February 2017 Tips

Dear Gardening Friends,   It looks like the fluctuating weather this winter is continuing. Last week it felt like spring was right around the corner. This week is a reality check that it is still only the middle of February. However, there are some garden chores you can get a start on.   Planning, looking through catalogs and online for plant ideas is a wonderful way to pass the time. Just be sure your plant choices are appropriate for the environment you have. It’s much easier to select an appropriate plant than try and alter the environment or grow a plant where it won’t thrive.   Studies (and common sense) tell us that if a plant is not grown in the proper site it will be weakened and susceptible to insects and disease. Right Plant, Right Place is not a gardener’s mantra for nothing!   This is a good time to prune most trees and shrubs. Look for: Dead or damaged limbs or branches Branches that have grown and are a safety hazard or just in the way Branches that are crossing and rubbing against each other Shaping to control size Pruning to let more light and air flow into the canopy If you have a planting of shrubs that is seriously overgrown it may be better to remove one or more of the shrubs rather than try and keep them pruned to a smaller and unnatural size. Do NOT: Prune spring flowering trees or shrubs. The blossom buds are set and pruning now will eliminate this spring’s bloom. Prune after they bloom. Leave stubs. Whether pruning a tree or shrub make the cut just above a leaf bud or branch.   For specific plant pruning information check online at a “.edu” site.   Even though this has been a mild winter I have had more deer damage than ever. They have even eaten some of my ferns and dug through what little snow we had to get at the epimediums. Both these plants have never been eaten before. For quick deer protection just toss some heavy duty deer netting over the plant.   Be mindful of not stepping in the garden beds or even on the grass when the ground is soft. The soil is easily compacted under these conditions.   For those of you who grow vegetables, Cornell has just published their Selected List of Vegetables for Gardeners in NYS 2017. Get information at: vegvariety.cce.cornell.edu   Educational Opportunities: This is the time of year when there is a wealth of gardening classes and events.   Bloom Classes: The annual Communities in Bloom Classes presented by the Master Gardeners of Erie Co. are 2 identical days of classes in 2 locations, 8:30 – 2:30, covering: Soil, Composting, Sees Starting, Winter Sowing and Pruning. All sessions will have a hands-on component.                                 Sat. Feb. 18th at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 695 Elmwood                                 Sat. Feb. 25th at Cornell Cooperative Extension, 21 S. Grove St., E. Aurora                                 Cost: $20, walk ins welcome                   Master Gardener Education Day: Open to the public for the 2nd year. Last year sold out so get your tickets soon! The day includes a hot buffet lunch and basket raffle.                         Sat., March 18th, 8:30 – 3:00, Classics V banquet Center, Niagara Falls Blvd., Amherst, NY.                 Two outstanding speakers: Ellen Ecker Odgen: author of 5 books including, “The Complete Kitchen Garden”. She will do 2 presentations on Kitchen Gardens and Garden Design. Dr. Toni DiTommaso a professor of Weed Ecology at Cornell Univ. will speak on weed identification and management.   Plantasia: The annual spring garden show. March 22 – 26 at the Hamburg Fair Grounds. There are many garden related vendors, display gardens and plant society information booths, flower show as well as free workshops during each day. I will be doing a presentation on Thurs. 23rd at 2:00 on Container Gardening. If you have any gardening questions stop by the Master Gardener booth. For more info go to: https://plantasiany.com/   Ithaca Native Landscaping Symposium: An excellent 2 day symposium on native plants, March 10 – 11. For more info go to: www.ithacanativelandscape.com   Pruning Consultation: Now is a good time to prune those trees and shrubs. If you would like to learn how, call for an appointment, 652-2432.                 Happy Gardening!   Lyn Chimera Lessons from Nature 170 Pine St. E. Aurora, NY 14052 [email protected] 652-2432       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