Friday, December 17, 2010
Removing snow from trees
Should I do it? Well it depends. First you have to be able to decide if it's necessary. Are those evergreen branches ready to snap? If your answer is yes, than you should try to remove some of the snow.....carefully!!! Using a broom or something gentle, try tapping some of the snow off, a little at a time. Do NOT shake the branches, that could break them. Gentle removal is key to success. It may take some time so be patient. In the spring or fall, ice can also be an issue. Usually it is recommended not to do anything. Again, is the tree or limbs hanging over and danger of cracking? Then yes. Again, gentle tapping, or hook up a garden hose and de-ice the tree. If you go in there and attack the tree like Paul Bunyan, don't call me !!!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Seed Catalogs
Are yours arriving yet? They are a breath of spring air, but also signal another season of endless work. I will share w/you my favorite 'retail' catalogs:
Jordan Seeds, Woodbury MN (for cheap veg seed, and lots of it)
Park Seed
Johnny's Selected Seed
Gurneys....are ok
Most of my seed is purchased thru wholesalers. What about plants? I have never been a fan of purchasing plants from the 'retail' catalog sources. I think buying in person is always best, like from me!
Wholesalers do a great job of selling plants to retailers like me. Retail mail order not so good. There is a company out of Bloomington Illinois that is a total rip-off. They use many different names, I have counted about 10 total. It is a colored paper catalog with outrageous plant claims. Two of the names they use are 'Four Season & Farmer Seed (used to be reliable). They sent me plants once in November, and they were all moldy. Lots of bad press about this group.
Many years ago I had purchased plants from Gurneys and Henry Fields. The plants were always tiny and rarely survived the season. I have gotten peonies that were so small they took about 6 years to bloom. Rarely have I been happy with a 'retail' mail order plant. Trees are the worst.
Many catalog companies also have retail stores, so that explains who gets the BEST stuff.
Jordan Seeds, Woodbury MN (for cheap veg seed, and lots of it)
Park Seed
Johnny's Selected Seed
Gurneys....are ok
Most of my seed is purchased thru wholesalers. What about plants? I have never been a fan of purchasing plants from the 'retail' catalog sources. I think buying in person is always best, like from me!
Wholesalers do a great job of selling plants to retailers like me. Retail mail order not so good. There is a company out of Bloomington Illinois that is a total rip-off. They use many different names, I have counted about 10 total. It is a colored paper catalog with outrageous plant claims. Two of the names they use are 'Four Season & Farmer Seed (used to be reliable). They sent me plants once in November, and they were all moldy. Lots of bad press about this group.
Many years ago I had purchased plants from Gurneys and Henry Fields. The plants were always tiny and rarely survived the season. I have gotten peonies that were so small they took about 6 years to bloom. Rarely have I been happy with a 'retail' mail order plant. Trees are the worst.
Many catalog companies also have retail stores, so that explains who gets the BEST stuff.
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