~ November 4, 2009 ~

Here Come the Holidays...
It is hard to believe that the holidays are right around the corner. We have all seen it coming with more retailers trying to get a jump on the holiday season by displaying their wares in September. I think I have become immune to it. I try to concentrate on one holiday at a time. Unfortunately I have not always been the best planner. I tend to fly by the seat of my pants with almost everything I do. That must explain the crazy look in my children's eyes when I tell them how important time management is. I'm sure you have all heard the saying, "I do my best work under pressure". Well, that's me. Not that I like to throw myself under the bus, (who does?) but I do have a tendency to do most things very last minute. Who knows, maybe 2010 will be my year to turn my time management skills around. Ha! I am sure that my beloved husband is laughing. You are a saint to put up with my quirky ways!

Pre-Winter Watering...
To protect perennial plants from winter damage, it is important that they go into winter with moist soil. It’s been a warm, dry fall in many areas of Kansas, so consider watering. Although all perennial plants will benefit from watering during a dry fall, it is especially important for evergreens because moisture is easily lost from the foliage and newly planted trees and shrubs due to limited root systems.

A good, deep watering with moisture reaching at least a foot down into the soil is much better than several light sprinklings that just wet the top portions of the soil. This will ensure that the majority of roots have access to water. The roots that actually absorb water are killed when the soil temperature reaches 28°F. Those near the surface do not last long in our Kansas City winters. We must rely on roots that are deeper, and provide moisture for them to absorb. Depth of watering can be checked with a metal rod or wooden dowel. Either instrument will easily penetrate moist soil but will stop when dry soil is reached.

Source

Help For The Not So Hardy...
Our first freeze is behind us and more are on the way. So, 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.