NEIGHBORHOOD GARDEN FOR JANUARY 9, 2016
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GARDENING IN JANUARY
BY GEORGE EDGAR
1.
APPLY WILT-STOP NOW
If
you applied Wilt-Stop or Wilt-Pruf or some other anti-desiccant earlier,
you probably need a second application now because of all the rain,
snow, and cold weather. Or, if you are like me and did not get the first
application on, now is the time to apply. A final application will be in
order after Valentine’s Day.
You may spray
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 or afterward.
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
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.
2. WATER TREES AND SHRUBS.
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 let it run down the
drain, use it!!!
DO NOT USE WATER THAT HAS RUN
THROUGH A WATER SOFTENER AS THE SALT (SODIUM CHLORIDE) WILL INJURE YOUR
PLANTS OVER TIME.
3.
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.
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. 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. Copyright 2015 |