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Chilly weather will soon mean frozen soil in many areas of the country. But just because the ground is solid, doesn't mean water can't seep in. It seems odd to water during the cold, blustery months, but winter plant loss of recent transplants (past year or two) is more often caused by lack of water than by freezing temperatures.

When plants go dormant, they still need moisture. The biochemical processes that make plants cold-tolerant continue producing high concentrations of dissolved sugars and amino acids in the winter. They need water to do this.

Watering Schedule

Depending on the amount of precipitation and severity of cold temperatures, a winter watering schedule may be needed. When the ground is covered with snow, watering usually isn't necessary.

• Water transplants from the past two planting seasons deeply once every 2-3 weeks through the fall. This is particularly important in the southwestern US and the West Coast when fall conditions are still warm and dry. (A single deep watering in late fall is sufficient for established woody plants.)
• Water once every 2-3 weeks through the winter in the southwestern US, the West Coast and TX if winter rains are insufficient.
• In cold Zones 3-5, water mid-day when day temperatures are well above freezing (45° F +) so the moisture can soak in before freezing again at night.
• Keep bulb areas well moistened.

Rule of Thumb

Though soil is solid, water still permeates. When watering and you hear ice crystals dissolving, it means the water is soaking in. Dissolving ice often helps aerate the ground.

• Poke your finger into the soil. When a half-inch of top soil is loose and beneath is frozen, that's a good time to water.

Frost Heave

Avoid this problem by putting down a nice thick 2″ layer of mulch on the beds in fall after fertilizing. In full sun flower beds where moist soil repeatedly freezes and thaws, shallowly rooted plants will occasionally heave. Heaved plants can fracture taproots as well as lateral roots, sometimes resulting in elevated crowns that can quickly dry out a plant.

• When plants heave from the soil push them back in. Mulch generously to shade the soil, keep it frozen and prevent the freeze/thaw cycle.

When the brutally cold weather hits, it's ok to stay inside. But when there are hints of spring beginning in late January and early February, don gloves and hat, bear the wintry temperatures and give your plants a drink of water. It's the surest way to keep a garden alive.



David's Helpful Hints: Fertilizing for Winter
As winter arrives, plants need to concentrate on root growth. They need fertilizers with higher concentrations of potassium and phosphorous.

On bags of fertilizer look for the NPK symbols

• N = nitrogen
• P = phosphorus
• K = potassium (usually listed as potash).

Beside these letters are numbers in various combinations such as 2-1-1 or 3-12-12. The numbers indicate the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the formula. Fall fertilizers list higher P K numbers. You don't want a fertilizer high in nitrogen now.

What to Use?

We recommend Yum Yum Mix® 'Winterizer,' an all natural formula for trees, shrubs and perennials. Along with increased levels of phosphorous and potassium it has granular humate. Many soils thought to be poor actually have minerals and nutrients that are “locked up” and humates make them more readily available to plants. You can also add Soil Mender® Humate directly.

How to Apply?

Mix fertilizer into the soil when doing fall planting, use a trowel to loosen the soil then add the fertilizer or use it to top dress the soil around existing plants.

When to Apply?

Apply fall fertilizers while the weather is still warm during the day. Warm soil aids root growth. New plants need to get their root systems established before winter and mature plants need a healthy dose of nutrients. After applying fertilizer, add a layer of mulch for winter protection.

Thanksgiving Holiday Decorating Ideas
These decorations will most definately be a conversation piece on Thanksgiving Day. If you are a lucky visitor to a Thanksgiving gathering, these make wonderful gifts for your hosts!

Harvest Wreath
This festive wreath brings home the rich shades and textures of an abundant fall harvest. The mix of faux wheat, leaves, gourds and berries remains fresh for seasons to come. Makes a marvelous door decoration or centerpiece well past Thanksgiving. Use indoors or in a sheltered outdoor area.

Bird Seed Eggs
Tantalize neighborhood songbirds with solid millet and canola seed eggs, topped with a loop for hanging outdoors. The dozen are packaged in a cardboard egg carton. Set of 12. 2 1/2” High



Cottonwood Leaf Ornament
A delicate layer of light-catching copper and gold preserves the lacy structure of these fresh leaves. Handpicked from cottonwood trees. Each ornament is as unique as the leaves themselves and is paired with a tiny pinecone. Use it to decorate a holiday tree, gift or place setting. Sheer iridescent hanging ribbon included.

Chrystal Hummingbird
This delicate garden friend adds instant charm to a holiday tree, wreath, window or gift. Each handcrafted ornament is made of luminous lead crystal to catch and refract light, and comes with its own organza hanging ribbon.







Coming Up: David Salman: 2007 Speaking Appearance

David Salman, President of High Country Gardens, is the keynote speaker for the Water-Smart Gardening and Xeriscape Expo in Denver.

Topic: Exploring the Possibilities for the Water-Smart and Xeriscape Garden

When: Saturday, January 13, 2007 from 10 to 11:30am

Where: Denver Botanic Gardens

For more information: Call (720) 865-3580 or look under education at www.botanicgardens.org

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For additional information: you can contact us via e-mail at plants@highcountrygardens.com, or write us at our physical address - 2904 Rufina Street, Santa Fe, NM 87507, or phone us at 1-800-925-9387.