Seasonal
Reminders
1. Water!
Yes, I'm going to say it again. Even in
the winter, when your trees are dormant, they need
water. If there is no snow on the ground, water at
least once every three to four weeks. (If the
landscape looks like the photo above, you can skip
that month!) Drag out your hose, and set it on a
slow trickle for at least 20 to 30 minutes for
trees, 10 to 15 minutes for shrubs. Perennial beds
and bulb beds will benefit from a good, long soak
as well. Need a brush up on watering techniques?
Here's our Watering Guide to help
refresh your memory.
2. Winterize
(Fertilizer)
The usual recommendation is to
winterize once in October and again in January.
With the unseasonably warm temperatures we've been
having, if you didn't apply winterizer fertilizer
in October, you can still winterize your lawn,
trees, and shrubs now and once again in January.
The winterizer builds winter hardiness, stem
strength and disease resistance in lawns, trees
and shrubs. This fertilizer focuses on root growth
and helps protect your plants from the harshness
of winter. Just make sure to water!
3. Mulch Bulbs & Perennial
Beds
If you haven't already done so, apply a
generous layer of organic mulch to your bulb and
perennial beds. Mulches prevent temperature
fluctuations due to soil freezing and thawing and
help retain moisture. Keeping the soil cool
will also reduce early emergence, especially
important during these warm days.
4. Place Holiday Plants away
from heat sources or cold drafts
We are constantly reminded to keep our
Christmas trees away from fireplaces or furnaces,
to prevent fire. But other holiday plants
(poinsettias and Christmas Cactus, for example),
should be clear of heat and cold as well. Cold
drafts can cause bract and leaf drop on
Poinsettias, and forced air heat will dry plants
out rapidly and invite spider mites.
5. Increase
Humidity
Cold weather brings even more
dryness than usual in Northern Arizona! Use pebble
trays under African Violets, orchids, ferns, and
other moisture-loving plants. Another option is to
use a humidifier to benefit you and the
plants!
6. Don't Forget the
Birds!
Winter birding is not only enjoyable,
it is really important for our winter wildlife. If
you don't already have a bird feeder, pick one up
as soon as possible. (Check out this week's
coupons for a little discount on a birding item!)
Make sure to keep the feeder stocked all winter
long, and that the birds and wildlife have a
source for fresh water as
well.
