Beaver Creek Nursery

812-689-5595

 


NEWSLETTER

April 2018

             You Know....A lady just has to get all dolled up for Easter!                

In This Issue
Quick Links...




 



















ELIMINATE 

MARCH

as the 

first month

of 

SPRING!!



I know, I Know, I Know

But,

Every  year the calendar says it's suppose to be Spring. And then the weather starts warming up and then I get all excited and tell everyone that Spring is here and what happens????


I feel 


like


a





 


SO, my plan is Simple....


We either totally eliminate the entire month of March 

or....


We change all calendars so that the official first day of Spring of March 20th (this year) or the 21st or the 22nd...whenever it is suppose to be, and that day is officially changed on all calendars for that year to read 












APRIL 1st.



Then it would make more sense

Why not have April Fools Day
on the first day of Spring?

IT'S DEFINITELY FITTING!!!


Maybe after a few centuries Ma Nature will catch on!





 




April To Do's




Well, basically everything you were suppose to do in March ( You Know...that month I want to eliminate) that you weren't able to get done because Ma Nature was having a little hissy fit!

plus

This is the perfect month to divide any of your perennials that have gotten too big for the area in which they are located such as Hostas, Black-eyed-Susan, Asters and Day Lilies among others. Not only will dividing them make the area look better being less crowded but it will also help them to breathe a bit and they will bloom a whole lot better. Just think how good it feels to finally make your way through a large jamb packed crowd......ahhhhhhhhhhhh.....

plus

This is also a perfect time to divide any ornamental grasses that have either grown too large in diameter or the centers have died out and they look like donuts. Either dig out parts of the clump or dig up the entire grass and replant any size smaller clump you desire. Just make sure the clump you replant actually has roots on it. Helpful hint here: Cutting down into the clump with an AX will make it easier than trying to get through that mass with a shovel. But remember an ax is sharp and always take the necessary precautions when using any tool.

plus

Time to get that pre-emergent down on your lawn to keep the crabgrass from popping it's ugly head all over the place. Use straight Dimension if you fertilized in the late fall or use a Spring fertilizer that also has Dimension in it. Hint: As usual, we have both available here at the Nursery. Best timing is when you notice the Forsythia blooming. That means the ground is warm enough.

plus 

Start to plan for any new or renovating landscape projects you have been iching to do. Remember....Procrastination is the something that you never get around to doing....haha

so....

Until we see you or you see us, please read on and hopefully 

Enjoy!!!











 



Blue Spruce Update




Since many of you have been inquiring over the past year with the question "What is happening to my Blue Spruce", I thought it fitting to give you all a final answer on the problem. 

After sending numerous emails and photographs to Purdue's pesticide lab over the last year, and in their pursuit of a legitimate answer to this overwhelming problem the following is their response in a condensed version.

This information comes directly from Dr. Janna Beckerman at Purdue University.

All Spruce, including Colorado Blue Spruce and it's various cousins are NOT native to this area and can often suffer from stresses such as drought, flooding, salt damage, excessive heat, humidity, insects and even compacted clay soils which we here in this area have plenty to share in case you know of someone in need. They are also susceptible to "needle cast" diseases. Therefore, coming under stress from any or all of the aforementioned makes them even more susceptible to getting one of the various needle cast diseases.

And this is what they are getting and why they are dying according to Purdue.

Needle cast is a fungal disease not caused by an insect.


It starts at the base of an infected tree where the humidity levels are the highest and works its way up until the entire tree becomes defoliated. Spruce trees are Conifers and unlike other trees conifers do not have the ability to replace dropped needles or to push out a second flush of needles. Once they are gone...they are GONE!!

Infected needles may take up to 3 years before showing signs of infection, turning purple to brown and dropping.

close up of the fruiting bodies on the needles


This fungus produces spores in the spring so if you wish to try and save a tree that is not too infected then this would be the best time for treatment. Fungicides such as Spectro-90, Daconil or other copper based fungicides can help protect new growth and to prevent new infections.
NOTE: It is extremely important to follow the label directions for any pesticide and to wear proper clothing and eye and face protection.

When applying any of these fungicides Timing is of the utmost importance or you are just wasting your time and money. Fungicides should be applied in late Spring when the new needles are 1/2 elongated and again 3-4 weeks later. If wet weather persists during this time you may need to give your tree a third shot in another 3-4 weeks.
It will usually take 2 years of treatment for best results and remember, new needles will not come back out from where they are already missing.

And, even though you do control this problem this year, it will not stop it from happening again in the future. So be vigilant!

Do not apply if it is going to rain and try to limit spraying any fungicide during the heat of the day. Early morning or evening is the best.

Also, prune out the dead or infected branches and rake up any dropped needles that may also be infected. Do any pruning in DRY weather so as not to spread the disease.
It is also a good idea to sterilize your shears between each cut with a mixture of 1 part alcohol :25 parts water. A small spray bottle works well for this.

For future plantings consider planting Norway Spruce which is highly resistant to needle cast. Blue spruce varieties that are also more resistant then the traditional Colorado Blue Spruce are Hoopsi and Fat Albert!

So, now, hopefully you all know the answer to the question "What is happening to my Blue Spruce"








 







HEY!!.....HEY!!!

                 HEY IN THERE!! 



hummingbird at window 3
WE'RE BACK!!!!!





and we are exhausted and Hungry!!!

Most of us flew 1600 -2000 miles just to get this great food you make here so.... 


PLEASE......Please....!!!!

        FEED US!!!!!!
 

          PLEASE??????



             just 4 parts water and 1 part sugar.....
              

Hmmmmm.....it's so....YUMMY!!!! 




Arrival time somewhere around April 10th-25th


For even more accurate timing you can track their northward movement from Southern Mexico and Northern Panama by clicking on this 2018 Migration map link.


 
 










 



Spring Hours


March 19th - May 26th


Monday- Saturday   9am - 5pm
Sunday                    10am - 5pm












 



and
on a more personal Easter note....












THANK YOU!!!





                                                            
 Happy Easter!









 




A Closing Thought

Don't judge people for the choices they make when you don't know the options they had to choose from.

                                                                                                              ....Anonymous






 
Beaver Creek Nursery

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