By RICHARD POFFENBAUGH News Journal It is not too late to plant a tree if weather conditions are favorable. Usually they can be planted into early December. Of course, if very cold temperatures arrive and remain for an extended time, I would wait until spring.
In recent years we have had good weather conditions in late November. Anymore, you don't have a clue what lies ahead with the weather. Wait and see, then make a decision. I prefer fall planting because soil conditions are much better. A tree that is slow to form roots is best delayed until spring.
I plan to transplant a young (3 feet tall) shagbark hickory tree in the spring because the growth is very slow. Spring will give the roots a better environment for growth. The tree has been growing in my vegetable garden, where it is protected by fencing and I have given it a lot of TLC. I have waited four years for it to reach the size to move.
The challenge is to dig out the long tap root without breaking it. It could be 20 inches or more in length, but this is only a guess. The longer the root, the tougher the digging.
A report will be given here next spring on this transplanting process. It will be moved to Mansfield Memorial Park where it will have a good permanent home.
How late in the season should newly planted trees and shrubs be watered if it has been dry?
A: Continue to water until the soil freezes. It's important such trees go into the winter with good soil moisture. Give special attention to evergreens as they are very sensitive to water loss. Also give water to trees and shrubs planted in 2006, they do not have fully developed roots and need water to remain healthy. Water slowly to avoid runoff and permit water to slowly seep down to the root zone.
Should the hydrangea Annabelle be pruned back in the fall? Does it have flower buds now for flowers next year?
A: Annabelle flowers on new wood, which means it has no flower buds now for next year.
Therefore, you can cut the tall stems back now to about 4 or 5 inches above the ground. As with most roses, new stems grow in the spring and produce the flower buds. The great advantage of buds on new wood is there is no winter bud damage because they haven't yet developed.
Next year I want to grow a giant size tomato, pumpkin or squash. What are the most important steps to take for starting such a project?
A: Whether you want to do this for fun or for competition in a contest, there are two basic beginning steps. First, select only a plant variety that has the genetic ability to produce large fruits. It is futile to grow something large that is destined to be average in size. Second, limit the plant to only a single fruit. Thus all the energy goes into a single specimen for maximum growth. If you begin with these two steps, you are off to a good start.
Supplement this with the ultimate in care, feeding, watering, mulching, etc. When selecting the single fruit to grow, make sure it is the best one on the plant in terms of shape, color, lack of defects, etc.
That causes worms and the hole in a hickory nut?
A: The small hole is made by a beetle called a hickory weevil. A weevil has a long snout. There are teeth at the end of the snout for making a hole in the nut. The male weevil makes the hole for the female to lay an egg.
The egg hatches into a grub or larva that feeds on the hickory kernel. Eventually it leaves the nut and overwinters in the soil. In summer it emerges from the soil as an adult weevil and cycle is repeated. Some years there are more weevils than other years.
Thanksgiving flowers
Few indoor flowering plants will add as much color as a pot of florist mums. This time of the year, the outdoor garden mums are gone. Now is the time to enjoy those grown in a greenhouse, called florist mums.
A pot or two of florist mums can be a good choice for Thanksgiving decorations. They are available throughout the year with yellow and pink/lavender as the most popular colors. Other colors include bronze, white and red. The only missing color is blue.
If you want to extend the longevity of mums, purchase a plant with some flower buds not open. The great value of a potted mum is the extended bloom period. With proper care, it will provide color for up to a month.
A mum lasts longer in cooler temperatures. If possible, provide a half day of sun or bright light. Keep soil evenly moist. When watering, add enough so it drains out of the pot into a saucer. Then empty water from the saucer.
A florist mum is discarded after flowering. It is not hardy, so won't survive if transplanted outdoors.
Richard Poffenbaugh is a retired biology teacher and active home gardener since 1960. He is a member of the Mansfield Men's Garden Club and was editor of the club newsletter (The Greenhorn) for 21 years. He lives in Ontario with his wife, Barbara.
Source : http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071120/LIFESTYLE/71120030
