Cooler weather is pushing people toward finishing up yard work and cleaning up gardens.
Carla Hrycyna, from St. Mary’s Nursery and host of the Lawn and Garden Journal, recently fielded a question about proper storage for seed potatoes.
She suggests keeping them cool, perhaps in a refrigerator.
“Because you don't want them to freeze and you don't want them to start growing, so you want to keep them in that coolish state to keep things slowing down, right? Some basements may be a little bit too warm for them.”
To protect tree trunks from animals, especially younger trees, Hrycyna suggests using tree guards.
“Deer are rubbing against some trees and scraping the bark, which can cause damage,” she explains. “You want to prevent any animal from doing damage to your trees. For larger trees, they might be able to handle some damage, but younger trees need more protection.”
Hrycyna advises visiting a garden center to find tree guards. These come in different types. You can get corrugated guards that are about ¾ inch wide and have holes for airflow and drainage
“You want good drainage so that water doesn’t sit against the tree,” she notes.
There are also spiral tree guards that can fit different tree sizes.
“Some guards come in lengths of 30 or 40 inches, but if your tree is bigger, you might need two or three to cover the trunk up to where the branches start,” she adds.
Hrycyna explains that tree guards help protect against rabbits and other critters, especially if snow is high.
“If snow gets high, above the lower collar guards, rabbits can sit on top and nibble on the bark. And remember to snuggle that tree guard right to the ground to get rid of the little critters like voles,” she advises.
Remember, protecting your garden and trees is part of nature. There are bugs, deer, and other animals to consider while you work outside.