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PlantTherapy: Bedtime

2006-12-15bed.jpg

The soil around the city's sidewalk trees, normally brimming with plants, has all gotten sleepy. But to keep the green going many people top their beds with seasonal greens.

 
 

By now you most likely have been hit with the smell of evergreen as you round a corner, much like the smell of the coffee or pretzels from the street vendors. The flowershops have all adorned their sidewalks with boxes of branches.

The greens keep the color going for a while longer, insulate any bulbs or perennials underneath from the frost, and also add a little to the soil as they decompose.

I stopped to snap this picture of frosty blue juniper, which was mixed in with a bed of pine boughs and holly:

2006-12-15bed3.jpg

2006-12-15bed5.jpgAfter Thanksgiving gardeners were busy getting the spring bulbs in the ground.

After the bulbs are placed they are covered with a layer of soil and then mulch. Add the greens to that and you have some great insulation, much like a well layered bed with a fluffy comforter on top.

Everyone is all tucked in for the winter and ready for the spring.


-Matt
email: matt at apartment therapy dot com

2006-12-15bed4.jpg


a shot of the bulbs being placed, before the soil and mulch cover


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Comments (4)

That first photo is so appealing that I'm now looking forward to heading for the East Coast today, instead of whining about snow and cold.

posted by wende in phoenix on 2006-12-16 09:13:01

after yet another 60 degree December day in NYC I don't know if you will have any cold and snow to whine about!

posted by Benedita on 2006-12-16 19:58:48

Yea, Wende, No worries about snow - bring flip flops...global warming is quite obvious up here. It's in the 50's in Boston AND NYC. 60's over the weekend in D.C.

posted by kenji on 2006-12-18 13:20:47

I agree with you all - at this rate we are going to have a repeat of last year when the bulbs started to come out in January. Even though I love tropical weather I would prefer travelling to it than having it come to me.

I think everyone who has prepared their bulbs for the spring must be crossing their fingers right now and hoping for the cold to return.

posted by mattplantguy on 2006-12-18 14:03:46

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