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I’ve planted the pots in the garden and packed away the scarecrows – now it’s time to decorate the hall.
That means filling empty pots with evergreen boughs from my trees and bushes, hanging cedar brush on the porch, and placing wreaths on the door.
Sure, they’ll look great at first, but that’s at risk of changing as December progresses. And since nothing says “The Addams Family” like a house decorated with crisp spruce branches, my challenge will be to keep them looking fresh for as long as possible.
The best way to do this would be to treat them like produce. After all, both evergreen stems and vegetables are harvested from the same plant, at which time their countdown clocks begin ticking.
The secret of longevity of both is moisture. Just as supermarkets use misters to keep produce fresh, we can keep holiday greenery fresh longer with water.
how to cut them
If harvesting stems from your garden, harvest them in the morning, when they are most hydrated and least stressed. Make the cut at a 45-degree angle, which will provide a larger surface through which water can enter.
If bringing them home from the store, clip the end of each stem in the same manner. The fresh cut will remove the dry layer of tissue that would otherwise block water absorption.
how and where to soak them
Whether purchased or cut, immediately place the cut ends of your branches in a bucket of room temperature water and place in a shady spot outside. Let them soak for at least 2 hours (24 hours would be ideal) until you’re ready to use them.
How to arrange them indoors and outdoors
When arranging branches in empty plant containers outside, moisten the soil first, then insert the freshly cut ends. Check moisture levels between freeze-thaw cycles and make amendments if necessary.
Wreaths and garlands used outside are exposed to dry winter winds, which accelerates dehydration. Combat this with a light misting two or three times a week. But be careful not to overdo it, as this will encourage mold.
In the South, heat and sun can quickly brown greenery, so place wreaths, garlands and pots in a shady spot where available. When arranging containers, bury the stems deeply in moist soil and water once or twice each day, in the morning or evening, when the sun is weakest.
Keeping greenery fresh indoors is even more challenging. Putting branches in wet floral foam helps. Water As needed to keep the foam moist. And display all evergreen decorations away from radiators, forced-air heating vents, fireplaces and drafts.
Will these tips guarantee fresh greenery on New Year’s Day?
no way. Even with the best care, two important factors remain out of our control: the weather at the time of purchase and the age of the branches. But keeping them moist and shady will ensure they stay fresh for as long as possible.
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Jessica Damiano writes a weekly gardening column for the AP and publishes the award-winning Weekly Dirt newsletter. You can sign up for weekly gardening tips and advice here.
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For more AP gardening stories, visit https://apnews.com/hub/gardening.