Greenscape Gardens Green Blog

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM GREENSCAPE GARDENS. SEE YA NEXT YEAR

LEWIS & CLARK EXPEDITION 200 YEARS AGO TODAY 12/31/1804

The Indians bring some of their tools to Fort Mandan for the blacksmiths to repair. They pay for the repairs by bartering with dried corn in return. The wind is so strong that it mixes sand and snow together and leaves piles on the Missouri ice.

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A NEW YEARS TOAST

The time is growing nearer,
The New Year is almost here,
So break out the noisemakers
And get ready to cheer!

The night has got to be
Most sure to entertain,
With a group of close friends
And a bit of champagne.

We'll pop the bottle's cork
And pour everyone a glass;
Together we will make this night
A memory to surely last!

Then when the clock strikes twelve o' clock
We'll know it's finally time,
To give a kiss to the ones we love
And join in singing "Auld Lang Syne."

For one thing is certain,
I just don't know what I'd do
If I couldn't celebrate the New Year
With such wonderful GARDENERS as YOU!

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LAWN FACTS

A turf area just 50 feet by 50 feet absorbs carbon dioxide, ozone, hydrogen fluoride and releases enough oxygen to meet the needs of a family of four. The grass and trees along the U.S. interstate highway system release enough oxygen to support 22 million people.

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DIPLODIA TIP BLIGHT

Diplodia Tip blight of pines has been identified as a problem in pine plantings throughout the St. Louis area. This disease is primarily found on Austrian and Scots pines. Red and Ponderosa pines are also very susceptible. This disease usually causes death of the shoot before the needles are fully expanded. These browned shoots remain on the tree throughout the year and reduce the ornamental value of the plant.

The fungus also causes branch cankers. This phase of the disease is poorly understood and there are no adequate control measures. Avoid planting young pines of the more susceptible species near older infected pines.

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Water Conservation in the Landscape

Water is one of our most valuable natural resources. Most of the time, however, we take it for granted and use it in abundance until drought sets in and we are forced to conserve. We have had a great deal of rainfall lately and with rivers and streams overflowing it is difficult for us to think about water conservation. However, due to several years of drought conditions and increasing water use, our ground water sources continue to be threatened. To protect our water supply from extreme shortages, we should strive daily to conserve water.

One area where water use can be decreased without sacrificing beauty or function is in landscaping. The xeriscaping means landscaping for efficient water use. By using plants that are drought tolerant and by knowing what amount of water is right for your landscape and when to water, you can use much less water.
Landscape plants have a variety of water needs. Plants need the most water immediately after being planted and during establishment. Before planting, make sure that you can provide enough water during this establishment time for the plants that you have chosen.

Landscape plants are available at garden centers and nurseries either container grown or balled and burlapped. These trees and shrubs can be planted even during a drought if watered at planting time and at least twice a week for the remainder of the growing season. Trees and shrubs, 1 to 3 gallon size, require 3 to 5 gallons of water twice a week during establishment.

Choose plants based on water needs. Many of the plants we use in southern landscapes can live through drought. Once they are established, plants such as Crape Myrtle, Elaeagnus, Cedar, Chinese and Japanese Hollies, Glossy Abelia, and Juniper can survive weeks without supplemental irrigation. The placement of plants is another key component in efficient water use. Incorporate natural areas into your landscape design wherever possible. Native plants, once established, often require little supplemental water and maintenance.

Manage the soil for efficient water use. Preparing the soil thoroughly helps assure good root growth. Research has shown that digging a wide planting hole and tilling the soil thoroughly improves the structure of the soil and results in rapid plant and better root growth. Do not amend specimen tree plantings where and individual planting hole is dug. In this case the should only contain the soil that came out of the hole. Soil amendments should only be added to large planting beds where the entire planting area is amended. Heavy clay soils have a high water holding capacity and will benefit from adding some type of coarse amendment, like pine bark 1/2 inch), which will improve the ability of water to move through the soil. Sandy soils, on the other hand, may not hold enough water and nutrients for plant use. Adding organic matter to these soils may be helpful. Your goal should be to provide the roots of plants with a moist, growing environment.

Mulching can also decrease your landscape's water needs. Two to four inches of mulch, such as pine straw, pine bark, hardwood bark, or compost, help conserve soil moisture. Mulch also insulates the root system of plants from heat and helps control weeds which compete with the plant for water. Fine textured mulches, such as hardwood bark or pine bark mulch, retain more moisture than coarse mulches. On sloping sites, pine straw or shredded mulches that lock together stay in place better than most other mulches and helps control erosion. Landscape fabrics can also be used under mulch to conserve moisture, discourage weeds, and enhance erosion control.
Be conservative with irrigation. Pattern irrigation systems to meet the water needs of particular plant zones. The best time to water landscape plants and turf is early in the morning. Less evaporation occurs during this time, and the plants can make more efficient use of the water. Applying water as slowly as possible through trickle irrigation or soaker hose improves absorption into the soil. Trickle or drip irrigation of trees and shrubs reduces water use by as much as 50 percent compared to conventional sprinkler irrigation. Water applied too rapidly may run off and be wasted, particularly on slopes.

A timer installed on outdoor faucets to control the period of irrigation will prevent unnecessary water use. One inch of water (5 gallons per square yard of surface area or 620 gallons per 1,000 square feet) applied once a week on established plants and turf is recommended. This can usually be applied in one or two There is no need to run an irrigation system every day or every other day. For trees, at least 50 percent of the root area should be watered. The root zone of large trees and shrubs can extend well beyond the drip line. A thorough soaking of the soil once a week is much better for plants than light, frequent irrigation that encourages shallow rooting.

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GREENSCAPE GARDENS HUMOR OF THE DAY!

We had made some changes in our lives. My husband had lost 50 pounds and after eight years of being a housewife, I had taken a job in a restaurant. When I returned home after my first day at work, I gave my husband a big hug.

He seemed to cling to me longer than usual. "Did you
really miss me that much today, dear?" I asked.

"No," came the reply. "But you smell so much like pancakes that I hate to let you go."