Timing Calendar

The Timing Calendar I give to local customers is a way to make sure you don't miss any applications that are time sensitive such as pre-emergent or pruning times

Simply fold it and stand it up on your counter - when you notice that the week you are in has a yellow highlight - open it  up and read that months notes on what should be done at this time of year.

 

If you are a local customer and have not received one let me know.

Spring Rush

Spring is like a sudden burst of energy after a long hibernation and often we rush out to try and get everything ready and planted...only to have these freezing temperatures hit us in April.

So what should we focus on and what is priority?
1. Definite clean up of leaves and debris from winter - many mildews and fungal spores overwinter in our leaves and need to be removed or burned now.
2. Tree pruning should be completed.
3. Mowing your lawn short can get rid of some of the thatch but make sure you have the ability to get water on it right away.
4. ALL evergreen should be watered by now - they have been transpiring and need a drink.
5. You can prep your garden and get some fresh soil with a mix of compost and fertilizer on top to let the spring rains wash it in.
6. Pre-emergent on the grass and bare ground should be done.- Note your timing calender
7. If you are in a rush to get garden plants started - make sure you have the ability to get them inside if the case of these late freezing temperatures.

Is it ever too late to prune?

Fear of "missing" the ideal pruning time

Winter is the best time to prune when trees are dormant. However I hear extreme fear in clients voices as spring unfolds that they can't prune their trees because it too late.

That's not true...the reason we prune in winter is to direct the trees stored nutrients toward the areas we want to grow when it begins to develop in the spring. However you can prune ANY time of year. When you prune in summer the main issue you will have is the new growth of the tree the following year will be very slow.

Late spring or summer pruning is not as ideal in that the tree was drawing "food" from the leaf structure it already put energy into growing and now you cut that "food" source off. The other issue I don't like is that insects and disease are active in the warmer weather and the tree is more acceptable with fresh wounds in summer.

 

So it is not ideal to prune in late spring and summer but it is not going to "KILL" your tree to do that pruning late if it is necessary.

 

See the link below for more info on seasonal pruning...
Pruning

Spring Fever Reliever

Spring Fever Reliever: As most of my clients working with me know...I really believe in pot-in-pot gardening and accents. Even though it's too cold to do much outside, we can start working on projects inside that will be transferred out to our pots once the weather co-operates. AND, as it does every year, when that nasty first spring frost tries to steal that hard work, we can pull the pot and bring it in to protect it.

One of the best sources for succeeding in this process is Pamela Crawford shown above.
CLICK HERE
She is a master at Pot planting and color arrangements plus she has a very good program on Pot gardening. Although I am very busy with Tree Pruning right now, don't hesitate to email if you have questions or need some help. tedasmith001@gmail.com

NOW is the time to worry about Sun scald

 

Sun scald is the freezing of bark following high temperatures in the winter season, resulting in permanent visible damage to bark. What is happening is a process of the living tissue getting wet from fog then freezing which is fine, however on the south side the sun thaws the bark even though the temperature is below freezing, first cloud that passes by creates a quick freeze. This continuous thawing and freezing moves the cell structure too quickly creating damage to the cells.

So how do we stop it? The best way is to use the white cardboard wraps like you see in the nursery. Wrap it loosely making sure the Southwest side is covered and use zip ties to hold it in place for the winter. Then take it off for the Summer when you are certain you will not have anymore freezing temperatures. I do not recommend wrapping the tree. The tape wrap has a tendency to hold moisture and create more problems, especially if you forget to take it off in the spring.

Deep Freeze

Here is that Deep Freeze
that slows Winter Pruning

It's not a problem to saw limbs off but, we don't want to prune with bypass or or loppers because the frozen cambium can shatter instead of cutting cleanly.

Soon as it warms slightly, with some sun thawing everything, we will be back out there.