February 2001

Ornamental & Home

Force branches of flowering shrubs and trees such as viburnums, forsythia, pussy willow, lilac and redbud. Select and cut 12 inch long branches with plump buds. The closer to their natural bloom time that you cut branches, the sooner they will open. Place branches in a container of warm water and re-cut stems one inch from the base.

Try red gladioli instead of roses for Valentine's Day. You'll save a few bucks.

Prune shade trees. Remove damaged or broken branches. Thin out growth that is too congested. Pruning sealants are not necessary.

Solve last year's lawn problems! Sign up for the University of Illinois' Lawn Care correspondence course. Call 773-233-0476 for more information.

Prune shrubs that bloom after June 15 now. Shrubs that flower before June 15 should be pruned immediately after flowering.

Learn how to select and buy roses that will fit into your garden.

Learn about three major causes for hosta decline in the garden. Factsheet available.

Dormant oil can be applied to control scale insects on ornamental trees and shrubs if temperatures will stay above freezing for twenty-four hours. Spray before buds show green.

Be wary of fantastic grass ads. Zoysiagrass is adapted for southern locations. It will be dormant for much of the season in Northern Illinois and is a straw color for most of the spring and fall when other lawns are green. Factsheet available.

Grow the 2001 All-America Rose selections. Factsheet available.

Begin to fertilize houseplants as they show signs of growth.

Edible Garden

Save plastic milk jugs for hot caps and orange juice cans for placing around newly planted transplants to control cutworms.

Start seeds of cool season vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower indoors. Factsheet available.

Grow gourmet and mini vegetables. Factsheet available.

Deer and rabbit problems? List of resistant plants available.

Choose a fruit tree for your backyard. Peaches, nectarines, sweet cherries and apricots suffer here. Recommended tree fruits include:

  • Apple - Buy varieties resistant to apple scab. At least two varieties are needed for cross-pollination.
  • Plums - Plant European types; need two for cross-pollination.
  • Cherries - Plant tart varieties; all are self-fruitful, which means plant one tree.
  • Click here for a complete list.