By the time the first snow falls, most gardeners, having finished the fall clean up and planted their spring bulbs, are content to wait until spring to work in the garden again. If, however, you have no problem working in the snow or freezing temperatures you don’t need to put all those tools away just yet. Winter can be a busy time for gardeners so here is a gardening guide to help you get through winter.
Archive for December, 2009
Winter Gardening Tips
On December - 16 - 2009
Design your flower beds…
On December - 16 - 2009
to be about 5 feet deep to simplify maintenance.
A Quick Guide To Dividing Perennials
On December - 16 - 2009
Perennials which have become too large for their spot in the garden benefit from division during the fall. By dividing overgrown perennials allowing for increased air flow through the gardens, thus reducing the possibility to disease. Dividing perennials is also a great way to increase the number of plants in your garden. Follow these six steps when dividing your plants.
Work compost into your garden soil…
On December - 15 - 2009
to keep it rich, water retentive and high in nutrients.
Pruning Climbing Roses: The Basics
On December - 15 - 2009
1. Climbing roses should be pruned early in autumn, when dormant, to reduce damage during winter winds. Prune again in spring to remove any deadwood or stems which have broken over the winter.
2. Prune flowering stems by cutting on an angle approximately ¼ inch above a healthy bud. Prune the stems to about 2/3 their length.
To draw a visitor’s attention to…
On December - 14 - 2009
a particular area of the garden, consider using shrubs with contrasting colors or textures.
Variegated Evergreen Shrubs
On December - 13 - 2009
Evergreen shrubs provide the garden with year-round color and interest. Variegated varieties are perfect for brightening up a shady landscape. Some of the most popular varieties include Euonymus, Holly, and Arborvitae.
Wintercreeper Euonymus (Euonymus fortunei ‘Gracillimus’) is a creeping evergreen shrub with colorful white, green, and purple leaves. Clusters of insignificant, green flowers appear in May and June among small, lustrous, green leaves with yellow margins. This variegated evergreen shrub makes excellent groundcover and is a often planted as specimens or used in rock gardens and low-maintenance gardens. Its tough and will thrive in any well-drained border in sun or partial shade.
Weekly Garden Photo: Paradise Gardens
On December - 13 - 2009
Perennial gardens…
On December - 12 - 2009
prefer lighter mulches, such as buckwheat hulls, rather than heavier pine or hemlock bark mulches.
Improperly placed plants,…
On December - 11 - 2009
such as those planted too close to walkway, may require frequent pruning resulting in a misshaped tree or shrub.
