This is the time of the month when the hands of the flower and garden lover become white and smooth and free from calluses. It is a time of “rocking chair” gardening. Plan now for this year’s vegetable garden and for improvement and additions to the home landscape. Foresight and planning this month will save time in the spring rush.
Dust off your garden books study the pictures and read the articles which deal with the subjects of most interest. Articles in garden magazines which before received only a glance may now be thoroughly enjoyed.
If you plan to make decided changes in your landscaping and not sure just how they should be made to achieve the best results for symmetry, economy, beauty and balance, consult a landscape designer or architect. A complete plan on paper for the development of your landscape simplifies the task of selecting and planting the proper things. If you have a definite plan and do not wish to complete the job in one year you may plant some areas one season and some the next until the final picture is complete.
Moving Trees Now
Large evergreens and deciduous trees may successfully be moved even though the ground is frozen. At this time there is less danger of injury to lawns and the frozen ball of earth protecting the roots can be handled without breaking and endangering the life of the tree.
Small trees on the lawn can also be moved now if the frost is not too deep for economical balling and replanting. When frost in the ground is about ten inches deep, the extra labor cost of digging trees and holes really outweighs the advantages of moving trees at such a time. Trees dug at this time of year should be moved as quickly as possible. Balled and burlapped trees which are to remain in the holes where dug for some time before being moved should be mulched heavily to prevent possible damage from low temperatures and drying out.
If your roses or perennial borders are still wearing “shorts” because of comparatively mild weather so far, put the “red flannels” on them now, for the destructive periods of low temperatures and alternate freezing and thawing are ahead.
