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Well folks, it’s that time of the year again. If you haven’t done it already, you need to sharpen and oil up your pruning tools. It’s the best time of year to prune, before the sap starts flowing. If you wait till buds break on fruit and pecans, it will be too late and you could damage your trees. They could literally bleed to death.
Pruning limbs larger than your snippers can cut, is best handled in at least three cuts, as illustrated at right. The first cut should be made on the bottom of the limb, approximately two and a half to three inches beyond the "Branch Collar". This first cut should be roughly one third to one half way through the limb. The "Branch collar" is the point on the tree where the bark ripples at the base of the limb. Your second cut needs to be about three quarters to an inch further out on the limb, from the top side, as illustrated in the diagram above. Finally the third cut removes the stub left by the first two cuts removing the limb.
Also, fertilize Peaches, Plums, Apricots, Pecans, etc. Don’t forget that Pecans need Zinc so make sure the fertilizer you use on them has atleast 5% Zinc, 10% is better. I’ll have a whole page on fertilizer later so keep watch. DON’T fertilize or prune Azaleas till after blooming or you’ll lose your entire spring display.
Prune and divide Shastas and other clumping perennials now. It’s also time to rake leaves. Mulched or unmulched leaves make great weed control around the base of trees, not over 4-6 inches deep. A couple of cups of 8-8-8 aids in decomposition. A little 5% Diazanon will keep out vermin. Or if you’re organically minded, sprinkle with soapy water monthly. Use soap, not detergent. Ivory liquid is fine. Diatomaceace earth also is effective, though not as easy to find.
If you are going to start with seeds, start now now for earliest bloom in Spring. I know it’s convenient to purchase young plants at a nursery, however it’s more rewarding to grow from seed, with the obvious exception of herbs. Your local garden centers have a much better selection of seeds than plants, particularly annuals. Mail order seed companies have an even better selection. A list of reliable, quality seed companies will be posted here soon.
For herbs you are much better off starting with plants, than with seeds due to the inexact nature of the seedlings. Two plants from the same seed pod can produce two totally different quality of herb. Take Basil, for example, seeds from the same parent, will produce some excellent, aromatic plants begging to be tossed into a sauce, while other plants from the same parents seeds, are hardly edible at all. So, for herbs at least, go to a nursery and select young healthy plants displaying the qualities you prefer, sweeter, tarter or any combination that pleases you. You are, after all, the one whom will be cooking and or creating the tinctures from these herbs.
Happy Gardening!
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Last Revised: October 14, 2006 02:07 PM.
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