20 - Friday, September 11, 1992 — North Shore News

HOME & GARDEN
_ Winterize your landscape

Ie YOu think winier is
tough on you, imagine what
it does to the trees, plants
and shrubs in your yard. So
~just as you protect yourself
‘from the harsh winter ele-
ments, you should do the
same for your yard.

Though all plant life..suffers -
when the temperature drops dras-
tically, evergreeens are the most at

. tisk. Their foliage remains green,
-which leaves it open to damage
from ice, wind and the buildup of
snow. Worse, evergreens transpire
year-round. That .means they

"release moisture which must be

‘replaced by tapping into the water
fesources of the soil.
- If. the. soil around: the root
stem freezes solid, there’s: no
“moisture to be absorbed, which
fesults. first in. the browning of
foliage, and. in. many’ cases the
leath of the evergreen. .
Fortunately, not all. shrubs,
“ttrees- and plants are as prone to .
frigid conditions as evergreens.
However, branches and leaves can
Still be damaged by wind and even
‘broken. by the weight of ac-
umulated ice or snow. And roots
in merally be snapped as the soil
. “heaves,’’ which

rozen soil as it expands.
is. the time to think

- around the first frost and again

just before the cold weather sets
in for good, should give all forms
of plant life a fighting chance.
Antitranspirant sprays
Also called antidessicants, an-
titranspirant sprays help foliage
Tetain moisture, a benefit especial-

-ly important for evergreens. A

non-toxic, biodegradable spray
forms a transparent polymer
emulsion on the foliage which also
protects against wind and sudden
temperature fluctuations.
’ Apply the antitranspirant before
the thermometer hits the freezing
point. A thorough spraying should
last three months. Too much snow
and ice can wash away the protec-
tive coatings. Be sure to re-spray
during ‘such warm breaks as the
January thaw.
*. Burlap

Burlap is about as all-purpose a
product as ‘there can be.
Gardeners for many years - have
placed burlap over large shrubs,
or cut it into long strips that are
.wrapped in-a spiral around the
trunk of a: young tree to protect
the developing bark .from crack-
ing. Another creative use for
burlap is as a wind- or snow-
barrier. Depending on the size of
the plant or shrub to be protected,
two, three or four wooden stakes
also will be needed.
..A barrier to protect a large
bush or small: tree from the ele-

.. Ments canbe made ‘simply. Find

two tall, strong wood poles or
stakes just a few inches taller than

. the shrub or tree. Secure the poles

cimle suggestions

rd:for. ‘the: 7
: “sure to space the’ poles just wider

‘in’ the ground either by digging: a

hole or hammering them.in. Be

_ than the bush or tree. Then attach

Weral feet deep. that. has. been
ell. watered
ips. will- not: freeze ‘all ‘the way
through: .This’ allows the roots to
reach: the. moisture. they: need to
vigorous deep watering...

SF S13.

‘the: temperature, ”

.a piece (or pieces) of burlap to

them with nails or large staples. |
For smaller’. wind barriers, the

_Same process applies. Shrubs near

the house ‘may only need:a V-
shaped barrier, which requires
three ‘wood stakes, while totally
unprotected~ shrubs benefit most

. from: the. box-like effect which

results when four stakes are used.
Landscape fabrics

Professional landscapers rely on
landscape fabrics because they
cost-effectively deter weed growth
and help ihe soil retain moisture.
Do-it-yourself gardening home-
owners are just now discovering
the multi-purpose fabrics. During
the spring and summer months
they help conserve water by slow-
ing the evaporation process. When
winter. arrives, they moderate
teinperature fluctuations and
make it more difficult for the soil
to freeze.

Landscape fabrics can be placed
around plant beds and individual
trees and shrubs. Laid down in
overlapping strips, holes or Xs can
be cut into the fabric with scissors
or a knife. In some cases, it’s eas-
ier to iay the fabric. directly over
the plant, cut the holes or Xs to
the size needed, and pull the ma-
terial down around the plant.
Then just push the loose flaps of
fabric evenly under the plant.

Mulch

A two- to three-inch layer of
mulch helps ensure that the soil
around the plant, shrub or tree
remains temperate and moist and
enables the landscape fabric to
last for years. Even if you don’t
use a fabric, mulch provides a

physical barrier that, separates ‘the

soil from. the . elements. Many
gardeners put recycled yard waste,

such as shredded leaves or chipped .

branches, to work.as mulch, while
others prefer the more attractive
look of decorative bark chips,
rocks or gravel.

Cold weather doesn’t have to
mean damaged’ greenery if you
take the time to prepare.

NRBURN
LESHTING .
CENTRE,

Tuesday, Oct. 13 from 7:30 to

9:30 p.m. The fee is $13.

“Composting. your garden. and
kitchen: -waste into “‘garden’ gold”
is a. ‘one-evening program for
home.-.owners and - apartment-
dwellers. ‘The seminar’ will be ‘heid
from. 7:30 to’ 9:30 on Sept. 29 at
Carson: Graham school,. and Oct.

vat: Hillside - school. ‘The fee is

:On, Saturday, Oct.: 17 there will

“bela day-long seminar on

gardening d landscaping will.
begin’ on ‘Thursday, Sept. 24 and.
run ‘until ‘Nov. 26

“program ‘on fail
will

. The time is. -
7:30. 10..9:30.- p.m. an he: fee is.

greenhouse gardens: running: from
9 a.m. to4p. m: ‘The fee i is $36. .

For. further in ortnation and:

Tegistration’ for. any. of the pro-

grams, telephone the: NSCE office

; at 986-8888. 2

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