SELECT AND PLANT TREES AND SHRUBS for a permanent home landscape. Don’t scatter plantings at random, it’s much better to have a planting guide. A simple map locating trees, shrubs, and yard features will do. Do a thorough site analysis.

Spend some time browsing at the County Library for landscaping ideas. You will find many excellent gardening books in the library. Consider a planting plan from a landscape designer.

HELP LANDSCAPE PLANTS ESCAPE COLD DAMAGE. In order to aid plants in escaping cold damage, it is wise to keep in mind that a healthy well-fed plant will stand the most cold weather. Plants should enter winter free of diseases and nematode damage.

Be sure not to feed plants too late in the season, as this often forces tender growth that is subject to winter kill. Never fertilize with quickly-available nitrogen in late summer.

Select varieties that are hardy to Forsyth County area.

Protect plants from prevailing cold winds. A fence or tall evergreen hedge of trees or shrubs gives good protection to tender landscape plants.

Use hose sections on guide wires of newly planted trees, so the wires wi11 not damage the trunks in windy weather.

During severe freezes, plants that freeze and thaw slowly will be damaged the least, thus the north side of a building, with a lot of shade, is the best for tender plants. Consider a wind screen of burlap or cheesecloth for tender plants.

WHEN YOU PRUNE, keep n wind that shearing destroys the natural shape of many shrubs. To reduce size and produce more compact growth, cut out undesirable longer limbs from inside the plant. Do not cut all limbs at the same height.

AFTER THE FIRST KILLING FROST, it is time to mulch shrubs, perennials, and herbs for winter protection. Winter mulch should not be heavy or dense.

BRING IN GERANIUMS BEFORE FROST. Overwinter them in pots or bare root in paper bags. They should be allowed to become somewhat dry before being watered.

PLANT SPRING FLOWERING BULBS. Use a bulb fertilizer in the bed.

COOL DAYS are excellent times for landscape construction projects like decks, walks, and fences. Avoid soil contact with untreated wood.

COLLECT SOIL for testing. Kits are available at the County Extension Office and some local garden shops. Reports return promptly when mailed to the lab in the fall months.

APPLY lime to vegetable garden if needed.

COLLECT unusual twigs for dry arrangements.

APPLY lime to lilacs.

WINTERIZE YOUR MOWER by first disconnecting the spark plug wire. Drain out all the gasoline and oil, and replace the old oil with fresh oil. Spray paint under the clean deck to prevent rust remove and clean the air filter. Pull the spark plug before storing for the winter. Check for carbon build-up, and replace it needed.

KEEP YOUR SHEARS AND LOPPERS in good working order. Wipe them with a rag dipped in paint thinner to remove sticky resins. Sharpen and oil thoroughly.

SPRING BULBS grow best at approximately 55 degrees, so keep potted narciasus, tulips, and other bulbs away from vents or other heat sources.