| Tree and Shrub Planting |
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| Seasonal Insights |
| The unusually warm autumn months have been beneficial for Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue. These cool-season grasses have remained green and continue to accumulate food reserves in their root system that will sustain the turf until next spring. However, the lack of rainfall is placing many lawns in drought stress. Both lawns and landscape plants must have adequate moisture in the root zone during winter. Otherwise, cold, drying winds can cause widespread damage that may not be seen until spring. |
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| If warm weather has stimulated buds on trees and shrubs to open, growth and flowering may be limited in spring. Forthcoming cold weather will likely freeze those buds, which may lead to odd-looking leaves when the plants begin to grow next spring. This should be a temporary effect and won't hurt the plant's long-term beauty. |
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| A Good Starting Place |
| Winter is a good time to learn more about your landscape plants. There are some excellent books available at your local library and in bookstores. Also, most states, through their land grant university, publish useful tips on growing and maintaining the landscape. You can contact the local cooperative extension service office to get a list of available publications. |
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| Landscape Projects |
| This is a good time to prune many plants. Now that the leaves have fallen, it's much easier to see crossing branches and other plant growth best reduced or removed to maintain the shape of your trees and shrubs. Wait to prune spring-flowering plants, such as azaleas, rhododendrons and crabapples, until after they bloom in the spring. If you prune them now, you will remove the buds for this spring's blossoming. |
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| Burning bush, privet and other plant species that are grown primarily for their foliage also benefit from winter pruning. Avoid pruning burning bush in the late spring, as it can stress the plant and increase leaf drop during the summer months. For best results, prune this particular plant before it begins to grow in the spring. |
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| Watering Wisely |
| Most parts of the Midwest have suffered from a lack of rainfall this past fall. Dry weather reduces growth and causes premature leaf drop on trees, especially relatively young plant material. Unfortunately, the effects of drought may not be seen on your plants until next year. |
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| It takes two full growth seasons for newly planted trees and shrubs to become fully established. It is essential to maintain adequate moisture in the root zone of these plants. If the root zone is too dry, even trees and shrubs that have lost their leaves are susceptible to winter injury. Evergreens such as pines, spruce, taxus, and azaleas are most at risk if they go into the winter without enough moisture. While it may seem odd to water lawns and ornamental plants so late in the year, very dry soil in the late fall can be just as damaging as a midsummer drought. |
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| Tips for the Landscape |
| Trees and shrubs are healthiest when turf grasses do not grow right up to the trunk. Remove turf in a three- to five-foot ring around the plant to provide a better environment for plant growth. Add two to three inches of mulch at the base of your plants but keep the mulch a couple of inches away from the trunk of trees. This will keep the bark dry and minimize organisms that cause decay. |
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| Be Aware |
| Be cautious when using any ice-melting products on your walks or driveways this winter. While such products judiciously melt the ice and protect your plants at the same time, keep in mind that they all have the potential of harming turf grasses and ornamentals. To prevent injury, avoid using too much product or allowing the salt brine to run into a particular area where it is highly concentrated. |
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| Rainy Day Projects |
| It can be fun to grown your own annuals for the flower garden. There are many seed catalogs available that offer some unique plants for your particular area. You may want to explore ways to start plants in the basement using grow lights. Once the threat of freezing weather is past in the spring, plant them outside to enjoy all season long. |
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