Newsletter - November 2009

Hi,

Are you thinking about holiday gifting? For special friends consider "Paper White" narcissus bulbs. After purchasing, put them in the fridge for two weeks, and then plant them in a pretty container. I like to use a bonsai container, or a shallow holiday bowl filled with white rock. Just set the bulbs on top, water and place them in bright light.. They should have buds set and ready for bloom by late December. Add a ribbon and you have an elegant gift. The trick is to start the process now, because if you wait much longer, the bulbs won't be ready in time. This is also a great time to collect herbs to flavor oils, vinegars, or even vodka. Four to six weeks are needed for the flavors to permeate the liquids then strain and bottle. It's also fun to search out fancy bottles and hand print labels. Doing these things now saves time when the festivities get crazy.

Plants also make wonderful gifts. Just be certain that the receiver will have the outdoor (indoor) space and sunlight to truly appreciate your thoughtfulness.

The subject that should truly be addressed this month is pruning. I know the trees are just beginning to lose leaves, but this may be a long process with our warmish air. Why not take advantage of the pleasant days rather than wait until it's too cold to be outside?

Fruit trees need to be thinned. Remove branches that are crossing through the tree and reduce the overall mass by no more than one- third. The one-third rule goes for all trees and shrubs and even lawn blades to prevent over-stressing the plant. Pay close attention to apples when pruning. Do not clean off the little side branches (spurs) on limbs. These are the branches that produce fruit. Some will produce one year, then trade off with the others the following year. Too many times I've been told of their removal and asked when the tree will give apples.

Grapes and maples must be pruned early to prevent excessive sap run-off, or "bleeding" which is the plant's growth response to warming spring weather. Right now, while the plant requires dormancy is the time to prune. For grapes, cut back hard and keep just a few buds for next year. Maples need to be pruned to shape, to thin for air circulation, and to keep proper proportion for the garden. The proportion is subjective, so decide how you want the tree to behave and prune accordingly.

All plants need some pruning for growth training. If you want to direct growth to the sides as for a hedge or spreading tree, prune the tops. If you're trying to raise the height, remove the lower branches (no more than one-third). This is really important if you need shade, or privacy. Watch the removal of limbs on citrus though as they tend to produce on the lower branches especially while young.

Yes, you should also think about doing the roses now, but if you do, expect that the cold weather will extend their dormancy for longer that six weeks. I still prefer to prune them on a cold day in January. Just don't neglect them as roses bloom most profusely on new growth. Who wants a gangly, rangy eight foot tall rose bush?

Plants that should absolutely be ignored for pruning right now include anything that blooms in winter or spring such as camellias, azaleas, lilacs, forsythia, flowering quince, wisteria, spiraea, and snowball viburnum. You'll remove flowering buds if you prune now. Always wait until a flowering shrub is done blooming before attacking with loppers and shears. I'd also hold off on evergreen foliage because in clement weather, a plant responds to pruning with new growth. These leaves will be soft and tender and easily damaged when the temperature drops. The damage will stress your plant, so again, wait until spring.

Don't neglect to clean up the pruned droppings. Branches and foliage on the ground will harbor insects, spiders and rodents. It's safe to burn, or re-cycle the branches unless they're diseased. In that case, prune them small enough to bag and put them in the garbage. Sterilize your tools with a bleach/water solution after pruning a diseased plant. If your lawn is infected with fungus or a virus, sterilize the bottom of your shoes and the mower blades.

Enjoy your time outside pruning and reshaping your garden. The plants and maybe the neighbors will thank you.