January 2023

Sliding through Alaska

The Fraser fir still stands tall in the front room with nary a light or decoration. Naked, the tree basks in its’ natural state of green needles, branches, and lichen covered trunk. Once the dry super cold air mass had receded, the humidity rose. The fresh scent of the evergreen could be detected in the house. During the deep cold in December, the tree in the front room was dressed in splendid attire and sparkled from the light of burning logs in the fireplace. It didn’t smell like a tree. The conifer seemed to have no scent in the low humidity. The tree is now a ‘living’ air freshener. I can breathe in the aromatic atmosphere and enjoy the effects of forest bathing indoors!

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Gardening Catalogs – Read Before You Seed

Most gardeners try to support local businesses as much as possible, but there are just some plants and seeds that aren’t available locally, and that’s where garden catalogs come in handy. Another way to use catalogs is as a source of ideas while you plan your garden or landscape. After planning, you can head out shopping locally with your list in hand. Always bear in mind that catalogs are in business to sell you something, and if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. I often refer to my catalogs for information such as the height and spread of different varieties, time of bloom, colors available, and whether they grow well in my zone. These are facts you can depend on. If you are not receiving gardening catalogs in the mail, just do a search on the internet, and you will find many plant nurseries listed. I usually prefer the ones that grow their plants in a similar climate zone as our zone 7, and specialty nurseries that grow specific varieties like tropicals or succulents. You can request a catalog be sent from the websites if you prefer to have a hard copy to look at.

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Hagerman announces Feb. activities

The following is the Friends of Hagerman NWR Press Release. For more information about these events, please email: friendsofhagerman@ gmail.com . All events are sponsored by the Friends of Hagerman and occur at the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center: 6465 Refuge Road, Sherman, TX 75092, unless stated otherwise.

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