Winter Watering is Important

When the landscape looks like this in January, it’s easy to overlook the fact that trees need to be watered in the winter. It’s important to understand that trees don’t go into total dormancy during the winter. Underneath the New Year’s snow fall, tree roots are actively looking for moisture and this latest storm did little to hydrate the soil your trees, shrubs and lawn are growing in. 

Even though deciduous trees appear to be dormant now, their root systems continue to grow and need moisture to survive. You may not see the damage right away, but trees that don’t receive supplemental watering during the winter may experience smaller leaf production, branch dieback and chlorosis through spring and summer. This is especially true of trees planted this past season that haven’t had time to establish. While more mature trees have the advantage of a larger root system to draw moisture from, newly planted trees need to be watered during the winter to prevent damage and die-back to fine roots. We know it’s important to water trees this time of year. but for winter watering to be effective, there are key factors you need to consider, including temperature, time of day, and sprinkler type. First, pick a day when the ambient temperature is forty degrees or higher and there is no snow on the ground. Plan to water around mid-day, to allow time for the water to soak into the ground. 

Use a soft spray attachment such as adjustable hand-held water nozzle, a simple stationary sprinkler or a deep-root needle or fork. Don’t turn your sprinkler system on. Trees take up water best when it is allowed to soak into the soil slowly to a depth of 12 inches.  As a general survival rule, apply 10 gallons of water for each diameter inch of the tree. For example, a two-inch diameter tree needs 20 gallons per watering. Use a ruler to measure your tree’s diameter about knee high. 

The most important area to water is at the dripline. Tree root systems don’t grow like carrots. They spread horizontally, often two to three times wider than the height of the tree. Water slowly over a wide area. If you notice water beginning to pool and run off, stop watering and allow the soil to absorb the moisture, then resume watering. This cycle and soak method is especially effective if your trees and shrubs are planted in heavy clay soils.  Move your sprinkler or soil needle multiple times to ensure the critical root zone within the dripline is well hydrated. While you’re at, water the lawn.  Turf grass that is well-hydrated through the winter months is more resistant to insect activity, will start to green up earlier in the spring and typically experiences less die-back through summer’s heat. 

Once you’re done watering, be sure to disconnect the hose from the outside faucet.  Plan to water your trees, shrubs and lawn every four to five weeks through the winter season, considering any natural moisture we may receive during the same period.  

 

How to grow culinary herbs indoors this winter.

Growing herbs indoors is a great way to continue gardening right through the coldest days of the season. By growing your own culinary herbs indoors, you will be rewarded with fresh cooking herbs you grow and harvest yourself, as well as the color and aroma herbs bring to the table. Here are some tips to help you grow healthy herbs indoors successfully.  While temperature and humidity are important, the key factor to growing herbs indoors is light.  Herbs growing indoors need at least six hours of sunlight in order to thrive. You can grow a wide variety of herbs indoors anywhere they will get at least six hours of sunlight, such as a south or west facing window.  

Your other option is to supplement your natural lighting with additional lighting from a fluorescent fixture, CFL or an incandescent bulb. Grow bulbs are available which will fit a standard socket such as a desk lamp. This makes it easier to achieve the light you need to grow the herbs indoors successfully. Placing your herb plants in the kitchen or bathroom under grow lights helps ensure they will stay warm and humid naturally. Providing the right amount of sunlight and the correct ambient temperature encourages the strong, healthy growth of your herb plants and the best tasting foliage. 

Start with quality herb plants. You can grow herbs from seed, but it takes time for them to reach the point when you can begin to harvest from them. Popular herbs which do well inside are cilantro, oregano, parsley, basil, sage, rosemary and thyme, but most herbs lend themselves very well to be grown in pots and containers indoors, if there is sufficient light.   

You have many options when it comes to selecting a container for your herb plants. The main consideration is to choose a pot that’s the correct size for the plants you are growing and that it drains. If you tend to over water your plants, choose containers made from clay. Clay is porous. It breathes and pulls moisture away from roots. Choosing pots that are the right size for your plants is important because over-potting will lead to root problems. Another option is to combine herbs into a single container. There are many attractive clay or ceramic container options to plant herbs in, just be sure the container has good drainage.  

Along with the right sized pot, select a potting soil that drains well. The Flower Bin Potting Soil Mix is a good choice. Happy Frog Potting soil also works well. Both contain mycorrhizae for better root development. Plan to feed your herbs every two weeks with a well-balanced fertilizer such as a granular 4-4-4 or water-soluble 6-4-4. If you prefer organic, the Organic Material Review Institute – OMRI logo on the package assures you the fertilizer is indeed certified organic. 

Apart from cooking, herbs make great house plants. Pineapple Sage for example, has a pleasant fragrance and will flower, plus many herbs have a relaxing aroma, even when they are not blooming. An indoor herb garden allows you to enjoy the flavor, fragrance and assurance of quality cooking ingredients year-round.   

  

  

 

Houseplant Winter Care Tips

 

This past Monday, January 10, we celebrated Houseplant Appreciation Day, an appropriate observation since houseplants help beautify our homes, elevate our moods and clean the air we breathe. Taking care of your houseplants in the winter is a little different because the days are shorter, there is less natural light, and the air is drier. Keeping these things in mind, here are some tips to keep your houseplants healthy and thriving. 

You can compensate for winter’s shorter days by moving your plants to a brighter spot, if possible or by adding supplemental lighting to their current location. There is a wide variety of grow lamps to choose from, including LED, CFL and fluorescent. Supplemental lighting is available as a complete fixture or you can purchase a grow bulb that will fit a standard light socket, making it easy to increase the light levels for your houseplants. For best results, select a full-spectrum bulb. Plan to run your grow light system eight hours a day. 

Keeping your houseplants health in the winter means finding ways to raise the humidity. Humidity always drops in the winter. One way to increase the humidity is by grouping your houseplants closer together. Placing plants closer together increases the relative humidity. They evaporate moisture as they grow, raising the humidity around them naturally. 

Adding a pebble tray will also increase humidity, just make sure the bottom of the pot doesn't touch the water. Placing a room humidifier close to your plants is another way to increase the humidity around your plants.

It’s still important to keep your plants well hydrated and fed this time of year.  One way to tell if a plant needs water is to poke your finger into the soil and see how dry it is an inch or two below the surface.  A simple moisture meter will also help you decide when it’s time to water. When it is time, it’s best to use water that's room temperature. An easy way to do this is to fill your watering can the day before you plan to water and let it sit out in the room where your plants are located. 

Although they're not growing as vigorously, your houseplants still need nutrients. A good feeding regime includes adding a 10-15-10 plant food every two weeks. On the weeks you don't fertilize, use Super Thrive to provide essential minerals and vitamins needed for best growth and flowering.  Finally, keep the leaves of your houseplants clean by wiping the leaves with a soft, damp rag. Small plants can be put in the sink and rinsed off. Use products like Leaf Shine to help keep the leaves clean. Doing these things will help your houseplants do their best through the winter season.   

 

Four Investments for a Better Garden in 2022

  

Investment Number One: Build your gardening skills. The more you know, the better you’ll grow. Taking classes, joining a local garden club, applying for Master Gardener training and finding someone to mentor you along your gardening journey are four ways to strengthen your gardening knowledge and technique.  

Gardening groups are a great way to meet fellow gardeners. Hoe and Hope Garden Club is a well-established local organization whose membership includes all levels of gardening experience. Discover more about Hoe and Hope here: http://hoeandhopegardenclub.com/.  

Sign up and take our gardening classes as they become available. Next time you're in the store, make sure you're on our email list and follow our weekly blog for timely, relevant gardening advice. 

Find a garden mentor. A garden mentor is someone with the training, knowledge and experience to help you make good decisions when it comes to planting, growing and harvesting your crops. This could be a neighbor, a friend or someone in a local garden shop that you can discuss garden questions and ideas with. 

 

Investment Number Two: Build your garden soil. Soil quality has the greatest influence on your crops and yields. You can overcome a lot of gardening mistakes if your soil has good structure, drains well and is healthy and rich with microbial activity. Adding organic material on a regular basis, utilizing cover crops effectively and incorporating strategies that build and maintain soil microbial health are methods that will pay off in larger yields. Start by testing your soil. You can use a DIY kit or send a sample off to Colorado State University for a more extensive test.   You'll receive a report detailing the quality and fertility of your soil. Bring us your report and we'll help you figure out what to do. 

Investment Number Three: Know, don’t guess.  Whether it’s a problem with your houseplants, herbs, tomatoes or vegetables. There are many factors that influence your garden. Our Diagnostic Center is open year-round. We’ll help you identify the issue and offer recommendations on how to solve the problem.  We offer these services free of charge.

  

Investment Four: Buy the best tools you can and take care of them. Good tools make every garden task easier, safer and more effective. Create a designated storage spot for each tool and get in the habit of cleaning your tools and putting each tool away after you’ve used it.  This way, you won’t waste time looking for tools.  

Finally, get out in the garden every day. Working in the garden isn't all about the chores you "have to do". Whether you're growing tomatoes or dahlias, make sure you pause every now and then and enjoy your garden. It's one of the healthiest aspects of your life. Enjoy it!