What kind of holiday traditions fill your dreams?  It seems the farther we march into biotechnology, the more important simple traditions become.  We remember the many family or cultural traditions of the past and this helps us develop a perspective for our future.

   As we reflect on holidays past and enjoy our special holiday with families and friends, let’s remember that people, like plants, respond to love and care.  Giving of ourselves and helping others is the best gift we can give.

 It’s the time of year, when hearts are light, wallets are lighter, smiles are bright, houses are cheery, trees are lit and family is near.  So take a deep breath, grab an eggnog and get ready for that special holiday.

Fresh Greenery

     Decorating the house with fresh greenery is one of the oldest winter holiday traditions.  Evergreens are used to represent everlasting life and hope for the return of spring.

     The first and often the best place to look for holiday greenery may be in your own landscape.  Greenery gathered from your own garden will be far fresher than any that you can buy.  You may also have a variety of unusual greenery that would be difficult to find for purchase.

When gathering live greenery from your shrubs and trees, remember that you are actually pruning the plants.  Consider carefully which branches to cut and which ones to leave.  Distribute the cuts evenly around the plant in order to preserve its natural form. 

Keeping Greenery Fresh

           

•Use clean, sharp cutters to cut branches and immediately put cut ends into water until      ready to use.

• Crush the ends of woody stems to allow the cutting to take in more water.

•Keep greenery out of sunlight.

• Immerse greenery in water overnight before arranging.  This allows  the cuttings to absorb the maximum amount of moisture.

•Allow the foliage to dry and then spray it with an antitranspirant, such as Wilt-pruf, to help seal in moisture.  NOTE:  Do not use antitranspirants on juniper berries, cedar or blue spruce. The product can damage the wax coating that gives these plants their  distinctive color.

•Keep completed wreaths, garlands and arrangements in a cool location until use.

• Display fresh greenery and fruits out of the sun and away from heat.

• Plan to replace greenery and fruits throughout the holiday season if they become less than fresh.

Are Holiday Plants Hazardous?

The poinsettia, everyone’s favorite holiday plant, has gotten a bum rap for a number of years.  It’s been falsely accused of being poisonous, yet no deaths from this plant have ever been recorded.  In fact, research studies at The Ohio State University have proven that poinsettias present no health hazard.

Some Holiday Plants DO Have Toxic Properties:

HOLLY:  Eating the bright red berries of this plant will cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain,, and diarrhea.

JERUSALEM CHERRY:  Every part of this plant contains toxic substances. Eating the fruit or foliage will adversely affect the heart.

MISTLETOE:  Acute stomach and intestinal disorders result from nibbling on the greenish, white berries.

YEW:    The leaves, seeds, bark, and twigs of this evergreen can be toxic, causing breathing difficulties, uncontrollable trembling, and vomiting.

 Although few plants cause death, children and pets are fascinated by the bright berries and shiny leaves, so place your plants out of the reach of children and pets.

 

Tom McNutt is a professor emeritus at The Ohio State University. and retired NBC4-TV resident green thumb

           

FALL INTO WINTER CHORES

When the air gets that certain chill outside, don’t think there’ no more gardening to do.  As a matter of fact, now you can work up a sweat both indoors and out.

Keep Watering

         When irrigation water is turned off and systems blown out in the fall, your landscape plants still need water.  Foggy mornings, heavy frost, and cloudy skies often give a false impression that plants have adequate soil moisture.  Relatively dry air and low or no measurable precipitation lead to dry soils.  This means that even in the fall and winter trees, shrubs, and lawn grasses need water to avoid drought stress.  This is particularly true during the fall and early winter when there is little or no snow cover, or when there is an extended warm fall.

         Remember that established large trees have a root spread equal to or greater than the height of the tree.  So apply water to the most critical part of the root zone within the drip line.

   

Check Those Houseplants

         Have any of your houseplants experienced sudden leaf drop?  This isn’t usually caused by insects or disease but is more commonly caused by environmental problems.

         Abrupt changes in their environment commonly cause plants to suddenly lose leaves. Extreme fluctuations in temperature, for example, or a dramatic change in the light level or watering schedule can damage a plant.

         Over watering and under watering are two of the most frequent causes of poor plant health. Over watering leaves the roots susceptible to root rot. Weakened roots cannot carry nutrients and moisture to the other plant parts and this may also result in leaf drop.  If plants aren’t watered enough, the same thing will ultimately happen in that roots cannot carry moisture and nutrients.

         Proper drainage and knowing a particular plant’s moisture needs are vital.  It pays to learn about the plants you’re growing.

And Speaking of House Plants…..

      With apologies to David Letterman, I offer you my own Top Ten List:

    10)  Browning or scorching of leaf (over fertilization, low humidity).

     9) Webbing on leaves (Spider mite activity).

    8) Foliage spots (usually fungus or bacteria, with black or dark brown centers).

   7)  Sudden leaf drop (sudden change in environment).

6)  Yellowing (lack of iron).

5)  Crisp, dry foliage (lack of water).

4)  Spindly new growth (lack of light).

3)  Brown tips on healthy leaf (cold damage).

2)  Sun scorch (bleached spots from too  much sunlight).

1)  Wilting (usually under watering, but could be root rot from over watering).

Wintertime Tips:

•        Empty garden hoses and bring indoors during winter.

•        Turn off outside water faucets.

•        Store your garden tools and furniture.

•        If you are planning to have a live tree this Christmas, dig the transplant hole while soil is not frozen. Move the backfill into your garage or basement and fill the hole with a mulch to keep surrounding soil unfrozen.

•     Don’t cut off tops of perennials until  they have dried (usually late winter).

•      Water trees and shrubs thoroughly before the ground freezes.

•      Put up Christmas outdoor lighting before the blast of storms and freezing cold conditions.

•        Try not to shovel salted snow onto your plants.

Tom McNutt is a professor emeritus at The Ohio State University. and retired NBC4-TV resident green thumb

OCTOBER GARDENING

     As the leaves change into their brilliant fall colors and you awaken to a distinct chill in the air, you realize that winter s just around the corner.  It’s time to put the garden tools away for the year, settle back, relax and wait for spring to arrive…WRONG!  You still have many tasks to accomplish, even after the first frost. 

       Fall is a great time to plant and October is one of the best months to look in nurseries for new shrubs, trees, and many other plants. Now is also a good time to assess your plantings for fall color. If you would like to add something with a little extra color or texture, you can find plants now that can add to the seasonal value and place them for best effect.  Sumac, Japanese maples, and barberry are

just a few plants that can add color to your garden.What could your landscape use now?  Look at areas of the garden that   Nurseries and garden centers have good supplies of plants this month, and large price discounts.

need screening, could use a shade tree, or just need the boost of an intriguing new shrub.

 Be sure to water anything planted or transplanted this month, unless rains are heavy.  Even spring-blossoming bulbs, such as daffodils, tulips and crocus, must be planted in damp soil and watered well to get their roots started.  If the soil is dry, dig the planting hole and fill with water.  Allow it to drain completely before adding bulbs to the holes.  Sprinkle bulb fertilizer and work it into the bottom of the hole where the soil is damp.  Place the bulbs.  Then fill in the soil ½ way up the hole and water again, allowing it to drain. Finish filling the area and give it one final watering.  This ensures good damp soil conditions for bulb rooting.

      Here are a few gardening tasks and projects that you can do this month to help keep your garden looking it’s best for the rest of this season, and prepare for the long cold winter and up coming spring.

TOM’S TIMELY TIPS

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

•           Remove leaves from lawn to reduce lawn problems. 

•           If rain is lacking, continue to thoroughly water trees, shrubs, planting beds and

            lawn areas, especially evergreens.

•           Dig and store tender summer bulbs like caladium and elephant ear.  Cover tubers

            with dry peat moss and store in a cool, dry place.  Place a  deep mulch over more

            hardy summer bulbs such as dahlia and gladioli.

•           Winterize and maintain your lawn and garden equipment once you are through

            using them.

Tom McNutt is a professor emeritus at The Ohio State University. and retired NBC4-TV resident green thumb