What an odd weather forecast for the end of December and the start of January.  Temperatures have been well above normal with 70 plus degree highs this week and mid 70’s projected into the weekend before reality returns the first of the week with high temperatures on Monday staying in the 40’s but what can this unseasonable warm spell do to plants that have been dormant for winter?  Wayne Rowland with the Vance Co. Extension Service discussed that on the Home and Garden Show today (Wednesday) as part of the Local Skinny!  Rowland said that the warmth can effect many plants causing them to break dormancy. However, since we are still quite early in the winter season and the projected return of more normal temperatures next week damage to plants is not a major concern even if dormancy is broken.

“It’s a very unusual warm period,” Rowland said. “If it were to last two weeks it could be detrimental to plants,” Rowland continued. Rowland explained that any plant that has broken dormancy would return to that state once colder weather resumes.

One plant that may suffer are azaleas. Some people have reported that their azaleas are starting to bloom. Rowland says that since azaleas only have one set of blooms that these plants would have less blooms in the spring.

Wayne Rowland can be heard on Home and Garden Show along with Paul McKenzie every Wednesday at 11:30am as part of the Local Skinny! and the Vance Co. Cooperative Extension Report can be heard at 11:50am on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday on WIZS.

On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

• Get ready to start your 2022 garden journal
• Cooperative extension has Carolina Lawns publication that will give you information A to Z in lawn care
• Start planning your 2022 garden on paper now have a garden plan.
• Check Your trees health,with the leaves off the trees you can see any damage
• How current warm temperatures can affect your plants
• Inventory your seed before ordering more seed.
• Start preparing your seeding equipment for growing transplants
• Build a small greenhouse or cold frame to raise your own transplants for 2022

 

On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

 

THIS WEEK IN THE GARDEN

 

• Check garden tools if they need replacing add to your Christmas list

 

• Take a critical look at your shrubbery to decide what to replace.

 

• Water house plants with room temperature water cold tap water may put house plants in shock.

 

• Re-pot any houseplants that have become rootbound. Most plants benefit from repotting every year or so.

 

• Hairspray works well for keeping seed heads and dried flowers on wreaths and other decorations intact.

 

• Wood ashes have a liming effect and can be spread lightly in the garden.

 

• Dust houseplant leaves with a soft cloth

 

• Be very careful when using a chainsaw.

 

• Check water under your christmas tree each day

On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

• Submitting Soil Samples
• Purchase a NC Christmas Tree
• Give your trees their annual exam.
• Take cuttings from evergreens for festive holiday decorations
• Prune if you have to, but consider waiting until late Feb.
• Make your garden garden christmas wish list
• Monitor lawns for cool season weeds
• Shop local nurseries for Holiday Plants
• Rejuvenate your raised beds by adding compost
• Check water under your christmas tree each day

Now that Thanksgiving has past many people are now looking forward to Christmas. If you are thinking about purchasing a live tree this year then think about a tree grown here in North Carolina.  Wayne Rowland, of the Vance Co. Extension Service, strongly encourages the purchase of a tree grown in North Carolina. “Ask where the tree came from,” said Rowland on today’s Home and Garden Show. Rowland says there are numerous species such as Red Cedar, White Pine and Virginia Pine and they are all great trees to consider purchasing for Christmas decorating. By purchasing a tree grown in North Carolina not only are you going to purchase a great tree but you will also be supporting North Carolina Christmas Tree growers and North Carolina farmers.