Hello Everybody,

First of all, I wish you all a Happy & Prosperous New Year! Winter is not the busiest garden season of the year, but this is still an exciting time since there are shows & seminars to attend, such as the Virginia Flower & Garden Expo(Inb Virginia Beach Jan. 20-22), What's Bugging You? Seminar (At the City Center Marriott In Newport News Feb.2).

Also, I have a few "pointers" for you to do and keep in mind:

1. Catalogs will be arriving to entice you to order for the season, and those things that will not be stocked by your garden center (CHECK with them first!), you should go ahead and get.

2. Start cool weather seeds (spinach, cabbage, broccoli ,lettuce, etc.) indoors now for planting out early.

3. Prune, spray all fruit, shade trees now, as well as your hybrid roses and climbers (dormant oil kills overwintering insect eggs and lime sulfur kills overwintering diseases). Spray when temps. are above 35 and under 85, preferably in the morning.

4. Keep tree leaves off & out of your shrubs since they prevent light and air.

5. Should we ever have freezing temperatures, take care NOT to walk on your lawn since this breaks your plants down, and keep snow (maybe?) off your shrubs (broom works great).

6. Observe indoor plants for insects-specifically, mites (microscopic, check by wiping a white piece of paper on underside of leaf-if smeared you have an infestation), scale (bumps on stem or underside of leaf that can be wiped off), and mealybug (white cottony on stems or leaves that can be wiped off). These all need to be sprayed for, since they leave eggs behind to give you another infestation. Use an organic or indoor spray for house plants-spray every 3-4 days for three times and repeat monthly or as you see them reappear. these problems are worse now because of dry hot air with limited air circulation.

7. Keep plenty of fresh water and feed for our feathered friends! I like to also feed with suet this time of year.


As Always, Happy Gardening,

Dabney