Eye on Gardening Newsletteryy

For the proactive gardener, turning leaves and the first frost are welcome harbingers of the coming winter. They have planned ahead and most, if not all of their fall gardening chores have been accomplished. How are you doing on your list? Here are a few things you might want to accomplish before you clean and store your gardening tools.

• November is a good time to plant trees, shrubs, and flowers. Fall’s cooler temperatures are conducive to excellent growing conditions that give roots plenty of time to grow and spread into the surrounding soil.

• Ornamentals enter a state of dormancy in the cooler months, so November is also the time to transplant trees and shrubs. Two important tips for successful transplanting are to ensure you dig a large root ball and replant quickly. A large root ball allows you to get as much of the root system as is possible and getting the plant back in the ground will keep the roots from drying out.

• If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to get your roses ready for winter. Check rose beds and containers for any diseased leaves. Rose foliage is often a haven for insects and diseases. To prevent future problems, remove any rose leaves that remain on the plant, and rake up fallen leaves and discard them in the trash.

• Don’t forget the lawn. An application of a fall or winter type of lawn fertilizer is a great motivator for healthy root development and better lawn color. • Be sure to thoroughly rake the lawn and get rid of leaves and debris. The lawn should routinely be raked to keep leaves from accumulating during the fall. Occasional mowing will turn the leaves into mulch and supply the lawn with essential nourishment.

• Spring bulbs should be planted now to force into bloom indoors this winter. Plant tulips, grape hyacinths, daffodils, hyacinths, and other bulbs that require cold to bloom, in well-drained potting medium in shallow containers and water them well. These bulbs need a place that stays cool to produce roots. Pots should be kept in cold storage (the desired temperature is about 40 degrees) for 12 to 16 weeks. The storage temperature should be cool, but always above freezing. Check on the bulbs regularly and water when the soil is dry. At the end of the cool treatment, (February to March) place containers in a warmer location (55 to 65 degrees). Shoots will begin to emerge in the warmer temperature, and blooms will develop in a few weeks. To extend the life of the blooms, be sure to keep the containers well-watered, and avoid heat and direct sun.

• Amaryllis Bulbs are also a great selection for indoor color during the winter months. These bulbs should be planted in a soilless potting mixture, positioning the top third of the bulb above the soil line. For best results, place the container in a warm, sunny room and keep the soil moist. The first noticeable signs of success will be sprouts emerging from the soil, and then a flower stalk and buds. When the flowers begin to open, relocate the container to a location that is slightly cooler and more shaded. The flowers will last longer in this cooler environment.

• Another great choice for flowering bulbs is the traditional paperwhite narcissus. These bulbs do not require cold temperatures to bloom and make an ideal plant for indoor planting. Plant bulbs at a shallow depth and make sure the temperature remains between 50-60 degrees. You should be rewarded with blooms in about 6 weeks.

Great Gardening Tips

How to Seed Bare Spots And Thin Areas - Provided by Scotts
Summer heat and drought usually cause thin brown spots in the lawn. Luckily, fall is the best time to seed and it’s EASY! Follow these simple steps and you’ll have a thick, green lawn.

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