Johnson's Garden Centers Text File document - copyright 2007
PDF file available at http://www.johnsonsgarden.com/tips.html

D E C E M B E R  2 0 0 7

FRESH CHRISTMAS TREES
     After selecting the perfect cut Christmas tree from Johnson's,
there are several considerations to prolong its season. Remember, heater
vents, fireplaces and TVs all work to dry out trees. Here are some hints
to keep your tree fresh.
    - Cut 2" off the trunk.
    - Put tree in water using Tree Life. (Be sure it is taking up water.
      A tree can drink a gallon of water the first day and up to a quart a
      day after that.) Now there is a liquid Tree Life, easier to dissolve
      in water and pine scented. Both kinds are animal safe in case your pet
      takes a drink from the tree stand.
    - Add Tree Moist to the water. These polymer crystals will absorb
      water, then release it to the tree; reducing the chance your 
      tree will go dry.
    - Spray with Wilt-Pruf or Wilt-Stop to help retain moisture.
    - Keep the tree in a shady place until it goes inside.
    - Put the tree up a little later or take it down right after
      Christmas and use a Tree Bag to keep needles out of the carpet.

TREES and SHRUBS
     Now is the time to prepare plants for winter. Fertilize with
ferti-lome Tree & Shrub Food, if you haven't already. The best defense
your plants have against insects and disease next spring is to feed them
now. A healthy plant withstands stress better and recovers faster than a
weak plant.

    All plants benefit from mulch at this time. It helps moderate soil
temperature and retain moisture. If the winter is dry, water once a
month during warm spells. Evergreens, broadleaf evergreens, perennials,
bulbs and pansies are some of the plants most in need of winter
moisture.

CHRISTMAS for the BIRDS
     As you decorate your tree and house inside remember the birds' trees
outside. The obvious first choice for bird ornaments would be a feeder.
Several smaller feeders are preferable to one large feeder. The seed
will stay fresher and there won't be such a fight for perching space.
Also, you can tailor different types of feeders and seed to whatever
specific birds you want to attract. Give the squirrels their own feeder
and they won't bother the birds as much. And don't forget water?an
unfrozen water source is as attractive as seed to birds in winter. Once
these are in place your outdoor tree will be adorned with colorful and
lively "ornaments."

COOL-SEASON LAWNS
     Visions of sugar plums may drive out all thoughts of lawn care
during the holiday season. But the soil isn't frozen and that means
grass roots can still take up fertilizer. If you seeded in late October,
that new grass, as small as it may be, needs to be fed. Also, if you
didn't get your second or third application of ferti-lome Winterizer
on?do it now. This late feeding of Winterizer promotes winter hardiness
and keeps grass green longer. Most of the fertilizer will be stored by
the roots and used to help new grass thicken up in spring and help
established lawns green up earlier. Don't be concerned if you can't
water in the Winterizer. Cool temperatures mean there is really no
chance of the fertilizer burning the lawn.

HOUSE PLANTS
     December is the month to bring color into your home with Poinsettias
and Christmas Cactus. Both plants have similar needs, with Poinsettias
requiring more moisture.
    - Keep in a sunny window.
    - Cool temperatures, 65-70 degrees, are best to prolong blooms.
    - Keep out of cold or hot drafts.
    - Christmas Cactus - let the top one inch of soil dry, then water.
    - Poinsettias - let soil surface dry slightly, then water thoroughly.
    - After watering, discard excess from saucer.

    The Norfolk Island Pine is another traditional holiday house plant.
Generally, this plant likes a spot next to a bright window and prefers
to be kept barely moist.

WINTERIZE ROSE BUSHES
   To protect roses from winter injury:
    - Water rose bush well.
    - Use a rose collar to hold mulch around bush.
    - Fill the collar with organic mulch. We recommend  cottonseed hulls.
    - Protection should be approximately 12" above ground to cover graft area.
    - Prune back only canes that are in your way or  that will whip in the 
      wind. Leave major pruning until April.

    These steps are also helpful when overwintering tender plants like
butterfly bush, crapemyrtle and perennials.