Dayton "Dirt" - October 24, 2014

With the hard frost of last week, tree digging will begin next week on our array of shade trees that will be “planted” into the nursery holding beds in which small gravel will secure the trees for not only winter, but during the spring selling season as well. The gravel is especially effective for balled and burlapped rhododendron in that the quick drainage allows no free standing water around the root balls of the plants except during heavy rains. If water does stand too long around the root balls of most trees and shrubs, necessary oxygen is cut off from the root system and in the case of some plants such as rhododendron, an organism sometimes present in the soil called Phytophthora that enables it to swim in free water toward the root system in order to infect its host plant and eventually cause the death of the plant.

Enough progress has been made in placing the nursery stock in storage huts so that next week the trees and shrubs that are in pots above ground will be shoved close together in a cold frame that will be covered with a 3 ml thick white polythene plastic film that will reflect the sun in the day and yet create a warm environment during cold nights as the sealed structure keeps out cold winds and is warmed only by ground heat. Conversely, the structures need ventilated by opening the entrance doors when temperatures are above 28º F or even lower temperatures when the sun is shining. The ventilation also lowers humidity levels which help to check diseases such as a gray mold called botrytis.

Poinsettias in the greenhouse are beginning to color and the transplanted cuttings of geraniums and evergreen azaleas are ‘comfortable’ in the greenhouse as well. The geraniums will be ready for the first batch of cuttings to be stripped from these stock plants just before Christmas with subsequent cutting taking going on in early February and mid to late March.

Timely “to-dos” in your own yard include soil testing in your lawn and garden, applying lime (if needed) to the lawn at the last mowing, planting of spring flowering bulbs and finally the fall planting of trees and shrubs.

Remember not to apply tree guards and deer repellent too early. Usually late November and early December is a good time to accomplish the above. Enjoy the good weather while it lasts!

Tom