Mississippi
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Mississippi Gardens Newspaper and Web Column - December 1, 2003
Rejuvenate Perennials
Late fall is a good time for maintenance of established perennials. After the long, hot summer, perennials may look ragged from old or dead leaves. Use this time to prune the old foliage and rake debris from around the base of the plant. Reapply fresh mulch to insulate roots from harsh winter temperatures. Removal of old leaves and stems now may also reduce disease development next spring. Perennials may get overcrowded or grow into areas where they are not wanted. This is the time to deal with both of these situations by digging, dividing and relocating them if needed.
Fruit Trees
As leaves begin to fall from deciduous fruit trees, take time to inspect them for signs of insect and disease damage to stems and branches. Take note of adult scale insects that may have infested peach, plum, apple and pear trees. These pests can be devastating to fruit trees. Keep in mind that the adult female scale is the one to look for and she looks nothing like an insect. Think in terms of "barnacles" on trees. She is oval to circular in shape and brownish to grayish white with no visible legs. Fruit trees should be sprayed with dormant oil sprays in January to help control scale.
Once the leaves have fallen from fruit trees, it is easier to note where pruning cuts may need to be made once the trees are fully dormant. Peach, plum and nectarine trees are usually pruned to an open center, often compared to an upside-down umbrella and maintained at a height of about 8 feet for easy picking. Apple and pear trees are typically pruned to have a central leader, that is, one central stem. Any dead, dying or diseased wood may be removed now. Pruning for shape and size reduction should be put off until January.
Spring Flowering Bulbs
Since it's time to plant spring flowering bulbs remember that they are best planted in large groups where the intensity of color can be maximized. Planting bulbs at the same depth will help insure uniform growth and flowering. Take note that planting depth may be different for each type of bulb. For example, tulips are generally planted at about 5 inches deep or 2.5 times the bulb width. Crocus is planted at two or three inches deep. Bulbs don't have to be fertilized when planted in fertile soil, but incorporation of 3 pounds of 5-10-10 per 100 square feet is a good rule of thumb. When foliage appears in the spring, an additional pound or two of 5-10-10 is appropriate. Happy Gardening!
These archived columns were written by Kerry Johnson, a hobby gardener, former weekly newspaper columnist and retired Extension Horticulture Agent for 11 coastal counties in Mississippi.