden to bed once the ground has frozen (which at this rate may be late December).

So is anyone else being bothered by those pesky straw mites? Yikes! They are everywhere. A word of advice - try to stay out of the leaves. That seems to be their home and playing, raking or just walking in them seems to get them all stirred up. I think a good hard freeze would help but I am not sure when that is going to happen. 34° is cold but it really does not count as a hard freeze. We need something good and cold, say like 25°, now that would do the job.

Among this week's photos is one picture of my mom and dad's mums. They are spectacular. My mom called me the other day and couldn't say enough about them and she was right. Isn't it fun to share the results of your hard labor with everyone around you?

~ Shelly  

Warm Weather Warning...
Each fall, plants go through a process of cold hardening whereby they become acclimated to lower temperatures. This acclimation is in response to cooler temperatures and to days becoming shorter during the autumn months. Ideally temperatures drop gradually, plants become progressively more acclimated to cold and survive much lower temperatures than one that has not had the opportunity to become used to the cold weather. Recent mild temperatures have prevented plants from hardening as much as they normally would. If temperatures suddenly drop we may see damage to these plants.

Unfortunately there is not a lot that can be done to protect trees and most shrubs (other than making sure the soil under them is moist) but we may be able to help herbaceous perennials. Herbaceous perennials not only include our perennial flowering plants that die to the ground each year but also other plants such as strawberries. As long as the weather remains mild or temperatures drop gradually, keep the plants uncovered to allow them to acclimate. However, if there is a sharp drop in temperature (to mid-teens or lower), throw mulch or some other covering over them to help moderate temperatures. Uncover again as temperatures rise to allow the plants to continue the acclimation process. Some tender herbaceous perennials (such as strawberries) need a permanent mulch through the winter months to help protect them from desiccation and heaving caused by freezing and thawing of the soil. This is best done when temperatures have been cold enough to leave some frost in the ground.

Source

Help For The Not So Hardy...
Our first frost is behind us and our first hard freeze is not far away.  It's time to do something with those non-hardy bulbs we planted last spring.  Here's what to do:

  • Dahlias
    Cut
    the tops of dahlia plants back to about 3 inches above the soil.  Then dig the roots out of the ground, being careful not to break the neck.  Place the root clumps upside down and allow them to dry for several hours before storing.
  • Gladiolus
    Cut gladiolus tops back close to the base, leaving no more than an inch or so of the stem.  Remove the excess soil from the corms.  Spread the corms out in a well-ventilated place, such as a garage, for about three weeks.  Once dried thoroughly, remove the old corms, stems and husks and discard them.  The healthy new corms are then ready for storing.
  • Canna
    Cut back canna stems to about 6 inches.  Dig the rhizomes out of the ground and dry for a few hours in the sun.  Then bring them in for storage.
  • Tuberous Begonias
    Dig tuberous begonias, tops and all, after frost blackens the tops.  Put them in a frost-free place for a week or 2 for drying.  Once dry, cut the tops back to about 3 inches from the tuber.  Let tubers dry for about 2 more weeks.  Then break off the stem stubs and shake the excess soil from the tubers.

Dahlias, cannas, and begonias can be stored surrounded by vermiculite or peat moss in a shallow box.  Gladioli should be stored in a paper bag.

Slug Solution...
If slugs were a problem this year, clean up vegetable gardens and perennial borders very thoroughly. Dry autumn weather sends these mollusks searching for damp hiding places. If you deprive them of moist areas that they can use to stay alive, you can significantly decrease the potential for damage next year.

Source

 


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Moving Mums...
Once again this fall I've bought a lot of potted mums.  There's no better way to get that late fall color in the garden!   Many gardeners (myself included) choose to transplant their potted mums into the garden.  Well, now is the time to do it.  For best results follow these important tips:

  • Transplant mums into well-drained soil.  Winter injury is most common when mums are planted in poorly-drained soils. 
  • Before planting, make sure there is an adequate amount of organic matter incorporated into the area.  Potted mums are often grown in a mix that is very high in organic matter. If these are planted in very heavy clay soil without first amending it, the difference between the two soil situations often prevents good root establishment and increases the chance of winter kill.  
  • After leaves have turned brown, cut back the tops and apply six inches of loose mulch.  The purpose of this mulch is to provide wind protection and keep the soil shaded and frozen so that frost heaving is minimized.  Protective mulch may be removed or pulled away from the crown by early to mid-April after danger of severe cold is past.  

Source

Keep Your Cutters Clean...
Your shears and loppers are probably getting a good workout as you tidy up the garden and landscape.  Keep them in good working order by wiping them with a rag dipped in paint thinner to remove sticky resins. Regular sharpening and a periodic thorough oiling will help the better tools last forever.

Mice + Mulch = Mischief...
Mice and other rodents like to creep around and underneath mulched areas. Who can blame them?  It's warm there!  But they can be mischievous little creatures too.  To prevent them from gnawing on your tree trunks and shrubs keep mulch pulled back several inches from the bases of your trees and shrubs.

Winter Rose Protection...
Get your roses ready for winter by cutting them back to about 36 inches.  Mound mulching material (compost, straw, leaves, etc...) at least 12 inches deep around the remaining stems to provide protection from freezing and soil heaving. Next spring you'll cut back any of the wood that didn't survive the winter and your roses will be ready for another great growing season.

Finally...
"Learn to look at every difficult situation as a present; the gift within is the possibilities it holds. To open the gift you must find the 'possibility'."

~ Catherine Pulsifer, Author

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