Northern Saw-whet

When designing and planting your next remediation project, consider some habitat restoration for Connecticut's wildlife such as this little Saw-whet - our smallest owl.  They need heavily planted evergreens for roosting,  protection from predators and cover during their daily hunts for white-footed mice.

"...As forests age, evergreens like red cedar are displaced by oaks, hickories and maples. Without forest management, shade-intolerant early colonizers, such as red cedar, die off in 25-30 years" 

Keeping this type of information in mind when you design can be beneficial for local wildlife.

This article, Restoring Winter Roosting Habitat for the Saw-whet Owl by Peter Picone, is published in Connecticut Wildlife - a great 20 pg. magazine by the CT DEP. Fascinating, ad-free information on our local fauna. Look for other tips in Landscaping for Wildlife.

Once the season ends and your tools are stored away for the season, remember to try to keep in shape this winter. Walk, run, join a gym, or enjoy a winter sport - keep your heart pumping and make your re-entry into the business of landscaping next spring that much easier...

What else can you do to get ready for spring? Look at some of the many courses offered through CNLA Winter Symposium, CGKA Conference, and New England Grows. The lectures and workshops offered are given by experts in their field. Learn something new that will help your business grow or take a refresher on the basics.

...or, there's always Killer Sudoku to keep your mind working!

Good advice, Peter!

With the freezing temperatures we've been having this past week you'll want to protect your broad-leaf evergreens from winterburn. The frozen ground can prevent plants from taking up moisture while the cold wind can cause excessive moisture loss through their foliage. Spray an anti-dessicant like WiltPruf on your Andromeda, Azaleas, Boxwood, Holly, Laurel, Pieris, and Rhododendron to help them from losing moisture on cold windy days.  

We recommend avoiding using an anti-dessicant on Arborvitae, Cedar, Cypress, Cryptomeria and Juniper.  If necessary, wait until after complete dormancy has taken place so that excess water retention does not cause cells to freeze and burst.

You can also use WiltPruf on Roses - dehydration from low humidity, sun and winter winds can really cause some damage on the canes. The same applies for Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla). Their flower buds are formed the summer before and are susceptible to winter blasts if left unprotected.  In addition, newly planted Pachysandra and Vinca can also be sprayed with WiltPruf to protect them through the winter until established. Once the ground is frozen, a cover of shredded hay/straw will act as a winter mulch to prevent heaving.

Use when temperatures are above freezing, 40ºF + is best.

We carry WiltPruf in 32 oz. ready-to-use spray & 1 or 5 gallon concentrate.