Shelby Shopper Shelby NC
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Page 8 - shelby shopper & info - 704/484-1047 www.shelbyinfo.com Thursday, September 22-September 28, 2022 NEED A CROWN? CALL US FOR A QUOTE TODAY! NEED A CROWN? CALL US FOR A QUOTE TODAY! 1455 East Marion Street, Shelby • www.plasterfamilydentistry.com ACCEPTING ACCEPTING NEW NEW PATIENTS PATIENTS (704) 487-7391 Dr. Will Plaster practicing since 1997 Shelby's trusted name in Family Dentistry since 1926. Shelby's trusted name in Family Dentistry since 1926. Dr. Harold Plaster, Sr. practiced 1939 - 2000 Dr. Hubert Plaster practiced 1926 - 1976 Dr. Harold Plaster, Jr. practiced 1968 - 2010 Will Bridges works on his art at the Chalk Fest on Saturday, September 17th. Jeff Melton photo Prescription opioids can be addictive and dangerous. It only takes a little to lose a lot. cdc.gov/RxAwareness Foliage and football might be two things people instantly associate with fall, but there's more to this beloved season than brightly colored leaves and action on the gridiron. Gardeners know that spring is an ideal time to plan and plant their favorite flowers and most flavorful fruits and vegetables. However, seasoned gardeners know that gardening is a year- round commitment. Pruning is one of the keys to keeping pe- rennials coming back for years to come, and fall is an ideal time to take on this important task. Pruning perennials in the fall is not a one-size-fits-all en- deavor. According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, some peren- nials can be cut down after the first killing frost, while others can be left to benefit wildlife, includ- ing birds and insects. Under- standing pruning and when to do it this fall can help gardeners lay a strong foundation for their gardens that will benefit them next spring. Why should some perennials be pruned? The College of Agricultural Sciences at Pennsylvania State University notes that perennials that have become diseased or infested with insects are pruned to prevent those problems from resurfacing in the spring. In addi- tion, according to the Old Farm- er's Almanac, many herbaceous perennials have old foliage and dying stems after several hard frosts. If dead foliage or dying stems aren't pruned, disease, slugs and other pests can over- winter in the plants. Cutting these plants down to the ground after several hard frosts allows the base of the plant to remain dormant over the winter but makes the plant less hospitable to disease and insects. Which perennials should I prune? The first step to pruning pe- rennials is to recognize which need to be pruned and which can be left intact for the win- ter. The Old Farmer's Almanac notes that bee balm and phlox are prone to powdery mildew and should be cut back once they're gone. Hostas harbor slug eggs, so they, too, should be pruned after a hard frost. Hosta leaves that have fallen on the ground should be removed as well. There's no need to cut back certain perennials if they're healthy. For example, hardy geraniums do not require prun- ing in the fall, and Penn State Extension notes that hardy pe- rennials like garden mums are more likely to survive a cold winter if they're left intact. That's because the tops of such plants will collect leaves and snow for insulation and moisture over the course of winter. Gardeners who are unsure about fall prun- ing can speak with their local gardening center for additional advice regarding which plants to cut back before winter. When to prune perennials Gardeners need not rush to prune perennials in the fall. Dis- eased or infested plants can be pruned at the first sight of dis- ease or infestation, but garden- ers can wait until several hard frosts have occurred before they prune healthy perennials. In gar- dening parlance, a hard frost re- fers to when temperatures drop below 28 F. Several hard frosts kill the uppermost growth of most perennials, making this an ideal time to prune them. Pruning perennials in fall can be the first step toward creating an awe-inspiring spring garden. Pre-winter perennial pruning pointers