WINTER DAMAGED PLANTS

The recent winter snow and ice have caused damage for many of our plantings.  The snow piled up causing plants to bend over and the sustained cold did not let the snow to melt away in a reasonable time period.  The results are evergreen trees and shrubs that are still leaning this spring.  It is good to assess the damage.  Prune broken branches as soon as possible.  Plants like boxwood can be tied together with twine or rope that is made from jute fiber.  If some plants, like rhododendron, exhibit brown leaves, best to wait and see if new buds appear.  Do not cut them back, yet.  Overall, be patient.  Wait a few more weeks to see how the plant is doing and then determine what needs to be pruned.

HEALTHY GARDENS

We all want out vegetable and flower gardens to be ‘healthy’.  This simply means that we are doing everything we can to help the plants thrive.  One of the ways to create the right growing conditions is to amend the soil.  Adding compost can help poor soils, such as sandy and clay soils, perform better.  Compost is nature’s fertilizer.  Attracting pollinators is essential.  Flowers, such as cosmos, zinnias and lambs ear attract beneficial insects to the garden, including ladybugs and lacewings that control aphids.  Mulching can also help to create and maintain a healthy garden.  A layer of shredded leaves, compost or straw helps control weeds, retain moisture and keep the soil temperatures more even.  Healthy gardens will make us all feel better.

CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS

There was a very good article on the importance of balancing our Circadian Rhythms in the Wall Street Journal on 3-29-11.  The article offers excellent information on why it is important to maintain a routine in our sleep, eating, and other cycles.  Being outside in the sunshine is so vitally important to our health and we-being.   To read more – follow the link:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704471904576228532850374342.html

BIRDING TIPS

A few things to consider when attracting birds to your yard include:

• Offer different kinds of bird feeders and different kinds of seed, which will attract a variety of bird species.
• Be sure to include bird houses and nesting boxes to offer a home for birds and new families
• Adding a bird bath because water is essential and is actually more essential than bird seed.
• Look to plant more indigenous plants that are a source of food and nesting
• Keep cats indoors
• A binocular and/or a field guide can make the experience richer and more rewarding

THERAPEUTIC GARDENS SHOULD BE CLOSE TO THE DOOR

When thinking about all that gardens and nature can do to help us relax and lower stress, we should also consider availability.  Having a garden that is close to the door to escape to can be a good thing.  We should plan gardens that are easy to get to and readily accessible. There can be a series of garden spaces and they can be developed for many uses.  Accessibility, both physically and visually, is an important consideration.

CLAY SOIL

One of the best ways to improve clay soil is to add organic materials, such as compost.  Organic matter is lighter in composition and can help loosen the soil.  Organic materials can also help improve soil nutrient quality.  Sand is not a good material to help break up clay soils.  Adding sand only makes the clay soil into a mortar-like soil that is just as difficult to plant in.

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.  The next best time is now” -Chinese Proverb