Do you need a gift for a Dedicated Gardener?  The new Garden Tea Brew Kit is perfect.  If they have a Brew Kit already, what about a 12-Gal Refill?

Do you know a Houseplant Devotee?  They will love the SuperFood Plant Tabs to nurture their indoor plants.  SuperFood is on special at $8.99 per box for the whole of November and December!

As you wrap up the garden for the year, take time to look over any trees and shrubs that need attention.  After the recent heavy snows in Colorado, the roads and backyards were littered with tree limbs, ripped from trunks.  Many trees are now stressed and vulnerable to diseases.  This months article gives some tips on how to give your trees a little extra TLC over the winter.  They will appreciate it.

Unless I get a sudden urge, this will be the last newsletter before January, so have a wonderful and peaceful holiday season.

Roland Evans
Organic Bountea     

A tree may look big, strong and permanent, but it is a living being that requires care, particularly in harsh conditions. Mentally divide the needs of your trees into its component parts: roots, trunk/bark, limbs/shoots.

 

Roots

A tree takes up nutrients and moisture through tiny rootlets. While a big tree has one or more deep main roots (tap roots), most feeder roots are close to the surface, sometimes as little as a few inches down. These need protecting, watering and feeding:

• 
  Trunk and BarkMulch around the tree to the drip-line with compost, leaves and organic matter. Do not mound the mulch up against the trunk.
• Deeply water the tree during winter whenever the ground is unfrozen and dry.
• While the soil is unfrozen, apply Bountea Compost Tea with Root Web as deeply as possible. Tree roots depend on the mycorrhizae in Root Web to transport extra nutrients and moisture.

The inner layer of the bark moves nutrients and moisture up to the shoots and leaves. Damage to the outer protective layers of the trunk leaves the tree open to invasion by disease and insects.

• Newly planted trees need extra trunk support so that roots do not get loosened during high winds.
• Wrap delicate tree trunks with tree wrap to avoid damage from frost, deer, porcupine and other animals.
• Cut damaged or dead limbs close to (not against) the trunk and trim ragged bark around wounds. If damage is significant, treat with protective tree products.

Limbs and Shoots

Pruning should be completed while trees are dormant, either in late fall or early spring.

• Removal of substantial tree limbs is best left to a professional if there is a chance of damage to property or people.
• On smaller trees, prune out dead or damaged limbs, tangled and crossed branches and attempt to open up and shape the tree to its best advantage.
• Take off whole branches rather than trim ends or shoots – except on hedges and topiary.
• The shoots of smaller delicate flowering or fruiting trees can be successfully protected from late frosts with layers of row cover. Remove as soon as danger of frost is over.

With a little forethought and care, your trees will bring shelter and beauty to your garden for years to come.

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