| When is a good time to prune Juniper evergreens? Also, what is the best way to keep my Dahlia tubers over the winter? I've heard that it is too cold in the garage. Is the basement better? |
| Prune juniper in late winter/early summer just before new growth starts. Here's the best way to prepare bulbs for storage, according to Judy Glattstein and NGA writing in "Flowering Bulbs for Dummies." Shake off excess dirt and clip back any mushy leaves. Allow them to dry off a bit for a few days. Pack them in a cardboard box lined with a perforated plastic bag. Fill with dry peat moss, wood shavings, buckwheat hulls, vermiculite, etc. Don't let individual roots touch each other. It one starts to rot, it's less likely to spread to all others. Punch a few holes in the plastic so moisture can escape, but not so many holes that the roots dry up. Keep the box in a cool, dry place, such as the wall of an attached, unheated garage that adjoins the house. Check periodically to make sure the material is not wet or the roots are not shriveling from dryness. Now to your dilemma of the basement or the garage. If you have an attached garage, it should be okay. If not, try storing the box underneath straw, blankets, etc. to provide a little extra protection. A warm basement can cause them to start to sprout, so that's the least desireable choice. I hope this info helps with your bulbs. |
