unavoidable, but with proper planning, they can be mitigated.
Lastly, if you live on or near this or any lake, stream, or estuary, there are guidelines that
may need to be observed. The use of native species and/or acceptable alternatives need not
spoil your vision for the perfect landscape, as there are many options available. Phosphate
free fertilizer products can be used without feat of undermining the health of any body of
water. Sensible application of approved products following applicable spreader rates avoids
unnecessary run off. Buffer zone plantings can catch and absorb excess runoff due to heavy
down pours. All of these steps save money and help to avoid polluting our environment.
Beyond that, don’t be afraid to plan your yard to suit your fancy. Anticipating future
adornment can help you to avoid extra work and wasted time. Might you want a patio, a fire
pit, or maybe a future swing set? Even if you can not do it now, take care not to plant yourself
into a corner.
Now is also a good time to assess some future problems. Taking a slow browse on a nice day
can yield important clues to damaging little nasties that may have invaded your yard. Look
for visual clues to an infestation of scale, a small white parasite just waiting to spread its clan,
or bagworm, a worm encased in the foliage of its host, hanging and lying in wait to propagate
its species at the expense of your plants. Even the presence of what may look like sawdust
around the base of a tree or shrub (indicating potential borer worms), if seen now will give
you a head start on controlling a future problem.
Your yard may be sleeping, but it is not at rest. Roots are spreading, and buds are forming.
Start planning your next move now, before the candy store opens and the whim of impulse
clouds your judgment.
First, to prune or not to prune is an important question. Understanding where, when, and
how to trim can mean all the difference in how your trees and shrubs grow. Whether you
want to cosmetically shape a plant or to simply maintain its height,
pruning is a great way to encourage more blooms by reinvigorating
mature plants and prompting new or young plants to fill out. Also,
pruning allows for more light to enter the interiors of the plant for
balanced growth and air movement, which can help resist mildews
from starting or spreading.
Tips on pruning: In general, our region falls loosely into what is
called the “May rule.” If your flowering trees or shrubs bloom before
May – such as Forsythia, Pieris, and Azaleas -- their blooms were
already set last year. Do not trim those now if you want to see them
bloom this Spring. If they need trimming, wait until shortly after all
blooms have faded.
Summer bloomers such as Butterfly Bushes, Hydrangeas, and tree or
shrub varieties of Crape Myrtles bloom on new growth so they need
to be trimmed now. Unless your plant is completely out of control,
never trimmore than one third of existing foliage. Excessive trimming can heavily stress the
plant, potentially causing you to lose a year of blooms or killing the plant altogether.
Deciduous hardwood trees should be pruned now, well before the onset of spring. In fact,
this is the perfect time. This is true for common hardwoods, such as oak, poplar, maple and
elm. Don’t wait until late winter/early spring; you should avoid pruning when the sap begins
to flow again.
Whenever you prune, individual branch cuts should be made on a 45-degree angle, just above
the nearest existing bud. Prune hedges just below all fading flowers.
Remember, it never hurts
to seek professional
advice. You can reach Bob
Siren at Diamond Hill
Garden Center at
540-297-7009.
Discover Smith Mountain Lake
Winter 2015
36
