December Wrap Up

December Wrap Up

Wait!! What?? It’s December already!?! How is that even possible?

It is shocking how fast this year has gone by. We at the Co-Op feel the same way! But, incredibly, the holiday season is upon us! So, along with wrapping gifts, we have some suggestions for ‘wrapping up’ things in and around your landscapes.

Final Mowing

Lower the mowing blade one notch and bag the clippings. The shorter grass blades won’t be as susceptible to winter ‘fold over’ under the snow. Bagging will pick up any remaining leaves and dead grass.

Put the beds, ‘To Bed’

Any weeds and spent annuals should be removed. Cut back your perennials. Add a layer of organic compost under a layer of mulch. About an inch or two of each. The compost will replenish nutrients into the soil. The mulch will retain moisture, help prevent weeds and regulate soil temperature. We still have plenty of bagged mulch and compost on hand.

Tree & Shrub Sprays

Dormant Oil, also called Horticultural Oil, applied in late fall and late winter can help control over-wintering insects and insect eggs of aphids, mites, lace bugs, adelgids and cankerworms. These treatments should be sprayed when air temperatures are between 40 and 50 degrees. The Co-op carries both petroleum based Bonide Horticultural/ Dormant Oil and the organic option, Captain Jack’s Neem Oil.

Anti-Desiccants

Anti-desiccant sprays, also called anti-transpirant, work by preventing the release of water from leaves and needles. Anti-desiccants/transpirants are particularly effective on broadleaf evergreens like Rhododendrons, Hollies, Boxwoods and Laurels. These products are also beneficial to coniferous evergreens like Arborvitae, Yews & Pines. The Essex Co-op carries Wilt-Pruf anti-desiccant in easy to use trigger sprayer and a one pint concentrate.

Repellents

Deer, rabbits and other critters can do serious damage to landscape plantings. Once their staple food sources have gone dormant or are snow bound they are drawn to the conifers and broad leaf evergreens in our landscapes. The Essex County Co-Op carries repellent sprays along with some granular formulations to keep these animals from damaging your plantings. Our Liquid Fence line of repellents protect against deer, rabbits and other winter feeders. We also carry repellents from Bonide, Tomcat and Plantskydd.

If you are planning on being away from home for more than a few days it is a good idea to protect your plantings with an animal repellent to keep the critters away while you’re gone.

Important - Always check the label for recommended species and warnings before applying any of these sprayable products.

Wrapping It Up - We’re talking trees & shrubs here, Not Presents?

Arborvitae and evergreens may need wrapping with burlap if they are weak for any reason, fully exposed to heavy wind, dehydrated from lack of rain this fall, newly planted or exposed to potential road salt damage called scorching. The Co-Op carries burlap in several sizes along with 4, 5 and 6 foot wooden stakes you can use to secure it.

Winter Care for Garden Tools

Once you have purchased ‘The Right Tool for the Right Job’ you’ll want to have it around for a long time. Proper care and storage will assure that goal. Garden tools should be clean and dry before storage. Tighten any loose screws, nuts and bolts. Lubricate any moving parts with WD40 or graphite. Sandpaper any splinters from wooden handles then apply a light coating of fast drying linseed or vegetable oil to prevent wooden handles from drying out and cracking. Sharpen your tools. Dull edges and blades require more pressure to use, making the job harder. Store tools on a rack. Keep wooden handles off the ground or cement to prevent rot. As the wise gardener once said, “Clean tools last longer, Sharp tools work better!”

If any of your garden tools are damaged or worn, stop by to check out the Co-Op’s vast selection of replacements in our Garden Center. Hint – New tools make a great gift for gardeners!

☃ Happy Holidays ☃ 

from all of us here at Essex County Co-Op!