Friday, January 15, 2016

Dayton "Dirt" - January 15, 2016

The snow has finally arrived to blanket the ground with its life giving recharge of the water aquafer and the insulating effects on the ground which is a must for the survival of winter wheat and many ornamental plants that depend on this “insulation” from bitter cold and winter wind.

At the nursery, the snow slides off to the sides of the overwintering houses which further tightens the plastic covering and provides even more cover as it piles up on the sides of the structures. It was early January of 2014 that the cold and wind arrived with a fury and without snow that did so much damage to plants in the landscape as well as in storage under cover! In mid April, some of the nursery stock was pulled out for spring sales only to still be frozen to the ground somewhat!  Luckily on this past Saturday, the day was above freezing with a break in the rain so that the product Deer Stopper could be sprayed on susceptible plants in the botanical-display garden a second time since receiving the first application on Thanksgiving. Some deer browsing was evident on Azalea ‘Herbert’ again as it is the favorite of the deer.

Although plenty of winter remains, in four short weeks the average temperature will begin to rise. Keeping busy definitely help to pass the long winter.

Tom

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