Winter is on its way and once again with very few garden chores left it's time to dream and scheme indoors for the perfect garden next year.  It is also a great time to learn new things about gardening and this Hort-Pro is full of great information from our expert garden sources.

      We are joined this issue by G.W. Hamilton Jr. of the Centre for Turfgrass Science at Penn State University.  He has the results of a study on spray nozzles and explains very simply and practically the procedures for Calibration of the sprayer and Nozzle Tip Selection.  In his article Factors Affecting Sprayer Coverage we read about what factors need to be considered when spraying. 

      John Morley has a great article for us on Shade Tree Fertilization.  This Article gives us the instructions we need to fertilize the shade trees that we cherish in our yards. Mr. Morley explains how and why we use the Punch Bar method.  This method of Root-feeding or tree fertilization requires no special equipment, is relatively inexpensive and disturbs the turf only minimally.  

      Wes Porter has two articles for us in the holiday season.  We have his November issue of the City Gardening Newsletter.  This newsletter contains all the details we need to remember while getting ready for the snow to fly.  How to earth up the roses.  A reminder to cut back the HT, floribunda and grandiflora.  The over winter care of ornamental trees and grasses.  Houseplants receive some attention from Wesley and then we find ourselves back outside protecting the rhododendrons and other broad-leaf evergreens from the salt and snow to come.  Don't forget the Mulch.  All important at this time of year.  He previews the portents for the coming winter weather and then reviews the latest gardening books.  Mr. Porter wraps up with his news from gardens worldwide.  Overall the November Issue of City Gardening: Closing Down For the Winter is a veritable plethora of need to know information on winterizing the garden.

We also have the December issue of City Gardening.  This Newsletter entitled Mulches and other matters contains tips for winter garden care in the Toronto Area, a tribute to the late Malak Karsh, An update on Daylily Rust (A.K.A. Puccinia hereocallidis), The origins of the Christmas tree, instructions and information about making a kissing wreath and other decorations using mistletoe, red-berried holly and cedar or other evergreen foliage, Horticultural events in the Toronto area for December and his marvelous look at garden news from around the world.  In other words: two fun and fact filled newsletters await.