January 2019 Tips

Dear Gardening Friends, Happy New Year and I hope you all have a healthy 2019. Looks like our weird weather is continuing into the winter. The following are some winter tips: -With the lack of snow cover, (at least so far) it’s important to protect your plants from temperature fluctuations. An easy way to do this is to lightly cover plants that were new this year or have shallow roots. A few options are: - Pine boughs – they make an easy and excellent winter mulch. I went around last weekend and clipped branches from discarded Christmas trees, then placed them over plants that needed protection. You can also check out your local the dump (where the village/town takes all the trees) and cut enough for the whole yard in a short time. It’s a wonderful way to get some quick and easy mulch. So take advantage of this free resource. - Straw – can be used in the same way and purchased at a garden or farm supply store. The important thing is not to use hay which would drop seeds and turn your garden into a hayfield. Trust me, I speak from experience! - This is a good time to prune away any branches that have been damaged from winter wind. - Picking up downed branches and debris is always a good winter job. Houseplants: This is the time of year when some houseplants are probably needing a little attention. - Trim off yellowing/ browning leaves or branches. - Give your plants a shower to wash off the dust. Either in the sink or tub. Misting the plants that you can’t move helps. - Check for insects. If there is sticky residue on leaves or areas under a plant that is a sign of scale, aphid or white fly. Check on line at a”.edu” site for what to do. - By mid-February you can start repotting and taking cuttings of overwintering annuals or houseplants. - If your plant has a white crusty residue on the soil or water runs righty through the pot when you water, the plant should be repotted. Use a good lightweight potting mix. Misc.: - This is a good time to look through catalogues and plan for the upcoming season. - Don’t just look at the pretty flowers in catalogues, be sure to match any plants you plan to use to the growing conditions you have. Educational Opportunities: What better way to spend a winter’s day than attending a gardening class. It will help you improve your gardening and get you in the mood for spring. There are 2 excellent Master Gardener events coming up. Annual Spring Bloom Classes February 2 nd at The Buffalo Niagara heritage Museum and February 23 rd at the Unitarian Universalist Church on Delaware. Both are from 9 – 2:30. Topics will be the same both days: Landscape Design Do’s and Don’ts Garden Rx, Prescription for Healthy Plants Vegetable Gardening, Grow Your Own Cost $25. Register on line at: https://reg.cornell.edu/InBloom_214 or call Jolie at CCE, 652-5400 ext: 176. MG Education Day Saturday March 16, 2019 at Classics V on Niagara Falls Blvd., 9-3. The cost is, $45 for MG’s out of county and $55 for the public. Hot buffet lunch included. There will also be an excellent basket raffle. There are 3 excellent speakers who you won’t want to miss. This day will help you with your major gardening issues, soil, insects and critter damage. Register on line at: https://reg.cornell.edu or call Jolie at CCE, 652-5400 ext: 176. We anticipate another sold out event so get your tickets soon. Tickets go on sale Feb. 1 st . Managing Munching Mammals by: Dr. Paul Curtis, from Cornell If you’ve ever had a problem with deer, rabbits, woodchucks, moles, voles and other furry critters this program is for you Get the Dirt on Soil by Bob Shindelbeck, from Cornell Healthy soil is the key to having a healthy garden and landscape. Learn what healthy soil really means and how to achieve it. What’s Bugging Your Garden: The Good, the Bad And the Not So Ugly by Dr. Wayne Gall Insects are a necessary part of life yet we often love to hate them. Dr. Gall is one of the most recognized experts on insects in New York State. He will show us how to identify the “good guys”, i.e. beneficial insects and what to do about the “bad guys” in our gardens and landscape. Trust me, you won’t want to miss this amazing and fun day. Winter Garden Consultations: If you’re planning changes in your landscape this coming season getting an early start by planning now will be helpful. Having a Garden Consultation in the winter is a good way to start. Just call me for an appointment. 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