By Becker County 

Master Gardeners

Holiday cacti require short days and cool night temperatures to initiate flower buds. Keep these plants in a brightly lit, cool location (55-65º F at night, 60-70º in the day). They require 12 hours of complete darkness at night to prompt bud formation.

Too much water and not enough light can stress houseplants. Always feel soil before watering. Grow low-light plants or set plants in bright windows adding supplemental light as needed.

Poinsettias are among the easiest holiday plants to grow. First, you must choose a healthy one, and get it home without suffering any cold damage. It should be wrapped well, then transported in a heated vehicle, not left in the car while you do other shopping. Cut the bottom of the decorative pot covering so excess water drains out, and place the poinsettia in a bright, sunny location. Water thoroughly when the soil surface begins to dry, and then fertilize monthly after four to six weeks.

The best way to keep icy sidewalks, steps and driveways safe without damaging nearby plants rely primarily on sand or grit, rather than de-icing products. If necessary, mix a small amount of deicer or lawn fertilizer into the sand. The fertilizer or deicer will run off eventually, and accumulate in the soil. The more you use over the winter, the more likely that plants will be burned by deicer or fertilizer salts.

Let it snow! Snow cover serves as an insulator for plants and help moderate soil temperatures through winter and into spring.