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Old Newspapers Can "Smother" Wild Strawberries!
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One of the best things about writing this column is the feedback that it generates from readers like you.
Recently, I included a question from a reader who was getting increasingly frustrated by the continued reappearance of wild strawberries that seemed impossible to eradicate. I asked if any readers were facing the same problem and if so, what remedies they were trying. A few days ago I received the following message via e-mail:
"In response to a previous question regarding wild strawberries, I am also trying to rid an area of them. I don't want to use chemicals so I am trying to smother them out by laying down newspaper (3 or 4 sheets thick, making sure it overlaps) then covering the paper with mulch or compost. Not only do I hope to kill the wild strawberries (only because it borders my flower bed) but I am amending the soil at the same time by adding organic matter. We'll see what happens come spring!" - Debbie Burgart
Thank you for the idea, Debbie. Please be sure to write again in the spring and report on your results. Meanwhile, I'll pass on your idea via this column and my web site in case other readers would like to try it, too.
With winter upon us, don't forget to refill your bird feeders and check that the water in your birdbath isn't frozen solid. Birds will become regular visitors to your backyard once they know you're providing a reliable source for their food and drinking water.
If you're thinking of putting up your first bird feeder (or adding a new one) and need some suggestions, drop me an e-mail at steve@landsteward.org Now to some more questions from readers:
QUESTION: "I have three Bradford pears in front of my house, and it was suggested by a local tree trimmer that I have them trimmed back. Is this necessary? He was estimating about $400.00 to trim them, and I don't know if I should get other estimates. One has serious damage due to straight line winds we had last year." - Karen M.
ANSWER: If the wind has damaged or dramatically altered the shape, then I do suggest you get some professional help. I should point out that, under normal circumstances, Bradford pear trees do not need trimming unless they are beginning to impede the growth of other plants or perhaps getting close to power lines.
QUESTION: "What do you think of using dormant oil in addition to Diasiston in the control if insects? The expense of applying the dormant oil equals the expense of the Diasiston and I wonder if both treatments are desirable. In other words, is the dormant oil worth the money?" - John Martinez
ANSWER: The dormant oil smothers the eggs, not allowing them access to the oxygen they would need for a successful hatch. So yes, the oil is a good thing. Your insecticide kills what has already hatched.
QUESTION: "Steve, a good portion of my yard/lot sits next to a large, sloping hill. Although we moved into our house just over one year ago, the yard appears to have drainage problems year round, unless the ground is frozen. The grass is always wet and often drains onto our sidewalk, leaving mud in its wake. The lawn mower sinks into the soil, leaving tracks, the dog comes back into the house with muddy paws, etc. We don't even use our sprinkler system! Our lawn services has offered to install a French drain to solve the problem. However, I was wondering if you thought it would be better to try trenching several paths into the hill, which would feed the run-off to several storm drains at the base of the hill and edge of our yard?" - Rick
ANSWER: I understand a little about the French drains since we have them around our home. My wife Cheryl did not want to have a gutter system on our home so we went with the French drain for a different reason. Before you go to the expense of a French drain system you may want to look at some of the new soil conditioner products. Let me know if you want some information. To answer your questions, though, I think the idea about extra trenching is a good one.
The Plant Man is here to help. Send your questions about trees, shrubs and landscaping to steve@landsteward.org and for resources and additional information, or to subscribe to Steve's free e-mailed newsletter, visit www.landsteward.org
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Winter Garden Projects Can be Fun, Too
When we're stuck in the middle of winter and spring seems a loo-ong way off, it can be a frustrating time for those of us who love to be outside tending to our gardens or tinkering with our landscaping.
It feels like there's nothing we can do except maybe browse print or online plant catalogs. But there are quite a few activities we can indulge in if we want to keep the green from fading entirely from our fingers! There are even some ways to involve other members of the family, too.
If you have children or grandchildren who enjoy their time with you in your garden, there are a number of ways to maintain their horticultural interest until spring arrives. Here are just a few of the fun ideas that I found at http://pss.uvm.edu/ppp/articles/wintrfun.htm in an article written by Dr. Leonard Perry, Extension Professor at the University of Vermont:
Windowsill Gardens - When the weather keeps your kids inside, try cultivating a windowsill garden. All you need is a sunny spot and a few containers of soil. Herbs are an excellent choice for windowsills. Later, kids can harvest their herbs and add their own creative touch to a meal you prepare together.
Watch seeds sprout - Maybe you did this in grade school! You simply line a glass jar with a damp paper towel and insert several zucchini seeds between the glass and the towel. Place a lid on the jar, leave it on the kitchen counter, and check the paper every day to make sure it's still moist. Seeds should sprout tin a few days. You can try bush beans instead of zucchini, if you prefer.
Feed the Birds - Stock up on birdseed and suet at your local garden center, and feed the birds this winter. Have your child keep a record of all the species of birds that come to the feeder and what date each first was spotted.
Dr. Perry has many other kid-friendly winter gardening project ideas (personally, I'm not too sure about he worm farm!) and you can find the entire articles by visiting the web page listed above. If you prefer, you can go to my web site, www.landsteward.org, and find this column archived under "The Plant Man" heading. You can then click on a direct link to that article as well as many other useful online resources.
An enjoyable cold-weather project for adults is the creation of a mini indoor winter garden.
If you don't have enough room for a full-size terrarium (or you don't care to invest in one) you can create a miniature terrarium environment using something called a cloche. A cloche is a bell-shaped glass cover that you can place over a single plant in a small pot.
Garden supply stores and some craft shops sell "real" cloches, but you probably have something in your kitchen that you can use as a substitute. Find a vase or a large glass jar and turn it upside down over the plant. The cloche will keep the moisture in and will act like a tiny greenhouse. Place your cloche-covered plant on a south-facing windowsill, but avoid long exposure to direct sunlight. A small button fern would be an ideal plant to cultivate in this way.
You can find a useful description of how to set up a terrarium (complete with photos) at http://www.hgtv.com where you simply type the phrase "indoor winter gardens" into the "search" window. Again, there's a link to the hgtv web site in this column at my web site.
I am sometimes asked if it is wise to try and remove ice and snow from trees to prevent the weight from breaking the limbs. If snow is piling up on evergreens, try to brush it off gently, but do not shake the branches as you could cause them to snap!
If ice has built up on branches, I believe that in most cases it is best to let it melt naturally, rather than risk damaging the tree or shrub. If a limb should break due to the weight of ice, it is advisable to have the limb cut off cleanly because a clean cut will help the wound to heal faster in the spring.
Take heart: spring will soon be here!
The Plant Man is here to help. Send your questions about trees, shrubs and landscaping to steve@landsteward.org and for resources and additional information, or to subscribe to Steve's free e-mailed newsletter, visit www.landsteward.org
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