Turning Christmas trees into mulch benefits landscapes

Christmas trees represent the essence of the season. Yet the fate of approximately 250,000 trees will be the landfill. There is an alternative. If we chip live trees into mulch instead of toss in the trash, they become valuable organic material used in landscape projects to help conserve soil moisture and keep plants healthy.

So, make a difference this year and recycle your live Christmas tree. Last year, 10,000 were recycled and the goal this year is at least 15,001. You'll find 19 drop sites throughout the valley today and continuing until Jan. 15. Here are the drop sites:

Las Vegas: Bruce Trent Park, Desert Breeze Park, Floyd Lamb State Park, Freedom Park, Las Vegas Springs Preserve, Mountain Crest Park, Nellis Air Force Base Recycling Center, R.C. Willey, Southern Highlands, Sunset Park, UNLV Rebel Recycling

Henderson: Acacia Park, Anthem Hills Park, Mission Hills Park, Whitney Ranch Recreation Center

North Las Vegas: Aviary Park, Cheyenne Sports Complex, Craig Ranch Golf Course, Seastrand Park

For more information and addresses, go to www.springspreserve.org or call 822-8700 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily.

There is no charge to recycle your tree; all they ask is that you remove the tree stand and decorations so they don't contaminate the mulch and ruin the chipper. Flocked trees cannot be recycled.

We always mention chipping trees into mulch, but let's take recycling a step further. Last year, Pete Duncombe at the Springs Preserve composted chips to its final stage, humus, the ultimate soil improver. He then placed this special humus in vegetable beds and has them full of thriving lush vegetables.

BECOMING A DESERT GARDENER

Have you recently moved into the valley and/or want to learn the correct steps to having a successful garden in a hostile environment? University of Nevada Cooperative Extension master gardeners are offering free spring gardening classes to the public, but they require preregistration by calling 257-5555. The gardening series runs for four consecutive Wednesdays at 7 p.m. starting Jan. 9 with "Colors and Scents/Sense for Desert Landscapes"; "Planting Warm Season Vegetables," Jan. 16; "Pruning and Planting Roses," Jan. 23; and "Edible Landscapes," Jan. 30, at the extension's learning center, 8050 S. Maryland Parkway.

Join Master Gardener Bob Peloquin Jan. 9. He is an expert on desert plants, especially penstemon, and will speak on adding durability, color and fragrance to the garden by creatively mixing standard and lesser-known desert species; using different color schemes to transform a garden into a palette of sensual surprise; and using native species to add sensible diversity, lowering the use of pesticides and greater resistance to non-native species invasion.

MASTER GARDENER TRAINING

The Nevada Cooperative Extension is preparing to train another group of master gardeners. It is a program open to people of all gardening backgrounds. If you want to become a master gardener, the spring class begins in March, with evening registrations on Jan. 8 and Feb. 5. For more information, call 257-5587.

Here are answers to some questions I received recently:

Q: After chipping the Christmas trees into mulch, and even to humus, will it be available to the public?

A: The agencies sponsoring the recycling project use it in their gardens and parks. But the Cooperative Extension orchard makes theirs available. If you want some, call 257-5555.

Q: Do I need a light meter to grow pothos? Mine is crawling all over the cabinets and very leggy.

A: If you are really into houseplants, a light meter is nice. I use the "hand shadow" test. Hold your hand about a foot above the plant and notice the shadow. A very distinct shadow tells you the plant is in a good location. If the shadow becomes less distinct or fuzzy, that indicates the plant may be struggling for light. A south window usually gives enough light for most houseplants through the winter. You'll usually get a fuzzy shadow with an eastern and western exposure and a faint shadow from a northern window. Legginess suggests your plants need more light.

Q: I have a rose that occasionally produces blooms with vegetative centers and they are ugly. What is causing it?

A: Dick Jackson says it probably is a genetic throwback, so remove the bloom. If the problem continues, discard it and plant another variety. Overfeeding also may be a contributor.

Jackson wants to remind readers of the rose society's upcoming pruning demonstration. It will be at Jackson's residence, 1112 Oak Tree Lane, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 19. Learn about roses from A to Z and plan on being coached as you prune a rose.

Q: My gardener cut back my loquat tree; now I understand he removed the upcoming crop.

A: You are right, he aborted this season's entire crop. You will have to wait until next year while the tree grows new fruiting wood to carry the crop. Right now, loquats are in bloom and setting fruit that will be ready for picking in the early spring. If in doubt when to prune a fruiting or flowering plant, prune after bloom.

If you are not familiar with loquat, it is a tropical-looking evergreen that does well planted on the east side of your home for protection from the blistering summer sun. I love the tree, because it produces fruit in the early spring while other fruit trees are still bare. The fruits are about the size of a small egg, orange-yellow and rich with a sprightly aromatic flavor.

Q: Why are all the leaves on our Texas Rangers dropping?

A: As the temperatures drop, so do the leaves. With leaves shedding, it signals pruning time. For a more prolific bloomer next summer, thin out shrubs so you can see through them. This way, you control its size, maintain a more natural appearance and open up interior to sunlight to develop significantly more flowering wood, which is why you planted them in your landscape.

Q: I noticed our California Pepper trees drooping, with many branches down to the ground.

A: This is a natural phenomenon for pepper trees; those long limbs gracefully droop down. Remove lower branches if you desire to move around under the tree. It is so pretty with its pendulous branches dancing in the breeze.

Q: Can I put my asparagus fern out on my covered patio during the winter?

A: Yes, it will do fine. At our gardens, the ferns are enjoying their location on the patio.

Linn Mills writes a garden column every Thursday. You can reach him at linn.mills@springspreserve.org or at the Gardens at the Springs Preserve at 822-7754.