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WHAT SHOULD I DO
BY
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APPLY WILT-STOP
If
you applied Wilt-Stop or Wilt-Pruf or some other anti-desiccant earlier,
you probably need another application now because of all the rain, snow,
and cold weather. Or, if you are like me and did not get the first or
second application on, now is the time to apply.
You can apply
Wilt-Stop or Wilt-Pruf anytime as long as the ambient or air temperature
is above 40 degrees F and stays above 40 degrees F. for at least a
couple hours afterwards. The spray should not freeze on the foliage
while applying.
For those who
are not familiar with an anti-desiccant such as Wilt-Stop or Wilt-Pruf,
these products contain wax that coats the needles of arborvitaes and
evergreen trees like my DWARF
ALBERTA SPRUCE, UMBRELLA
SPRUCE, and UMBRELLA PINE,
and on shrubs that do not drop their leaves such as
HOLLY,
RHODODENDRON,
AZALEA, and BOXWOOD so
the leaves do not winter burn or the plant dry out and die. The needles
on evergreen trees and the leaves on shrubs that do not drop their
needles/leaves, continue to perspire all winter long, just like they do
in the summer time but not as fast. However, because of the frozen
ground, they can not take up moisture to replace the lost water, and
thus dry out.
Even though the
ground is frozen, trees and shrubs will benefit from a good drink of
water on warm winter days. And if you are lucky enough to have a warm
day on or about Valentine’s Day, get the hose out, or just take a
bucket, and water again. I collect the water from my whole house
humidifier and from my reverse osmosis water purifier and use it in the
bird bath, for house plants, and to water trees and shrubs outside.
Don’t just let it run down the drain.
DO NOT USE WATER THAT
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SAVING GARDEN SEEDS
It is time to order your garden
seeds or make a list to take to the garden center. I first take
inventory as I have vegetable and flower seeds left from last year. Most
vegetable and flower seeds may be kept over from year to year.
After one year the germination rate will decrease depending upon
the kind of seed, and where and how they were stored. Seeds store best
when dry and in moisture proof containers at low temperatures.
Glass jars with air tight caps are best.
Those little packets of an anti-desiccant that comes with some
consumer items also helps to keep them dry. Plastic containers are ok
but not as air tight. Store
at temperatures between 35 and 50 degrees F.
Colorado State
University Extension has a publication (“Storing Vegetable and Flower
Seeds” no. 7221 by
Before using these old seeds be
sure and check germination rate.
To test seeds, place a counted number of seeds (best to use at
least 10 or more) between sheets of paper towels and moisten. Do not let
seeds touch each other. Put in a plastic bag or container so seeds do
not dry out. Hold at a
temperature between 65 to 75 degrees F.
I germinate mine in our furnace room that stays warm. Check after
one week and after three weeks remove and count the number of seeds that
germinate. Seeds with low
germination (50% or less) may be used but sow at higher rates than
usual.
The correct
indoor sowing
dates for several popular flowers and vegetables are:
late January - geranium, and lisianthus;
late February - impatiens and begonia;
early March - cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower;
mid-March - pepper, eggplant, petunia, and salvia;
late March - tomato, marigold, and zinnia;
and early April - muskmelon, watermelon, squash, and cucumber.
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FORGOTTEN TULIP
Did you forget
to plant your tulip and/or daffodil bulbs? Did you find some in the
garage or basement that got misplaced? What is the best place to store
them?
First, check to
make sure the bulbs are ok and not starting to rot.
If the bulbs are soft or mushy put them in the compost.
If the bulbs are hard and firm, the best place to store is in the
ground if you can break through the frozen soil. Plant the tulips 8 to
10 inches deep and daffodil bulbs 5 to 7 inches deep. Copyright 2015 |