Around the Yard
Things to do this week:
* Time to move. If some plant is not doing well where you put it, or if it just doesn’t look right in a certain spot, you can move it in December. Plants are dormant, or nearly so, at this time of year, and most move easily if you dig up a root ball that is proportionate to the top--the root mass should be about the same size as the top growth, or at least half as big.
Many good gardeners routinely move perennial plants around, when they find a better spot or notice that certain plants don’t look good together. They may move a plant five or six times before they find the perfect home.
Moving plants that aren’t doing well often improves their chances. Sometimes simply digging up a plant and improving the soil under it will do the trick, or maybe all it needs is to sit higher, so the “‘crown” or base of the plant ends up about an inch higher than the surrounding soil. This is especially true with camellias and azaleas. A new location might also be necessary if a plant needs more or less sunlight.
* Don’t tread on me. Remember not to walk on garden soil after a rain, or you will compact it and destroy the soil’s drainage and structure. If you must get into a garden bed, lay down a wide board to spread your weight.
Similarly, don’t dig in a too-wet soil. Wait several days after a rain until the soil is nicely moist but not soggy. The traditional gardener’s test for a good soil will also tell you when it is safe to dig--squeeze a handful of soil, and if it becomes a wet, hard ball, you had better wait to dig. A just-right soil will crumble on its own after you release your grip, or will break apart when pushed.
* Spray fruit trees. To protect fruit trees from a variety of diseases next spring and summer, spray the trees now and again in late January with a fungicide made for use on dormant trees, such as one of the environmentally sound copper or sulfur sprays. On apricots, only use copper spray; sulfur can damage them.
* Clean, sharpen tools. Scrape dirt and mud from handles and blades of tools. Wipe linseed oil on wood tool handles, let it soak in overnight and wipe the excess off in the morning. Clean and lightly oil blades so they don’t rust in winter’s damp, and sharpen them. Even spades work better for digging and dividing if the cutting edge is sharp. Pruning tools will see lots of action next month when fruit trees and roses need their annual winter “prune-up.”
