* Ice is nice, especially when added to lemonade or tea. It can also be beautiful, as evidenced by the diamond-like glitter that coated trees and shrubs in many areas this past weekend. On the other hand, ice also damaged many of those same trees and shrubs. Now that the weather is a bit milder, grab the pruning shears or saw and cut each damaged branch back to an adjoining branch or to the main stem or trunk. In other words, don’t leave stubs. Also, do not flush cut. Instead, cut only up to, but not into, the branch collar, which is the swollen or bulging part of a branch where it attaches to another branch or tree trunk. The branch collar has properties that hasten wound healing. This is important, as successful wound healing prevents entry of disease-causing fungi.
* Get seed-starting supplies in order. Start by washing and sterilizing pots, flats and other containers to be used for seed starting. A 10 percent bleach solution (one part bleach in nine parts water) can be used to sterilize the containers, although one part hydrogen peroxide in five parts water is a more environmentally friendly sterilant.
* Be sure to check the hardiness of perennial plants, trees and shrubs listed in catalogs before ordering through the mail. Also, make sure you understand the plants’ environmental requirements, i.e. soil acidity, soil drainage, and shade tolerance.
* Plan to isolate a section of the vegetable garden for planting perennial vegetables this spring. Asparagus, rhubarb, horseradish and Jerusalem artichoke are some examples of perennial vegetables. The latter two can become invasive and should be planted in an area by themselves.
* Consider palms when looking for foliage plants for your home. Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana) may be the most recognizable and most popular of indoor palms. Some other good choices are pygmy date palm, coco palm and lady palm. Palms are easy to grow indoors since they prefer average room temperature and can tolerate subdued light. However, watch for infestations of spider mites and scale insects.
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Did you know?
Researchers found that eating blueberries and strawberries may reduce the loss of memory and learning ability that normally occurs with aging. Uh…….now what point was I trying to make? ……….Oh yeah, plan to add some blueberry and strawberry plants to your garden this spring.
Eating walnuts may prevent the buildup of plaque in blood vessels and thus reduce the risk of heart disease. This information comes from of a study that fed ground walnuts to hamsters. For those who may not like the taste of walnuts, I suggest eating a hamster.
Valentine’s Day has been celebrated not only as a day for lovers to exchange expressions of their mutual affection, but was also believed by 14th century Europeans to be the day that birds choose their mates. I think a little extra sunflower seed in the bird feeder may be in order this Valentine’s Day.
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A thought for this Valentine’s Day: “Love is like a precious plant…you’ve got to really look after it and nurture it.” John Lennon
