Hort Shorts

Apple Facts
Apples are cholesterol, sodium, and fat free. An average apple about the size of a tennis ball has 80 calories and 20 percent of the daily-recommended amount of fiber. That is as much fiber as a bowl of bran cereal.

The average American eats about 19 pounds of fresh apples a year, which averages out to about an apple a week. If he or she is smart, the apple peel is left on. Two-thirds of the fiber and lots of antioxidants are found in that peel. Antioxidants help to reduce oxidant damage to cells, which can trigger some diseases.

U.S. farmers grow about 250 million bushels of apples each year, and 60 percent of that total is consumed fresh. One hundred varieties of apples are grown commercially in the United States and more than 7,500 varieties are grown worldwide. The five most popular varieties in the United States are Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Gala, Fuji, and Granny Smith.

To learn more about apples or where the closest orchard is located, visit U of I Extension's Apples and More website, located at http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/apples or call 773-233-0476 for a listing of apple orchards.

Extend Annual Display

Transplanting specimen annuals into pots for the patio, deck, and porch is a great way to extend fall color. Many annuals transplant very well from the ground to pots, including geraniums, celosia, dianthus and many more. Why let frost get the best of your year-long efforts? These potted 'best of garden' plants can be protected from frost conditions and extend color into late fall.

The number of plants you transplant is strictly determined by how many pots you want to move around. But even a few, combined with the other fall blooming plants can provide beautiful color right into November.

Source: Susan Grupp, Extension Educator

Protect New Evergreens
Protect newly planted evergreens from winter's cold weather and drying winds. The following are cultural practices that will improve their chances of making it through the winter.

First, make sure there is plenty of soil moisture before the ground freezes. If there has not been sufficient rain, water them. Water the planting hole as well as a couple of feet of the surrounding soil. Avoid overwatering because overwatering can drown tree roots adding to winter kill. Water till the soil is moist at least 12 inches deep.

Another recommendation is to consider applying an anti-desiccant/anti-transpirant. It is important to read the product's label. Use the winter label rate at the recommended temperature. These products vary in their longevity and effectiveness on the plants. Usually a second and sometimes a third application later in the winter are required. These products, when applied correctly, can sometimes make the difference on plant survival as well as appearance the following spring.

A screen that partially blocks the wind is another way to reduce dehydration.

Use sturdy stakes that are a couple of feet longer than the plant is high. Place the stakes in the ground before the ground begins to freeze. How many stakes you use depends on whether you want a 'V'-shaped screen or a flat screen as well as how many evergreens were planted.

Once the ground begins to freeze, nail, staple, or tie a material like burlap, a cheesecloth-like material made out of nylon or other polyester, or even snow fencing to the stakes. If using the 'V'-shaped screen around an individual plant, the bottom of the 'V' stake is directly west of the plant. The other two stakes are to the southeast and to the northeast. Make sure that the sides of the 'V' extend beyond the plant. The entire east side of the plant is left open. The plant should not be wrapped entirely with protective material.

The barrier is to reduce the flow of wind through and around the evergreen. It is not supposed to stop the wind entirely. You need to make sure light reaches all of the plant, therefore do not situate the screen so the plant is supporting the screen or that it even touches the plant.

Source: Jim Schuster, Extension Educator

 

Fall 2005
Emerald Ash Borer | Garden Tips | Fall Garden Chores | Fall & Winter Greens, Reds & More | Pumpkin Facts | Hort Shorts | Cybergardening Sites | Did you know? . . | Fall Vegetable Parade of Colors | Health and Household Tips | Lactose Intolerant? Calcium From Plants | Self-medicating and Drug Interactions | In Pursuit of a Good Night’s Sleep

 

 

 

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