Articles contained herein were compiled by Sheridan Nurseries of which Blue Willow is a preferred partner. Other articles will be acknowledged according to their sources

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Q I’m looking out my window at my shade trees (planted 10 years ago) and wondering if this would be a good time to prune them as I can clearly see their structure without leaves?

A Unfortunately, spring is not the best time to prune most trees. Birch (Betula), honey locust (Gleditsia), magnolia, maple (Acer), linden (Tilia), and walnut (Juglans) all bleed profusely when pruned in winter or early spring. Think of making maple syrup and all the sap that’s collected and boiled down. Instead, the best time to prune these trees is early summer when sap isn’t running so quickly. In the meantime, you can remove broken branches. A clean cut heals more readily. For branches that are within reach use secateurs, loppers, or a pruning saw depending on branch thickness. For higher work, a pole pruner is ideal especially the ones that have a removable lopper head and a pruning saw attachment. When trees become quite mature, don’t attempt doing the work yourself. Professionally trained and insured arborists will do it for you safely and correctly with the proper equipment. They can also remove all the debris.

Q With the drought we had last summer my lawn was looking very patchy and tired by fall. What can I do this spring to get it off to a healthy start? (Ron L., Georgetown)

AWhen the grass is firm enough to walk on without leaving foot prints, rake your lawn and remove fallen twigs and leaves. Purchase, rent or borrow a dethatching rake to remove old grass clippings. Thatch forms a nasty barrier that prevents water and nutrients from easily reaching grass roots. Compost all this raked material. Next, apply Parkwood™ 21-6-12 Lawn Food at the recommended rate to promote strong, rich green growthover the next 6-8 weeks. To thicken damaged turf, fertilizer alone is not enough. Overseed your lawn (or parts of it) with Parkwood™ Supreme grass seed for sun or Parkwood™ Forest Blend for shade in MAy when days are warm and evenings cool. Cover the seed lightly with compost, peat moss, or Topdresser™ and keep moist at all times

Q How do I winterize my garden?

A There are several tasks to do in the fall - among them: fertilize the lawn with Parkwood™ Fall Fertilizer, clean up the vegetable garden, hill up and protect roses, wrap evergreens with netting, spray non-deciduous plants/evergreens with WiltPruf, screen sensitive plants with protection (ie burlap around plants and/or tree wrap around stems). See our Nov/Dec Calendar page for more info.

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