Question :Should I be removing Leaf litter from my garden during the fall and winter?
Answer: Generally No. The leaf litter acts as a beneficial mulch protecting your plants from heavy freezing and heavy rains. It also is a home for beneficial insects over the winter. As it breaks down it provides essential nutrients to your garden. The only reason to remove the litter early is if you have a known plant disease that could be overwintering in the winter.
How do I move my potted citrus trees indoors for the winter?
There are some great you tube videos that can help you with any gardening challenges you may have. Also check with local nurseries such as Phoenix Perennials for citrus trees that can survive all year round outdoors in our zone 7. Check out this video on YouTube.
When can I harvest walnuts?
Walnut tree harvesting starts from early September to early November. At this point, the kernels are light in color and the membrane between the halves has turned brown. To determine if your nuts are ready for harvest, crack a few open. The nuts should show browning of the membrane and loosening of the hull. Take your nut samples from as high up in the tree as possible since those that are at this height ripen latest. Also, if your tree is water stressed, harvesting walnuts will be delayed. To speed things up, be sure to keep the tree well watered through harvest. Begin harvesting when you estimate that at least 85% of the nuts can be easily removed from the tree. Delay too long and insects and birds may get to the nuts before your do. Additionally, if you delay too long, the outer husks become soft and black and the resulting nut has a bitter, rancid flavor.
Once you have harvested the walnuts, hull the nuts using a pocket knife. Wash the hulled nuts and then dry them in a single layer on a smooth, flat, shaded area. Stir the nuts around on a daily basis to promote drying. If drying outdoors, cover the nuts with plastic netting to deter birds. The length of time until complete drying depends on temperature but, generally, will be dry in 3-4 days. At this point, the kernels should be brittle as well as the membrane separating the two halves. Store the cured walnuts in a cool, dry area or to extend their shelf life, in the refrigerator or freezer. They can be stored for up to a year in the fridge and for two or more years in the freezer; that is, of course, if you can stay out of them that long.
Read more at Gardening Know How: Walnut Tree Harvesting: When Are Walnuts Ready To Pick https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/nut-trees/walnut/walnut-tree-harvesting.htm
Once you have harvested the walnuts, hull the nuts using a pocket knife. Wash the hulled nuts and then dry them in a single layer on a smooth, flat, shaded area. Stir the nuts around on a daily basis to promote drying. If drying outdoors, cover the nuts with plastic netting to deter birds. The length of time until complete drying depends on temperature but, generally, will be dry in 3-4 days. At this point, the kernels should be brittle as well as the membrane separating the two halves. Store the cured walnuts in a cool, dry area or to extend their shelf life, in the refrigerator or freezer. They can be stored for up to a year in the fridge and for two or more years in the freezer; that is, of course, if you can stay out of them that long.
Read more at Gardening Know How: Walnut Tree Harvesting: When Are Walnuts Ready To Pick https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/nut-trees/walnut/walnut-tree-harvesting.htm
What is this beautiful shrub growing in Paulik Park? False Spirea!
What plants attract butterflies?
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Arbutus unedo - strawberry tree
Check out David Suzuki Foundation's, Richmond Butterflyway Rangers for more information on the work going on to increase the butterfly population in Richmond! www.https://homegrown.projexity.com
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What flowers attract Bumble Bees?
This link from the Royal Horticultural Society and Wild About Gardens explains it well, I think. Gary Lake, Past President
This link from the Royal Horticultural Society and Wild About Gardens explains it well, I think. Gary Lake, Past President
