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November 30, 2005

Coming And Going...
Thanksgiving has come and gone and as I type this,  Christmas is just a short 3-plus weeks away. Not to mention that 2006 is right around the corner. So, what happened to the year 2005? The kids have all gotten taller, hungrier and more active. In that order. Sam Parker (our beagle) grew too. Not necessarily taller, just wider. Fixed that by putting him on a diet and he has slimmed down considerably. Christmas card photos have been taken and cards ordered. Labels have been started but not finished. The tree is up an decorated (Kevin captured some great pictures) and the rest of the house is patiently awaiting its turn. (I always feel as if there needs to be some type of Christmas reminder in every room.) A lot of work but I do love keeping busy inside when I can't be outside.

Do you have your bulbs in the ground yet? I don't. I seem to have lost the desire to plant them, the time to shop for them etc... I am not quite sure why. I do know one thing, come next spring I will be sorely disappointed that I did not go to the extra effort. If you are still wanting to plant them get on it! This colder weather is not going away anytime soon. Maybe I'll find the energy to force some. That way I can experience spring earlier than normal. It sounds as if I am trying to justify not planting them outdoors. Oh well, I am trying to live by the old saying that you can't always do everything.

Stay warm, colder weather is here to stay for the next few days (or months).

~ Shelly  

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

Frosty Footprints...
If you have ever walked across a frosted lawn that isn't dormant you may have noticed your footprints showing up later in the day. Though this is unsightly, it does not actually kill the turf. Grass blades are damaged but the crown is not. Actively growing turf will often recover after two to four mowings. Damage that occurs late in the fall (such as now) will continue to show damage until it is masked by the rest of the lawn turning brown due to cold weather.

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

Time To Mulch Roses?
It's still too early to mulch your roses.  Savvygardeners find it's best to wait for the ground to be fully frozen as this assures that the roses have been given a chance to "harden off". You can prepare for later mulching by collecting and setting aside the soil and mulch that you will use later. Cover this material with a tarp to keep it dry and once the ground has frozen you will have a good source of loose mulching material.

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...
"That's no December sky!
Surely 'tis June
Holds now her state on high
Queen of the noon.

Only the tree-tops bare
Crowning the hill,
Clear-cut in perfect air,
Warn us that still

Winter, the aged chief,
Mighty in power,
Exiles the tender leaf,
Exiles the flower."

~ Robert Fuller Murray (1863-1894), A December Day

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