BIG WOODS GARDEN CENTER AND NURSERY

NEWSLETTER

Mid November / Holidays 2011

Things to be done:
         Apply deer control tablets to beds, trees, etc., to provide protection through fall and winter.
    Plant spring flowering bulbs now, through mid November. Lift tuberous begonias, cannas, dahlias. Dust with sulfur and store in kitty litter in a dry storage area.
    Bring in tender plants and tropicals now, prior to cool weather. Some leaf drop will be noted.
    Plant trees, shrubs, perennials, etc. now, through early December. Keep all newly planted material watered through November/ early December if temperatures are above normal.
    Start major transplanting through the end of November for perennials, evergreens, and shrubs. Wait until mid November for shade and flowering trees.
    Lawns – Apply winter slow release fertilizer. Apply lime (check pH before applying).
    Landscape areas – Apply fertilizer to all beds, trees, perennials and shrubs. Use specific formulas of granular material. Apply winter protective spray to all broad-leafed evergreens – very important application to lessen winter damage. Air temperatures must be above 40ºF.
    Watering – continue to water landscape plantings from 2011 until the weather turns cold. This should lessen any damage due to extreme winter weather conditions.
    If you plan on doing any landscaping or lawn renovations in 2012 start researching your project(s) now.
Start the New Year with an IPM program for your landscape material and lawns – call the nursery for a free quote.
  
Materials are available at the nursery

Christmas Shop
   Our Shop is open November 26th. We will then be open Monday - Thursday 9:30 to 5- Friday 9:30 - 7:30 - Saturday and Sunday 9:30 - 6.  Visit us for holiday gifts or to select your live plantable Christmas tree. Come choose from our fresh cut, premium quality #1 rated Fraser Firs.  Choose from our selection of florist quality poinsettias, wreaths, roping, grave covers and much more. Need a special gift for a loved one or friend? We’ve got them. As one of our customers recently noted “you are selling Hallmark quality at Big Lots prices!” Come in and see for yourself. Many are musical. There are always many unadvertised specials.
Santa will be here weekends starting November 27th from 10:30 - 3:30. Bring your camera!

Weather Conditions - This will be a year of extremes. Records have already been set for hottest days, wettest September / fall, record snowfall for the year, and many areas received record snowfall for the month of October, as well as many less impressive records. AND we still have 1½ months of weather left this year.
The cold, rain, sleet and snow that our area received on 10/29 has caused some major problems with many evergreens and non evergreens. Premature foliage dieback in non-evergreens is very noticeable. At this time no one can tell what permanent damage may result from that day's weather.
Make sure to keep your plantings well watered in late November. Our local weather has turned dry and watering is required. The plants roots must go into cold temperatures well watered or the plants will be damaged with a cold dehydration.

Winter Protection - 101- A gradual decrease in temperatures and day length increase a plant's ability to withstand colder temperatures. However, a sudden drop (such as what we had on 10/28) to below freezing temps from a period of abnormal warm weather can damage plants. Other factors that may make your plants more susceptible to cold injury include inadequate nutrition, disease or insect damage. Also avoid pruning and fertilizing trees, shrubs and groundcover until late fall/ early winter to lessen any flush of tender growth which is not cold hardy.
Evergreens are very susceptible to desiccation caused by the drying effect of the wind and sun when water loss exceeds the uptake of water by the roots. Make sure your landscapes are well watered in to late fall. The use of anti- desiccants will help protect your plantings from such conditions. Apply your spray when the air temperatures are still above 40º. Wait as long as you can to apply the spray (late fall/ early winter). Apply when the outlook for wet weather is at least 48 hours after the application. Apply late morning on a sunny day if possible. Knowing how severe our recent winter weather has been for the last few years, I strongly suggest this application. Fertilize in late November.

New Landscaping – Fall is a very good time to do planting. Landscape material can be safely planted through mid November. Make sure to water your newly planted material on a regular basis through mid December. Mulch the material to protect it from winter conditions and apply a winter protective spray if the evergreen is semi hardy for our area. The newly planted material will be established by June 2008. lessening the need for frequent watering that would be required for stock planted in the spring.

Live Plantable Christmas trees – Now is the time to select your live plantable Christmas tree. Depending upon the variety your tree could stand 20+ feet tall and be as much as 15 feet wide. Make sure you leave enough room for the tree to grow. Most trees would like to have a sunny location to grow in. Make sure the area is well drained. Add topsoil and peat moss if your soil is sandy. Prepare the planting hole in November so the ground is not frozen when you are ready to plant in December. More details for the total care of your live plantable tree are available at the farm.

Garden Center and Nursery News
    The Garden Center is open by appointment only during January and February. Please contact the nursery at (609) 758-8002 to set up any appointments. Feel free to contact me with any landscaping or lawn care questions. I will do my best to reply within 48 hours of your inquiry. Our display areas contain a limited amount of nursery stock for your winter projects or to add to the ‘winter colors’ of some of the plantings you are thinking about using in your landscape for 2008. Depending upon ground conditions, nursery material may be available from our fields. Someone is usually here on weekends but it is always best to call ahead to confirm our weekend operating hours.

Thank you – The Marinari Family wishes all of our most valued customers the very best of holiday seasons. May the New Year bring you good health and prosperity.
     

                                    Happy Holidays and  Be Well,   Herb