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by Rett Davis | |
Gardening Q&A by Rett Davis appears in
Alamance County's daily newspaper, The Times-News,
every Sunday in the Accent section. Each week's installment is
posted to this
website, beginning with January of this year. Scroll to the bottom of
this page to navigate to other Gardening Q&As. Please contact
Rett via e-mail with questions
or
comments in regard to this column.
Answer:
Drastic pruning such as this should be done in late winter and
not now. One reason is to prevent winter injury from very cold
temperatures. Early winter pruning of this nature predisposes plants to
winter injury if the temperatures drop to single digits. Another reason
not to prune now is that you would remove much needed cover for birds
and other wildlife. Birds need the cover that thick evergreen shrubs
provide in the winter. Evergreen plants provide a shield of protection
from wind, rain, and sleet. Take my adivce and put this project off
until late February or March. Besides who wants to look at shrub stumps
for the next 4 months.
Question:
I have just now got around to clearing off an old building
site and cleaning it up. It is about an acre in size. What can I sow
on this to prevent the soil from washing at this time of the year?
Answer:
Very few seeded plants will germinate now. You best shot would
be to plant 2 bushels of winter wheat over the entire area. That would
equate to about 100 pounds of wheat. Wheat is very cold tolerant and
will germinate the fastest. In addition I would add 50 pounds of
Kentucky 31 fescue. Although the fescue will not germinate this winter,
it will survive and come up in the spring. The wheat will die out in
June leaving the fescue for a permanent cover. If possible culitpak the
wheat and fescue seed after sowing to enhance germination. Wheat is
purchased at farm supplies.
Question:
Is it to cold to continue planting trees and shrubs? Should I
wait until springtime to finish my landscape?
Answer:
It is not too cold to plant trees and shrubs. You are still
better off planting now as opposed to spring. As long as the ground is
not frozen or too wet you can plant. Be sure to water the newly set
plants after planting. This should be all that is needed for this
winter. Plants are dormant now and winter rains will help them get
established in their new home.
Question:
My husband is an avid gardener and outdoorsman. What would be
the most practical and useful Christmas present I could get him this
year?
Answer:
I quess when one is in this line of work you can expect these
types of questions. Believe it or not, this is not an uncommon request
at this time of the year. After almost 30 years of doing this job I can
honestly say a back pack sprayer has been one of the most practical and
often used piece of equipment that I have. I use it to spray shrubs,
vegetable plants, poison ivy, and even clean the siding on my home.
Most back pack sprayers will hold 3 gallons of spray material. The
ability to carry this much spray on your back is very time saving. The
design of a back pack sprayer allows you adjust the pressure as you
spray by simply pumping a small handle while you work. You do not have
to remove the sprayer from your back or stop what you are doing. You
can actually increase the pressure while spraying at the same time.
Back pack sprayers last for years and are easy to clean. In addition
you can change nozzle spray tips which makes this a very versatile piece
of equipment. Back pack sprayers can be purchased for less than $100.
I am fond of the Solo brand but there are others I am sure of equal
quality. These sprayers are available at several lawn and garden stores
and farm supplies in the county.
BEEKEEPING COURSE
.
Gardening Q&A Navigation Options
If you have any horticultural questions, please direct them to Rett Davis
An introductory course in beekeeping will be taught by members or the
Alamance Beekeeping Association beginning January 21st. The classes
will be held each Tuesday evening through March 29th beginning at 7 pm.
Cost is $5 a person. Classes will be held in the Agricultural Building,
209 N Graham Hopedale Rd. in Burlington. Contact Don Moore at 584-3195
for details.
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