The Holidays are here again, and with short days and so much to do, it?s not easy to focus on what needs to be done in and around your landscape. That?s particularly true when there?s a cozy fireplace indoors and it?s cold and windy outdoors!
However, we shouldn?t totally ignore our garden because some things really can?t wait until spring. Once again, here are a few of my ?What To Do Before Santa Gets Here? tips. Or, if you must, after he?s flown back to the North Pole.
Take care of your tools
If you?re like most people, your tools are leaning against the wall in the garage or shed, just where you left them the last time you were working in the garden. And they probably still have chunks of dried dirt and dead grass stuck to them. A few minutes invested now will pay dividends next spring.
Start by cleaning mud and dirt off shovels, forks and trowels. That?s a minimum, but it?s also a good idea to rub the metal parts with an oily rag. If you have a can of WD-40 on the shelf, that'll work fine. If you have any linseed oil, rub it on to the wooden handles to prevent them drying and cracking.
Remember the mower
Trying to start a lawn mower for the first time in the spring can be a hassle, particularly if it hasn?t been touched since the fall. If you haven?t done so already, now?s the time to start up your mower and let it run until the gas tank is empty.
Clean off the mower blades to remove the clumps of compacted grass, and if they need sharpening, this could be a good time to call up a mower service shop and see if they have any winter specials. For a more comprehensive look at winter tool care, see a previous Plant Man column archived at my web site. You can find it here:
Snow covered limbs
Tree limbs, that is, not yours. Remember that trees and shrubs can be damaged by the weight of heavy, wet snow. To prevent or minimize damage, gently shake the branches of delicate trees and shrubs so the heavy snow falls away. You can also use a broom to brush snow from the branches. But be gentle as you don?t want to cause trauma to your tree.
Christmas trees
If you?ve selected a real tree this season, remember the magic word: Water! A ?living? tree needs a thorough watering before you bring it into the house, and it shouldn't stay indoors much longer than ten days if you want it to survive outdoors after the Holidays.
A ?cut? tree needs water, too. Saw a couple of inches off the cut end and check the water level once or twice a day. You might be surprised to know that a cut tree can absorb as much as a gallon of water a day.
As always, the Internet is a superb resource for both professional landscapers and home gardeners. Here are few winter-related sites you can browse:-
Titled ?Winter gardening: design tips that work,? this is a useful article published by the Brooklyn Botanic Garden:
For a comprehensive list of plants that look good all year but add special interest during winter months, check out this article published online by Iowa State University:
For a list of books on winter gardening, prepared by the science reference service of the Library of Congress, go to:
David Beaulieu, the ?guide? at landscaping.about.com is always a good resource and his Web site is loaded with helpful articles. Go to the site, below, and simply type in ?winter? (or any other topic) in the search window:
Expert (and free) help can usually be found at your nearest Agricultural Extension Service. For your nearest location, go to this USDA site and click on your state on the map:
And as always, I?m happy to help with your garden and landscape questions, many of which are featured in the column.
The Plant Man is here to help. Send your questions about trees, shrubs and landscaping to snipped-for-privacy@landsteward.org and for resources and additional information, or to subscribe to Steve?s free e-mailed newsletter, visit