Garden hacks

A Study

I have just read a study that used two groups of people. One group had houseplants, bird feeders, a nice view of a yard or watch PBS garden shows. They were required to journal about these things of nature or what they were going to accomplish in the spring. The other group did not write of nature but of man-made things like redecorating their home and watch shows like Property Brothers. They also journaled on these things.

The control group did neither of these things for the study. The difference as you might already have guessed is the “nature people” has a higher value of well being and connection to people than the other two groups.

So, go ahead and look at your houseplants and garden catalogs by a sunny window while watching the birds eat out of the feeder and think about how it makes you feel and don’t be surprised if you notice your spirits lift.

Garden Pests

Sunscald on Trees

I have noticed that there is a lot of sunscald on trees this year. Sunscald on trees usually happens on the south or south-west exposed bark where the sun’s warmth is stronger. The bark will die causing it to shed off the trunk or crack and peel vertically.

This causes the warm sun heating up the bark during the day in where the sap starts to become fluid. Then followed by cold night temperature causing the sap to freeze and burst. This process causes the bark to split and be damaged.

What trees on affected:

Certain species of trees have thinner bark including birch, maple, linden, boxelder (a maple), ash, and some evergreens are more susceptible to sunscald. Young bark, especially in fruit trees, are more susceptible than older bark which is thicker and provides better insulation for the cells. Trees that are well watered in the winter months are less likely to get sunscald.

How to prevent:

A number of products have been used to prevent sunscald. The old-time prevention was to use whitewash (white washable paint) to reflect sunlight keeping the bark cooler.

Wraps will also hold in some warmth at night, but this will have a very limited effect on the low temperature reached. Brown paper wraps actually absorb heat and can increase the temperature of the bark. Only white or silver products should be used.

Mulching with rock or organic material reduces sunscald injury. That is why trees in mulched beds show little if any sunscald. I have used plastic spiral wraps with holes (reducing temperature fluctuations and preventing rabbit damage. These should be removed each spring to reduce the potential insect and fungal problems listed above. As the bark ages and gets harder the wrap can be left off.

As for pruning a young tree, try to leave the first lower scaffold branch pointing to the south or south-west to shade that side of the trunk.

DIY Projects

Ideas for Old Picture Frames

I had some old picture frames and mirror frames that I recently put in the dumpster. Now I am finding out people are buying these vintage frames for high dollars at flea markets and online. People are using these frames now for home decorations.

A vintage picture frame has an elegance all to itself, displayed on a wall or in groups. Add some background behind it and create something of a one of a kind like several old photos or old personal items in a group for a 3D effect.

Combine empty frames with regular framed pictures or other objects give you a striking display. So, get those old frames out from the attic or garage and have fun. Below are some ideas in using empty frames.