THE BLOG: let's talk gardening

How much of the trunk should be cut off before setting up the tree?
Removing a thin disk (1/4 to 1/2 inch) off the trunk before placing the tree in a water holding stand is all that is needed. It is always a good practice to make a new cut before putting the tree into the stand.

What is the minimum amount of water a tree stand should hold?
As a general rule, a tree can use up to a quart of water per day for each inch of stem diameter. The warmer the temperature and the lower the relative humidity where the tree is displayed, the greater the amount of water required by the tree.

If the base of the trunk has a split, will this affect the quality of the tree?
It should not affect the ability of the tree to take up water, assuming a fresh cut is made on the base, nor have any effect on how long the tree lasts after it is displayed.

What precautions should I take when decorating a live tree?
Christmas trees do not start fires, people do. Here are some helpful hints so that you and your family can enjoy the Christmas season and your Fraser Fir to the fullest.

• Check all electric lights and connections before decorating. Don't use any lights with worn or frayed cords.
• NEVER use lighted candles on your tree.
• Don't overload the electrical outlets.
• Place your tree away from fireplaces, radiators, television sets, and other heat sources. These elements can prematurely dry out your tree.
• Always make sure that your tree has plenty of water to prevent drying.
• ALWAYS turn off all decorations before going to bed at night or anytime that you leave home.

How do I keep my tree fresh longer?
Make sure you never let the water level go below the base of the tree. Some people put an aspirin in the water to help keep it fresh. Some also add Ginger Ale, Sprite, or another similar soda drink (fizzy lemonade) to feed their tree.

{ Happy Holidays! Posted by McDonald Garden Center, November 28, 2011 }

There’s nothing like the scent of fresh greenery both inside and outside of your home during the holiday season, and bringing cut greens indoors for the holidays is also a way to enjoy some of the many hours you invested in your landscaping at a time of year when it is not possible to do much outdoors. Whatever your motivation, decorating with fresh greens is a wonderful tradition that brings joy to your household and to everyone who visits.

Fresh greenery adds festive cheer to virtually every room in the house. Place your greenery on walls, tables, mantels, the hearth, on the floor, and on chandeliers. Heap them in vases, garland your doorways, banisters, mirrors, or even place in a pretty mug on the kitchen counter. Decorate outdoors with fresh greenery on shutters, gates, on and over doorways, columns, mailboxes and light posts. There are plenty of ways to use fresh greenery for the holidays. Just use your imagination and have a little fun!

Below are some suggested varieties to use in holiday decorating:

WHITE PINE: soft, bluish-green, long-needled pine has excellent needle retention but wilts visibly if dry. Ideal for wreath swags and garland.

JUNIPERS: fragrant, short, green or silver-blue foliage that may include small blue berries. Perfect for accenting wreath and garlands or holiday arrangements.

FIRS: have wonderful scent and good tolerance of hot, dry indoor conditions. The needles are short and flat with excellent color and needle retention.

SPRUCE: typically used for wreaths, the branches are stiff with short, sharp needles. Blue spruce is especially attractive because of its color.
Holly: this most traditional holiday green comes in several forms, both green and variegated. Female plants display bright red berries.

MOUNTAIN LAUREL: traditional evergreen for wreaths and garlands. Holds up best when used outdoors.

BOXWOOD: This small-leafed shrub is a longtime favorite for fine-textured wreaths and garland. It has an aroma that is either loved or hated.

MAGNOLIA: large, glossy leaves, with dark green that contrast well with the velvety, brown undersides. Magnolia leaves make stunning wreaths and bases for large decorations. The leaves hold up well even without water. Try spray painting them with gold or silver for a more formal look.

IVY: vigorous vine readily available in yards. Makes an excellent green for holiday arrangements. Keep cut ends in water, or the it will quickly wilt.

Some other excellent evergreens that can be used for holiday greenery include Arborvitae, Ligustrum, Pittosporum, Podocarpus, Viburnum, Nandina and Leyland Cypress.

{ Happy Holidays! Posted by McDonald Garden Center, November 22, 2011 }

First there was Black Friday, then Cyber Monday. Now, there's Small Business Saturday, the day people support small businesses!

Pledge to shop small on Nov 26th. By choosing to shop local, you can directly impact your community. The money is reinvested in your community to fund local schools, hire more police, officers and improve roads. When you spend $100 at an independent business, $68 returns to the local community. Spend that same amount at a national chain and it drops to $43.

"Nine in 10 Americans believe small business success is critical to the health of the U.S. economy, and Small Business Saturday translates this sentiment into dollars and cents for independent retailers," said Maryann Fitzmaurice, senior vice-president of American Express OPEN.

Take the challenge and help your community. Your choices can change your community.

With every purchase you make, think about the impact you have on your local businesses. Buy your morning coffee from an independent coffeehouse, shop for your plants from a locally owned nursery, or visit a servicing dealer for outdoor power equipment instead of buying from a national chain. Think about the impact you can have with every purchase you make. Learn more. >>

{ Happy Holidays! Posted by McDonald Garden Center, November 18, 2011 }

The McDonald holiday experts have put together a list of 5 things you need that you don’t know you need this holiday season:

1. HELLEBORES
   A must-have holiday bloom for both inside and out. Hellebores are often referred to as the Christmas rose as they bloom during the holiday season, sometimes even pushing through a blanket of snow. When planted outdoors, they’ll bloom all winter and give gorgeous green foliage the rest of the year. Best of all they are deer resistant.
2. FRESH ROSEMARY CONE
   You can’t go wrong with this holiday classic. Whether you are giving it as a gift or creating an aromatic holiday display, this beauty adds to any home. Best of all, with just a snipe you can get fresh herbs and garnishes for all of your holiday cooking.
3. BANFF PINE WREATH
   This life-like wreath has a multitude of uses indoors and out. You are simply limited only by your imagination. Outdoors, hang it on the wall, your fence, your front porch or even lay it flat on your outdoor table. Inside, hang on a mirror, replace a picture with a wreath, use on your banister or lay flat on the dining room table with some pillar candles. This affordable wreath will last season after season.
4. HOLIDAY LANTERNS
   Add a warm glow to the holidays with these red and white metal lanterns. Try grouping them together for a festive tablescape. Or, line your entry way and use them as luminaries to welcome guests to holiday gatherings. A simple décor addition to a bathroom or small space would be just one lantern with a tea light.
5. PRE-LIT TREE IN A COPPER POT
   Whether you have a small space, need an extra tree or you want to flank your front door, these pre-lit trees add all the sparkle and shine you need for the holidays. In a copper colored pot, this tree has 200 lights and 531 tips.

{ Happy Holidays! Posted by McDonald Garden Center, November 14, 2011 }