Grant Money Available for Community Gardens with Pollinator Emphasis

Bees, butterflies and other pollinators need more habitat and you can help by planting blooms to attract and feed these unsung heroes. For generations, we've enjoyed helping gardeners create their own vibrant outdoors spaces and we believe by working together now we can protect pollinators in

need of food and shelter. It's our promise to lend a hand as you plant your own pollinator garden, apply for a community pollinator grant or support a pollinator organization.

The Scotts MiracleGro Company GRO1000 showcase grant awards is providing funding and education resources to help establish and enhance pollinator gardens.  Non-profit, tax-exempt public organizations are encouraged to apply for up to $1500 in funding for community gardens and greenspaces.  The application period is January 1 - February 19, 2016.  Award recipients will be announced in April.

Goals of the program include:
• Creating positive community influence and impact
• Involving area youth
• Promoting health and wellness
• Donating harvest yields
• Committing to sustaining or growing the project

Click here for more information.

Prolong the Life of Your Holiday Poinsettia

The poinsettia, the most popular holiday plant, is best known as the plant with bright red flowers on a green background. But the showiest part of the poinsettia is the group of colorful specialized leaves called floral bracts that surround the small, yellowish-green structures that are the true flowers. Red is still the most popular color, but bracts may also be pink, salmon-colored, yellow, white or multicolor.

The long-lasting nature of today's poinsettias can only be enjoyed if they receive the proper care in your home. The best way to extend their beauty is to match, as closely as possible, the conditions in which they were produced. Poinsettias are raised in greenhouses where temperatures can be maintained between 65 -75 F with high relative humidity and high light intensity.

These conditions will be difficult, if not impossible, to match in the home. Natural light intensity tends to be quite low and of shorter duration in the winter. And as we heat the air indoors, the air becomes drier so that relative humidity often drops below the level of plant and people comfort.
Make the most of the situation by placing your plant near a sunny window, but do not allow the foliage or flowers to contact cold window glass. Artificial light may be needed for extended growing periods. A humidifier will increase both plant and people comfort. Grouping plants together on a pebble tray will help raise humidity around the plants themselves. Both hot and cold drafts can cause leaf drop, so avoid placing plants near doors or heating vents.

Both under- and over-watering can decrease the life of your plant. Plants that are allowed to wilt will begin to brown along the edges of the leaves and floral bracts or may drop leaves entirely. Watering too often will prevent proper aeration of the soil, and roots will begin to decay. Poinsettias should be watered when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. If your pot was wrapped in foil, be sure to poke a few holes through the bottom to allow excess water to drain away. And if you're giving a poinsettia as a gift, be sure to protect it from frigid outdoor temperatures during transport. If you make your purchase from a florist or other supplier, be sure they wrap your purchase. Get the plant from the store to your car as quickly as possible. Preheat the car beforehand to prevent further chilling injury. Plants left in an unheated car can be injured or killed quickly, so drop the plants off at home before running other errands.

The poinsettia is sometimes misleadingly listed as a poisonous plant, though it is not particularly toxic. Some people and pets may be sensitive to the plant's milky sap, resulting in skin irritation when skin is in contact with that sap. It is always best to keep plants out of the reach of children and pets.

Click here for more information on Poinsettia Care.

Written by: B. Rosie Lerner - Purdue Extension Specialist, Consumer Horticulture

Not all Firewood Heats Equally

Heating costs seem to rise each year with the ever-increasing demand on our nations' energy sources. Many have found wood is an excellent asset in offsetting yearly heating costs. With wood being a renewable fuel source a glowing fire can be a practical complement to any central heating system and can go a long way toward aiding the pocketbook.   The EPA has found wood burned for home heating is a leading cause of air pollution in many cities. Wood stoves sold after July 1, 1988 must meet certain air quality standards.

Certain species of wood produce more heat than others. The heat a log produces depends on the density, moisture content, resin and ash in the wood.   Below are Indiana trees that have high heat production values.   

      Ash, Apple, Black Locust, American Hornbeam, Dogwood, Hickory, Hophornbeam, Hackberry, Mulberry, Oak, and Osage Orange.   

Indiana woodland owners have an excellent source of firewood on their own properties. Not only is the heat source provided, but also the quality of the woods can be upgraded with the removal of more undesirable trees for firewood. Undesirable trees are those that are poorly formed, diseased, or damaged.  

For those with no access to a woods, there are many other means of obtaining firewood. Most firewood is sold by the cord. A standard cord is a stack of wood 4 x 4 x 8 feet.  Wood is also often available as industrial wood scraps. There are several sawmills in Indiana, and some mills offer slabs, edgings and trimmings for firewood. 

Most wood species will not burn readily if they have been freshly cut, so the wood should be reasonably seasoned. Wood should also be purchased months prior to use. Proper wood size, well-seasoned wood and a mixture of various kinds of wood will enhance the enjoyment of your fireplace or wood stove.

Purdue Extension has several publications on heating with firewood. Check out these publications for more information.  Residential Wood Stove Installation and Wood for Home Heating.  

Winter Protection for Young Thin Barked Landscape Trees

Prevent bark splitting of young and thin-barked trees, such as fruit and maple trees. Wrap trunks with light colored tree wrap, or paint them with white latex (not oil-based) paint, particularly on the south- and southwest-facing sides.

Protect shrubs such as junipers and arborvitae from extensive snow loads by tying their stems together with twine. Carefully remove heavy snow loads with a broom to prevent limb breakage.

Protect broadleaves, evergreens or other tender landscape plants from excessive drying (desiccation) by winter sun and wind. Canvas, burlap or polyethylene plastic screens to the south and west protect the plants. Similarly, shield plants from salt spray on the street side.

Provide winter protection for roses by mounding soil approximately 12 inches high to insulate the graft union after plants are dormant and temperatures are cold. Additional organic mulch such as straw compost or chopped leaves can be placed on top.

By B. Rosie Lerner
Purdue Extension  - Consumer Horticulturist