Our biggest single problem is all but ignored completely - early fall and late summer drought. Moisture isn’t a problem as a rule up to mid-July because the soil keeps giving off moisture. Mid-summer, when we run into really dry weather that hurts, is when winter killing really begins.

Here it is necessary to know how a woody plant grows. Up to about mid-July branches are elongating. About that time they stop growing at the tips. About August 1, they begin to swell in diameter. This increase in diameter is due to absorption of food and water the plant will utilize the following spring for normal growth. Dry weather dessicates the food-carrying layer just under the bark. It can’t function and as a result, the plants lack the elements needed both for cold resistance and growth.

Too, drought checks the growth of mycorrhizae so these don’t manufacture food to pass on to the plant. Actually, summer drought causes the plant to die the following winter from starvation. For this reason, mist nozzles to supply moisture whenever rain does not fall are essential to good growth in the Midwest.

Protecting Over Winter

Winter protection is vital in our area. Prairie winds are extremely dry and can wipe the moisture out of leaves. For this reason, I like to plant on the north side of a wall or building. The roots should just be in full sun at the edge of the building shadow on June 21. As the sun sinks to the south towards fall, more and more shade falls on it, protecting it from the drying sun in midwinter. Since most of our drying winds come from the south and southwest, a north side location gives the plant additional protection.

To keep flower buds alive, however, further protection is needed. Once plants have begun to form these, a cage of chicken wire, six inches larger all around than the plant should be placed over it soon after the first killing frost. Fill this with dry oak leaves, evergreen boughs, excelsior or other dry, fluffy material. Remove this when spring rains begin.

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Spring breathes new life into a lackluster winter: flowers bloom, bunnies appear, birds build nests. Grasses turn green again and the sky is bluer than before. To make our lifeless homes fresh and bright as well, now is the perfect moment to conduct spring cleaning.

Spring cleaning is as old as life itself that even animals know how to do it. For instance, birds discard their old nesting materials and replace it with new twigs and leaves.

This cleaning may be as intensive as you care to be involved. Some may feel that their year round cleaning provides an environment that only needs minimal attention in the spring. This may just be supplemented by increased attention to detail or new accessories to give a fresher look to welcome spring. Most homes, however, would benefit from a traditional spring cleaning.

Intensive cleaning may be achieved by going to each room and removing as many items. You have to either dust or wash every item, if possible. You must also clean the floor or floor covering, as well as, wash the walls and baseboard.

Subsequently, those that were removed and washed should be gradually returned. Keep an inventory to monitor items that are worn out or broken down as these must all be replaced. If you want to freshen up the ambiance, you can also change some existing items in the room.

Because spring cleaning can rejuvenate the spirit and strengthen the body, it can be a fantastic aerobic workout also. This task necessitates a considerable amount of time and effort. In order to finish it, your schedule must be planned and activities divided into more manageable tasks, to be carried out one at a time.

You might necessitate some kind of assistance when carrying out spring cleaning. Your friend can come over to aid you or an eager family member may offer his help. However, you can also explore a different option and try out a cleaning service.

In general, they have a team that can clean each room of your home all at the same time so everything can be completed in just one day. Pricing varies and depends on the number or kind of services you required them to do.

With the right amount of effort you spend in spring cleaning, you can celebrate the onset of a fresh season. A brighter and a more inviting, relaxing home awaits you.

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