How much spring would a groundhog predict if a groundhog could accurately predict spring?
Plus: The Great Backyard Bird Count and indoor citrus leaf drop
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Hi, guys!
This week marks the midpoint of winter — exactly halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, which means spring is on the horizon. And if Punxsutawney Phil is to be believed, Spring 2024 will be coming early.
This is only the 21st time in 186 years that the groundhog has not seen his shadow but, according to a research project from the good folks at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, he’s only had a 40% accuracy rate over the past 10 years.
So that’s the long way of saying your guess is as good as Phil’s.
Since we’re on the topic of wildlife, it’s time to put the Backyard Bird Count on your calendar.
Every year, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, together with the National Audubon Society and Birds of Canada, invite us to be their boots on the ground in watching and counting as many birds as we can find and reporting our findings back to them. Taking part is fun but also helps them track the number and location of birds before one of their annual migrations.
This year’s event will run Feb. 16-19. To participate, all you have to do is spend 15 minutes outdoors and keep track of what you see, then enter your findings at birdcount.org.
📬 Ask Jessica
DEAR JESSICA: My Meyer Lemon tree loses all its leaves when I move it inside for the winter. I’ve tried placing it in a cooler room, closing vents, spraying with water, grow lights, etc., to no avail. Can you help? —Jerry Schwanke
DEAR JERRY: It’s not unusual for citrus trees to lose healthy-looking leaves after they’re brought indoors for winter in colder climates. My mandarin orange is dropping leaves, as well.
The leaf drop is usually worse when the trees are brought in too late in the fall after being exposed to chilly weather outdoors, but it can also be due to exposure to drafts, too-cool temperatures (they prefer the mid to high 60s during the day and mid to high 50s overnight),low humidity or too much or too little water.
When overwintering indoors, the trees need less water than they do over summer, so only apply water when the top 2-3 inches of soil is dry (stick your finger in the pot to assess the soil moisture). Stop watering when water begins to drain from the drainage holes, then don’t water again until the soil dries out.
Don’t apply fertilizer or other amendments. As long as the plant is watered properly. exposed to the correct temperature and not near a heat source, drafty window or entrance door, there’s nothing to do but wait it out. I expect it will settle down and be fine in spring.
💡 If you do one thing this week…
Inspect hemlock branches for woolly adelgid egg sacs — they look like cotton swab tips. If you find any, remove them by hand and destroy.
👏 Sunday shoutout
Reader Peter Bengelsdorf writes, “Each year our fire bush saves a few of its hottest leaves for last. This year some pine needles dropped in to join the party. All I did was touch the photo button: Look ma, no cropping, no Photoshop!”
This reminds me of the purple petal carpet under my Rhododendron every year that, for me, is the highlight of spring. It takes a keen eye to appreciate these little incidental gifts from nature. I love it!
Send in your photo, and you could be featured next (bonus points if you’re in the picture!)
📰This week in my Associated Press gardening column
I write a weekly gardening column for the AP, so you might have seen my byline in your local paper (or news website) — wherever in the world you happen to be. In case you miss it, I’ll post the most recent here every week.
THIS WEEK: For a winter gardening project with a gourmet touch, try growing microgreens
LAST WEEK: Trying to decide which vegetables to plant this year? These two tips will settle it for you, once and for all.
BEFORE THAT: 2024 has been named the year of the African violet. Here’s how to grow these petite charmers.
ONE MORE: Trendy, peachy plants to try this year.
You can read all my AP gardening columns here.
📚📺🎵 Random things I enjoyed this week
🚗 I drove 12 hours round-trip to babysit my daughter’s cat while she was on vacation, and got to visit with a dear friend in the area while I was there.
🍋 Since we’re talking about citrus today, check out this crazy lemon on Instagram.
📺 I watched Griselda on Netflix and cannot say enough good things about it. Sofia Vergara was fantastic, and the story was fascinating!
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