Did Sandy Put Too Much Salt On Your Greens?
Winter storms, salt damage, poor soil, stress, slow growth, poor planting – there are dozens of reasons a spring fertilization for your trees and woody ornamentals is important. Spring feedings are best because they come at a natural point in the life cycle of trees when they are putting out new feeder roots. This year, salt incursion from Super Storm Sandy has damaged the soil’s environmental biology. Using products such as BioPak Plus (Organic tree food) to improve soil microbes and micronutrients to the root zone will help repair the damaged soil and improve root health.
-John Gilhooley www.creativedesignhamptons.com
Endless Summer Hydrangea should be done throughout the season. Deadheading, whether a younger or older plant, is very beneficial because it encourages new blooms. When deadheading use sharp hand pruners to cut off the dead flowers. Cut the stem just above the first set of leaves beneath the spent flower at thirty-degree angle. Use this technique throughout the growing season will increase the number of blooms.
In the winter and just before your trees start to blossom, is the best time to prune them while they are dormant. This encourages the formation of the strongest possible branches and branch attachments. With no leaves on the tree you are also able to evaluate its architecture and identify dead or diseased branches. Being able to determine any potential hazards that may