Strawberry plants should have winter cover to protect
the crowns of the plant from cold damage. A layer of
straw or canary grass works well and should be applied
after the ground has frozen. To determine if the ground
has frozen enough, take a spade to the strawberry
patch. If you can’t push the spade into the soil the
ground is cold enough for winter cover to be applied.
Another great winter cover are bags filled with dried
leaves. Fill bags so as to form a pillow about 4” to 6”
thick, place these pillows over the strawberry patch after the ground has
frozen. This method works well in the spring because the pillows can be taken off when the weather warms. If there is a late cold snap the
pillows can go back on the strawberry patch for a few days.
Landscaping for a Winter Garden
Fall, winter and early spring
dominant the calendar of our
yards and gardens. There are
great plants for the fall, but
the first snows can come any
time and turn that fall show
into winter, and snow could potentially stay on the ground
into April. This accounts for
seven months of the year that
could be snow covered. When you look out the window do you see an inviting landscape filled with winter color? Or do you keep the curtains closed to avoid the dreary scene.
Everyone looks forward to spring, but there are outstanding plants that could make that bleak snow covered landscape look great. Below is a list of plants that will brighten up the winter landscape. Save this list so when spring
arrives again you can come to Bachman’s to find the plants that will
make next winter a treat.
Outstanding plants for winter interest
PERENNIAL PLANTS Achillea, don’t cut the flower stem in the fall. The stiff spike looks good
with a little snow cap on it. Grasses, many types of ornamental grasses
look great in the winter. Look for Calamagrostis Avealanche,
Karl Foerster and Switch grass.
SHRUB ROSES
If the rose hips are not pruned in the fall they put on a great winter show. Look for Pavement purple and Pavement Foxi these put on a
great show of hips.
EVERGREENS DeGroots Spire gives you that strong green upright look of Italian cypress.
Fraser Fir will look like the perfect living Christmas tree.
Weeping Hemlock just makes you smile with its contorted branches.
Maney Juniper offers blue-gray needles all year round.
Medora Juniper, another upright juniper with blue-green needles.
Blue Balkan Pine is noted for its long blue needles.
Extra Blue Limber Pine, another outstand pine for a winters garden.
Mugho Tannenbaum Pine is a wonderful pine with dark green needles.
Weeping White Pine has a contorted shape that comes alive with
a little snow on its branches.
Fat Albert Spruce - few plants can boast a stronger power blue
than this plant.
SHRUBS Arctic Fire Dogwood, this dwarf dogwood has intense red stems all winter. Bud’s Yellow Dogwood offers bright yellow stems all winter. Cardinal Dogwood has scarlet-red winter stems. Winged Euonymus has interesting bark that stands out during the
winter months. Red Majestic Hazel has an interesting twisted form that it shows
off in winter.
TREES
River Birch has great cinnamon-brown bark.
Firebird Crabapple has persistent dark red fruit.
Louisa Crabapple has persistent fruit and interesting weeping form.
African Violet
For many excellent reasons, African violets have
been the most popular houseplant for generations.
They are compact, easy-to-grow, adaptable, grow
in average home conditions, come in a wide
variety of colors, are long-lived and bloom for
months at a time. Unlike most plants, they don’t
seem to mind that most homes are a little warm
and dry. Botanically called Saintpaulia ionantha,
African Violets are native to East Africa. The first plants had small blue blooms that tended to drop quickly after they opened. Through careful selection and breeding, there are now many varieties of African violets in a wide range of colors, habits and sizes.
The blooms themselves can be either a single, delicate row of petals or a more substantial double flower. There are also some wonderful bi-color varieties. African violets are Gesneriads with such illustrious relatives as Gloxinia, Streptocarpus and Achimenes.
To select a quality African violet, look for a plant that fills the container - They like to be a little crowded in their pots. Leaves should be thick,
strong and fuzzy with very few nicks or tears.
Tips for Growing Healthy African Violets
They do their best in strong indirect light. In winter, they can even take
the direct afternoon sun. African violets grow and bloom very well under artificial lights. They like to be kept moist, but can dry out slightly between watering. Take care when watering to avoid getting the leaves wet; water beneath the leaves or from the bottom of the pot. Try to use room
temperature water. African violets need good drainage and shouldn’t
sit in water more than a half hour.
Watering with a solution of Bachman’s All Purpose Excel Gro™ or African Violet Food at quarter strength every time you water will promote even growth and abundant bloom. Once every 6-8 weeks, flush the soil with
plain warm water. To do this, water several times until the water runs
freely out the bottom of the pot. This will remove any buildup of salts
from fertilizers and treated water.
They grow best in light, well-drained peat-based potting soil such as Bachman’s Mighty Earth™. There are also several special mixtures
available for African violets, but some of them are too heavy and
should be mixed with extra perlite.
Flowers and gifts from Bachman’s make any day a special one. When you order your flowers or gifts online, you know you’ll be getting a beautiful fresh floral arrangement from a trusted florist known for outstanding floral design, plus quality and service.
If you’re sending flowers or gifts out of town, you can rely on us to choose the best florist from either the FTD or Teleflora nationwide flower network. Florists who can be counted on to deliver the best fresh floral arrangements and gifts, even when doing a same day delivery.
