Master Gardener^sm Column for the Week of December 6, 2004
Judy Koehly
Brunswick County Extension Master Gardener^sm Volunteer

You still have time to plant or transplant trees, perennials, and shrubs. The cooler weather allows time for the roots to get established and grow before the heat of the summer takes its toll on the plant.

If you have a bed waiting for spring vegetables or flowers, now is the time to lime. It takes several months for the lime to be incorporated into the soil. It is best to take a soil sample (free kits available at local nurseries as well as at the Cooperative Extension Service) to determine how much lime, if any, and what nutrients and in what amount should be added to the soil. The soil in our area tends to be acidic due to the large number of pines, but sometimes the developer has brought in clay soil as fill and a soil test is necessary to determine the pH level.

An excellent way to protect your plants from the cold weather coming and also to add fertilizer at the same time is to mulch from the base of the plant (two inches out from trunk) out to the drip line with well-rotted manure (available by the bag at local nurseries) or compost can be used.

Now is a good time to clip away dead foliage left on daylilies. Pampas grass can be cut back to 12 inches from the ground; do not cut your hydrangeas back unless you know yours is the type that blooms on new wood. Most hydrangeas bloom on old wood and cutting them back now will destroy next year’s blooms. Evergreens can be shaped and trimmed now and put to use as holiday decorations.

Encourage branching with snapdragons, candytuft, bells of Ireland and stock by pinching out their central leader when about six inches tall. It’s not too late to plant spring bulbs--look for sales! Cut some camellia flowers to enjoy indoors. Pansies need to be watered all winter when it’s dry, but they do not like wet feet. Feed them on a regular basis and trim any leggy stems lightly to maintain maximum growth and blooms. Time to plant asparagus--two excellent rust-resistant varieties are ’Mary Washington’ and ‘Jersey Giant’.

Houseplants can use a winter rest so go easy on watering and cut back on fertilizing until spring. Pamper your poinsettia during and after the holidays by occasionally watering it with diluted fertilizer solution. Keep it in a location away from drafts and with indirect light. To keep your Christmas cactus blooming reduce waterings and place the plant in a sunny room that has temperatures around 70° F. To make more plants, simply snip leaf segments off from the ends of branches, place the cut ends in moist sand, and locate the plants to be in a warm area out of direct sunlight. Do remember to water your live Christmas tree frequently. Keep it outdoors in a pail of water until it is time to bring it in to decorate.

Drain your garden hoses and water pipes so they don’t freeze. Take inventory of repairs needed on lawn and garden equipment and schedule time for maintenance; avoid the spring rush!

Send your gardening questions or comments to: Brunswick County Master Gardener Column, P.O. Box 109, Bolivia, NC 28422, or call (910) 253-2610. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope if requesting information or a reply. Answers may be printed in this column.

For further information or assistance, please e-mail:
Charlie Spencer, Brunswick County Extension Master Gardener^smVolunteer

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Date Created 11/24/2004