How To Keep Your Natural Trees And Fresh Greens Healthy Over The Holidays

Dec 6, 2021 | Holiday, Maggie Lane Designs

Happy Tuesday everyone!!  How To Keep Your Natural Trees And Fresh Greens Healthy Over The Holidays.  In my post on Monday, I talked about the types of holiday plants toxic to your pet and thought this would be a nice follow-up to that blog post.  I love a natural look around the holidays on the outside of the house.  This year, I used faux decor in front on the porch but next year, I hope to extend my decor across the front and along side the garage.  Every year I buy something new to compliment what we have and I’ve pretty much have the inside done.  Now it’s time to focus on the outside and I thought this post would be helpful now and in the future for when I invest in living decor.
 
I’ve mentioned in a few of my gardening posts that I frequent Bedner’s Greenhouse a good bit and get their monthly newsletter which is always informative.  I took a few tidbits from their recent newsletter, some personal experience, and MarthaStewart.com and put this post together.
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Christmas Trees
 
*Watering is the most important step for the longevity of your Christmas tree.
 
*Once purchased, cut or have the garden center cut 1/2” off the trunk for you.  This fresh cut re-opens the pores of the tree so it can absorb water. 
 
*At home, fill your tree stand with water and check it at least once every day. Always keep the water level above the fresh cut. 
 
*Trees are thirsty when they first get put up and may soak up to a gallon of water within the first 24 hours.
 
*Additives to the water are really not necessary. Just use fresh tap water.
 
*Make sure to keep your fresh tree away from heat sources.
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Fresh Greens, Wreaths and Winter Containers
 
*Your greens and winter containers should last outside and look great through winter.  If you are like me, you purchase items that will last through February.  I always consider January and February when I’m making my Christmas wreath.  This way I can have a wreath on the door for all three months until I change it out in the spring.
 
*Add in extra decorations and “bling” for the holidays, then remove them after the new year for a more natural look.
 
*Treat fresh-cut greens just like you would cut flowers. Even if they are outside in the cold, they will still need water. If you plan to bring them inside, then the moisture will be even more important, similar to the Christmas tree.

*Make sure the smaller winter containers of evergreen arrangements have water absorbent floral foam in the bottom, so the greens will have consistent water. Check the foam regularly to see if more water needs added. If creating your own arrangement, give the greens a fresh cut on the bottom before adding to the foam block. 
 
*Before decorating, spray wreaths with an anti-desiccant to seal in moisture, like Wilt Pruf or Wilt Stop. You can spray this product on any of your mixed greenery arrangements. It is also good for protecting broadleaf evergreens in the landscape like boxwood, rhododendron, and mountain laurel.
 
*For front doors, it is best to keep your wreaths on the outside door, if you have one. Putting the wreath between the main door and the screen door will create a greenhouse effect and will “cook” your fresh decorations.
 
*Misting greens regularly will add moisture back into the cut material. It also helps to refresh the aromatic scent of the greens.
 
*For larger winter container gardens that are filled with either soil, mulch, or rice hulls, make sure it’s wet. Once the weather gets consistently cold and the media freezes, you’ll be good to go. Check the pots occasionally for water and mist the greens as we have mild temperature spells.
 

Golden Deer

Weirton just opened a brand new Big Lots and I found two gold deer for our mantel at 20% off!  Big Lots has adorable Christmas decor at great prices!  Looking for bags, tissue paper, and wrapping, check out Big Lots!

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Trim the trunk. 

*When trees are first cut, sap rushes to close the wound and will seal the bottom.  When that happens, the tree isn’t as able to absorb water.
 
*Add a fresh cut at the bottom right before you place it in water, and try to put up your Christmas tree the same day you bring it home.
 
*Using a saw, trim half an inch off the trunk before placing it in water in a reservoir stand. According to the National Christmas Tree Association, you’ll want to make the cut at a perpendicular to the axis of the stem and avoid cutting the trunk at an angle or in a V-shape because it will make it harder to keep the tree upright in the stand. If you have to store the tree for a few days, keep the tree in a cool place with water until you’re able to set it up.
 
 

Our new Santa Clause is 3 feet tall!

Found Mr. Clause at TJMaxx and he goes perfect with our red and cream tree!  Can’t find him at TJMaxx, check out 34th and Vine, the company that made him 🙂

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I hope you found this post useful.  If you have any other tips, I would love to hear them.  As I talked about earlier, you can add sparkly bobbles, decorative ribbon, bells, crystalized faux fruit to your greenery and remove after the holiday is over.  Create a new look for January and then if your greenery is still looking healthy, decorate for Valentine’s Day!  

Stocking Hangers by Fig and Fur

Look at these adorable stocking hangers I found at TJMaxx from Fig and Fur.  They are perfect for hanging Jake and Maggie’s stockings!

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I love hearing from all of you and do my best to respond to each and every one of you.  I always enjoy your comments, feedback, and suggestions so keep them coming!  If I’ve posted a recipe (for our human and our furry friends) and you try it, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @twoadorablelabs and use #twoadorablelabs​.

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