Boardash: ArcaMax Gardening Daily Tips for Tuesday October 20, 2009

Monday, October 19, 2009

ArcaMax Gardening Daily Tips for Tuesday October 20, 2009

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Gardening Daily Tips
For You
Tuesday October 20, 2009

Balloon Flower (Platycodon grandiflorus)
Q&A: Overwintering Container Trees
Q&A: Preparing Herb Garden for Winter
Tip: Plant Garlic
New Healthy Life Daily Videos
Reader Photos

Balloon Flower (Platycodon grandiflorus)

Today's Featured Plant
Balloon Flower (Platycodon grandiflorus)

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Q&A: Overwintering Container Trees

Question: I have a two-tier retaining wall. On the first tier I want to put 6 or 7 giant plastic pots. In these pots I was thinking of planting some rose trees or a small evergreen with flowers planted around it. My concern is about the trees or evergreens that I plant, could they survive the winter in the pots? If not, what do you suggest to winter them. I know once they are planted, the pots will be too heavy to move. Will there be damage to the roots, or can the roots freeze?

Answer: Your idea for gardening on the wall sounds good, but trying to winter-over container plants is risky. Even plants hardy in your region are subject to root damage. Also, plastic pots may suffer frost cracks if the soil inside expands as it freezes. If you must leave the containers in place, I suggest using wooden ones. Alternately, you could plant separate pots of flowers within your larger planters, and remove the small pots for the winter. Sink the pots of perennials right into the ground and winterize them as you would in-ground perennials. You can also contact the ornamentals specialist at your local extension service and see what they suggest for folks in your area. Good Luck!

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Q&A: Preparing Herb Garden for Winter

Question: What should I do to help my herb garden make it through the winter? I have sage, thyme, oregano, parsley, spearmint, peppermint, and wornwood. What do I do to protect the plants from deep snow and very cold winters?

Answer: Perennial herbs are hardy and relatively low maintenance. The ones you have listed are all fit this category, so there should be no special procedures to follow. After frost, trim away any browned and dead stems and mulch lightly around, but not over the plants. Snow acts as an insulator and protects plants from excessive cold, so it is not something to worry about -- in fact, plants tend to fare better when snow stays in place all winter. In the spring, tidy up any winter damage and gradually pull off debris that has blown in and become wedged in the plants.

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Tip: Plant Garlic

Plant garlic in full sun on well-drained, raised beds. Plant cloves 6 inches apart in rows 1 foot apart, so only the tips are showing. Water well and mulch with a 6-inch layer of straw after the freeze.

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Sincerely,
ArcaMax Editors