December 2003Use pine, fir and juniper greens to make holiday decorations such as wreaths, garlands and swags. For a fact sheet on making evergreen decorations, call 773-233-0476. Spray paint the dried seed heads of coneflowers or the dried blooms of the butterfly bush with silver and gold for holiday decorations. Before placing your Christmas tree in a stand, make a one to two inch cut from the bottom of the trunk so it will absorb water. Check the water level daily. No preservatives in the water are necessary. Place poinsettias in bright light for at least four hours each day. They can be moved for display, but should be moved back to best light area. Keep them away from cold drafts and be sure to punch holes in decorative foil to allow drainage. Follow these pointers for houseplant care during the winter.
Apply a two to four inch layer of mulch over perennials when the ground starts to freeze. This will help to prevent heaving of the plant out of the ground during warm spells. Provide extra protection for mums by covering the crown with soil. Cover the soil with a two to three inch layer of mulch. Do not cut back dead stems. Leaving the foliage helps to trap snow, which is a great insulator. Store used pesticides out of the reach of children. Store at temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit will cause chemicals to break down. Properly dispose of used pesticides more than two years old. Order your seeds from catalogs early to insure you get the seeds you want. For a listing of vegetable and flower seed companies call 773-233-0476. Save mesh bags apples and oranges come in. Use them next year for drying herbs and gourds. Prepare for winter storms by checking out the Winter Storm Resource Center at www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/winter. |
