Q: I've noticed that many of my evergreen shrubs – mostly junipers and boxwoods – are starting to look off-color, sort of brownish or light green. Should I be worried?
A: An off-cast color can be an evergreen plant's response to cold temperatures and chilling winds. The effect is common during heartland winters, but it tends to be mild and not very long-lasting. We don't see actual foliage loss or twig dieback except during unusually cold weather.
But, off-color also can result from dry conditions. Evergreens provide the most obvious clues of winter drought in the landscape because they retain their leaves year-round. In turn, they use and lose more water during winter than the deciduous plants do.
Although evergreens are at greatest risk during cold-weather dry spells, other plants that are likely to suffer from a wintertime moisture shortage include new lawns established the previous fall and any trees or shrubs that are five or fewer years of age.
Fortunately, you can water landscape plants any time the air temperature is above freezing and the soil isn't so frozen that moisture can't soak in. A deep soaking is best, which can easily take several hours. If the temperature drops below freezing after that, however, no plants will be harmed.
Just be sure that your water carrying system is detached from its source, drained and stored again for winter when you're through. You won't need to water again until a long-bladed screwdriver or metal rod, pushed into the ground, stops before it reaches 4 to 6 inches deep. That kind of rod only stops when it reaches thirsty, thirsty soil.
-- Source: Dennis Patton, horticulturist, K-State Research and Extension
Monday, January 19, 2009
Landscape Answers: Plants can need water in winter
Email warning about using cocoa mulch
Spring is mulching season, and this landscaping essential just can't catch a break. First came a Web-based rumor in spring 2006 that termite-infested mulch was being shipped out of the Hurricane Katrina-affected zone and into flower beds across America. That alert proved bogus.
Next to circulate was a fear-inducing e-mail alerting pet owners to the fact that fragrant cocoa mulch can kill dogs that eat it. But there is truth to the claim, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Some dogs are attracted by the mulch's chocolate aroma, and according to a warning from the ASPCA in 2003, "Eaten by a 50-pound dog, about 2 ounces of cocoa bean mulch may cause gastrointestinal upset; about 4.5 ounces, increased heart rate; about 5.3 ounces, seizures; and over 9 ounces, death."
Cocoa mulch is made from crushed cacao shells, which contain caffeine and theobromine, two compounds to which dogs are particularly sensitive. (These substances are also present in everyday comestibles like baker's chocolate, chocolate bars and candies, colas, and tea.) Depending on the size of the dog and the amount of cocoa mulch it ingests, symptoms can range from stomach upset to cardiac arrest. Dogs metabolize the compounds slowly, so symptoms may take hours or even days to manifest themselves. The ASPCA's advice: Avoid using cocoa mulch anywhere unsupervised dogs roam. Other natural alternatives to cocoa mulch, like cedar chips and pine straw, are typically less toxic but still may contain resins and oils that trigger gastrointestinal disorders in pets that ingest them. And all mulches, including those made from recycled plastics, pose a choking hazard, especially in pooches with less-than-discriminating palates.
If you suspect your dog has eaten cocoa mulch or any other toxic substance, immediately contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435. The center, open 24/7 every day of the year, charges $55 per consultation.
www.ConsumerReports.org
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Growing orchids at home
Warm your home this winter with the elegant beauty of orchids. Yes, you can grow these amazing plants at home. Learn how by spending a day at Powell Gardens taking their Growing Orchids At Home Classes on January 16, with part 1 from 9am-noon, and part 2 from 1-4pm.
In part 1 your will learn about selecting orchids suitable for the home environment, and you will receive your own orchid to raise at home. Through lecture, demonstration and hands-on experience, you will learn the basic care of orchids with horticulturist and orchid grower Dave Bird of Bird's Botanicals in Blue Springs.
In Part 2 you will further your orchid growing skills in this advanced class. Additional species will be reviewed. You will learn how to grow orchids under lights, and hybridization will be introduced. Plus, receive your own orchid to grow at home! Also taught by Dave Bird.
The classes cost $34 per person, but you must hurry. Registration deadline is January 12. Powell Gardens is a 915-acre botanical garden just east of Kansas City, located on Hwy 50 on the way to Warrensburg, Mo. Call Linda Burton at (816) 697-2600, ext. 307, to register. www.powellgardens.org
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Governor Ushers in Holidays with Christmas Tree Delivery from Bowen's Christmas Tree Farm
WATCH THE VIDEO CLIPS HERE: 
TOPEKA, Kan. - It's beginning to look more like Christmas in Kansas, including the decorations at the Governor's residence at Cedar Crest.
Governor Kathleen Sebelius (D-Kan.) ushered in the Christmas season Friday, Nov. 21, with the arrival of the official Cedar Crest Christmas tree.
The 9-foot tall Kansas-grown Spruce tree arrived at Cedar Crest's west parking lot at 11:30 a.m. and was taken on horse-drawn wagon to the front door before being placed in the living room.
"With the delivery of our Kansas-grown Christmas tree, the holiday season is ushered in," Sebelius said. "We're so lucky to have such a beautiful tree each year from local tree-growers. This also makes a great time for Kansas families to visit Cedar Crest to see the holiday decorations."
Around 10 years old, the official tree was grown at Bowen's Christmas Tree Farm in Pittsburg. In addition to Christmas trees, Bowen's sells wreaths, tree stands and garland and offers trailer rides and various hot drinks. For more information on buying trees locally, visit the National Christmas Tree Association website at http://www.christmastree.org/home.cfm.
"With the delivery of our Kansas-grown Christmas tree, the holiday season is ushered in," Sebelius said. "We're so lucky to have such a beautiful tree each year from local tree-growers. This also makes a great time for Kansas families to visit Cedar Crest to see the holiday decorations."
Around 10 years old, the official tree was grown at Bowen's Christmas Tree Farm in Pittsburg. In addition to Christmas trees, Bowen's sells wreaths, tree stands and garland and offers trailer rides and various hot drinks. For more information on buying trees locally, visit the National Christmas Tree Association website at http://www.christmastree.org/home.cfm.
There are about 100 Christmas tree growers in the state, according to the Kansas Christmas Tree Growers Association. Tree farms are a large component of the state's agri-tourism industry, which is defined as the crossroads between traditional agriculture and tourism. Farmers across Kansas are finding additional benefits in tailoring their operations to tourists. The industy thrives on tourists' growing interest in visiting an authentic ranch, roping a calf, riding a horse, touring a winery or picking their own Christmas tree.
"Visiting a local Christmas tree farm is not only a great time for the family, but a great way to support Kansas agri-tourism," Sebelius said.
Becky did notice an error in this story -- the tree is not a spruce. It's a pine. Spruce will not grow in KS.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Selecting a Christmas tree
By Dennis L. Patton, M.S., County Horticulture Agent, K-State Research and Extension/Johnson County
Paper or plastic, real or artificial, what will it be? It seems that no matter where you go during the holidays, people ask questions about your preferences. When it comes to the Christmas season, most of us have strong opinions about what type of tree will take center stage in our homes.
For many of us, in a perfect world, it would be a real tree. A live tree has the right feel, look and smell of Christmas. Live trees are a renewable resource that helps promote American agriculture. Artificial trees are made from plastic and stamped "Made in China." A live tree supports small independent growers, not some retail giant that sees the holiday season as another means toward improving its corporate profits.
Of course, the perfect world doesn't exist. For some families, allergies or a hectic holiday traveling schedule make a real tree difficult to manage so that a plastic tree is the best choice. For those who do purchase a real tree, wandering through a couple of tree lots dreaming about what could be, and the fun of putting up and decorating the tree are among the happiest moments of the Christmas season. There is something about looking at tree after tree for the one that is just perfect.
Each person has different needs when picking out a tree. Finding that "just right" tree is in the eye of the beholder, kind of like "One man's junk is another man's treasure." Before loading up the family and heading to the tree lot, there are a few details that must be worked out. Most important, the size of the tree must be determined. How tall and wide can the tree be for your location? Keep in mind that trees look really small in wide-open spaces. Once indoors, they have a habit of growing.
In addition to size, it is important to think about where the tree will be located. In very few instances is the tree viewed from all sides. In many homes, the tree is placed in a corner or along a wall. This is important information in the selection process. The tree with a bare side may be the best choice, as it will fit nicely along the wall taking up less space. It is difficult to find a tree with four good sides, but often two or three nice sides will do the trick.
After making your purchase, the next step is taking proper care of the tree. Before placing the tree in the stand, cut off about 1 inch of the trunk and immediately place in the stand with warm water. It is important that the tree has a constant supply of water while in the home to maintain freshness. If water uptake slows, use hot water to increase uptake. Additives such as bleach, aspirin or other products are not needed as the tree only needs water.
There are many different species of live trees on the market, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Most trees will remain fresh for three to four weeks. After that point, the needles will start to dry, and the tree will often shed. Keeping the tree out of heat drafts also will increase the life of the tree.
Christmas trees are the center of holiday decorating and festive activities. What is really important is not whether the tree is real or fake, but that love and family joy surround the tree.
Paper or plastic, real or artificial, what will it be? It seems that no matter where you go during the holidays, people ask questions about your preferences. When it comes to the Christmas season, most of us have strong opinions about what type of tree will take center stage in our homes.
For many of us, in a perfect world, it would be a real tree. A live tree has the right feel, look and smell of Christmas. Live trees are a renewable resource that helps promote American agriculture. Artificial trees are made from plastic and stamped "Made in China." A live tree supports small independent growers, not some retail giant that sees the holiday season as another means toward improving its corporate profits.
Of course, the perfect world doesn't exist. For some families, allergies or a hectic holiday traveling schedule make a real tree difficult to manage so that a plastic tree is the best choice. For those who do purchase a real tree, wandering through a couple of tree lots dreaming about what could be, and the fun of putting up and decorating the tree are among the happiest moments of the Christmas season. There is something about looking at tree after tree for the one that is just perfect.
Each person has different needs when picking out a tree. Finding that "just right" tree is in the eye of the beholder, kind of like "One man's junk is another man's treasure." Before loading up the family and heading to the tree lot, there are a few details that must be worked out. Most important, the size of the tree must be determined. How tall and wide can the tree be for your location? Keep in mind that trees look really small in wide-open spaces. Once indoors, they have a habit of growing.
In addition to size, it is important to think about where the tree will be located. In very few instances is the tree viewed from all sides. In many homes, the tree is placed in a corner or along a wall. This is important information in the selection process. The tree with a bare side may be the best choice, as it will fit nicely along the wall taking up less space. It is difficult to find a tree with four good sides, but often two or three nice sides will do the trick.
After making your purchase, the next step is taking proper care of the tree. Before placing the tree in the stand, cut off about 1 inch of the trunk and immediately place in the stand with warm water. It is important that the tree has a constant supply of water while in the home to maintain freshness. If water uptake slows, use hot water to increase uptake. Additives such as bleach, aspirin or other products are not needed as the tree only needs water.
There are many different species of live trees on the market, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Most trees will remain fresh for three to four weeks. After that point, the needles will start to dry, and the tree will often shed. Keeping the tree out of heat drafts also will increase the life of the tree.
Christmas trees are the center of holiday decorating and festive activities. What is really important is not whether the tree is real or fake, but that love and family joy surround the tree.