This weeks gardening tips

Planting

Spring flowering bulbs can be planted now if the soil is still workable. Plant in well drained soil amended with sand or Profile Soil Conditiner. Add Bonemeal or Bulb Food.

Bulbs can also be planted in pots, refrigerated for 6 weeks, then brought into room temperature for winter flowers. Paperwhite Narcissus don't need to be refrigerated first. They will bloom in six weeks.

Dig tuberous begonias, glads and dahlias and store them in vermiculite in a cool place. Dahlias can be divided by cutting through the center stem so there is a bud with each section of tubers. Broken tubers with no bud will not grow.

Deciduous trees and shrubs can be planted all winter if the soil is workable.

Lawns

Sod can be laid if the weather is mild and the soil is workable.

Apply a moss killer and lime if moss is a problem.

Pruning

Prune Roses back to waist high so the winter winds don't rock the plants and damage the roots.

Prune back tree limbs that are overly long or have weak crotches so they are not broken by the weight of ice and snow. Also remove any dead or diseased wood.

Weed Control

Apply Casoron around woody trees and shrubs to prevent weeds from appearing over winter and in early spring. Casoron will prevent weeds for a year. Be careful to keep it at least one foot away from lawns and bulbs.

Winterizing

Spread 1 to 3 inches of compost or mulch around trees, shrubs and flower beds. This protects soil from erosion and protects roots from freezing. Be careful not to bury low branches or pile mulch more than 1 inch deep around trunks. This may allow soil diseases to infect the plants.

By Bob Bowman. For more information contact bob@dennissevendees.com

Copyright 50connect.co.uk

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