Displaying your tree in water in a traditional reservoir type stand is the most effective way of maintaining their freshness and minimizing needle loss problems. Make a fresh cut to remove a ¼” to 1” thick disk of wood from the base of the trunk before putting it in the stand. Don’t cut the trunk at an angle, or into a v-shape. This makes it much more difficult to set the tree in the stand and also reduces the amount of water available to the tree. Avoid whittling the sides of the trunk down to fit the stand. The outer layers of wood are the most efficient in taking water and should not be removed. Use a stand that fits your tree.

Once at home, place the tree in water as soon as possible. If needed, trees can be temporarily stored for several days in a cool location. Place the freshly cut trunk in a bucket that is kept full of water til you place it in your stand. When choosing a stand, use one with adequate water holding capacity for the tree. As a general rule, stands should provide 1 quart of water per inch of stem diameter. Maintain a constant water level in the stand. This may require filling the stand several times the first few days. Check the stand daily to make sure that the level of water does not go below the base of the tree. Once the tree goes dry, it will form a seal over the cut base and it is very difficult to get it to draw water again. Drilling a hole in the base of the trunk does not improve water uptake.

Keep trees away from sources of heat (fireplaces, heaters, heat vents, direct sunlight). Lowering the room temperature will slow the drying process, resulting in less water consumption each day. Use lights that produce low heat, such as miniature lights. Always inspect light sets prior to placing them on the tree. If worn, replace them with a new set. Do not overload electrical circuits. Always turn off the lights when leaving the house or going to bed.

Monitor the tree for freshness. After Christmas or if the tree is dry, remove it from the house. Remember, once a tree is cut, it is in the process of dying. The usual life for a live cut Christmas tree indoors is approximately 2-3 weeks. If you want a real Christmas tree indoors for a longer length of time, consider a flocked Christmas tree which is sprayed with a fire retardant and will last longer.

When removing the Christmas tree from the home, find a recycling program near your area. Never burn any part of a Christmas tree in a wood stove or fireplace.

General Fall Season Care Tips

• Plant perennials.  Fall installations gives plants time to develop a strong root system; most perennial plants flower in the spring, but if planted then, they may not bloom the first year.
• Split and replant bulbs that have become overgrown.  Dig up the bulb after the foliage has died and allow bulbs to thoroughly dry. (After drying, the bulbs can be split and replanted.)
• Cut perennials to the ground after hard frost and use foliage for compost.
• Gather newly fallen leaves for mulch and compost use.
• Dig summer blooming bulbs after the first killing frost and save for next planting season.

September Care Tips Checklist

• Take advantage of fall’s cooler weather by planting trees, shrubs, and evergreens; use root stimulating fertilizer to promote root growth.
• Plant spring flowering bulbs and work bone meal into bottom of planting holes for better growth.
• Divide and replant perennials such as peonies and irises.
• Continue to water young trees and shrubs as needed.
• Cooler and longer nights make this month a great time to seed new lawns, patch bare spots, and install sod (there’s also less weed competition in the fall). Typically seed before September 15
• Plant chrysanthemums, pansies, asters, and flowering kale for fall color.
• Apply weed killer and fertilizer for fall lawn care (not to newly seeded areas).

• Remove spring bulb foliage as it browns.
• If spring flowering bulbs aren’t doing well, dig up the bulbs after the foliage has died and divide them.
• Before late summer, transplant and divide perennials.
• Water, weed, fertilize, and harvest vegetables.
• Trim maple trees.
• Continue to water young trees and shrubs as needed.
• Deadhead annuals for more blooms.
• Divide irises and daylilies
• Complete evergreen pruning before the end of the month to prevent possible winter injury.

Tree, Shrub and Evergreen Pruning Guidelines

Plant, Shrub and Tree Watering Guidelines

Summer Plant Care Tips

Here is the full care checklist for the month of May!

• Apply crabgrass preventer to lawns.
• Work fertilizer into vegetable and flower gardens before they are planted.
• Fertilize roses and begin maintenance program against black spot and mildew.
• Mulch flower gardens to conserve moisture and reduce weed growth.
• Install peony hoops.
• Protect garden from deer browsing.
• Plant summer blooming bulbs
• Plant annuals and geraniums after frost is no longer a danger.
• Apply pre-emergent weed control in shrub and planting beds.
• Remove accumulated leaves and debris from underneath evergreens and shrubs.
• Prune forsythia, azaleas, magnolia, mockorange, and lilac after they have flowered; all spring flowering shrubs should be pruned right after flowering
• Begin apple tree spray programs after blossom drop
• Make sure freshly planted trees and shrubs are watered (see watering guidelines).
• Prune mugho pines when new growth is fully grown and soft.
• Fertilize established trees, evergreens, and shrubs; start fertilizer program.
• Rake, over seed, and fertilize the lawn; avoid applying crabgrass preventer to newly over seeded areas; seed new lawns while nights are still cool and the weather is wet.
• Control dandelions and creeping Charlie by applying herbicide before heads are formed

Gardening was a part of daily life for many years, but has decreased severely since we have become more modern and good quality fresh produce is regularly available. Gardening provides many useful tools other than fresh vegetables, fruit and beautiful flowers. Gardeners have something they can feel proud of. Gardening is a hobby that can be passed down for generations as well as an opportunity to create a family activity.

Why Garden?

• Garden for safe, healthy food. With the growing concern of pesticides contaminating fresh produce, food borne illnesses are a concern for many people. Consumers are turning towards organically grown foods. By starting your own garden, you can grow your own fresh produce and know that it’s safe to eat.
• Garden for exercise. Cancel that health club membership for the summer! Gardening provides both card and aerobic exercise. Studies show that gardening for an hour can burn up to 50 calories. It can also help older adults reduce osteoporosis.
• Garden to add beauty. Having a house with a beautiful yard can be more satisfying to live in and look at. Shrubs and trees can add shade and color, while herbs in the kitchen can add fragrance to the room and flavor to any meal.
• Garden to make money. For many people gardening could become a lifelong hobby. For others they garden to produce fresh, healthy produce for profit. Gardening and landscaping can also increase the value of your home.
• Gardening to meet people. Gardening can help you expand your social circle. Join a gardening club or compare notes with other gardeners in your block.
• Garden for emotional needs and spiritual connections. Gardens can provide a place to relax and unwind from a stressful day. Seeing the beautiful flowers can lift your spirits while pulling weeds can be a great way to relieve stress. Plus, if you want to be entirely alone…head to the garden to weed…I gaurantee, no one will follow you! Having a flower garden in full bloom, or a vegetable garden producing delicious produce can provide a sense of achievement.
• Garden for lasting memories. Kids today are not experiencing the joys of gardening with their parents or grandparents. Many adults can remember being outside on a sunny summer day and helping their parents or grandparents pulling vegetables from the ground or putting together a beautiful bouquet of freshly cut flowers, but their children have not had the opportunity to experience this. My grandson’s favorite activity when he visits is to pick apples from our trees. The hard part is explaining to a 2 ½ yr. old why we can’t do that in the winter!

Children grow up too fast. Start creating family traditions and memories this spring. Plant a garden!

I contacted a few local businesses to find out how we can dispose of our Christmas trees, properly. Marv’s Sanitary Service will pick up Christmas trees, if you are a customer, for a small fee. They require you call a day in advance to inform them of the additional garbage and haul it to the curb for their regular pickup.  Waste Management will also pick up trees through the 2^nd week of January. If you are a customer with “yard waste” included in your account, there will be no charge. If you do not have “yard waste” on your account, there will be a $5.00 additional charge. They also require 24 hours notice for this additional garbage. Both companies request  you remove the stands and strip decorations, plastic and tinsel from the trees.

Neither the City of Brandon nor the Brandon Chamber of Commerce knew of any organizations or local groups offering a Christmas tree pickup this year. They recommended that you check the local newspaper for any announcements offering this service.

Pearl, at the Sioux Falls Landfill, informed me they will be taking Christmas trees at the landfill or Sioux Falls Fairground starting after Christmas, Dec.27^th. They will offer this service for approximately two weeks, 9-5 Monday thru Sat. and 12-5 on Sundays. They also request all trees be removed from stands and stripped of all decorations and tinsel or the tree will be denied. They also take flocked trees. This service is offered at no charge.

Whatever you do, DO NOT BURN YOUR TREE IN YOUR FIREPLACE OR WOODBURNER!!!! Christmas trees are full of sap and EXPLODE upon contact with a flame!!!

For those of you who hate to just dump the “holiday centerpiece” after the season, why not get a little creative and also give the kids a project during the long school break. Remove all decorations and tinsel…set the tree in the backyard and decorate it for the birds for the winter. The kids can make ornaments our of pine cones covered in peanut butter and birdseed, strings of popcorn, cut-up apples and oranges or use Christmas cookie cutout tins to make shapes in bread slices. I would recommended using real string or twine to hang the ornaments so the birds can use these for nesting material also. Stay away from any plastic fishing line or anything the birds could choke on. Make sure to place the tree where you can view it out a window and enjoy the bird watching during the winter months.

Please, please…do not drop your tree in a ditch outside of town. There are collection programs to dispose of the trees properly. Enjoy….and best wishes for the New Year!

Displaying your tree in water in a traditional reservoir type stand is the most effective way of maintaining their freshness and minimizing needle loss problems. Make a fresh cut to remove a ¼” to 1” thick disk of wood from the base of the trunk before putting it in the stand. Don’t cut the trunk at an angle, or into a v-shape. This makes it much more difficult to set the tree in the stand and also reduces the amount of water available to the tree. Avoid whittling the sides of the trunk down to fit the stand. The outer layers of wood are the most efficient in taking water and should not be removed. Use a stand that fits your tree.

Once at home, place the tree in water as soon as possible. If needed, trees can be temporarily stored for several days in a cool location. Place the freshly cut trunk in a bucket that is kept full of water til you place it in your stand. When choosing a stand, use one with adequate water holding capacity for the tree. As a general rule, stands should provide 1 quart of water per inch of stem diameter. Maintain a constant water level in the stand. This may require filling the stand several times the first few days. Check the stand daily to make sure that the level of water does not go below the base of the tree. Once the tree goes dry, it will form a seal over the cut base and it is very difficult to get it to draw water again. Drilling a hole in the base of the trunk does not improve water uptake.

Keep trees away from sources of heat (fireplaces, heaters, heat vents, direct sunlight). Lowering the room temperature will slow the drying process, resulting in less water consumption each day. Use lights that produce low heat, such as miniature lights. Always inspect light sets prior to placing them on the tree. If worn, replace them with a new set. Do not overload electrical circuits. Always turn off the lights when leaving the house or going to bed.

Monitor the tree for freshness. After Christmas or if the tree is dry, remove it from the house. Remember, once a tree is cut, it is in the process of dying. The usual life for a live cut Christmas tree indoors is approximately 2-3 weeks. If you want a real Christmas tree indoors for a longer length of time, consider a flocked Christmas tree which is sprayed with a fire retardant and will last longer.

When removing the Christmas tree from the home, find a recycling program near your area. Never burn any part of a Christmas tree in a wood stove or fireplace.

General Fall Season Care Tips

• Plant perennials.  Fall installations gives plants time to develop a strong root system; most perennial plants flower in the spring, but if planted then, they may not bloom the first year.
• Split and replant bulbs that have become overgrown.  Dig up the bulb after the foliage has died and allow bulbs to thoroughly dry. (After drying, the bulbs can be split and replanted.)
• Cut perennials to the ground after hard frost and use foliage for compost.
• Gather newly fallen leaves for mulch and compost use.
• Dig summer blooming bulbs after the first killing frost and save for next planting season.

September Care Tips Checklist

• Take advantage of fall’s cooler weather by planting trees, shrubs, and evergreens; use root stimulating fertilizer to promote root growth.
• Plant spring flowering bulbs and work bone meal into bottom of planting holes for better growth.
• Divide and replant perennials such as peonies and irises.
• Continue to water young trees and shrubs as needed.
• Cooler and longer nights make this month a great time to seed new lawns, patch bare spots, and install sod (there’s also less weed competition in the fall). Typically seed before September 15
• Plant chrysanthemums, pansies, asters, and flowering kale for fall color.
• Apply weed killer and fertilizer for fall lawn care (not to newly seeded areas).

Also, be sure to read the Pruning Guidelines if you missed them last month!