The latest dirt from...

Dirty Hands Garden Center!
January/February 2003

"Dreams are but interludes
which fancy makes..."

...John Dryden

According to various dream journals, dreaming of trees or gardens may represent life and growth. The state of the tree may give a clue as to how you feel about yourself and your life direction. Winter, which is defined as "the cold season between autumn and spring, in northern latitudes", is a marvelous time to dream. Many of you are inundated with catalogs from seed companies, plant peddlars of all varieties, as well as magazines promising picture-perfect gardens, swelling with flowers, shrubs, everything green, and in-between. Do look at them. Do dream. More importantly, do plan. Take stock of what occurred last year, and what changes/improvements can be made. But above all, be realistic.

While you're at it, you might want to give extra attention to your plants to help them over-winter, in order to start spring in peak condition. People often ask, "do I have to water my plants in winter"? I answer them with this question, "do YOU drink water in winter"? Plants are living things. They require moisture, just as we do.

This misconception can lead to desiccation, or drying out, which is a significant cause of damage, particularly on evergreens. Desiccation occurs when water leaves the plant faster than it is taken up. Needles and leaves of evergreens transpire some moisture even during the winter months. During severely cold weather, the ground may freeze to a depth beyond the extent of the root system, thereby cutting off the supply of water. Water loss is greatest during periods of strong winds and during periods of sunny, mild weather. The heat of the sun can cause stomates on the lower sides of the leaves to open, increasing transpiration. Injury due to desiccation is commonly seen as discolored, burned evergreen needles or leaves.

Proper watering is a critical factor in winterizing. A deep soaking that will supply water to the entire root system before the ground freezes is important, especially for evergreens. Mulching is another important control. A layer of about two inches, around the drip line, helps to retain the moisture. (Be careful not to pile around the trunks!) Although unattractive, burlap windbreaks can protect small evergreens.

The winter season also brings other considerations, such as frost heaving. This occurs when alternate freezing and thawing of the soil pushes small, shallow-rooted plants out of the ground. This prevents the plants from having firm contact with the soil and exposes the roots to wind desiccation. We will address ways to avoid damage, and treat winter injury, in the next newsletter.

If you find that your own gardens are void of winter interest, consider these additions to your winter garden:

Chimonanthus praecox, also known as Wintersweet , is a deciduous shrub from China; part of the primitive flowering-plant family allied to the magnolia. This plant is quite frost-hardy and will grow in most positions, but in cold climates should be positioned in a way to protect the flowers. It makes a thicket of stiff stems, 10-15 feet high. The flowers appear on bare winter branches. The petals are pales yellow to off-white with a dull pink or red basal zone on the inside. Zones 6-10
Jasminum nudiflorum, or Winter Jasmine, is a rambling, deciduous, arching shrub from China. It has oval, dark green foliage and grows 6-10 feet tall, with a similar spread. It bears masses of o bright yellow flowers on leafless shoots in winter and early spring. It is frost hardy, but prefers well-drained soil and full sun. Zones 6-9
Cyclamen, or "Hardy Cyclamen" is a group of lovely plants for the woodland or shady garden. Its foliage is uniquely mottled and remains evergreen throughout the winter but is summer dormant. It is drought tolerant, once established. "Coum" has flowers that may be white, pink, or carmine, and appear with the leaves in winter (blooming now, in Central Virginia)

For those of you who choose not to venture out on colder days, but would like to "feel" the tranquility from within, Dirty Hands as expanded its line of essential oils, and added carrier oils, as well. Now is a great time to play with different scents, creating your own blends for bath, massage, use in a diffuser, cooking, gift giving, and more! There is no wrong way to do this, and each combination is an adventure! Our oils are 100% botanical, with no chemical additives.
We also have herbal dream pillows, as well as sage wands, to help you "out with old, and in with the new".

Our attendance at several trade shows has netted a bounty of new products to enhance your gardens as well as your home. Stay tuned!
In the meantime, grab a cuppa tea, a portion of port, or a glass of juice, and dream on!

We at Dirty Hands will do our best, to help you fulfill those dreams.

Namaste'

Folks, please remember to ALWAYS bring plant and bug samples in a plastic bag. It is very important that everyone be aware of the possibility of contaminating businesses, homeowner properties, and the Earth in general (think of it as a horticultural condom).
THANK YOU!

As always, all information given in the newsletter and on the website in general apply primarily to the zone 7/partial zone 6 regions of Virginia.

There are many new and fabulous things in store for you, at Dirty Hands Garden Center. We always appreciate your suggestions and opinions. Please feel free to contact us directly at Dirty Hands Email. Or, better yet, come see us in person!
Woo-Hoo!
Peace out.
Rock forward.

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As always, if you have questions, please feel free to contact us directly, either through the contact form, or by calling 804-598-8945, or visiting us at 2603 Anderson Hwy., Powhatan, VA. 23139 (This information pertains to the greater Richmond, Va. area and may vary slightly with each locality).