Winter Watering is Important

 It’s important to understand that trees don’t go in to total dormancy during the winter. Underneath the past weekend’s snow fall, tree roots are actively looking for moisture and while this storm helped, it did little to hydrate the soil your trees, shrubs and perennials are growing in. 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. For winter watering to be effective, there are key factors you need to take into account, 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. You can water using a soft spray attachment such as adjustable water nozzle or attach a simple sprinkler to your hose.  Don’t turn your sprinkler   system on. 

For deciduous trees, place the sprinkler under the dripline.  The dripline is that area under the outermost branches of the tree. This is where the feeder roots are located and the area where you get the best water absorption. How long you run the sprinkler or hose attachment depends on the size of the tree trunk. The general formula is ten gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter, measured at knee height. A tree with a three-inch trunk needs thirty gallons of water.  For established trees, watering once a month during the winter should be sufficient to keep the roots hydrated. For newly planted trees and conifers, you should plan to water every two weeks. If you start to experience run off while you’re watering, turn the water off and let it soak in before you resume watering. This soak and cycle method will help reduce waste from runoff and keep the water at the root system, where it’s needed.  Shrubs and rose should receive five gallons of water per month. Winter watering your trees, shrubs and roses will help them stay hydrated and the moisture acts as an insulator and helps reduce damage from temperature variations. Once you’re done watering, be sure to disconnect the hose from the outside faucet.   

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.  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.  

 You have many options when it comes to selecting a container for your herb plants. The main consideration is the pot is the correct size for the plants you are growing and that it drains. Over potting herb plants will lead to root problems. 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. Choose herb plants which will do well in the light you have available. Growing low light herbs is a good option if you do not have enough natural light or a way to add supplemental lighting. Herbs that do well in low light,  as defined by less than four hours of direct sun daily include chives, lemon balm, tarragon, mint, thyme, parsley. You can grow herbs indoors anywhere they will get at least 6 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 or an incandescent bulb. Grow bulbs are available which will fit a standard socket such as a desk lamp. This makes it easy to achieve the light you need to grow herbs indoors successfully.  

 

Herbs with similar water and light requirements can be combined into a single container such as this Bay Laurel, Basil and Parsley combination. There are many attractive clay or ceramic container options to plant herbs in, just be sure the container has good drainage.  Plan to feed your herb plants every other week with a mild fertilizer such as Neptune’s Harvest or Age Old Grow®. Herbs will do best if they are continuously harvested. Apart from cooking, herbs make great house plants. Pineapple Sage will flower, plus many herbs have relaxing fragrance, even when they are not blooming. An indoor herb garden allows you to enjoy the flavor and fragrance of fresh herbs year-round.