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 The National Weather Service has issued its weather forecast for
the coming winter. It looks like the predictions, flavored by
the strong El Niño, show our area to have an above average
chance of warmer weather and equal to below normal for
precipitation chances. It’s the chance blizzard that tends to
catch us by surprise. The different weather services do offer up
the statement something to the effect “there will be variations
in temperatures and precipitation.” Anyway, here are a few of
the folklore predictors.
We’ve all heard about the woolybear caterpillar as a winter
severity predictor, and with as many different interpretations
of the woolybear as there are – somebody is always right. A
larger middle (orange segment) means a milder winter. Of course,
you have to have a banded woolybear to have the different
colors. Another one says if they are white, this means a lot of
snow. All black means a cold winter. Also if they are really
bushy, it will be cold. In reality, there are several species,
and the younger ones are usually white, or light colored, and
they turn dark as they age.
Other predictors of a tough or cold winter have included
plentiful berries and nuts, very bushy squirrel tails, tough
apple skins, thicker than normal corn husks, early migration of
the Monarch butterfly, high ant hills in July, etc. My best
predictor has been the cost of energy – the higher the price,
the more I will need of it. Even in a mild winter we will have
some cold snaps, and it is – after all – winter.
Fall Care of Peonies
Peonies are one of those “plant it and forget it” flowers. Many
haven’t been bothered for over 50 years, and still going strong.
As with most plants, crowding can occur, and the time to dig and
divide is late September through October. Peonies do best in
soils with a slightly acid to neutral pH. The best time to add
lime, if needed, is when you dig the plants.
When dividing, make sure you leave buds on each piece you plan
to plant. These buds should be no deeper than an inch when
replanted to allow for proper flowering. Mulching will help
year-long on any plant, and peonies are no exception.
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Brown Needles on Pine Trees
Brown needles happen on pine trees, and other evergreens, all
the time. Of course, some times are more striking than others.
Is this a bad thing? It all depends. To begin with, evergreens
only keep one to four years of green growth toward the tips of
the branches. The number of years is dependent on weather
conditions, the health of the tree, and the species. Needles
toward the trunk of the tree turn brown each year and drop off.
If weather conditions are just right, the needles all turn brown
at once. If there aren’t any heavy rains or winds to help knock
needles off gradually, the brown needles are quite showy. They
will drop off, and the appearance of the tree will return to
normal. The only exception is the green needles are now further
away from the trunk. Stressful years make the brown needle
phenomenon more pronounced. I would classify this year as highly
stressful, with the combination of heavy rains, followed by a
warm, dry fall.
As for what to do, just take good care of the trees. Fertilize
the lawn area around the trees at the lawn rate to supply a
pound each of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium per 1000
square feet in the fall and the spring. The trees will get the
fertilizer they need before the grass can get it. The drying
winds of winter may also take their toll. Use a wind block, or
treat with an antidessicant such Wilt Pruf, to keep needles from
drying further in the winter.
[By JOHN FULTON, COUNTY EXTENSION
DIRECTOR SERVING LOGAN, MENARD, AND SANGAMON COUNTIES]
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