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Care of Newly-Planted Trees

Newly-planted trees need active and frequent care during the entire establishment period. In USDA hardiness zones 4 and 5, the establishment period lasts about 12 months per inch of trunk diameter. For a two-inch caliper tree, this translates into a 24-month establishment period. Good cultural practices during this period help reduce transplant stress and create a favorable environment for tree growth. 

Consistent and proper care during the establishment period is the most important thing you can do to succeed with your new tree.

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Using Mulch in the Garden

Organic mulches serve several important functions in gardens and landscape plantings.

These many benefits make the use of mulch very beneficial in a wide range of garden settings. When choosing which organic mulch to use, consider availability, cost, appearance, function, and durability.

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All About Mulch

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Organic mulches serve several important functions in gardens and landscape plantings.  Mulches help control annual weeds, conserve soil moisture, moderate soil temperatures, and much more.  These many benefits make the use of mulch very beneficial in a wide range of garden settings.

Can I use woodchips from walnut as mulch in my landscape?

Answer: 

Black walnut (Juglans nigra) is a common woodland and landscape tree in the Midwest. 

Much has been written about the allelopathic properties of black walnut.  When plants produce a chemical that prevents the growth of other plants, it is called allelopathy. Black walnut produces juglone which can cause an allelopathic response (inhibition of growth) in other plants. Other members of the Juglandaceae family (including butternut and pecan) also produce juglone, but black walnut produces more than other members of the family. 

Very little research has been done to show that juglone causes damage to plants near black walnuts or near the leaf litter, fallen fruit, or mulch created from black walnut. 

Proper Watering Procedures

News Article

Because of the recent hot, dry weather, some individuals have begun to water their gardens.  Gardeners can save water and money by watering properly.  Proper watering may also prevent disease problems.  Two important aspects of watering are frequency and timing. 

How should I prepare my hybrid tea roses for winter?

Answer: 

Most hybrid tea, grandiflora, floribunda, and other modern roses require protection during the winter months.  Low temperatures and rapid temperature changes in winter can severely injure and sometimes kill unprotected modern roses.  (Most old garden roses possess excellent cold hardiness and don’t require winter protection.) 

Mulching Strawberries

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To insure a bountiful strawberry crop next year, home gardeners should mulch their strawberry plantings this fall. 

Use of Mulch in the Home Landscape

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Mulches provide numerous benefits to the home landscape; they suppress weeds, conserve soil moisture and protect plants from mechanical damage among other things.  Read more about mulches for

Spring Mulching Reminder

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As every gardener knows, it is difficult to wait for the frost-free date to begin the gardening season. That is why it’s good to find things that can be done any time of year.