grows

HOPEFULLY the very cold temperatures and heavy snow falls are over for this winter,

After secing the collapsed buildings and green houses in Victoria and the Fraser Valley, I think we fared rather well here on the North Shore.

When the temperature drops mere than a few degrees below zero, gardeners should feel thankful if the freeze is accompanied by a good dlan- ket of snow. Even though snow is below the freezing point, it has a lot of dead-air spaces and acts as a good insu- lator for plants. The air tem- perature can be -10 C and the surface ground temperature under 15 cm of snow -1 C.

Which raises the question: “Is it better to leave the snow on tie plants for insulation or knock it off to prevent the plants from breaking?”

My rule of thumb is: when the air temperature is cold enough to keep the snow powdery it is best to leave the snow on the plants. Usually the branches will bend enough to cause the powdery snow to fall off. When the air tempera- ture warrns sufficiently for the snow to become sticky or wet it is then better to knock off large accumulations before any damage occurs.

Be careful to tap the bushes gently as some branches become very brittle in the cold and just a

saw a great number of plants and partic hedge trees branches bent down

i . To preven ture problems it might be wise to tic a foase loop around

most of rainy, cold weather

the tree to hold the branches in position until winter's end. I always hesitate to suggest chat a cord be tied around any branch or tree because they are often forgotten and choke off the flow of sap.

Branches that are broken should be cut away cleanly at a junction without leaving a stub. And remember, most coniferous hedge trees will not regencrate new growth on the old brown wood.

In spite of the cold weath- er, the early bulbs such as snowdrops and winter aconite are popping through the soil. Rake back the mulch or dead leaves just enough to let the new shoots emerge in to the light. It is also a good time to rake any late leaves from the lawn that were brought down by the snow.

It is still a little carly to start your regular pruning. However, grapes, maples and trees that start their sap run carly should be done as soon as possible. Any clematis that has “pranc hard” on the name tag can also be cut back to 30 we 50 cm (2 to 18 in.) above

¢ ground.

The mulch on perennial beds should not be removed

but many of the dead flower stalks on plants such as astilbe, day lily and phiox can be cur down and cleaned up. One perennial thr will need to be tidied up is your helleborus or Christmas rose. Place some dead grass or moss around the plant and under the leaves to prevent the soil from splashing up on the blooms.

Another form of protection is to cover the rose with 2 piece of glass supported on four short stakes. This kceps the rain and snow off the plant and brings the flowers along a little carter.

A dormant oil spray on fruit trees and other ornamen- tals will heip to reduce the insect population next spring. Wait for a high pressure weather system to move in over the coast to ensure your- self a few dry days. Avoid frost, rain and wind for the best results. Start on the inside of the tree and spray outwards before going to the outside and spraying iswards.

If there is not much color in your garden at this time of the year it might be a good time to make up a list of plants that could be added in the future. Here are a few to start

POOL & SPA CHEMICALS

Lynn Valley Centre (Beside Ricky's)

1199 Lynn Valley Road 98 7-5234 North Von

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PACTLIC

Friday, January 31, 1997 — North Shore News — 9

NEWS photo Cindy Goodman

TYING up outdoor plants and clipping off dead leaves are two ways to help protect your garden frem the ravages of winter woather.

the list with; hellebcrus var., Jasmine nudiflorum, Viburnum bodnantense, holly var., cotoneaster var., Camellia sasanqua, Hamamelis mollis, erica var. and Sarcococca var. eee The first program of the

1997 Cedar Series Lectures at

VanDusen Gardens will be A Horticulturalise’s View of Nepal, hosted by Carolyn Jones, a well-known author and local plant person. She will Present an interesting series of slides ranging from the steamy jungles to the high alpine areas of the Himalayan mountains.

The date is Tuesday., February 4, at 8 pm in the Floral Hail at VanDusen. -

Also, don't forget to check the wide variety of garden courses offered by the North Shore Continuing Education

Department and VanDusen Gardens.

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