JOHNSTON COUNTY HOME HORTICULTURE

• Take soil samples  for your growing areas.  We have free kits.  Learn exactly how much lime and fertilizer you need to apply to maximize plant health.  This helps your wallet too because you don't spend your money on any fertilizer or lime you don't need.  

• Judiciously prune evergreens to use for winter decorations in the house. Rather than randomly hacking off some greenery, cut out unwanted limbs that you'd be pruning in February anyway. (Still, save your major pruning for late winter and for those you do cut, make the cut above a bud or side branch and keep an eye on the overall shape of the plant.) Holly, Magnolia, Cedar, and Nandina foliage will last a long time after cutting.
• Many landscape shrubs can be propagated from hardwood cuttings, including American holly and junipers .  http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-8702.html
  
• Prevent winter damage to plants from dessication (drying), freezing (and thawing), and breakage from ice and snow loads. Keep plants watered during dry periods. Read 'How to Protect Plants from Cold Damage' at  http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-604.html
  
• Mulch shrubs, trees, perennials, and herbs after the first killing frost for winter protection. Apply a layer 3" deep. This is an excellent time to mulch, since most perennials are dormant and it's easy to get a wheelbarrow into the garden.  Mulch comparisons and general info: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-608.html
• Want to know how much mulch you need to buy to cover your area?  Check out 'Mulch Math' at http://hort.ufl.edu/fyn/maximize-mulch.htm
  
• Weed out "weed" trees and shrubs. Prolifically-seeding plants like oak, elm, mimosa , hackberry, plum, and ligustrum (privet) produce numerous offspring which compete with other landscape plants for light, water and nutrients. Weedy woody seedlings are easier to remove while still young.
• Need help selecting and caring for your holiday tree?  Check out Holiday Tree Selection and Care
  
• Put your cut Holiday tree to use!  Cut the branches and lay them over perennials to protect them from the cold. Shred small branches to make mulch.

• Check holiday and gift plants for insects before locating them near your other plants.
  
• Keep poinsettias healthy.  Check out the Poinsettia Selection & Care Sheet

• Water completely (moisten all soil in pot) only when needed.  They don't like wet feet.	Keep the temp in their favored range of 60-75°F.
  Place in bright light of S,W or E facing window.	Keep out of drafts, ie. from your heating system, near fireplaces.

• Force Amaryllis, Paperwhites  and Hyacinths indoors.
  
• Paperwhites - http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-8530.html
• Hyacinths - http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-8507.html
• Amaryllis - http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-8529.html

Thanks to the Durham County Extension Office and 'Successful Gardener' for their generous contributions to this list.