Get outside this winter whenever you can do so. If temperatures are above 20 degrees and the wind has subsided, it’s great to check out a natural area near you. Here are a few suggestions for December: Littleton’s Little Town Tree Hunt – search the town’s conservation trails for decorated trees created by community businesses and groups. Map…
Now that the leaves have fallen, we notice any scrap of color outside our windows! Shrubby dogwoods offer stems of yellow, red or coral as a means of photosynthesizing during winter. By spring, these stems will magically turn dark again as the new leaf buds emerge. There are newer, more compact cultivars for smaller gardens that remain…
Stumped about what to give the gardener on your list? Here are some ideas: A good pair of insulated, water-repellent gloves that will keep working hands warm when temperatures drop below freezing Sturdy chore boots, 100% waterproof Professional hand pruners or folding hand saw – Felco is a great brand Japanese weeding knife and sheath, useful to…
Laura has been busy updating your containers and windowboxes for winter this past week. Please let Priscilla <phw@seedlingspecialist.com> know at once if you are interested in a natural outdoor arrangement of winter greens, berries and colored twigs for your home.
Dormant pruning will be ongoing this winter as weather permits with a select PBOG crew. We have several orchards on our list, along with Kousa dogwood trees, forsythia hedges, and other deciduous material. It is easiest to see a plant’s structure when its leaves have dropped. Also it’s the traditional time to prune fruit trees during cool temperatures…
So far, we have cut back most perennials, installed shrub protectors against falling ice and snow from roofs, put up deer fencing, and are applying anti-desiccant and deer repellents to vulnerable shrubs. Once the ground freezes, we will be finishing up a few final garden chores: Protecting tender rose crowns with cones of compost Covering…
Many of you have large blue Meserveae hollies (Ilex x meserveae) in your gardens, with many shrubs heavily loaded with red berries this year. The native American holly, Ilex opaca, is also fruiting now. Please plan to use holly branches in your holiday decorating! However, be aware that the cut branches will last only 7-10…
Bring all garden tools, hoses and equipment indoors to a garage, shed or basement Drain and store hoses to prolong life Cut winter greens for decorating Quickly plant any forgotten bulbs while the ground is unfrozen Put up snow poles to mark your driveway for plowing Stock up on Safe Paw ice melt that does…
I was all set to write an article about alternatives to the Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus), and to highlight why this is an important issue for your own yard. Instead, I found that someone else had already written this article! So, please read on. I was especially interested in Emily DeBolt’s comparison of foliage color on specific native…
Mid-November on the calendar means it’s time for Reese and Rick to spray deer repellent and anti-desiccant to protect vulnerable plants from winter damage. If you’ve ever had browning of rhododendrons, boxwoods, hollies, leucothoes, or mountain laurels, you know what I mean by winter damage. This is caused by repeated cold winds or sudden shifts in temperature…