February 2016 Tips

Dear Gardening Friends, There have been a lot of questions about how this mild weather is affecting plants. People have mentioned their spring bulbs coming up, even blooming. Forsythia was blooming in December and some hellebores including some of mine are in bloom now. I even noticed a perennial bachelor’s button starting to sprout the other day. How will this affect the plants this spring and what can we do about it? Good question and a lot will depend on what the winter is like. Right now most horticulturists are saying “it depends”. If we continue with the unusually warm weather then it turns severely cold in early spring there could be a lot of damage to buds and emerging perennials. In reality, a good snow cover like we had last year, is ideal for the plants. It provides a consistent “blanket” of protection from fluctuating temperatures. That’s why so many plants were big and healthy with lots of flowers last season. The stress of the freezing and thawing can weaken a plant. Some shallow rooted plants or those planted in the fall will actually heave out of the soil. This causes the roots to dry out and may even kill the pant. So, is there anything you can do to help your plants survive this unusual winter weather? Yes! Spring bulbs will probably be fine. The foliage can handle the cold temps and the flower buds are underground where they are protected. As for perennials with the potential for heaving, a covering of mulch will help protect the roots. You can use conifer branches saved from Christmas trees, straw, mulch, compost or garden soil as well as landscape fabric. Just make sure to uncover the plants when the temperature warms up in the spring. If a plant has heaved out of the soil besides protecting it now with mulch replant it as soon as the soil is workable in the spring.  The same thing can be done to protect the crown of any perennials that have started growing. I put a few conifer branches over my bachelor buttons but any of the above mulches would also work. If, like me, you don’t cut back perennials in the fall those remaining plant crowns serve as a natural protective mulch overt the winter and plants are less likely to be damaged. With the fluctuating temperatures of the last number of years that may be a consideration for you in the future. Flowering trees or shrubs suitable for our growing zone should be fine baring a late freeze. They can handle some temperature fluctuation. However many gardens have trees and shrubs from outside their natural growing zone.  They could be protected with a shrub coat or burlap wrap. If it’s a short term cold snap they can be covered with towels or blankets. Most lawns should get through fairly well. The warm fall gave existing and newly planted grass plenty of time to set down a good root system. If it gets warm enough for the grass to start growing and then we get a hard freeze for an extended period that could lead to damage. It’s important not to walk on grass while the soil is soft or frozen. This is another example of how snow cover can be protective. Walking on the snow covered grass cushions the foot falls. The bottom line is most plants should be fine baring extreme weather events during the rest of the winter. As I said in the beginning…it all depends. We can’t control Mother Nature! Upcoming Gardening Events: Master Gardener Education Day Saturday, March 12th at Classics V Banquet Center. *Tickets are selling very fast and there aren’t many left. If you’d like to attend please register  soon. Also if you want to take advantage of ordering 2 books from Timber Press, orders have to  be in by 2/12. An outline of the days events is: - Kerry Ann Mendez the author of many gardening books will give 2 presentations:  10 Tips for Growing as Beautiful, Sustainable Flower Garden and Three Seasons of  Outrageous Perennial Color. - Donald Leopold, Dr. Leopold is the author of several books including Native Plants  of the Northeast. He will give a presentation on Native Plants for a Sustainable Landscape. DETAILS: - The day will run from 8:30 to 3:00 and include a full buffet lunch. - Cost is $50 which includes lunch. - Participants will have the opportunity to order any 2 books of their choice at a 25%  - To register go to (erie.cce.cornell.edu) or call the Cornell Cooperative Extension at discount from Timber Press and/or Storey. When you register you will get the details. You can check their website at: (http://www.timberpress.com/) Books must be ordered by Feb. 12th. 652-5400, ext: 177. Erie Co. Soil and Water Tree & Shrub Sale: The annual Erie Co. Soil and Water Tree & Shrub sale has begun. Orders must be placed by 3/18 and plant pick up is 4/23. There are 11 varieties of Transplants - 34 varieties of Seedlings, and Seedling Combination Packs: Native NY Wildlife plants for birds, & butterflies, and Nut Trees.  Check their website for order forms. Happy Gardening! Lyn Chimera Lessons from Nature 170 Pine St., E. Aurora, NY 14052 716-652-2432 [email protected] Copyright © 2014 Lessons From Nature, All rights reserved. You're receiving this message because you requested to receive Lessons from Nature newsletters. Our mailing address is: Lessons from Nature 37 N Union Rd Williamsville, NY 14221 Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences