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Hi, guys!
We got our first and second snowfalls of the season this week here on Long Island in New York, and it marked the first time we’ve gotten more than an inch of snow in more than 700 days, which is unusual for the region.
Snow is a great insulator, so as long as you haven’t applied ice-melt products or salt, go ahead and pile it onto your perennial beds when you shovel.
If you don’t have snow, but the ground is frozen, avoid walking on the lawn. Stepping on frozen grass blades will break them, and your lawn will look ragged and yellow in spring. It also risks damaging soil structure, which is very difficult to repair.
Many of you in the mid-south are experiencing freezes, as well. If you see damage on your plants — or if they appear dead— leave them be for now. They very well may recover in spring. And if they don’t, you won’t have lost anything for waiting.
And if you don’t have snow or freezing temperatures, well, I hope you’re enjoying your piña colada or sweet tea or whatever you’re cooling off with.
And, if you’re in zone 9, it will soon be time to plant your beets, cauliflower, collard greens, cucumbers, onions, parsley, peas and radishes, so get your supplies out of storage and take inventory of last year’s seeds.
📬 Ask Jessica
DEAR JESSICA: I inherited a old snake plant that is growing well and needs to be transplanted into a larger pot or given away to someone who wants it. It was one of my departed Mom’s plants. Any suggestions? It is close to 6 feet tall. Your help and advice is appreciated. —Ed Broderick
DEAR ED: Repotting your snake plant (Sansevieria) is certainly something you can do yourself. First, confirm that it has, in fact, outgrown its container. Although snake plants don't mind being a little crowded, being too overgrown can lead to root girdling, which can slowly kill the plant.
Are the roots growing out of the drainage holes? Have the leaves spread to the pot's edges? Has the pot been tipping over? Does water exit the drainage holes too quickly? If any of these are true — or if it’s been more than 5 years since the last time it was moved up to a larger container — it’s time to repot.
Ideally, you should wait until spring, when the plant is about to resume active growth, but if the plant looks sick or is otherwise struggling, it’s OK to move it now.
Look for a clay or ceramic container that will allow 2 inches of space (not more) between the plant's outer leaves and the edge of the pot. It should also be heavy enough to avoid tipping over.
Lay a sheet or tarp on the floor and gently tip the plant onto its side. Carefully slide the plant out of the pot, taking care not to rip off any leaves. You might need to loosen the soil just inside the pot's edges to free the plant. If so, use a long-blade knife and be careful not to disturb the roots.
Next, gently remove as much soil from the rootball as possible. The roots should be white or off-white and fresh looking. If any portion of the roots are brown, black or mushy, cut them away using sharp pruners or a small gardening saw.
If the plant is too large for your space, you can contain its size by carefully removing the tallest leaves. Cutting them off at the bottom of the plant, where they meet the roots.
Place the plant into the new pot and ascertain the amount of potting mix you need to add underneath it so that the top of the roots end up at the same level as it was in its previous container. Add the mix, then place the plant in the center of the pot and fill in all the gaps around it with more potting mix. Firm the soil with your hands to remove air pockets as you go. It’s best to leave a bit of space at the top of the pot so that water won’t overflow.
Apply water slowly until it emerges from the pot’s drainage hole, and place the plant were it will receive bright, indirect light.
💡 If you do one thing this week…
Remember the birds. Clean feeders with a 90:10 solution of water:bleach, rinse well and restock with seeds. And don’t forget to provide fresh water, too.
👏 Sunday shoutout
“You mentioned Harry Lauder’s walking stick [in The Weekly Dirt], and I definitely recommend one for yard,” writes reader Donna Cross. “I love mine! It is the best plant for winter interest, and the birds love it. I took this photo early this morning,” she said, adding that she’s successfully propagated two plants by soil layering.
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: 2024 has been named the year of the African violet. Here’s how to grow these petite charmers.
LAST WEEK: Trendy, peachy plants to try this year.
BEFORE THAT: With the holidays behind us, there’s no better time to start planning our 2024 gardens. My winter garden tips.
ONE MORE: Save your poinsettias for next year. Here’s how to get them to bloom again in time for the holidays.
You can read all my AP gardening columns here.
📚📺🎵 Random things I enjoyed did this week
👩🏽🦯 I threw my back out. And, no, I don’t have an exciting story to tell. It didn’t happen while I was shooting hoops or out for a run (things I never do, by the way) or doing anything athletic or otherwise impressive. It happened because
I. Stood. Up.
And I spent three days pretty much stoned on muscle relaxants because of debilitating back spasms. I’m contemplating changing the title of this section because, well, life.
📺 I watched Safe, a British series on Netflix starring Michael C. Hall (who puts on an accent), about a recently widowed father whose teenage daughter goes missing. Cue the dark secrets he uncovers while searching for her.
I also watched Mr. and Mrs. Smith, an old Brad Pitt-Angelina Jolie movie I’d never seen before. My daughter Justine came over for the evening, made popcorn, emptied my dishwasher and took out the trash while I sat on the couch eating Advils like they were chiclets. We both liked the movie, which was fun and action-packed, and are looking forward to the spin-off series that will be coming out on Amazon Prime soon.
💰 I spent hours streamlining my emails, unsubscribing to nearly everything that entices me to spend money, because, apparently, I can’t resist a sale or dinner-delivery suggestion. Know thyself!
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📧 How’m I doing?
I welcome your comments and suggestions, so please send them along — as well as any topics you’d like to see covered and questions you’d like answered in the Ask Jessica section.
I hope your back feels better soon...back problems can be very debilitating but not inevitable as one ages.
Despite that, you still have retained a good sense of humor which I appreciate...and I’m glad you got time to spend with your daughter 😊
Dear Jessica,
What can you tell me about the "Browalia" plant. There's very little information to be found about this lovely plant. I purchased a browalia two years ago just by chance. The nursery I bought it from went out of businesss and I was unable to find it elsewhere. The browalia is an annual plant which flowers non-stop till frost. It comes in a gorgeous light violet color and a white color as far as I know. It loves sun but will also do well in part shade. Would you know where I can buy this lovely plant? P.S.: I tried seeds bought on line last year but it was far from the same browalia. Helga Breen P.S. I would like to sent you a photo but how do I go about it. Is there a prompt ?