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
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 |