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If you would like to find out more about the danger of the Asian Long Horned Beetle, visit the CFIA website in Canada or The University of Vermont website in the U.S. |
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  Section
of tree damaged
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Tips for Zone 5B-6
| January | Catalogue time! As you gaze out on to a
frozen landscape, you can begin your plans for the Spring, and the
easiest place to start is
by looking through the many catalogues.
If you need a "Plant shot", go to your local nursery and wander around the indoor plant section. Sort through pots and seed kits, and make sure that everything has been disinfected. Start slow to germinate seeds in late
January. |
| February | Clean and disinfect any old seed trays, boxes, etc. not previously done; Prepare containers for propagation of plants from cuttings (Impatiens, Geraniums), and make cuttings. Review new catalogues for outstanding plants and place early orders; review stock of gardening aids such as gloves and boots. |
| March | Fertilize shade trees, evergreens and
ground covers. Begin removing winter mulch from flower beds. Remove
damaged branches from trees and shrubs. Apply dormant oil to fruit
trees and ornamentals. Thoroughly rake and fertilize the lawn, and
treat with a pre-emergent weed killer. Transplant
deciduous trees and shrubs while still dormant. Cut back ornamental
grasses.
Prune summer flowering vines. Top of Page |
| April | Gradually remove mulch from roses. Plant
shrubs,
trees and hedges. Apply pre-emergence crabgrass killer to lawn.
Transplant
biennials into garden. Repair lawn damage with seed and top soil. Plant
peas,
radishes and onions. Spray for birch leaf miner. Inspect Roses for
insects
or disease. Spray if required. Top of Page |
| May | Make lattice for vines. Transfer bedding
annuals
to outside cold frame to harden. Check trees for tent caterpillars and
other insects. Remove faded flower heads from tulips and daffodils.
Prune trees and shrubs after flowering. Spray lawn with herbicides.
Fertilize lawns. Plant
corn, beans, squash, strawberries and raspberries. Harvest asparagus. Top of Page |
| June | Prune evergreens and hedges. Use grass
clippings
and compost on garden to conserve moisture and control weeds. Thin
annuals and vegetables. Fertilize annuals with water soluble 20-20-20.
Stake tall perennials. Pinch back chrysanthemums. Remove faded rose
blooms; inspect for
insect damage and spray accordingly. Water Silver Birch (a nice,
long
soak) to help ward off pest and disease problems. Top of Page |
| July | Fertilize vegetables and annuals
with water soluble 10-20-20. Hoe plant beds lightly. Pinch back
straggly annuals. Water
plants thoroughly through dry spells, preferably from underneath.
Harvest
berry fruits. Remove dead blooms from all flowers, it will encourage
them
to rebloom. Soak moisture loving plants (Astilbe, Hydrangea, Ferns)
regularly
once a week during really hot weather. Top of Page |
| August | Prune climbing roses; inspect for
blackspot, spray if needed. Lift and divide Iris. If catalogues have
arrived, plan and order fall bulbs. Spray shrubs and flowers for
powdery mildew. Continue to water plants through hot dry spells -
5 minutes sprinkling with the hose is
not a thorough watering!) Top of Page |
| September | Prepare and seed new lawns. Rake, aerate
and feed established lawns. Plant evergreens. Prune outdoor hydrangeas.
Plant lilies (lillium). Move and plant peonies. If not previously done,
plan and purchase Spring bulb collection. Continue to control black
spot on roses with fungicidal sprays. Drop mower blades to 1.5" . Top of Page |
| October | Remove diseased leaves from roses and
burn; rake
summer mulch away from roses and replace with top dressing of well
rotted
manure. Plant flowering trees and shrubs. Drop lawn mower blades as low
as
they will go. Rake leaves and add to compost. Continue to mow lawn
until
freeze-up. Top of Page |
| November | Tidy perennial border. Cut down
spent plants, chop up and add to compost. Rake up dry leaves and drift
over beds. Prune long rose shoots to prevent wind damage. Trim whippy
ends of clematis. Tie
up climbing roses. Top of Page |
| December | And you thought the gardening season was
over? Ha! Continue to mow lawn until freeze-up. Plant Spring bulbs. Depending upon temperatures and snowfall, there are still outdoor tasks. If you did not yet cover your roses, this is a good time. (I like to use half-filled bags of dry leaves around plants that need a little winter protection. The leaves act as an insulator and the bags keep them from blowing about and creating nesting places for rodents and plant pests.) If youhave not yet wrapped your evergreens, you should do so before a heavy snowfall causes damage. If the evergreens are in a location that will get seconhand road-salt spray, you should burlap wrap them. Otherwise you can use the fine, black netting sold for this purpose. Top of Page Don't forget to winterize your lawnmower - drain the oil pan; use a syphon to extract the remaining gas. Clean the blades thoroughly and rub them down with an oily rag. If you feel really ambitious, you could sharpen the blades, then you won't have to do it in the Spring. NOTE: Brian Wilson, of All Seasons Small
Engines says: Bring in all patio plastic pots - most do not withstand the extreme cold, and may crack. This also applies to terracotta, but some large containers may not be moveable. You may have to wrap to help protect them. If your garden attracts birds, remember to try to have a water source for them. There are some dandy bird bath heaters available. Collect evergreen boughs to make wreathes and other decorations. Remember to keep the humidity up for your
indoor
plants - we tend to forget that our green friends do not enjoy an
overly
dry indoor environment. You can do this very simply by setting your
plant
pot on its saucer - on top of a large shallow tray filled with pebbles
and
water. The moisture evaporating from the pebble tray will provide
humidity
to the plant immediately above it. |
Top of Page
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