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January 2003 News |
Happy New Year! Welcome to our monthly "Newsletter" page. This is where we will be announcing the most recent additions to our website along with "what's happening in our gardens", helpful hints, herbal tips, etc. Please check back often as we will be updating regularly. To view our new Specials please visit the following link: http://www.countryrosesoap.com/storefront.htm What's happening in our garden for January: Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. Ours was one of the nicest in recent memory although we had a windstorm that lasted the entire day threatening us with a power outage. Luckily it never happened. We even have some snow on the ground at present, which is unusual for us. January is the perfect time to take stock of last year's seeds and to decide what will be needed for this year's growing season. We are also doing some major home renovations so it promises to be a hectic couple of months for us. This month I also start the major annual pruning of our wisteria vines, fruit and shade trees. Raking up of continual branches and debris blown in by heavy winds is also a constant chore around here. January "To Do" List: -spray Lime Sulphur and Dormant Oil on fruit trees, rose bushes and ornamentals. Seeds - if you haven't ordered your seeds, now is the time to do so. Take stock of seeds stored from the previous year and plan this year's garden, then ordering what is required. -early seeds like begonias, pelargoniums, lobelia, coleus and pansies can be started this month in a heated greenhouse although lately I have taken to starting them in February when the days are a little longer. These can also be started under grow lights in a basement. -begonia tubers can also be started this month over heating cables in heated greenhouse or under grow lights in basement. Pruning - this month I prune all of the wisteria vines, apple trees, pear trees and all other deciduous trees. Lawn - rake winter debris off lawns. -check stored bulbs and tubers for rot and discard deteriorated ones. -plant Hellebores for gorgeous winter colour. (one of my favourite plants) -because of our unusually mild fall and winter many bulbs have already started to show. These can be mulched to protect from cold January weather. Winter Tree and Shrub Care General Pruning: -cut off dead, diseased or damaged branches cutting them back to side forks. -remove branches pointing across the inside of the tree or shrub. -remove branches that would soon grow to rub against one another. -remove vigorous watershoots from top of branches. -thin a group of older watershoots leaving one or two well-positioned ones, but reduce them by half their length. -thinnning or removing overlapping or crowded branches allows more light and air to get to the crown of the tree or shrub creating a healthier plant. -the lowest branches of a mature tree can also be removed. -traditionally, pruning is done while the tree or shrub is dormant and it's structure can be easily viewed. -use sharp tools -use a pole pruner for high branches. -never take off more than 1/4 of the tree's foliage. -work from the top down. -cut to the collar, leaving no stub. -stand back and consider the plant's overall structure. Remove branches, which look unsightly. Forcing Flowers: -"forcing" means stimulating flower bulbs to bloom out of season. -most commonly forced bulbs are: narcissus, tulip, hyacinth, crocus, galanthus, Dutch and reticulata iris, daffodil and grape hyacinth. -purchase pre-cooled bulbs from a reputable nursery. -most bulbs require a period of severe cooling in order to bloom - to avoid this step purchase specialty "pre-cooled" hardy bulbs. -Fill a container, which is at least 3" high with pebbles, gravel, and coarse sand or prepackaged bulb mix to within 1" of top. -add water to just below surface of gravel. Set the bulbs on top, root end down and close together but not touching. Surround with gravel to keep bulbs upright but leave top half of bulb exposed. -place container in a cool (45F - 55F) dark spot until bulbs are well rooted and shoots appear. -when emerging leaves are 3" tall move pot to well lit indirect sunlit area for 3 to 4 days to acclimatize. (away from direct sun). Then move to direct sun for flowering. -rotate container so that plants grow uniformly. -once flowering is finished bury bulbs in flower garden as they cannot be forced again but will flower in the garden. Greenhouse Gardening for January: (for a cool greenhouse kept at 40 - 45F (5 - 7C) -plants in bloom for this month - bougainvillea, pelargonium, Christmas cactus. -maintain a minimum temperature of 40F (5C) in the cool greenhouse if frost sensitive plants are stored. -maintain a dry atmosphere to prevent disease - water only when absolutely necessary. Inspect plants for disease and insects. Keep potted plants, which are in flower in a well-lit spot. Promptly remove dead flowers and yellowing or diseased leaves. organic bug prevention - if whitefly has become a problem spray with "Safer's Insecticidal Soap" -ventilate on dry, sunny days - close in mid-afternoon to conserve heat loss. -this month I severely cut back my tropical plants and discard all prunings. Indoor Sunroom or Conservatory: A list of plants presently blooming in our sunroom for January: -Poinsettia -Christmas Cactus -Phalaenopsis Orchids -Phaphiopedilum Orchids -Zygopetalum Orchid -Oncidium Orchid -Gardenia -Arabian Jasmine -Cymbidium Orchid Care: -Because these are all tropical plants they are kept in our heated sunroom where the temperature dips quite low at night but warms up during the day. This actually helps to produce blooms in the spring. -mist plants regularly. -increase humidity by standing plants on terra cotta or plastic trays lined with gravel or lava rock kept regularly filled with water. (Note: never let bottom of pot sit in water) -keep plants on the dry side. -Grow lights are very helpful at this time of year. -keep a watch out for spider mites, mealy bugs, white flies and aphids which can become quite a problem at this time of year due to low light levels and lack of humidity. (Use Safer's Insecticidal Soap regularly if insects are a problem until control is obtained.) Mealy bugs are easily controlled by dabbing a Q-tip in rubbing alcohol and dabbing on the individual mealy bug. Herbal Hints: Last year my son wanted potted herbs for his birthday gift as he is an avid gourmet cook. We started him with 2 large pots filled with about a dozen herbs in each which flourished during our unusually long, dry hot summer. In late fall I brought both pots into my heated greenhouse and we have the good fortune of having an abundance of fresh herbs for culinary use. These include Italian parsley, garlic chives, oregano, thyme, rosemary, sage, regular chives. Our bay leaf plant is also providing us with fresh bay for stews, etc. How to start your own planter of potted herbs: Line the bottom of a large container with gravel or broken clay pot pieces. Fill with a good, airy compost mix. Purchase a variety of small potted herbs and plant these quite densely in the container. Water sparingly and provide as much light as possible. Mist regularly during the dry winter months if kept indoors. Ours are outside in an already humid heated greenhouse. Fertilize lightly. Natural Herbal Cleaning Products Laundry Sweet Water 1 qt rose water 1/2 oz lavender blossoms 2 oz orris root 1/2 oz rose petals zest from 1 lemon 5 drops clove essential oil 10 drops lavender essential oil Place all ingredients except essential oils in large glass jar. Cover tightly and sit in sunny windowsill for 10 days to infuse - shake daily. Strain through several layers cheesecloth then again through coffee filter. Add essential oils and shake well. Pour into spray bottle. To Use: Mist clean, dry clothes before folding to lightly scent them. Health and Wellness Tips: Yogurt Honey Mask (moisturizing & soothing) 2 Tbsp plain organic yogurt 2 Tbsp natural liquid honey Mix both ingredients together and apply to clean, moist face. Leave on for 10 to 20 minutes. Rinse well and pat dry. Some highlights for next month's newsletter! -natural house plant fertilizer -Citrus Bath Herbs Thanks for visiting! Susan |
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