16November 23, 2011

It’s almost Thanksgiving and the weather has been more like September weather than November weather. I have had so many people who have told me that there are signs that we are in for a snowy and cold winter. If you would like my prediction, check with me around April 2nd.

So many people have asked me if it is too late to plant spring flowering bulbs. This would include tulip, daffodil, crocus and hyacinth bulbs. If this were a normal year, I would say that it is probably too late in the season to plant these bulbs. However, the soil is still warm and there doesn’t appear to be severe cold weather coming our way. If you want to plant these bulbs, I would do so soon. The bulbs need to get a root system out into the soil before the ground freezes down to 6 inches below the surface of the soil. Once you have the bulbs planted, put 3 inches of bark mulch over the surface of the soil. The bark mulch will act as insulation, slowing down the lowering of the soil temperatures thus giving the bulbs more time to develop the root system they need.

It looks like the windy weather has caused many of the leaves that had remained on the trees to finally drop to the ground. You can work off some of that turkey dinner by raking up those leaves and getting them into your compost pile. Unless you mix some grass clippings or kitchen waste in with the leaves, it will take a long time for the leaves to decompose. There is a compost activator that is designed to speed up the decomposition of leaves. You will add some of this material to each 6 – inch layer of leaves. If you have already stacked up the leaves, you can add some to the top of the pile and then using a spading fork or shovel, mix it into the pile of leaves.

Many of the liquid chemicals that you use to control insects, diseases and many of the weed killers are adversely effected by being allowed to freeze. You should take some time now to check the shed and the garage and see if you have any liquid chemicals there that might freeze once the temperatures really drop. If you have a heated garage, you can leave the chemicals there. Otherwise, it is best to bring the liquid products into the house and store them in the cellar.

The question that may be running through your mind is “what about the other non – liquid chemicals that I have and what about the lawn and or garden fertilizers? “ As long as these products are in closed containers and they don’t get wet, it is OK to leave them in the garage or the shed.

Well, that’s all for this week. Good luck to all the high school football teams and may you all win your big game. Remember too, that while we are all enjoying out Thanksgiving dinners, there are many less fortunate who won’t have as much thanks in their Thanksgiving. There are many of you who will hit the stores on Black Friday. Remember to save a bit and make a donation to one or more of the food banks in our area.

I’ll talk to you again next week.