(Chelsea Update would like to thank Jennifer Fairfield for the information in this column. Part one ran yesterday.)
Trees and shrubs
Prune back early-blooming shrubs such as forsythia and quince after they have finished blooming. This will encourage new growth and more flowers next spring.
Don’t “seal” pruning wounds when you prune trees. The old way of thinking was that you needed to, in order to keep diseases from setting in. New information has shown that it isn’t effective, and can actually cause more problems by keeping the area moist.
The only time sealing is recommended now is if you prune an oak tree any time other than in the dead of winter. The reason for this is that the flowing sap of a freshly cut oak can attract insects that carry oak wilt disease, which is deadly to the tree.
You can pinch back evergreens once they have put out new growth. Pinching the new “candles” back by half will encourage them to bush out. But don’t cut into old wood, as most evergreens won’t produce new shoots from old growth.
Be sure your trees and shrubs have a good layer of mulch over their roots to keep them evenly moist, and to prevent weeds. Mulch should extend out to the tree’s dripline (the circumference of the tree’s canopy), but not be placed right up against the trunk.
Watering
Water trees and shrubs if we aren’t getting sufficient rain. Newly planted trees and shrubs should be carefully watered for the same reason newly planted flowers need to be – they aren’t as good at taking up water while the roots are getting established.
But be careful about how you water any tree or shrub. Water infrequently, but deeply. You want to encourage the roots to grow deeply, which won’t happen with frequent, shallow watering. Additionally, shallow, frequent watering can cause your plants to suffocate and slowly die.
For the Birds:
When you are out in your yard, keep an eye out for things like killdeer nests (they build their nests on the ground), and be careful to keep activity away from them as much as possible.
Also watch out for baby birds that have left the nest but not yet mastered flight. They probably don’t need your help, unless they are somewhere where they might be in danger, like in the road, but do watch for them as you go about your yard to be sure that you aren’t putting them in danger with things like power equipment.
My Baltimore orioles haven’t been coming to the feeder lately, but I am hearing them constantly, so I know they’re still around. Most likely, they’re busy feeding insects to their young. My feeders are still out though.
The hummingbirds are happy to drink from them, and once the oriole babies are out of the nest, the parents may bring them to the feeders to help them fatten up for the trip south.
Clean out and refill hummingbird and oriole feeders regularly. Sugar-water left out in the hot sun can quickly spoil, and become bacteria-filled. If it’s really hot, empty, clean and refill the feeders every few days, but no less frequently than weekly.
Birdbaths
Remember to clean out and fill your bird baths regularly. Birdbaths provide your birds with a place to get a drink or a good bath, and provide you with lots of entertainment, as you watch them playing in the water. So be sure that you are giving them clean water each day.
