Just when you thought it was safe to plant out those leggy seedlings, big, fat, fluffy snowflakes filled the skies and whitened the ground. Fortunately, by mid-day, all was slush rather than frozen solid. Yet still not a pleasant picnic to work in. It was that exquisitely balmy 50-degree day last week that promised us the end to winter's nasty coldness. Ha!
Some follow-up remarks are needed regarding my recent tree and shrub planting advice. It is important to establish a watering basin of some sort for the new plant. It is important to remember to position it at the outer edge of the plant's drip-line because that is the area where the new roots will be developing. If the water basin is positioned just at the trunk, the problem of rot and drought occurring at the same time is highly probable. So, perhaps we need a new word because basin suggests a bowl-shaped depression. That would have the water running towards the trunk of the tree. How about water ring? That would force the water out away from the trunk and towards the areas where the new roots are developing. Those roots are so important for anchoring the tree. Which leads to the contentious issue of whether trees need to be staked.
Actually it is quite fun to read many differing opinions, almost all of which are presented passionately by both amateurs and professionals. After tiring of the controversy and particularly feeling guilty when I staked and when I didn't stake, I now leave it to common sense. If the tree has a poorly developed root system I lash it to a stake or stakes, and then slowly release it to the winds over a two-year period. If the tree is planted in a wind corridor, it gets staked during its youth. If the slope is steep, staking will be required. And so forth ...
I remember my father staking his trees. Those trees were lashed ever so tightly to his beautiful stakes. Before the stake was hammered into the ground it had been sanded and buffed to perfection. He always used redwood or cedar. And then slowly and methodically over several years he would release the trees from his protection. Toward the end of his life he knew that he would never see their grandeur as mature trees, but he still planted as many saplings as he could, wherever possible, including Seattle.
In my garden I have five of his saplings, now looking like pretty grown up trees. Of course I always worry, when the winds are gusting, that maybe I removed the stakes too soon. So far all is well.
With spring officially noted for Friday this week, we would like to cajole ourselves into thinking we can fully prepare the sodden vegetable beds, and get our tomatoes underway and - and - - - fools that we are, or maybe another way to look at it is the thrill of the dreamers. Some call the Northwest spring capricious or suddenly impulsive. I call the Northwest spring full of vagaries, meaning completely unpredictable with some quite eccentric changes at times.[[In-content Ad]]
