Saturday, November 15, 2014

Autumn- Trees and Vines


Newsletter

Vines on Trees - a No-No!

It’s time again to get the ivy and other vines off of and out of the trees. Vines should simply not be allowed to grow on trees. In the tops of trees, the vines reach out beyond the foliage and block the sunlight. With sunlight cut down, photosynthesis is reduced and tree health suffers. Plus it just looks messy.


English ivy and other clinging vines and groundcovers are also a problem on trunks of trees. First of all the foliage blocks light and air, limiting the breathing that bark is designed to do. The vines collect organic material in the form of loose bark, dead leaves, dust and other debris. This mixture creates soil that collects in crotches, but worse, it builds up on the root flares of trees. Long term this creates a condition similar to trees being planted too deep in the ground. Girdling, rot and even death can result. At the very least, tree health and growth are reduced. Some people say it’s okay to leave these plants on the trunks of trees. Their advice is very bad. I used to make the same mistake.

This is an important fall/winter maintenance procedure for everyone with trees. Remove all vines and ground covers from trees completely. Also remove the plants from at least 12" around the base to expose the trunk/ root flare. If soil and/or mulch are covering the flare, they should be removed as well.

You will be fascinated how much this procedure improves the health and growth of your volunteer trees. If you have any questions on this newsletter or any other topic, tune in Sunday 8 am -11 am (CST) to the Dirt Doctor Radio Show. Listen on the internet or find a station in your area. The phone number for the show is 1-866-444-3478. Please share this newsletter with everyone in your address book and all of your friends on Facebook and Twitter to help me spread the word on organics.


Naturally yours,

Howard Garrett



Thursday, November 13, 2014

November Meeting


President, Beverly Allen, called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. at the Cypress Creek Lakes Community Center.

Emil and Analiza Del Valle of Andrew Arbor Ct. were announced as November’s Yard of the Month winners.

Those in attendance included: Sandra Gilbert, Beverly Allen, Larry Allen, Marcia Mausolf, David Mausolf, Billie Fontana, Ann Wiseman, Jennifer Buchert, Ellen Jones, Helen Lombardo, Debbie Haluch.

A motion was made and seconded to dispense of the reading of the minutes.

Business: Bev discussed various garden club initiatives including additional signs for new sections of Cypress Creek Lakes. Four new signs were placed in the new section. Concerns were expressed from aging Yard of the Month sign. Bev also reminded members that she and Larry will host the annual Christmas party at their home on December 12 at 7 p.m. Assignments for food items will be arranged alphabetically by last name. A-M will bring appetizers/side dishes. N-Z will brings desserts.

The Federation Garden Club meeting will be November 14. The program includes a flower show. Ann and Bev will attend.

The butterfly garden has been planted. Helen announced that she will be moving back to Louisiana with her family and asked if anyone would be interested in taking over her duties as butterfly garden “manager” and Jr. Gardener event organizer.

Upcoming tours and demos were discussed.
Master Gardener, Margaret Lloyd Bingham gave a lovely and informative presentation on butterflies and butterfly gardens. A donation will be made to the Harris County Master Gardeners Association in the amount of $40.

Thank you to Billie for being hostess this month!


Gardening tip of the month: “Thanksgiving is considered the best time to start planting daffodils and narcissus. Consider dead-heading garden mums. They will push out new blooms if you eliminate the expired ones.” Randy Lemmon, 1001 Garden Line Questions with Randy Lemmon.

The next meeting will be in January at the Cypress Creek Lakes community center.

Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.



Saturday, November 1, 2014

Energetic Butterfly Fall Planting

Garden club members met Saturday morning to replant neighborhood Butterfly Garden.





Plenty of work to be done so everyone started putting in plants according our garden designer Helen's instructions.











The sun got brighter, shadows got longer and the wind picked up a bit.  It was better to keep moving quickly.







In less than 2 hours, we planted 398 plants and mulched too.

The members who could stay rested on the rock and shared quick conversation with donuts.