Thank you for attending the Lowndes County Master Gardeners Butterfly Bonanza. You are welcome to explore it throughout the year, observe the plants and enjoy the butterflies in all stages of their life.

Are you keeping your hummingbird feeders filled? We enjoy watching them dart in and out around the feeders. It’s amazing to see their tiny bodies move so quickly. Maybe I need to add sugar water to my diet.

Now is the time to divide your perennials, such as hostas, daylilies and iris. They’re visible now and easier to see before they go dormant. If you can’t get to them, flag them so you can find them later. My beds need a slow, soaking rain before I can attempt a bit of cleaning and trimming. If you had a bumper crop of fruit this fall, don’t forget to tidy up under the trees to prevent disease and insect problems. After we lost numerous trees during the early summer storm, we now have areas that need to be replanted.

I’ve been thinking about a plot Daddy planted on our property more than 40 years ago. He collected sawtooth acorns and planted them in an old washtub. When they sprouted, he transplanted the seedlings into individual containers. With lots of tender loving care, those seedlings grew bigger and stronger and were planted. Currently, there are about 40 on the flat behind the barn.

He also planted several around the “Olivia Field” at Camp David. Those needed extra protection with wire baskets around the trunks to keep deer from rubbing. Late freezes the past two years limited the acorns, but reports say there’s a bumper crop this fall. Deer are attracted to sawtooth acorns, sometimes called “deer candy” because of their taste and nutritional value. The acorns drop when other food sources might be unavailable. Sawtooth oaks begin producing acorns in three to six years, making them a quick way to establish a food source near the perimeter of your food plot.

As we already have deer that dine on flowers and shrubs remarkably close to the house, I’ve looked into other trees and plants to fill in the gaps along the western edge of our property to help with traffic noise. Consider the mature size of the tree. Are there power lines nearby? Where are the water lines, septic tank, field lines and underground electrical lines?

Trees bring beauty to our landscape and give off needed oxygen. They provide habitats for wildlife. A deciduous tree shades our homes in summer while allowing the sun to warm us in winter. Evergreens can be planted to hide a less-than-beautiful area of your property. Notice the shape and size of the mature tree. Research planting techniques. If your purchased tree is wrapped, carefully remove any cover from around the root ball and trunk to facilitate growth. Dig a shallow, broad planting hole that’s two to three times wider than the root ball. The hole should be only as deep as the root ball, but you can loosen the soil a bit in the bottom.

When you place the young tree in the prepared hole, check it from several angles to be sure it’s straight. Fill gently with the removed soil, tapping as you go to prevent air pockets. Water well. Avoid commercial fertilizer. Add a layer of compost or organic matter around the base to improve drainage and naturally fertilize as the tree establishes roots. Make sure two to three inches of organic mulch is around the tree but not against the trunk.

Be patient. The next generation will enjoy the fruits of your labor, just like a ride on the Ranger around the “Olivia Field” is a sweet reminder of Daddy that I now share with our grandchildren.

Former elementary teacher and avid gardener Olivia Sansing lives in the New Hope community and shares timely tips on behalf of the Lowndes County Master Gardeners.

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