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Okay, time to answer a
few more of your emailed gardening questions…
And our first local 12
emailer asks, “I’m already seeing paperwhite bulbs for sale at the local
garden stores. Isn’t it too early to start those indoors?”
-Well, it depends on
when you want them to flower. Remember, it takes about 6-8 weeks from the
time you start watering them until they are in flower. So, whenever you
want them in flower, count back 6-8 weeks and that’s when you start. As
soon as they get water, they will respond and start growing. And you can
regulate flowering time, by placing them in warm temperatures for faster
growth, and cooler temperatures for slower growth.
Our next emailer asks,
“We’re planting new trees in our yard, and we do have deer in the area.
Anything we should to help protect these trees?”
-YES! A newly planted
tree becomes a scratching post to those bucks rubbing their antlers.
Protect your new investments with tree guards, tree wrap, bark shields,
plastic sleeves, as well as the additional use of deer repellents such as
Liquid Fence or DeerScram. Keep these protectors on the new tree trunks
over the entire winter, and remove them late next spring.
Our last emailer asks,
“I’ve heard that by applying a systemic insecticide now, I can help protect
my plants from insects next spring. What do I apply, and what does it
cover?”
-Bayers Tree and Shrub
Insect Control is a systemic insecticide that can last as much as 1 year in
a plant. Now, it can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months to spread
through the plant, so for helping protect against early spring insects like
leafminers, aphids, etc, now’s the time to apply. Remember, this can also
be applied early next spring, or during the season, for helping to control
later occurring insects. Check the label for insects controlled, times of
applications, and rates used. |
