December 19, 2007

Icy Aftermath...
This time last week we were still without power. Unfortunately there are still many people in parts of Oklahoma and Kansas without power and some may be without until after Christmas. It is hard to believe. Many have been without power for over 10 days. While listening to the radio today I heard an interesting piece on NPR. Because of the clean-up of damaged trees there is enough mulch and wood chips in the state of Oklahoma to last them over a century. That is a staggering statistic. The damage was substantial and it will take years to replace the number of trees taken down by the storm. We need to keep all of those still affected by the storm in our thoughts. They have a long road of clean-up and re-planting ahead of them.

After a few warm days the snow we received is slowly melting away. Slow melting snow is a wonderful way to give all planted things a good drink. Have you seen how green some of the lawns are? I saw a few people (we are not included in this category) actually raking leaves today. Always something to do - whether it is shoveling or raking. The sunny 40's have been great for my demeanor. I have been able to get outside to do some things without dressing like Nanook. Sam Parker (the family beagle) is enjoying the benefits of the warmer weather as well. The warmer it is the longer the walk and he always seems to be up for that.

Happy Holidays and thanks for reading!

~ Shelly  

Preventing Snow Mold...
Two early winter storms this season caught many of us a bit off guard.  We still had a fair amount of unraked leaves on the ground and bet that you did too.  Don't leave them there! First on your weekend "to do" list  - rake up those leaves.  It's just not healthy for the turf to have wet leaves smothering it all winter.  Additional snows that may have greater longevity (on top of those unraked leaves) can lead to snow mold - a possibility and it is best avoided.

Guy-Wire Guidelines...
If you are using guy wires around newly planted trees make sure hose sections (or other protection) are still covering the supporting wires or ropes.  Without sufficient protection the recent windy weather could cause a young tree's bark to be stripped away by bare wire or rope.

Two Out Of Three Wise Men Recommend...
The holiday season is full of traditions involving the plants we grow.  Wreaths, mistletoe, Christmas trees, the list goes on.  How about frankincense and myrrh?  What is that stuff anyway?  Well, they are both resins - dried tree sap - that come from trees of the genus Boswellia (frankincense) and Commiphora (myrrh).  The way that people collect the sap is similar to the way people collect rubber tree sap or pine tree sap.  Cutting the tree's bark causes the sap to ooze out of the cut.  The sap used to create both of these famous resins comes slowly and is allowed to dry on the tree.  Both in the time of the three wise men and today, frankincense and myrrh are most commonly used to create incense.

Pacing Your Paperwhites...
As the holidays near, you can adjust the bloom time of your forced paperwhites.  If they are coming along too quickly, place them in a cool room (50-60º F) and water less frequently.  If you need to speed them up a bit, place them in the warmest room in the house.  With a little luck they'll be blooming right on time!

Poinsettia Pointers...
Here are some quick tips for keeping those holiday poinsettias looking good through the season:

• Give them sun for at least half the day.
• Keep away from drafts, registers & radiators.
• Night temperatures in 50’s or low 60’s, days at 70° F.
• Soil should dry only slightly between thorough waterings. Discard the drainage.
• Punch holes in decorative foil wraps to prevent soggy soil conditions.

Source

Acid Test...
Mulching your perennials is very important in wintertime.  If possible mulch the root zones of your azaleas and rhododendrons with oak leaves, shredded oak bark or pine needles.  Each will add a little bid of acidity to the delight of these acid-loving plants.

Winterize Power Tools...
Power tools and other gas-powered equipment need winterizing before being put away for the season. Here are some basics:

• Oil should be changed and moving parts lubricated.
• Fuel systems should either be drained or have a gas stabilizing additive mixed into the fuel.

These simple steps will help ensure a longer lasting machine as well as a better chance of a successful "cold-start" next spring.

Finally...
"Most people, early in November, take last looks at their gardens, and are then prepared to ignore them until the spring. I am quite sure that a garden doesn't like to be ignored like this. It doesn't like to be covered in dust sheets, as though it were an old room which you had shut up during the winter. Especially since a garden knows how gay and delightful it can be, even in the very frozen heart of the winter, if you only give it a chance."

~ Beverley Nichols