WARNING! DROUGHT CONDITIONS PERSIST IN OUR AREA!

Drought conditions can be serious for young trees and landscape plants. Even though most plants are dormant at this time, they still need water. Water your trees and shrubs to give them a better chance of surviving the drought and the winter season.

Most of us don't think about watering plants this time of year. However, plants (especially broadleaf evergreen varieties that loose moisture through the leaves) still need moisture through the winter season. Moisture in the soil is needed so that the roots of plants can continue to grow and have insulation from freezing temperatures.

Slower watering is recommended so that the water will soak into the dry soil and not run off. Many methods will work for this - such as soaker hoses, a regular hose with the water at just a trickle, jugs or buckets with a hole in them, or even a deep root watering device. Remember to turn off the water, unhook the hose from the faucet and drain the water to avoid damage from freezing.

Though the plants need water in winter. The amount is not as much as in the growing season. Large, mature trees may need one or two deep waterings per month. Younger or newly planted trees may need more. Do not apply any fertilizer. Add mulch around your plants and trees if they have none - or the layer is thinned out. Keep the mulch a couple inches or so away from the base of the plant or tree trunk (do not let the mulch pile up on tree trunks or plant stems).

National Integrated Drought Information System, Drought.gov, https://www.drought.gov/drought/states/missouri

For more information, contact the nearest University of Missouri Extension Center and ask for MU guide G6879, "Irrigating Trees and Shrubs During Summer Drought". The publication is also available online at extension.missouri.edu.

Here are some articles about the current drought and watering tips: http://agebb.missouri.edu/news/swnews/showcur.php… . https://www.drought.gov/drought/states/missouri

Great Gift Ideas at Hillermann's

Christmas is just days away! We have many, many gift ideas for many ages and
personalities in to fit all price ranges! We have too much to list!
Check out the pictures in our photo album and find many items to shorten your list!

Click here for a photo album with many great gift ideas.

Hillermann Equipment Winter Tune Up Special

Garden Solutions - December 2017

The month of December brings the holiday season and warm thoughts of family, friends and community. I would like to say “Thank You” and wish you and yours a “Blessed Holiday Season” with all the best in the New Year!

Fall will turn into winter this month. It may not always be the most comfortable time to be planting anything in your landscape, but it is a great time for the plants. Trees and shrubs are completely dormant now, so the concept of transplant shock does not apply. 

Trimming or pruning of some of your trees and shrubs can be done now. Resist the urge to cut back everything. Most perennials benefit from adding a layer of mulch or dead leaves. Keep your ornamental grasses up until mid-March.

Plants get “chapped lips” too. Cold, dry winter winds and bright winter sun make our skin chapped and unhealthy. Those winds have a devastatingly similar effect on your plants too. No wonder your evergreens don’t look so great come spring. This drying effect is called desiccation. To fight desiccation, choose the right plants for windy, dry areas. Make sure to water your evergreens well through early December, before the ground freezes. Mulch your plants for winter to retain soil moisture as well as soil temperature. Use an anti-desiccant like Wilt Stop by Bonide. These products coat leaves and needles to slow down the loss of moisture.

Here are a few tips on winter houseplant care. When the heat goes on and the daylight becomes shorter, it may be necessary to move the plants to a different place in the home and to give them different treatment from that given during the summer. Flowering plants need at least half a day of direct sunlight. The ideal temperatures for foliage plants are 68-70 degrees during the day and slightly lower at night. Remember, windowsill locations are much colder during the winter and plants may need to be moved to prevent them from getting chilled. The amount of water the houseplants need declines during winter.  Reduce fertilizing as well.

Some of the plants in your landscape can help you decorate for the Christmas season. Holly and Boxwood can be trimmed now with some of the cuttings used to accent wreaths or live indoor plants. Some of the growth of evergreens such as White Pine and Norway Spruce, can be used to make a harvest wreath or basket for your front door or porch. Talk about recycling! After Christmas, you can take them to your compost bin for future fertilizer! Along with these Holiday tips, here are a few other ideas for the month:

·                     Use caution when spreading salt or calcium on ice or snow packed walks or driveways. Salt can damage lawns and plantings, calcium is much safer to use. Be sure to designate areas to for piling snow from plowing in advance to prevent damage to trees, shrubs and lawns.

·                     Continue to feed our fine feathered friends and place heated birdbaths with fresh water out for them.

Again, I wish you and your family a very Blessed Christmas season.  Let’s get to work on planning that beautiful garden scene for next year!

See you in the Garden….
Sandi Hillermann Mcdonald

Hillermann's ad for 11/29/17

The Hillermann Nursery & Florist ad in the 11-29-17 issue of the Washington Missourian...

Attract and Assist the Birds

       The cold weather is upon us! It’s time to go the extra mile for our friends with feathers. Make your yard a welcoming place for them to visit during these cold months. Birds need high caloric intake to keep their tiny bodies warm. Offering a mix of seeds and suet works well to provide the needed foods and attract several species. Clean and sanitize your existing feeders, and come by to pick up some new ones! We have a great selection to choose from including squirrel proof types to deter those pesky thieves. Make sure your birds have homes to stay nestled in to guard them from the winter chill, and they will be forever grateful. Don’t forget the birds need water during the cold winter months when open water freezes! Water helps them clean and fluff their feathers for insulation, as well as refreshes them. We have heated birdbaths and heaters to add to a current birdbath to prevent frozen water. When un-frozen water is limited, your heated birdbath will be the main attraction!