IS WINTER EVER COMING?

With record warmth throughout the Northeast in December and early January, gardeners and commercial growers are asking: "Will the warm weather wither my plants?"

The quick answer is: It depends.

"I don't think we've seen the extremes yet that would cause a lot of long-term damage to trees and shrubs," says George Good, professor emeritus in Cornell University's Department of Horticulture, and a landscape plant expert who has seen many unusual winters during his long career.

A sudden drop to subzero temperatures following the warm weather in early January would have severely stressed many plants, observes Good. But most plants should acclimate OK with a gradual return to more normal winter temperatures, which appears to be happening as of this writing in mid-January.

"Some flower buds will be killed. So we may see fewer blooms on flowering trees and shrubs this spring," predicts Good. That has commercial fruit growers concerned, as they will harvest less fruit if too many flower buds die. But for most of us, it just means we'll see fewer flowers.

Having a good plan for Spring fertilization will be important as damaged plants may be seeking more energy from the soils to combat winter damage. The crews at Exterior Image treat our customers' beds with an all organic fertilizer during spring clean-up and mulching activities to ensure that our clients are getting the most beautiful plants possible in their landscapes.

PLAN NOW TO VISIT TRENT HILL FARM & NURSERY FOR A SPRING OPEN HOUSE

Please join us for our fourth general public open house on March 31 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Stroll through isles of plant materials, both in containers and field grown in Maryland soils. Make your plant purchase for spring at wholesale prices. You can also sign up for landscape design and installation offered at a 10% discount on this day only. We will have an industry speaker for this event and refreshments will be provided. Do not miss this as it is one of four opportunities each year to buy quality, locally grown plant material at wholesale pricing.

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WINTER TREE PRUNING TIPS

Winter is a good time to prune deciduous trees. Once the foliage has dropped, it's easier to get a look at the branching structure and spot any potential problems.

• Prune out any diseased or broken limbs.
• Remove branches that cross over one another.
• Remove branches that go against the flow of the tree's natural habit (i.e. upward pointing branches on a weeping tree).
• Avoid pruning branches completely flush with the trunk or major limbs; make cuts slightly above the junction point, leaving the branch "collar" intact.
• Don't use wound sealants; trees have a natural ability to heal themselves.
• Try not to disrupt the natural architecture of the tree.
• Be conservative; cut only branches you are confident need to be removed.
• For safety, use tools that allow you to reach up into the canopy, such as pole pruner, rather than climbing up on a ladder.

If you need to get on a ladder to address a problem, the best and safest solution is to call Exterior Image, and have one of our qualified crews come out to address the issue properly. We can take care of the issue quickly and safely and make beneficial recommendations for the health and beauty of your landscape.

WINTER PLANNING FOR OUTDOOR LIVING

While this winter has been mild, it is still sometimes difficult to envision dog days in the sun and cool drinks in the shade. What can a person do when the ice and cold keeps them from enjoying their outdoor spaces? Well, we can certainly start planning for the spring. Winter down time is the ideal time to start planning & designing for your spring and summer projects for next year. Although it may be hard to get in the mindset of springtime, if you wait until Spring rolls around, you may have waited too long. The design process is a critical part of a successful project, and planning during the winter allows you plenty of time to design your space, make necessary revisions, and even budget for your project's installation cost. Feel free to contact us if you need help planning a space, or if you need help/advice with any other facet of your landscape.