Frost on Miscanthus plume

Winter is on the way ...      

We've had several frosts in the Shenandoah Valley and recently, we had our first hard freezes of the fall with temperatures plunging into the low to mid 20's. The time has come (ready or not!) to start putting your gardens to bed for the season.

Here are some things to think about:  

• Fertilize - If you haven't already done so this fall, fertilize your beds with a slow-release organic fertilizer such as Espoma Plant-tone or Holly-tone. Andr� prefers organic fertilizers because they distribute nutrients slowly and evenly over time, preventing plants from growing in winter or too early spring. Organic fertilizer that is applied in the fall will be available to the plants when they begin to grow in the spring.
• Water - Give your trees, shrubs, and perennials a good deep watering before the ground freezes. This will generally provide them with the water they need to survive through winter.
• Remember: Unless there is snow cover, it is important to water your plants during prolonged dry spells in the winter (longer than 2 weeks) to avoid damage to roots and evergreen foliage due to dehydration and desiccating winds.
• The best time to water in the winter is in the middle of the day and when temperatures are above 40�F.
• Mulching - After a thorough, deep watering, replenish the mulch if necessary to a depth of 3 inches. This will help retain soil moisture and also help prevent the freezing and thawing of the soil that can cause the heaving of herbaceous perennials and newly planted trees and shrubs.

• Peach mummies caused by brown rot are covered with fungal spores and should be removed from trees

  Tidy up under disease prone trees and shrubs - Disease and insect pests can overwinter in fallen leaves, plant debris, and dropped fruit. If left in the garden, these diseases or insects can reinfect your plants next spring. Be sure to rake up and destroy the leaves under your roses, native dogwoods, crabapples, grapes, and fruit trees. Pick up and destroy all fallen and mummified fruit.
• Cut back and destroy the foliage of your peonies as this may carry overwintering spores of botrytis. As you do this, save some of the old flower stems with their interesting seed pods for use in dried arrangements.
• Garden Gleanings - If you tend to cut back the perennials in your garden in the fall, save some of the interesting seed pods and dried flowers. They make great additions to your holiday decorations and arrangements. You are only limited by your imagination! Walk around your gardens with a basket and see what you can find!
• Seed pods of Japanese anemones, blackberry lily (Belamcanda), coneflowers, Siberian iris, poppies, Hibiscus, and yucca are really neat.
• The dried flowers of Hydrangea, Sedum, Achillea (yarrow), and ornamental grasses are great in arrangements, too.

Fall swag for over the door created from garden cuttings

About the Lawn -

• Don't rake those leaves, mow them!
  

  Mow fall leaves to enrich your lawn

  The leaves that carpet your lawn in the fall are full of good organic nutrients. Many studies have shown that mowing these leaves (especially if you use a mulching mower) and leaving the chopped leaves on the lawn, is actually very beneficial to the grass. The nutrients will be slowly released to your grass through the winter months as the the leaves breakdown. Don't waste this precious resource! It's free fertilizer for your lawn!
• Shredded leaves also make a good natural mulch for your garden. I shred some of my leaves into a compost pile and then use them to mulch my vegetable garden in the summer. It's great for keeping the soil moisture in and the weeds out!
• When you are finished with your mowing for the year, drain the gas from your mower before storing it.

• THIS BEARS REPEATING 
  Stinkbug Invasion! - We are still dealing with it!
  We've been bombarded with calls and e-mails from desperate homeowners that have been plagued by hordes of stinkbugs in and around the house. They seem to be particularly bad this year! They are often seen congregating in great masses on window screens probably because this is an easy place for them to land. Once one lands, it releases a pheromone which attracts all the others in the neighborhood - so it seems!
  How can you deal with them?
• Stinkbugs like to hide in the leaves and other debris that may accumulate around the base of your house. If you rake up this debris, you will remove these hiding places and this may help to control the masses!
• Carefully examine the foundation and around windows and doors for cracks and crevices where they can sneak into the house. They will seek out these entry points in an attempt to find overwintering sites. Use caulk and weather stripping to seal any cracks.
• Bonide Eight can be used outdoors to control stink bugs on ornamental plants as well as vegetable crops and fruit trees. It can be applied to building foundations and to spot treat cracks and crevices according to the label directions. 
• If you find them in the house, the safest way to get rid of them is to use your vacuum cleaner to suck them up. Be sure to discard the bag when you are finished! 
•  Bonide Household Insect Control kills stink bugs on contact but also has some residual action that creates a relatively effective barrier around windows, doors, and other areas where they might gain entrance to your home.
  Always read and follow the label directions.
• Clean and store your plant containers -
  November is a great time to empty and clean your patio and deck pots, hanging baskets, and window boxes. Use a stiff brush and soapy water to clean plastic and terracotta pots. Then rinse and dip in a solution of 1/2 cup bleach to 3 gallons of water. Rinse again and store upside down for the winter.

Save the Dates! 

Holiday Decorating Workshops 

Thursday, December 5 - 10:30am  

Artistic Christmas Designs

   with Jef Naunchik 

     
Jef has 35 years of experience in creating beautiful artistic arrangements and displays for the holidays. Come to this great workshop and Jef will teach you some unique techniques for decorating at holiday time including a demonstration of how to flock greens. Jef will also discuss incorporating the beautiful new battery operated LED lights into his arrangements.
Learn how to make:
Della Robbia wreaths, topiary trees and miniature Christmas trees, swags with fresh greens, boxwood balls, candle rings, and more!
Learn the art of gilding, how to use a glue pot, and how to make beautiful ribbons.

Saturday, December 7 - 1:30pm
Sunday, December 8 - 1:30pm
Christmas Decorating  

Andre demonstrates how to flock greens.

     with Andre Viette

     

Andre will demonstrate the basics of decorating for the holidays including working with greens to create attractive wreaths and table arrangements. He will also show you how to flock greens to create a glistening snow covered look. Andre will also demonstrate some easy, 5-minute decorating tips for swags and the best way to preserve magnolia leaves and branches.
Learn about:
Preserving greens and Christmas trees, live vs. cut Christmas trees, basics of wreath making including how to make a giant 6 foot wreath, making kissing balls, creating swags and arrangements, making fresh roping.

 

Read about these fun workshops on my blog! 

 

After each workshop, Andre will give you a personal tour of Andre and Claire's beautiful home and gardens all decorated for the Christmas season. 

 
This Christmas wonderland takes Andre a full two weeks to complete and includes: 

• A live Christmas tree with snow and colorful ornaments
• A live Christmas tree with crystal, pearls, and crocheted ornaments
• Loads of beautiful arrangements with live greens
• Gold mantle arrangement
• Antique, hand-made ornaments
• Bell collection and colored glass collection
• Santa collection with over 100 Santas
• Beautiful manger arrangement
• Old Christmas card collection, and lots more . . .
• Plus, many wonderful outside arrangements with beautiful greens and colorful berries combined with antique farm tools, sleighs, and sleds!

Sign up early - space is limited!
    Sign up by November 18th and SAVE $5.00!

Each workshop is only only $40.00
       ($35.00 if you register by 11/18/12).

Each participant will take home: a bundle of mixed evergreen boughs, 3 wreath rings (8", 10", & 12"), 1 spool of floral wire, 1 large oasis block, a 6" design bowl, assorted spruce & pine cones, a $10.00 Gift Certificate for Viette perennials to be used next season, and loads of great ideas for your holiday decorating!

Pre-registration is required.

Call 800-575-5538 for more details & to register.