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1-17-02
HOME (Indoor plants and activities)
Check water levels in cut flowers daily.
Check stored produce and flower bulbs for
rot, shriveling or excess moisture. Discard damaged material.
Most houseplants require less water in
winter months because growth is slowed or stopped. Check soil
for dryness before watering.
Move houseplants to brighter windows, but
don't place plants in drafty places or against cold windowpanes.
Early blooms of spring-flowering bulbs
can make good gifts for a sweetheart. Keep the plant in a bright,
cool location for longer-lasting blooms. Forced bulbs make poor
garden flowers and should be discarded as blooms fade.
YARD (Lawns,
woody ornamentals and fruits)
Choose appropriate species and cultivars
of plants, and begin drawing landscaping plans.
Cut branches of forsythia, pussy willow,
crabapple, quince, honeysuckle and other early spring-flowering
plants to force into bloom indoors. Place the branches in warm
water, and set them in a cool location.
Check mulches, rodent shields, salt/wind
screens and other winter plant protection to make sure they are
still in place.
Prune landscape plants, except early spring
bloomers, which should be pruned after flowers fade. Birches,
maples, dogwoods and other heavy sap bleeders can be pruned in
early summer to avoid the sap flow, although bleeding is not harmful
to the tree.
Fruit trees also should be pruned now.
GARDEN (Flowers, vegetables and small fruits)
Order seeds before it's too late for this
year's planting.
Sketch garden plans, including plants to
replace or replant crops that are harvested in spring or early
summer.
Prepare or repair lawn and garden tools
for the upcoming season.
Start seeds indoors for cool-season vegetables
so they will be ready for transplanting to the garden early in
the season. Broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage seeds should be
started five to seven weeks prior to transplanting.
Test leftover garden seed for germination.
Place 10 seeds between moist paper toweling or cover with a thin
layer of soil. Keep seeds warm and moist. If less than six seeds
germinate, then fresh seed should be purchased.
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