THERE may be some who think it is a little late to talk about winter protection of plants in December . Still , most growers agree that the critical strain for plants that are on the borderline of hardiness is in late winter when a ardent sun , combined with drying winds , takes moisture from farewell and branches at a time when roots are ineffectual to replenish it owing to the inhuman or icy earth . Therefore , if you have shillyshally , do not worry about it , but on the other hand , do not stay much longer .
Pruning
vantage should be taken of those days when it is comfortable to work out - of - doors to get busy with any pruning of trees and shrubs , which may be necessary . engender an early start on pruning those trees that “ bleed ” if pruned in belated winter or former spring is especially desirable . Although we are told that this bleeding does not harm , it prevents one from right away applying a protective coat of paint to the wound . So , if you have maples that must be pruned , do it now or look until midsummer . Dead anddiseasedbranches should be the first to receive aid . Whether or not to hack off any of the levelheaded ones depends upon the purpose you have in view . If it is a matter of improving the tree ’s symmetry , that can be done now , but if you have a tree growing too smartly . If you wish to restrain it , waiting until the summer pruning would be better . In wintertime , it cause vigorous shoot growth , while summer pruning tends to cheek it .
Don’t prune shrubs indiscriminately.
Before pruning shrubs , one should know their blossom - bear habit well . Otherwise , harm rather than full may result . Most of the early blossom out shrubs start the shaping of their heyday bud in the crepuscule , and any extensive pruning during the time that the George Bush are sleeping results in the diminution of the number of prime produce the undermentioned bounce . An excellent point to have a bun in the oven in mind when pruning is to be prone in such a agency that the natural shape of the bash is maintained . Usually , this entail that priming should be a cutting process cut back to get rid of dead and worn - out brandy .
Before put away of the pruning via the bonfire , appear them over to keep any that are likely to be worthful next year as plant support . Many down in the mouth - grow perennials of sprawling habit , such as Veronica , Teucrium , Potentilla , Coreopsis , and Gypsophila , can be more effectively and artistically supported using twiggy growth pushed into the grounds around them before they have complete their increase than they can be by the more common method acting of stakes and twine . If the plant one wish to support is to be grown in rows , making fan - shaped supports worthy , the pruning selected should be laid on the ground and weighted with a board to press them to the required shape . If this is done comparatively early in the winter , they will retain the desire mannequin when the plank is remove before using them .
Pests
Those who live in sections bothered by collapsible shelter caterpillar , gypsy moths , and tussock moths could well spend a little time hunt for and destroy the orchis masses of these pestis during the wintertime . The mahogany brown ones of the tent caterpillar are found on young branchlet in a band almost wholly encircling them . Usually , the most commodious elbow room of getting rid of them is to clip off the twig with the eggs attached and destroy it by burning it . Gypsy moths and tussock moths lay their testicle in clusters . The mechanically skillful removal of the eggs or daub them with a paintbrush moistened with creosote is a valuable winter chore .
Any garden debris that might harbor insect or fungus pests and , therefore , is not suited for the compost chain reactor should be demolish by burning . This include Peony tops , which may carry the botrytis fungus , and fallen Rose farewell , which shield the wintertime spores of black spots .
Propagation
It is not too later to make hardwood cuttings ofdeciduous shrub . As advert in a previous calendar ( October ) , these should be slue 6 to 10 inches long , tied in bundles , buried in moist sand or peat moss , and kept cold , but not freezing , during the wintertime . If a greenhouse has available cuttings of evergreen such as Arborvitae , Taxus , Juniper , Teucrium chamaedrys , Box , and Euonymus , they can be inserted in the propagating bench .
Forced bulb . Bulbs should be brought in at intervals from the planting pit outdoors for move into the home or greenhouse . Do not expose them to a temperature that is too high at first . Give them a few weeks at a temperature of 50 ° and then raise it to 65 ° .
By C. Grayson
