Welcome
to Hamlen's
Helping Hand!
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This
is our 4th newsletter of 2003. We
look forward to seeing you at the
garden center.
Fall
is the time for planting and preparing for winter.
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In
this issue...
Fall
is For Planting
  When
you plant trees and shrubs at this time of year, you are giving
them time to establish their roots before the winter sets in.
It may not seem warm to us, but the soil temperature is quite
adequate for the roots to start growing. Adding bonemeal when
planting can help stimulate root growth. It is a slow release
organic fertilizer that will be available in the spring when the
plant needs it most.
Protection
Staking and winter protection is important to any newly planted
shrub. Evergreens and broad leaf evergreens should be wrapped
with burlap or if too big, anti-desiccant can be applied. This
is a coating that is sprayed on in the late fall to help keep
the plant from drying out. Your efforts from protecting your plants
will be quickly noticed in the spring. The plants will be healthy
with no winter burn, and the broad-leaf evergreens will have many
more blooms.
We
are always happy to answer any questions you may have on this
information or any other plant questions you need answered.
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Fall
clean-up
Clean up and weed vegetable and annual gardens. Cut back perennials
after the first frost. Cut back right to the ground and remove
any of the old foliage that is on the ground This helps fight
diseases and over-wintering insects that live in the debris. Lawns
should be mowed at 1 1|2 in. tall ,(1\2 in. shorter than usual)
and raked thoroughly so that all leaves and debris are removed.
A fall fertilizer can be applied now. This will help the lawn
get a quick start in the spring.
Pruning
Prune in the late fall when the leaves have fallen and the plants
are dormant. Prune to remove any wood that is dead, dying or diseased.
Pruning for shape can also be done at this time. Spring flowering
shrubs like lilacs and forsythias should be pruned for shape in
the spring after flowering. This will avoid losing flower buds.
The plants will respond by having new growth, better flowering
and a healthier plant.
Fertilizing
 For
vegetable, annual and perennial gardens amend the soil in the
fall. To do this use manure and chopped up leaves forked into
the top 3-4 in. of the soil. The rain, and snow will help break
them down and add nutrients to the root zones of the plants.
Trees
and shrubs generally do not need fertilizing unless the area is
very difficult. Ex. If the plants are under eaves of the house
and the plant is very stressed. Manure and compost can be added
at any time and will not harm the plants. Bonemeal worked 6 inches
into the soil will encourage root development.
Bulbs
that are established can benefit from fertilizing at this time
of year. Bloodmeal can be added to the top 2-3 in. (If you are
in the country with lots of wild animals, wait until the spring
to apply because it attracts animals to dig up your bulbs)
Planting
This is often an ideal time to plant. Bulbs, of course are planted
now for spring color. Seeding or sodding a new lawn area will
benefit from the cooler weather because of a more ample supply
of rain and less evaporation. Trees and shrubs can be planted
until the ground is frozen.
[Back to Top]
  These
plants only get better with age and should be saved from year
to year. They are not hardy and need to be dug up in the fall
after the first hard frost. Clean off the soil from the roots
and hang to dry from in a well ventilated area. Approx. 2-3 weeks.
Take the plant and cut off the stems to 2 in. above the root system
. Using alcohol to disinfect your pruners or knife, cut out any
pieces that are soft or diseased. Clean your tools after each
cut to insure that infections are not spread. Once you have finished
cutting back the foliage , stem and cleaned up the roots, you
can place them in a wooden box with dry sawdust around and on
top of them This will ensure that they stay dry until April when
you can then pot them up for spring planting.
[Back to Top]
 It
seems to me such a waste to see people throwing out their geraniums
when it only takes a bit of effort to save them. The bonus of
rescuing these poor plants from the trash is that they will be
twice the size they were the year before. Dig them up before frost.
Clean off the soil from the root system and hang to dry in a dry
well ventilated room for a week or two. Once dry, cut the plant
back to 2 -3 in. before the main stem. Then store in a double
paper bag. Close tight and leave in a dry well vented spot until
march when you can pot them up. The geraniums will be ready for
spring planting. Fertilize once they have been potted
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Bringing
in your house plants that have been outside should be quaranteed
from your other indoor plants. The plants that are outside will
often have insects on them and should be treated with insecticidal
soap before going beside other clean plants. Often the plants
should be treated twice to insure that they are insect free. This
is an ideal time to check root system and transplant if nessecary.
Prune for shape and clean out any dead or diseased branches.
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| When
Is A Good Time To Force Bulbs? |
 Bulbs
are a beautiful addition to any house or apartment. They can add
color and fragrance to an otherwise colorless season. Forcing
bulbs is very easy. The timing is everything.
Select
your favorite bulbs. The size of the bulb and the size of the
pot will determine how many bulbs you will need. To select a pot
you should find one that is fairly shallow but wide, called bulb
pans. Fill the pot 1/3 full with bulb potting soil. Arrange the
bulbs so that they do not touch the side of the pot or eachother.
The bigger the bulb, the deeper it should go. Hyacinths and daffodils
should be placed almost at the bottom, crocus and snowdrops should
be only an inch and a half below. Place them with the root hairs
down. If there are no roots, then it should be pointy side up.
Fill the pot to 1/2” below the rim.
This space allows for watering.
Water
thoroughly. Allow soil to soak up water for 1 day, Place in a
frost free root cellar or garage. Give at least 8 - 10 weeks of
cold before bringing inside. You can stagger the timing of when
you bring them out of the cold so that you have flowers at different
times of the winter. Once brought in from the cold, allow to thaw,
then soak thoroughly. Place in a warm filtered light and watch
them go. Allow them to slightly dry out before watering. Water
regularly.
Types
of Bulbs to Use
Daffodil, Hyacinth, Tulip, Snow drop, Crocus, Muscari.
[Back to Top]
While
attending a marriage seminar on communication, the husband and
his wife listened to the instructor declare, "It is essential
that husbands and wives know the things that are important to
each other."
He
addressed the husband, "Can you describe your wife's favorite
flower?"
He
leaned over, touched his wife's arm gently and whispered, "Pillsbury
All-Purpose, isn't it?"
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"The love of gardening is a seed that once sown never dies."
Gertrude Jekyll
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