Rick Durham, Consumer Horticulture Extension Specialist, University of Kentucky
 

Storing and testing vegetable seeds.

The seed catalogs have started showing up in my mailbox and I'm faced with the usually question, "How many different things can I buy and still have room to walk in my garden?" At the same time, if you're like me, your eyes are much bigger than your garden, and there were many seeds left over from last season. Are these seeds still viable? Is there a good chance they will germinate if planted?

You bet. Most vegetable seeds remain viable for three years or more when stored properly, but storage conditions are very important. It's best to keep seeds as dry as possible-enclosing them in a glass jar or other airtight container may be helpful. Although refrigeration is not necessary, keeping seeds as cool as possible, but not freezing, will also prolong their life.

If seeds have been kept for a long time, check their germination by placing some seeds between moist paper towels and enclose them in a plastic bag. Place the bag in a warm location and check for germinate in a few days or up to about two weeks. If germination is low, discard the seed lot, or increase planting density when you sow the seeds in your garden.
 

Keep evergreens watered this winter.

Most plants in the landscape enter dormancy during the winter. While such plants remain alive, and even to some extent biologically active during dormancy, their need for care during the winter months is minimal. The same cannot be said for evergreens. Evergreens in the landscape will certainly slow down their growth rate during winter, but their growth does not cease all together. Their need for water during the winter months is especially crucial. Unlike deciduous plants, evergreens continue to use water during winter, and it is important to keep them well watered, even during the winter months.

During winter thaws, check the soil around evergreen plants to make sure it is moist. If not, apply water-enough to wet the soil several inches deep. Water other woody and herbaceous plants in the landscape as needed to keep them from drying severely. But remember, applying water to frozen soil is of little benefit since most of the water will run off and not penetrate the soil.

If you haven't already done so, apply a layer of mulch around plants to help conserve soil moisture and moderate soil temperature fluctuations.
 

Perk up the landscape with pansies.

Spring is really just around the corner, and as the weather begins to warm, the landscape comes back to life with early flowering plants such as crocus, daffodils, and other spring flowering bulbs. Another plant that will likely make a great show this spring is the pansy.

Pansies are cool season annuals meaning that they grow best during the cooler days of fall and spring, but the best show of flowers usually occurs in spring from about mid April until mid to late May. The heat of summer causes flower size to decrease and the plants generally decline by mid to late June. Pansies are usually transplanted in the landscape from plants purchased at a local garden center or nursery.

For best results, pansies should be planted by September 15th. Plant in full sun to part shade-those in part shade will produce fewer flowers but will generally flower later into the spring season. Mulch the plants with straw or other organic matter to conserve soil moisture and prevent freezing and thawing of soil during winter. Keep plants well watered but not wet, they prefer soils that are well drained. Avoid excess fertilizer with pansies. A few applications of a soluble fertilizer at planting and a few weeks later will likely get the plants through the fall just fine. Excess fertilizer will cause rapid, succulent growth that is less winter hardy. Fertilize again with a soluble plant food in mid March as plants are resuming active growth. But excess fertilizer, especially nitrogen, should still be avoided. Too much fertilizer will result in excessive foliage at the expense of flowers.

When transplanted by mid September, the plants will become well established before the cold of winter, and will reward the gardener with flowers until about Christmas. Flowering will resume from late February to late March depending on spring weather. Peak flowering will occur from about mid April until mid May.

When it comes to flower color, few plants can match pansy for its diversity in. Combinations of yellows, blues, and bronzes, with black and white markings that resemble a face are the standard, but also look for nearly solid colors of white, yellow, blue, and some maroons that are almost red. Most all of the cultivars and series will do well in Kentucky.
 

Winter is a good time to clean up the landscape.

Winter does not have to be an idle time in the home landscape. In fact, there are some things you can do this winter that may reduce insect and disease problems next spring and summer. Many insects and diseases will spend the winter on the same plants they used for food during the summer. For example, apple scab, a fungal disease which infects many apple varieties and certain crab apples, spends the winter in dead infected leaves on the ground. The warm moist weather of spring triggers the fungus to resume growth and release spores that will infect new growth on the tree. Therefore, raking up dead leaves from under apple trees in the fall is one way to reduce the severity of disease next spring. The disease may not be completely controlled in this manner, but good sanitation practices such as this are an important part in any disease control strategy. Get rid of those rotting fruit and especially any fruit that is hanging on the tree. Even though this fruit seems dry and lifeless, it is likely to harbor many diseases that will resume growth and spread next spring.

Diseases aren't the only things that spend the winter on plant material. Many insects can also be found in dead leaves in and around the garden and landscape. Pests such as European corn borer, squash vine borer, and Mexican bean beetle, to name a few, are able to overwinter in the garden. These insects often make their home in dead leaves and plant material which offers them some protection from the elements. Getting rid of those dead tomato vines, bean bushes, and squash vines and fruit will lessen the chance that these pests will be able to overwinter in the garden and so will lessen the incidence of pest problems next spring.

Excessive weed growth during late fall and winter can also contribute to pest problems next year. The weeds will provide food and shelter for many overwintering insects, and may serve as sites for egg-laying in the fall.

Winter is also an excellent time to inspect plants for scale insects. These insects usually have a hard outer covering similar to a shell and can usually be found where branches join the trunk or near buds. Scale may also be seen this time of year on the leaves of broadleaf evergreens such as holly or Euonymus. Treatments with dormant or horticultural oils are usually effective against scale. Follow label directions when applying insecticides.

So for a healthy garden and landscape, remember, spring is the time to clean up inside the house, but fall is the best time to clean up in the garden.