Garden Protection For The Winter
Pruning and spraying trees and shrubs can begin now that deciduous trees and shrubs have lost their leaves. Of course, spring-flowering shrubs such as lilac and forsythia should not be touched now; they should be pruned after they flower.
Although dormant oil sprays are usually not applied until early spring, they can actually be used on any sunny day during the winter when the temperature promises to stay above 40 for eight hours or more.
Transplanting – Fall transplanting can be continued as long as the soil can be worked easily. The later the planting is done, however, the more necessary it is to have a mulch over the roots.
If a tree is not too large, it is sometimes practical for the homeowner to move it with a frozen ball. Trench around the tree now so that frost can get deep into the ground. Don’t undercut the ball until you are ready to move the tree.
Caring for your lawn – Remember that heavy traffic on the lawn is damaging, even when the ground is frozen. There may be dead turf by spring.
Apply a turf fungicide now to areas which were troubled with snow mold last winter. Another way to discourage this disease is to keep leaves and grass clippings from collecting on the turf.
Propagating shrubs – As soon as the wood is hard, but before heavy freezing occurs, take hardwood cuttings of your shrubs. Store them in sand or slightly dampened sphagnum moss until spring.
Planting spring bulbs – If your nursery or garden center is still selling good sound spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils and tulips, don’t be discouraged from buying them because you think the planting season is past. As long as the soil can be worked there’s still time to plant.
Storing garden tools – After cleaning the garden tools, lawn mower and hose, put them under cover for the winter. Wash out the sprayer and store it upside down with the top off.
Encouraging the birds to winter in Hie garden – Keep the birds around your garden if possible by providing food and water for them. Many winter birds pay their way by eating insects.
Protecting the garden for the winter – From now on protection for the roses is an absolute must just like ficus tree care. Hill up fresh soil around the base of each bush. Wait until after a sharp freeze to mulch the strawberries and perennials, or mice may move into the mulch.
Inspecting vegetables in storage – From time to time examine stored vegetables. Leafy vegetables such as cabbage and endive are prone to rot.
Sowing hardy annuals – All hardy annuals can be sown in the fall. In many parts of the Middle West fall sowing is the only way to produce good plants of such cool-weather annuals as Shirley poppies, larkspurs and calendulas. Just before the ground freezes for the winter, broadcast the seed on well-prepared soil. The seed will remain dormant until spring, then will start into growth long before the soil can be worked.
Learn more of what Kent Higgins has to share over at http://www.plant-care.com. Visit now and have your dream come true on having a beautiful vegetable garden with ficus tree care.
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