Mountains And Plains - cold-weather gardening - Brief Article

Flower & Garden Magazine, Jan, 2000 by John Cretti, Jeri Cretti

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season often consumes our time and leaves little time to work in the garden. However,there are still many chores that must be tended to after the holidays are over.

If rainfall or snow is low, remember the one outdoor activity you can't skip is winter watering. Pick a warm day when temperatures are above freezing and in areas where the ground remains unfrozen, water with a soaker or twin-eye sprinkler to soak plant root zones at 15 to 20 minute intervals. Water early enough in the day to allow the water to percolate downward and charge the soil profile around both evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs. Winter watering needs to be done every 5 to 6 weeks, especially when weather conditions are extremely dry and windy; the lack of available moisture to the landscape plants can result in severe dieback in late spring and summer. Don't forget to disconnect and drain the hose after your watering chores.

If you choose a living holiday tree, there are some steps to follow to insure tree longevity in your landscape for years to come. Before the soil freezes solid, dig the planting hole (dig as deep as the rootball and three times wider) and be sure to cover the hole with wooden planks or a sheet of plywood. Amend the soil from the hole with some compost and cover with a plastic or canvas tarp.

The living tree can be planted outdoors soon after the holidays when weather permits and temperatures are above freezing; otherwise keep in the garage until it's safe to plant. Water well at planting, apply a 3-inch layer of mulch around the rootball and water as needed when conditions are dry.

To keep gift plants in prime condition longer, place in cool locations with bright, indirect light and away from drafts and heating vents. Don't let the containers sit in water. It's always best to remove the decorative foil from around the pots or perforate the bottoms and then set the pots in a drainage saucer. Fertilize sparingly (every 2 to 3 weeks) with a soluble plant food diluted at half strength.

The cut Christmas tree can have a useful life in the garden long after its glory indoors. Cut off the needle-clad branches and place them over tender perennials to protect them from winter's cold and temperature fluctuations. Saw up the trunk into firewood. or find out if your city has a tree recycling program. You can use the grindings for mulch, or let the pile compost for use later as a soil amendment.