Spring in December

With Christmas just one day away, and New Years coming with all its resolutions ready for the year to come, let's not forget our yards, especially now in their time of need.

Winter hasn't set in hard as of yet in the Boston area, though we have had a killer frost, the grounds are still bare, thank goodness, and temps have still been ranging well about the 32 degree marker.

Right now is the perfect time to finish mulching perennial beds as well as tender plant material that may be subjected to harsh winter freezing's. Think of those special roses out there in the blistering cold and the possible die back resulting from varied temperatures of freezing and warming...

There are numerous products available on the market for these mulching projects...IE: salt marsh hay, available in coastal regions, with heavy snows, salt hay compresses into the perfect blanket of warmth or in this case consistent climate control to prevent the ever changing temperatures.

Styrofoam cones for rose protection, anchored by metal spikes, do offer warmer temperatures underneath, however these can be a bit pricy and they do look ugly scattered all over the yard. still they are quite often used by many gardeners.

Vegetables like parsnips, potatoes, carrots, some leafy greens like broccoli, can be savored throughout the winter months with just a little protection, the soil will remain workable under a solid blanket of mulch, hay or salt hay, black plastic, will help keep your summer fest thriving throughout those dreaded winter months of darkness and frigid days and nights.

Perennials will welcome a well balanced feeding at this point, in case you forgot earlier this past fall, being sure to side dress with a higher phosphorous and potassium IE: 5-10-10 (time release) or similar plant food formula..Espoma is a perfect combination of nutrients along with micro organisms perfect for the organic gardener.

With these small tid bits of information, I am also happy to help with gardening questions by way of email at schester9@comcast.net

Please feel free to send me your questions. Return messages, will only be subjected to the volume of emails I receive and the time it takes me to respond..Thank you in advance for your patience. :-)

Thanks for joining me here today and Wishing you a healthy Christmas & well being for the coming new year..Make the best of it !

Your humble horticulturist

Chet Stentiford

www.hortservices.net