ARCHIVE

SHOW ARCHIVE

January 9, 2010

VIDEO ARCHIVE


Happy New Year!!!!   It is hard to get back into writing a weekly show rundown after the holidays.  We are so relaxed that it is hard to sit down and write something.  William and Judy are on the ball.  Both of them have posted new entries on the Garden Time Blog.  Both are talking about dealing with winter, Judy outside and William inside.

We are also checking out the damage to our outdoor plants from the cold spell over the holidays.  It is not time to cut things back or dig them out.  We are looking for major things, broken limbs, dangerous situations and stuff like that.

Enjoy these topical stories from our archives:

Winter Mulches and Compost

Believe it or not, now is the time to start thinking about your summer garden.  If your garden is getting tired and needs a boost, then you should be adding garden compost now.  It is also the time to add mulch to your garden to protect your plants and add nutrients to the soil.  Jeff Grimm from Grimm’s Fuel (503-636-3623) showed Judy all the different mulches and composts available and the benefits of each one.  You can even use some of them for erosion control.  We also found out the differences between all the different barks that are available, plus if you don’t want to spend time shoveling, they can even blow it in for you.

Winter Tree Care

The wind, rain and possible snow of the coming winter can mean trouble for your large landscape trees.  How can you tell if your trees are healthy enough for all that mother nature has to offer?  We sought out our favorite ‘Certified Arborist’ Terrill Collier from Collier Arbor Care (503-72ARBOR) and asked him for some signs we can look for.  Terrill took us to a park in Vancouver Washington to show us a multiple trunked tree that had lost one of its trunks due to rot and decay at its base.  That is just one of the 8 signs that you should look for in a dangerous tree.  Other signs included weakly attached branches, cracks in the branches of the trunk, pealing bark and signs of decay or rot.  These are the most obvious signs, but if you are unsure of the safety of your trees you can contact Collier Arbor care or a certified arborist.  Collier’s even has a brochure that can tell you what else to look for.  Terrill emphasizes that you insist on a certified arborist.  They are trained to look for the damaged spots and are trained (insured and bonded) to remove the weak tree safely. 

Fall and Winter Garden Design

Fall and winter are a great time to work on the design of your garden.  It is good to look at your garden with a fresh eye while the blooms of summer are still in your mind.  We talked with Tracy DiSabato-Aust, the author of ‘The Well Designed Mixed Garden’ from Timber Press (1-800-327-5680) and got her thoughts and tips on garden design.  First, determine the maintenance needs of the type of garden you want.  This will help you select plants and may determine the type of garden you can have.  Next is color.  Are you looking for a single color or complimentary/contrasting colors, cool or warm colors?  Then we move to style.  What type of garden are you interested in?  Are you a ‘formal’ garden type of person or do you like something a little more laid back?  Remember it should reflect who you are and be a reflection of yourself.  The fourth tip deals with the long term view of your garden.  Remember that things change.  Plants grow, tastes change, so don’t be in a hurry to be ‘finished’.  Take your time and grow with your garden!  Finally, consider scale and proportion.  The small plants of today may become the large plants of tomorrow.  Consider the size of a plant in 2-5 years.  Does it still work in the area you planted it?  Do you want, or need to move it after a year or two?  If so it may not be the right plant in the right place.  If you are looking for more tips on design you can pick up Tracy’s book at your local bookstore and create your own garden masterpiece.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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