|
Perennials, Annuals and Vegetables
Some bulbs are still available for forcing, to bring some color and new life to the dreary dark days of winter — the heady fragrance of paperwhites is especially a favorite (and easy to grow). And it's still not too late for Amaryllis!
For bulbs in the ground, keep an eye on them — if any start to rise to the surface of the soil in the fluctuating temperatures, just gently push them back into place and mulch.
Now that we have had some freezing temperatures, it is a good time to do some winter cleanup and mulching. Continue to cut back perennials and remove annuals that were done in by the cold. Straw, leaves, other mulch should be on empty vegetable beds.
Take containers that held annuals and empty the containers of plants and soil, so they don't freeze, or put them in an unheated basement or garage that stays above the freezing mark.
"Every weed you pull now will be many less to have to pull in Spring."
Slugs are still around, especially if you are growing succulent winter greens in your vegetable garden, so one more application of "Worry Free" would be in order.
BACK TO TOP
Lawn Care
Clean off the leaves that have fallen on the lawn. They make a great mulch in the garden!
BACK TO TOP
Trees, Shrubs and Fruit
Now that many trees and shrubs are dormant, selective pruning can be started on those plants that don't bloom in the early spring (those plants are pruned directly after they bloom). Check with the nursery for needs of particular plants if you're uncertain. NOTE: Do NOT prune if temperatures are at or below freezing! The wood of many plants would crack under these conditions.
Be prepared to protect Phormiums, Hebes, and other temperate weather plants. Use Bark Mulch or Black Forest to winter mulch woody plants (be sure to keep mulch 6" or so away from the trunk). Consider spraying broadleaf evergreens with an anti-transpirant like "Wilt-Pruf," which will help the foliage retain moisture in extended cold, dry spells (see General Tips about watering in cold weather).
New Idea for broadleaf evergreens: It has been recently determined that applying a water-soluble nitrogen fertilizer this time of year will improve the plant's vigor without promoting vulnerable new growth during the winter. Our own Chris Totten (aka "The Garden Doctor") has tried it himself, and has been very pleased with the results! We recommend using Whitney Farm's "Aunt Ellie's" or other mild, soluble liquid fertilizer.
For fruit trees, it is a good time to apply the first application of dormant spray (the first of three applications needed between now and about Valentine's Day, to get the job done while trees are dormant). Most trees want a lime sulfur spray. Use copper for preventing Peach Leaf Curl. Pick up an Organic Dormant Spray Schedule at Portland Nursery's Information Desk for outlined details.
Remember, if you are getting a "Living Christmas Tree" this year: Do not keep it in the house more than a week — any longer and you risk the tree breaking its dormancy. Also, it's a good idea to decide where you are going to plant it and prepare its hole ahead of time in case the weather turns nasty.
BACK TO TOP
General Tips
Remember, it is the dry cold that kills plants, so as the soil dries out and we find ourselves facing several days of below-freezing temperatures, it is a good idea to water everything well.
Clean out any remaining leaves from your pond.
Time to be sure your bird feeders and birdbaths are clean and kept filled. If you have a suet feeder, now is the perfect time to put it out.
Don't do any digging or planting if the ground is too wet or saturated. Cover any area to be planted thus 'off season' with plastic, to give it a chance to dry out a bit before digging or planting.
Replant window boxes with spring bulbs, small conifers, heather, pansies, other things for winter/early spring enjoyment.
With most, if not all the leaves finally off the trees, it's time to clean out gutters and treat for moss on roofs — we recommend Safer's Moss Killer.
Drain hoses and put them away for the winter. Also turn off outdoor water sources.
Have bubble wrap, burlap, plastic, frost blankets, etc. on hand to put around containers for protection in below-freezing temperatures. Additionally, if containers can be huddled together, especially up against a fence or building, they will receive even more protection. And if you're wondering what to do with all those pesky leaves you have left after mulching everything in sight — bag them up and pack the bags around the huddled containers to help keep 'em cozy.
Buy holiday gifts for your favorite gardeners!
Design, read, plan, dream... (look out — here come the catalogs!)
BACK TO TOP
|
