IN THE GARDEN

By Doreen Trudel

Most of the leaves have fallen from the trees, Halloween has passed and it is time to complete the last of the pre-winter chores in the garden before our thoughts turn to turkey and the coming holidays.

Fall has been lovely this year but unusual. I have been asked repeatedly about the unseasonable blooming of many spring trees and shrubs such as dogwood, rhododendrons and camellias. Horticultural experts do not feel this is life threatening to the plants but rather a response to a dry, hot July and August then a wet cool early September followed later by warmer weather.

Essentially the plants experienced fall, winter and spring in six weeks and they thought it was time to bloom. Most of the trees and shrubs I observed had only sporadic blooming so hopefully there are still plenty of buds for next spring. A problem could arise if new foliage developed and does not have time to harden off before winter but do not worry about that now. We will tackle damage repair next spring. For now we can best prepare the garden for winter by providing protection from wind, water and frost.

There are two major opinions on fall clean-up and I am sure they are somehow linked to the gardener’s personality. One group is neat and cuts down all perennials that have died back, rakes all leaves and debris from the beds and dead-heads hydrangeas. Their gardens look very tidy and removing diseased foliage will help contain the spread of disease. They get their work done now so they do not have to bundle up on a frosty day later in the season to clean away matted leaves over young green shoots.

I am a member of the scruffy group. I think the seed heads and brown foliage are interesting to look at and along with fallen leaves provide winter homes and food for wildlife so I cut back only those plants which will not stand up to winter winds and snowfall. The dried foliage provides a barrier between the cold and the root base so if we get a late hard frost there is less damage to the new growth.

All of the dead brown bits can be pruned away later once the chance of frost is gone. I prune the hydrangea flower heads and branches if I think they will be damaged by wind or snowfall. Gardeners can be very opinionated about their fall clean-up habits so like religion and politics it is a topic best kept out of polite conversation.

There are a few more problems to watch for in winter. Periodically check the plants growing under the eaves, pergolas or under dense tree canopy. Although these situations can protect tender plants from frost they can also keep rain off of the soil so plants in these areas may need periodic watering during the winter.

You can also have the opposite problem with water in the winter garden. Look for areas that are water-logged. If the plants there are thriving from year to year then you have the right plant in the right place but if you frequently replace the plants this might be the problem. Being in soggy soil without air for even a few days can kill some plants.

Our fierce winter winds can break limbs, topple vines and deform young trees so take a walk around your garden and look for susceptible plants. Stake newly planted trees that do not look strong enough to withstand a storm. Leaving a stake on too long can actually hinder the strength of a trunk so remove the stake within two years. After a wind storm, check your garden and make necessary repairs immediately.

Large vines such as wisteria or evergreen clematis can be blown down and damaged so make sure they are anchored to a secure support.
Snowfall in Point Roberts is sporadic but after a storm it is wise to look for over-laden bent branches and vulnerable lacy plants and remove heavy mounds of snow.

With our chores complete, let’s plan for some outdoor entertainment such as attracting and feeding birds in a winter garden. A great way to attract birds to your garden is by planting winter berry producing shrubs such as Symphoricarpos (snowberry), Ilex (holly), Cotoneaster, Pernettya, Aronia, Lonicera (honeysuckle), flowering currant and salmonberry. All of these shrubs are hardy and practically maintenance free.

It is also helpful to provide a variety of feeders offering different seeds to attract the most species. I particularly enjoy the comment from the book Birds of Vancouver which tells us to “think like a bird” when locating the feeders which means with plenty of escape routes and perches and out of cat bouncing range. Also keep bird baths and water sources open and free of ice.

My friend Bobbie whose charming house is perpetually haloed by a bevy of birds hangs suet blocks in the winter to attract woodpeckers and sapsuckers. She fills her feeders with black oiled sunflower seeds which attract chickadees, grosbeaks, sparrows, thrushes, towhees, pine siskin, junco and house finches. In summer she hangs additional feeders for the migrating birds. It is always delightful to sit on her deck and watch the flurry of bird activity.

Once the birds discover your feeder they will depend upon it, so make sure you faithfully refill the seed supply. Don’t work too hard, take time to enjoy the bounty of the season and have a happy Thanksgiving.

House plant care

Not only do we bring tender outdoor plants inside for the winter but with the holidays come gifts of exotic indoor beauties so here are a few tips to keep your indoor garden thriving.

Keep leaves clean and dust-free. Even a layer of dust can hinder the photosynthesis process. Hand-washing with cool water and a soft cloth is the best method. Stay away from waxes which could clog the stomata or pores of the leaf.

Do not over water. Too much water suffocates the roots and without roots the plants cannot take-up necessary nutrients. You need to check the root zone for moisture not just the top few inches of soil. Always make sure your plant is in a pot with drain holes.

Check for spider-mites, mealy bugs, aphids and scale. If caught early they can be washed or wiped off with tepid soapy water. Mealy bugs should be wiped off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.
Do not over fertilize. Follow the application directions on the package carefully especially with slow-release products as excessive salts can accumulate on the soil. If a white crust forms decrease the dosage.

Check the information tag that comes with the plant or consult a plant encyclopedia for the appropriate light level for your specific plant. Even indoors a south facing window can be too bright for some plants.
Keep plants away from drafts and cold windows.