Dayton "Dirt" - November 9, 2012

For the past four nights the weather has been frosty in the mornings with the skies clear at night. The above scenario is ideal for hardening off trees and shrubs to get ready for the long winter. Timely “to dos” include fertilizing the lawns this weekend with a winterizer fertilizer and spraying liquid fence on any tree or shrub that may be susceptible to deer damage such as the Taxus genus. In two weeks we’ll be setting up our cut Christmas tree display of Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, White Pine and Scotch Pine all from southern Ohio. I like the Ohio Fraser Fir much better than those grown more commonly in North Carolina as they are so much fresher and seem to last at least a month in the house as long as the tree stand does not run out of water. The North Carolina Fir I think are piled into stacks and then may go through a heat because of the green foliage packed so tight which then makes them susceptible for deterioration. Our supply of firs in contrast is grown by a small family farm in Ohio that is better able to harvest trees much later in the season. Grave blanket production has finally begun as we’ve been able to cut branches after the inclement weather from hurricane Sandy. By November 20th, we will be able to have a full selection of blankets and pillows with deliveries beginning that day for those wanting delivery or pick up by Thanksgiving. Get out and enjoy the weather! Tom