November 2006

Recent cold temperatures signal the inevitable approach of winter. The following are some final garden tasks to complete before the snow flies:

• Clean up leaves and garden debris in beds, especially if plants have been diseased.

• Make sure to mark with labels or small stakes the location of your perennials, especially those that are late emerging in the spring.

• Not cutting back perennials may protect the crown of the plant. Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around perennials in late November or when the ground has frozen. Mulch will keep the ground frozen and will help to avoid a cycle of freezing and thawing that can heave the plant out of the ground exposing the roots to killing temperatures.

• Protect roses by mounding soil 10 -12 inches around the canes. Bring in fresh soil; do not scrape soil from around the plant. Cover the soil with a layer of straw, leaves or compost. If using rose cones for protection, allow for ventilation to avoid high temperatures inside the cone on warm, sunny winter days.

• Protect newly planted trees from girdling by mice or rabbits by putting up a barrier around the trunk like poultry wire, hardware cloth or plastic guards. Hardware cloth should be 18 inches above the snow level to protect against rabbits.

• Fertilize trees and shrubs after leaf drop. Fertilize with a nitrogen fertilizer. This will promote root growth now and shoot growth in the spring. Roots will continue to grow until the soil temperature drops below freezing.

• Cut back ornamental grasses next spring. Grasses provide spectacular winter interest when the foliage is left standing.

• Water newly planted evergreens as needed until the ground freezes. Cold temperatures with winter wind can dehydrate the plant. You can also apply an anti-desiccant/anti-transpirant. Two or three applications may have to be applied during the winter.

• Take the family to a local “Cut Your Own” Christmas tree farm. Most open the day after Thanksgiving. For a free listing of local farms call 773-233-0476 or check out the “Christmas Trees & More” website at www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/trees

Follow these tips for a successful Christmas tree farm visit:

• Bring gloves and dress for the weather. Wear comfortable, old shoes. Your search may take longer than you think and you may be trekking through muddy fields.

• Keep your pets at home.

• Ask about the farm’s pricing policy. Some charge by the foot or have trees priced individually.

• Know the height and width of the space where you will place your tree. Bring a tape measure along.

• Make sure the handle of the tree, the part that goes into the tree stand, is long enough to reach the bottom of the stand.

• Most farms will supply saws.

• After cutting down the “perfect” tree, cover it with plastic or tarp to keep it from drying out on the drive home.
  If you are not putting the tree up right away store it in an unheated garage or some other area out of the wind and cold (freezing) temperatures. Make a fresh one inch cut on the butt end and place the tree in a bucket of warm water.
  When you decide to bring the tree indoors, make another fresh one inch cut and place the tree in a sturdy stand that holds at least one gallon of water.

• Pot up amaryllis bulbs for spectacular holiday blooms. The diameter of the container should be just a couple of inches wider than the base of the bulb. One-third to one half of the bulb should be sticking out of the soil. Plants will need four to six hours of sunlight. A southern exposure is preferred. Start the amaryllis off at temperatures of 70 to 75 F. Prolong the flower, by placing the plant in temperatures around 65 F. Water after planting and keep the soil moist. For a fact sheet on growing amaryllis, call 773-233-0476.