Garden Solutions - December 2014

            Fall will turn into winter this month, and it is not the happiest time for us gardening enthusiasts, but yet a necessary evil. It is also a time for us to gear up for next year’s seasons and study the new and improved plants coming onto the market. And believe me, there are many exciting new plants from all plant classes including annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs.

            We at Hillermann Nursery have been chosen as an AAS (All American Selections) display garden location for 2015. We will be one of 179 locations in North America including Canada, and one of very few in the Midwest. We are so very excited to have been chosen to bring the best and newest plant selections to you! We will be starting many of these plant selections in our greenhouses and we will keep the progress of the display gardens on our website and in our newsletters. Hope you have the chance to check it out next spring.

 

           I also like to promote the National Wildlife Federation and the Backyard Wildlife Habitat program that they sponsor. I have my home and our business certified as Backyard Wildlife Habitats with the NWF. It is easy to do and a great educational tool. Our feathered friends are great for the environment. Not only for pure enjoyment, but because they also help with pollination issues and are natural insect predators, helping with a sustainable lifestyle and living chemical free. So consider helping your feathered friends through these tough winter months by offering them food and heated water!

 

           One new trend coming to light is growing by aeroponics or hydroponics. This is growing with water as the medium and in much less space than conventional ground gardening. The nice thing about aeroponic/hydroponics is the fact that they can easily be grown year round with the addition of light during the winter months inside. There is a display aeroponic garden growing system indoors now at Hillermann’s filled with fresh edible garden greens. You can’t beat that freshness!

            Here are some items of garden interest for December:

• Thoroughly water all trees, shrubs and especially evergreens just before the ground freezes to protect the roots from frost damage. This may need to be done again if the temperature warms up and there is no snow to help insulate the ground (mid January).
• Hollies may be trimmed now and the trimmings can be used in holiday decorations.
• Use caution when spreading salt or calcium on ice or snow packed walks and driveways. Salt can damage lawns and plantings, calcium is much safer to use. Be sure to designate areas to be piled with snow from plowing in advance to prevent damage to trees, shrubs and lawns.
• Clean and oil all garden hand tools before storing for the winter.
• All power equipment should be winterized before storage. Change the oil and lubricate moving parts. Either drain fuel systems or mix gas stabilizing additive into the tank.
• You may continue planting bulbs until frost in the ground prevents you from digging.
• Perennial beds and roses should have been put to rest for winter by now. If not, cut back, clean up and mulch. Roses should be mulched 10-12” deep.
• Continue to feed our fine feathered friends and place heated birdbaths out with fresh water.
• Keep the dish for your fresh Christmas tree filled with water.

      I wish you and your family a very Blessed Christmas season.  Let’s get to work on planning those beautiful garden scenes for next year!!!

See you in the Garden………..

Sandi Hillermann McDonald