Pruning.
When to or when not to???? Now is getting around the time that you
will want to start pruning trees and shrubs. You never want to prune
Spring flowering trees and shrubs too late into the spring, this may
lead to pruning off the new flower buds. The one tree that I would
rather prune in the fall is the Maple. This time of the year they will
bleed (or lose their syrup) if pruned off. Oaks, Honeylocust, Crab Apples, Pears, Mountain Ash and Hawthorne are best pruned now. Remove black-knot swelling on Plum, Chokeberry and Cherry trees. If you have any further
questions about pruning feel free to call our office. We are there
Monday-Friday 8:00-4:30.
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Gardening.
It is that time a year again when all the stores are getting out seeds
and starter kits. Just remember when looking for seeds to check the
sell by date and the germination rate. The production goes down every
year that the seeds are past their packaging date. Also, look for
germination rates above 85%. This will give you the most plants.
Don't forget the old "Wives Tale" that says "to plant your potatoes
by Good Friday"!!! Well that isn't the case anymore, but they can go
into the ground as soon as it thaws. They do need to get in the ground
in early Spring. Also, some other varieties that can go in the ground
in April are lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, brussell sprout. A Sowing Lesson.
Here is a list of vegetables best sown in the ground: Beans (bush
& pole), Beets, Carrots, Collards, Corn, Cucumbers, Endive, Kale,
Kohlrabi, Mustard Greens, Parsnips, Peas, Potatoes, Radishes, Spinach,
Squash (summer and winter), Swiss Chard and Turnips. |
Practice "Phenology" - which means watching natural indicators to know when it is safe to sow seeds outdoors (from the Greeks) -Plant these When
Hardy crops
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Peach & plum trees are in bloom
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| Corn |
Elm leaves are the size of a squirrels, oak leaves the size of a mouse's ear, or dogwoods are in full bloom
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Lettuce, peas, spinach
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Lilacs are in first leaf
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Beans & squash
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Lilacs are in full bloom
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| Perennials |
Maples are coming into leaf
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Annuals.
This is the time of year to start thinking about some of the containers
that you will be planting. Some of the things to think about are sun
or shade, colors, height, how big of pot, and how often can this plant
get watered? With that in mind we can assist you in picking out the
perfect plants for you. Otherwise, if you have that winter itch and
want to do your research now either call or go onto
www.provenwinners.com website. This site is very easy to use and we carry most
of their varieties.
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