What happens when you get your tree home:

When you finally get that perfect tree home, and are ready to put it up….

♥  Cut the bottom of the tree from a half inch to an inch at a 45 degree angle.  This will help the tree absorb more water.

♥  The first day watch the tree carefully!  It may drink more water than you anticipate and your tree must never ever be allowed to go dry!  Otherwise you will have to start the process mentioned above all over again!  This helps keep the tree more fire resistant. 

♥  You should choose the coldest  spot in your house. Try to keep your tree away from the TV, any open flames, heat ducts, etc…

When You Are Ready to Decorate

♥  First and foremost you should check your lights by plugging them in to make sure they work properly.  This is also an excellent time to replace burned out bulbs!  Keep an eye out for broken or frayed electrical cords.  Throw away anything that isn’t working properly- you want to keep your holidays safe!

♥  Check all connections.

♥  And above all follow instructions as to how many strands of lights should be connected together!  Never go above the manufacturers recommendations.

♥  If you have young children helping you, keep an eye out for broken bulbs and other hazards.   

Now all you have to do is sit back with hot cider and cookies, sing some carols, and admire your beautiful Christmas tree! I think my tree gets more beautiful every year, and I’m sure yours do as well!

Have a Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year from the Daily Weeder!

Happy Gardening,

Marie Suzanne

Buying a Christmas Tree

You can buy a tree from a retail lot or pick one from a tree farm.  The retail lots are usually run by one of your local organizations (like the Lyon’s club), and can be more expensive, but they are an easy and efficient way of getting a tree! My favorite choice is finding one at a local tree farm.  Some tree farms allow you to come in and pick your tree ahead of time (they mark it), and you get some great family fun along with it.  Less stress.  Fresher tree.  Christmas spirit intact.

♥ Don’t forget to bring your tape measure along, because trees can look smaller out in the open than they do in your living room!  If you forget your tape measure, just use    yourself as a measurement.  You want to know how high your ceilings are, and leave    plenty of room for both the tree stand and star! 

For information on planting and caring for a Ball and Burlap tree (one that stays alive and can be planted after the holidays) go to this link…

http://www.freeplants.com/free-article-planting-a-balled-christmas-tree.htm
 

Checking for Freshness

When buying a Christmas tree, it is important to get as fresh a tree as possible because it will last longer and be less of a fire hazard.  Here are some tips for picking a fresh tree…

♥ Check for a strong fresh scent.

♥ Check for pliable needles

♥  Do the bounce or shake test!  Pick up the tree by the trunk and bounce up and down or just shake it if it is a large tree and see how many needles fall.  You can expect some needles to fall but not an excessive amount, if this happens you are better off moving on to the next tree. 

♥  Check for insects and other critter infestation- you don’t want these uninvited guests during the holidays!

Check my next post for what to do with your tree once you get it home!  Tips for keeping your tree fresher longer and decorating!

Until Next Time,

Happy Gardening,
Marie Suzanne

Your poinsettia is like any plant- it has special needs. It must …

♥ Have bright indirect light
♥ Be kept away from sudden changes in temperature, such as heat ducts,
doorways, and anywhere there is a draft.
♥ Be watered on a regular basis.

Poinsettia Tips…

♥ Make sure before you water your poinsettia, do the finger test! Insert your index finger an inch below the soil like to check if the soil is moist. If it is don’t water, if the soil is dry- water!

♥ If your poinsettia came wrapped in foil (which most do) you must poke holes in the foil to let the water drain. Poinsettias don’t like to get their feet wet!

♥ There seems to be conflicting information about whether the poinsettia is poisonous or not. Most of what I have read, said that it is not poisonous to most humans and pets. However, I cannot confirm this information, so my feelings are, why take a chance? Be careful, and keep your poinsettia high- out of the reach of children and pets!

♥ Because the new varieties last longer than the old varieties, you can now keep your poinsettia past the holidays! To do this, you must fertilize your poinsettia with a 10-10-10 fertilizer once a month. The mixture is one teaspoon fertilizer to one gallon of water. In the Spring simply plant your poinsettia into your garden for added color!

Enjoy Your holidays,

Until Next Time,
Happy Gardening,
Marie Suzanne

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