ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, January 5, 1997 TAG: 9701070051
SECTION: HOMES PAGE: D-1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: Dear John
SOURCE: JOHN ARBOGAST
There is some concern these days about what the unusually warm weather is doing to our plant shoots, buds and flowers. Will there be injuries to plants prematurely stimulated by the warmth once frigid weather returns? many people are wondering.
In many cases, the answer is that not much if anything can be done to prevent the problem. We are at Mother Nature's mercy. However, there are a few things that may help slow down further premature growth and may prevent some winter injuries.
Shading woody plants with nonplastic materials might retard further premature growth this winter. Our objective here is to reduce the increased temperature in leaves and buds that winter sunshine adds to the mild air temperatures. Woody plants (not bulbs, perennials or other soft plants) that are most at risk from major injuries are: plants not well adapted to the area; plants growing in locations where they really don't belong, such as shade-loving plants growing in sunny areas; and those that entered the winter already weakened by previous stresses.
This might not be much comfort now, but it tells us that new plants must be situated according to their needs, not our desires, and that extra time and effort spent during the growing season this summer and early fall to eliminate all adverse conditions affecting our woody plants will be worth the efforts.
There's not much that can be done about spring bulb foliage that has popped up early. However, if those bulbs weren't planted to the depth of four times their diameter, plan to dig them up next spring after their foliage matures and replant in the fall.
Another suggestion, although not needed now thanks to our recent wet weather, is to reduce the severity of landscape winter injury by providing appropriate amounts of water just as soon as needed. Plants that have already endured stresses might die quickly if forced to cope with drought stress, too.
Think seedlings
It's time to look and discover spots that could benefit from plantings this spring to provide wind breaks, borders, erosion control, attract wildlife or maybe provide color interests. Contact or visit the state forestry office serving your area to obtain the latest seedling catalog entitled "Virginia Trees for Virginia's Landowners." The office is listed in the public section of each phone book under Virginia Commonwealth of: Forestry Department. In the Roanoke area, the regional office of the Forestry Department is at 210 Riverland Drive in Salem, 387-5461.
The Department of Forestry offers an outstanding selection of species of bare-root seedlings available in bundles of 50, 100, 250, 500 or 1,000 plants.
In addition, these Specialty Packs are offered as Five-by-Five Select Pack (means you select any five tree species listed and get five seedlings of each kind), Screen or Windbreak Seedling Pack, Fall Color Seedling Pack, Wetlands Seedling Pack, Wildlife Garden Seed Bag, Wildflower Garden Seed Bag, Wildlife Seedling Pack and Wildlife Field Border Pack.
Also available are Annual Game Bird Mixtures, Perennial Wildlife Mix, Stabilization and Wildlife Mix and Critical Area Planting on Potential Erosion Site mixes.
Orders can be placed with the Forestry Department.
The purchaser should specify the shipping date; otherwise shipment will be made between Feb. 20 and April 30, weather permitting.
The last week for requests of shipment will be the second week of May.
Tree seedlings and seeds sold by the Department of Forestry are not to be used in competition with private landscape nurseries or garden centers. The legal purpose of this tree and seed program is to aid the re-establishment of forests on land in Virginia (remember, there can be urban forests).
Send short questions about your lawn, garden, plants or insects to Dear John, c/o The Roanoke Times, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke 24010-2491. We need your mail, but this column can't reply to all letters. Those of wide appeal will be answered during the weeks that the subject is timely. Personal replies cannot be given.
Please don't send stamps, stamped envelopes, samples or pictures.
Gardener's checklist
Jobs for early January:
This whole month is an excellent time to root cuttings from last summer's geraniums that have been growing in pots on window sills in order to have new, vigorous plants to set out in May.
When browsing through garden catalogs looking for vegetable varieties to try this spring, important considerations are improved insect and/or disease resistance and possible drought tolerance.
LENGTH: Medium: 87 linesby CNB