Don't Bury Your Tree

In my April 10th article I wrote about the importance of planting trees at the correct depth. Here are some quick tips for proper tree planting.

First, take a soil sample at least a few weeks before planting. This will give you time to apply lime and fertilizer to the planting area and is best done before planting. If you will be using power digging equipment contact the PA One-Call System 3 to 10 business days before planting to help you avoid hitting underground utilities. In Pennsylvania, call 811 or visit www.paonecall.org

The planting area should be saucer shaped with soil loosened three to five times the diameter of the root ball and no more than the depth of the root ball. At a minimum, loosen soil in the planting area 2½ times the diameter of the root ball and 12 inches deep. The root ball should sit on solid, undisturbed ground rather than on loose soil. To accomplish this, dig the root ball hole so the top of the root collar (where the tree trunk flares out to the roots) is level with the existing grade of the area. Because of cultivation in the nursery, balled and burlapped plant stock may have soil piled on top of the root collar. Pull this excess soil away to determine where the root collar starts.

Hold the tree upright while backfilling around the root ball. Gently pack the soil to prevent any major air pockets; water occasionally to help settle the soil. When the root ball has been covered with soil, rake the soil evenly over the entire planting area. Deeply water the entire excavated area.

The roots of bare-root trees should be supported by a mound of soil within the planting hole so they will be evenly distributed within the planting hole. Do not kink the roots of bare-root trees to force them into a planting hole that is too small. Their root collar should be positioned level with the existing grade.

For more information on planting trees see the Penn State Extension publications
http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/freepubs/pdfs/uj253.pdf
http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/freepubs/pdfs/uh143.pdf
For information on these and other tree related topics, visit www.patrees.org

Questions? Contact your local cooperative extension office. In Lackawanna County ask for the Garden Help line at 963-6842 or email LackawannaMG@psu.edu


Terry Schettini, Extension Educator
Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lackawanna County

The A B Cs of Fall Gardening

A is for Assessing and Analyzing

• What worked well this year? Was there a type of plant or vegetable that grew well, were there disappointments? We had a very dry year, some things survived the drought. In comparison, last year we had too much rain. Making notes of the strengths and weakness of your gardening efforts and then reviewing them in the Spring will help make your garden successful and enjoyable. Consider making a photo record too, digital pictures are easy to take and transfer to your computer, along with notes, and resources.
• Have you had a soil test recently? Whether you are planting perennials, annuals, bulbs, or lawns, the nutrients are depleted over time. Fall is the perfect time to have the soil tested and amended so it will produce the best results for you. Soil test Kits are available for $9.00 at the Penn State Extension office.

B is for Bulbs and Birds

• “Bulbs” is an inclusive term describing a variety of fleshy underground matter that includes true bulbs like tulips, corms such as crocus, and rhizomes for example: lily of the valley and bearded iris. Spring flowering bulbs need full sun, well drained soil, but only minimal care. These bulbs, once they start to show, serve as reminders that better and nicer days are ahead. Years of selection and breeding have provided spectacular color and disease resistant varieties.
  
• There are approximately thirty-five species of birds that can be seen in your yard in the winter time. Think about a family project of attracting birds and caring for them during the harsh months of the year. With the right feed and feeders, birds will provide entertainment, action and color. Bird watching, indentifying, and journaling them are good ways to pass the dreary days of winter. So take some time in the fall to select a good feeder, provide shelter and water for them.

C is for Cleaning and Composting

• As the growing season slows down, less time is required to maintain the home landscape. Now is a good time to clean up while the weather is still nice. Take some time to edge around your plantings, remove any weeds and take out any insect eggs, nests, and debris. Taking them out now will prevent hundreds of seeds germinating in the Spring. Trim back any damaged limbs and branches. Sanitize and oil all your garden tools to prevent disease and corrosion. While you should continue to mow your grass, remember your mower should also be prepared properly for the winter. Change the oil and filter; check the plug, and lastly, drain the fuel. Doing all of this will extend the life of the mower and improve its performance.
• Your way of recycling naturally: start a compost pile with grass clippings and spent plants as you clean up your vegetable garden. You can also add the used potting soil from your container plantings. With the onslaught of falling leaves, they can be shredded with your mower and added to the compost pile too.
  

For more or specific information on fall garden care and other topics, please contact the Penn State Master Garden helpline at (570) 963- 6842 or email LackawannaMG@psu.edu

Steve Ward
Master Gardener Coordinator
Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lackawanna County

Moss

All that grows green isn’t always something homeowners want in their lawn. Dandelions, white clover, ground ivy, perennial weeds, and all sorts of annual grasses are plants needing turf management. One of the first weeds to green-up in the spring is moss.

Many different species of moss can grow and persist in home lawns. Unlike seed-bearing plants, mosses produce spores that can be wind-blown from one area to another. Moss is an opportunistic plant that will develop and grow in bare soil areas or where lawns are weak and thin. Moss does not “crowd out” grass, but once it is established, grass plants will not spread into those areas.

Moss is very persistent and difficult to remove from a lawn unless an effort is made to promote a healthy, dense, actively-growing turf to take its place. Moss in lawns is usually the result of conditions that are not conducive to good growth of turf. It is most commonly associated with shallow, rocky soils; poor soil fertility; low soil pH (acid soils); heavy shade; and excessive moisture. If any of these factors are limiting turf growth, moss can invade the lawn and establish a permanent residence.

The first step in a moss control program is to test the soil for nutrient content and pH. Soil test kits are available from the Penn State Cooperative Extension office for a nominal fee. If the soil is deficient in nutrients or in need of liming, the soil test report will indicate how much fertilizer and lime to apply and when to apply them.

If shade and/or moisture are the limiting factors for good turf growth, steps should be taken to correct the situation or plant grasses that are adapted to shaded or moist areas. The fine fescues are the best-adapted turfgrasses to shaded, well-drained soils, whereas, rough bluegrass is better adapted to shaded, moist soils.

Unfortunately, there are very few products that can be used to control moss. Products containing fertilizer and iron sulfate are sold at retail garden centers and can turn moss black and sometimes reduce encroachment Be sure to follow label directions so that these products are used safely and correctly. We have a free publication “Moss in the Lawn”. For a copy, please contact the Penn State Master Gardeners in Lackawanna County at (570) 963-6842 or email: LackawannaMG@psu.edu.

Also, on every Saturday now through May 22nd, we are having a Spring into Gardening Workshop at Bill’s Ace Hardware, Route 435 Daleville, PA. The Master Gardeners will be there from 11 am – 2 pm to answer your gardening questions. Plus at noon we will have demonstrations on various seasonal topics. This is free and open to the public.


Steve Ward
Master Gardener Coordinator
Lackawanna County
Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce

Fall Work

Even though your home landscape isn’t in full bloom now doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of the clear crisp days of fall. There is plenty to do outside.

• Cleaning - Your tools: although it is better to clean after every use we are too busy to do that consistently. Take great care handling the blades and other sharp parts. After cleaning use a metal oil to prevent rusting. Also consider to sharpen now when time is plentiful. Your mower: remove all accumulated clippings from under the deck to help prevent the spread of disease and keep your mower in better condition. Inspect for damage and fix as necessary. After you are done with it for the season, drain the gas, change the oil, and air filter. Consult the owner’s manual for specifics and work safely. Your garden: remove any diseased plant material completely. Bag it and set it out for trash removal. Compost only debris from healthy plants. Remove any weeds too. A little bit of prevention can inhibit diseases from over wintering.


• Compost - Your way of recycling naturally: start a compost pile with grass clippings and spent plants. Shredding leaves with your mower helps them break down quickly. You can use them around trees shrubs and tender perennials as mulch.


• Crops - Your choice now will pay dividends next year: the fall is ideal for planting garlic, spring bulbs, and trees. Sow a cover crop such as winter rye that will grow this fall and protect the topsoil during winter. The following spring, plow the cover crop back into the soil to enrich it with fresh organic matter. This reduces populations of soil-borne disease agents.


• Care - Your can work around the home into the fall: grass still grows this time of year so remember to cut it regularly. And it is the ideal time to add lime, over seed and take a soil test to get the best turf for next year. Also, look around your home’s foundation. If you notice clumps of ornamentals or accumulated leaves, remove them. Rodents use these as nesting sites and means of hiding as they try to enter your house.

For more or specific information on fall garden care, please contact the Penn State Master Garden helpline at (570) 963- 6842 or email us at LackawannaMG@psu.edu.

Steve Ward
Master Gardener Coordinator
Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lackawanna County

Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce.

Fall Care

The signs are all here - the shorter days bringing quicker sunsets, the heavy dew on our cars in the morning, the ever present big yellow school buses - fall is here. This season brings on a host of gardening chores and choices. Although this past year has had its challenges for the home landscaper, autumn is a great time to experience the outdoors before the next big change.

Fall for Cutting
Most cool season grasses that do well in Pennsylvania go through a growth spurt in the fall. You may see that it grows faster now than during the summer, so remember to continue cutting your grass. In addition, the fall is a great time to reseed any bare spots. Plus it is an ideal time to fertilize the lawn. Giving turf the proper nutrients does more for improvement than any other practice. So consider a soil test to get the best balanced program. We have soil test kits and the publications “Lawn Management Through the Seasons” and “Don’t Guess…Soil Test” to guide you.

Fall for Care
By now most perennials have finished blooming and they need a bit of care to get through the next few months. First, it is good to make some notes on what worked and what didn’t. This way you can capitalize on this year’s successes for 2010. Some perennials need cutting back and some varieties can be left as is for a winter effect, or food for birds. Any diseased plants need to removed as soon as possible. Think though about rodents - they love to hibernate in thick clumps of ornamental grasses. The fact sheet “Fall Perennial Care” is available for additional help.

Fall for Color
As one season ends and another begins, the homeowner has another chance for color. There are many options to liven up the fall landscape with little or no effort. Fall mums are plentiful right now. These low maintenance flowers look good anywhere and need little care. Consider adding daisy-like asters to augment the fall mums. For even more effect, pansies are gaining popularity for this time of year. These three together will be a welcome sight as the rest of your landscape “falls” into the next season. For more information on mums or asters please call the Penn State Master Gardener Helpline at 570-963-6842 and ask for “Asters” and “Chrysanthemums” or email us at LackawannaMG@psu.edu


Steve Ward
Master Gardener Coordinator
Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lackawanna County

Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce.