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Ice Stacking, California's Palm and Pine, the beauty of Northern Lights and much more!!!!
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Though not an everyday occurrence, ice stacking creates a stunning and sometimes eerie winter landscape particularly along the rocky coastline of Lake Superior. Ice stacking requires specific weather conditions including strong winds, cold temperatures and significant ice cover on the lake. When the powerful winds push large sheets of ice against the shoreline, the ice crumbles into piles of shards. As the ice sheets break and pile up on top of each other, they form unique and intricate patterns.
This process can also be accompanied by distinctive sounds—the cracking, crunching, and groaning of the ice as it moves and stacks.  When traveling in California, I noticed a pine tree next to a palm tree. It seemed like a strange juxtaposition until I found out this notable landmark is known as “the palm and the pine”. A single palm tree and a single pine tree planted together in the median of Highway 99 just south of Madera represents the state’s north-south divide—the palm symbolizes Southern California, while the pine represents Northern California. The unique landscape marks the geographic center of California, reinforcing the symbolic connection between the two distinct regions. The expression “where the palm meets the pine” is a popular phrase indicating the point where the state’s diverse climates and identities converge.
California’s ability to support both palms and pines reflects its varied climate zones. In Southern California, the warm, dry conditions are ideal for palm trees, particularly those introduced by Spanish missionaries in the 1700s who planted them for Palm Sunday, referencing the tree’s biblical significance. The city of Los Angeles planted tens of thousands of palms in the 1930s to beautify the city for the Olympics, making the palm tree an icon of imagined paradise. In contrast, Northern California’s cooler climate is home to a range of evergreens, such as pine trees, which flourish in mountainous areas. These ecosystems—desert oases for palms and mountain forests for pines—are often geographically close, highlighting California’s remarkable environmental diversity.  Key gardening tasks in January include ordering seeds, testing soil, pruning fruit trees/roses, and starting slow-growing crops like onions and peppers indoors. Also, indoors you can start petunias, begonias, and impatiens. Early, cold-hardy crops such as peas, kale, and lettuce can be started inside or in cold frames.
When resting or sleeping on the water, sea otters hold paws with each other to prevent drifting away from their group. Over 50 tons of trash are left in Times Square after New Year’s Eve celebrations including 3,000 lbs. of confetti. In the Philippines, it's common to wear polka dots on New Year's Eve to symbolize wealth and prosperity. Waterford comes up with a new ball pattern every year for the New York City ball drop. The sphere is made up of 2,688 crystal triangles and has over 32,000 lights. It also displays over 16 million color patterns. Farmer’s Almanac predict that winter 2025-2026 will be a “wild ride” with dramatic swings, wintry weather, and a cycle of “chill, snow, repeat.” When planning your garden it is recommended that at least 70% of your garden should be native plants to support local wildlife like birds and pollinators. The remaining 30% can be non-native, non-invasive plants. Evenly water plants with tepid water. Uneven watering can lead to oedema, and watering with cold water can shock the plant. Geese, and many other migrating birds, fly in a V to conserve energy. This decreases the wind resistance, meaning they can fly for much longer before stopping to rest. Both rain and snow contain nitrogen that plants need. Nitrogen attaches to snowflakes as the snow falls through the atmosphere. In addition, nutrients are slowly released into the soil as the snow melts. This is especially effective early in the spring when the ground is thawed, allowing nature to provide a gentle fertilizer boost to plants.  On December 17, 1903 the Wright Brothers made the first successful flight with their powered aircraft. They flew over the dunes of Kitty Hawk in North Carolina for 12 seconds.
Christmas tinsel was once top-tier luxury. In 17th-century Germany artisans hammered thin strands of pure silver to drape across Christmas trees. Since 1947, the Norwegians have sent a towering spruce to England as thanks for Britain’s support during World War II. It’s decorated in traditional Norwegian style with vertical strings of lights. Candy canes are believed to have started in Germany in the 1600s, when a choirmaster gave sugar sticks bent into shepherd’s crooks to keep children quiet during long Christmas services. When storms encase trees and shrubs in ice, do not go out and shake branches. You may harm plants. Wait for the ice to melt and check on plants again. Branches should return to normal position once the ice is gone. If any branches break under the icy weight, prune only what’s necessary to prevent further damage. Reindeer can see ultraviolet light, which helps them spot predators and food in the snowy Arctic. They also have red noses when it’s cold—their noses are filled with blood vessels that help regulate temperature. Every snowflake has 6 sides. This is due to ice having a natural 6-sided crystal structure. Thomas Edison and his friend Edward Johnson invented Christmas lights. Eggnog has been around since the 13th century! Monks enjoyed this festive drink in medieval times. Protect your poinsettias from cold draughts and allow them to dry out slightly between waterings to make them last well into January.  The presidential turkey pardon can be traced back to 1863, when Abraham Lincoln granted clemency to a live turkey intended for his family’s Christmas dinner.
On November 5, 2025, the Beaver Moon will light up the night sky as a supermoon. This means the moon will be closer to earth than usual, shining bigger and brighter than any other full moon this year. When we rake leaves away, we’re removing the winter insulation for insects, larvae, and eggs. Caterpillars, beetles and other insects overwinter under these leaves, in the soil, and in hollow stems where they lived during the summer. These creatures are critical for returning birds in the spring so don’t rake them away. Instead, try moving leaves into flower beds, around trees, or beneath shrubs. According to the National Turkey Federation, around 88% of Americans enjoy turkey as part of their holiday feast each year. That adds up to over 46 million turkeys. The green bean casserole recipe was developed by a woman named Dorcas Reilly, who worked in Campbell’s home economics department. Originally called Green Bean Bake, the recipe became a sensation when the company began printing it on the labels of its Cream of Mushroom soup cans. Prepare your garden for cold weather by:
Tatsoi is a nutritious Asian green vegetable with a mild, slightly mustard-like flavor and a slightly sweet and crunchy taste. Apple math: ½ bushel of apples = 24 pounds (approximately 60 apples); one peck of apples = ¼ of a bushel or 12 pounds (approximately 30 apples); 1 pound= approximately 3 cups cored, sliced apples Mow lawn to maintain a 2-21/2-inch height. Unique Indiana animal laws:
 Fall is a good time for planting mums, kale and pansies. SKI Landscape will be installing 1,475 mums, 111 kale plants, and 630 pansies throughout 24 properties within the Indianapolis community.
How to grow a 3,000-year-old tree. What's a Brumby? From simple railroad stop to presidential landmark and many more important fun facts in this latest issue of the SKI Landscape Newsletter!
conta.cc/41olbRZ  In Roman mythology, September was believed to be governed by Vulcan, the deity associated with fire, blacksmiths, and volcanoes. The Romans associated this deity with strength and ferocity, and they believed that the month of September was particularly prone to volcanic activity and fires.
Labor Day, an annual celebration of workers and their achievements, originated during one of American labor history’s most dismal chapters. In the wake of this massive unrest and to repair ties with American workers, Congress passed an act making Labor Day a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories. On June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed it into law. More than a century later, the true founder of Labor Day has yet to be identified. Mature green tomatoes can be ripened indoors. Individually wrap fruit in newspaper, or leave them on the vine, pulling the entire plant out of the garden. Store in cool (55 to 60 degrees F) location. For houseplants that have been outside for the summer, wash foliage with warm water and soap to remove dust and kill insects. Then take the plants indoors. When apple picking grab it delicately with your whole hand and twist the apple upward to put it off the branch. Place the apple gently into your container instead of just dropping it to prevent bruising. A group of hippos is known as a “herd”, “pod”, “dale” or “bloat”. Add this to your list of how Indiana got the nickname of Hoosiers: “Hoosier” is attributed to Gov. Joseph Wright who derived Hoosier from an Indian word for corn, "hoosa." Indiana “flatboat men” taking corn or maize to New Orleans came to be known as "hoosa men" or Hoosiers. A kitchen faucet would need to be turned on all the way for at least 45 years to equal the amount of blood pumped by the heart in an average lifetime. As we come into the cold and flu season, here are four high-performing foods that need to be added to favorite dishes. Clementines are rich in folate, potassium vitamin A and many disease fighting antioxidants. Cardamom have many antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Lentils contain 18 grams of protein per cup. Hazelnuts are a great source for omega-6 fatty acids , vitamin E and calcium. About 700 grapes go into one bottle of wine. By: Karen Mitchell, [email protected]
Fall is quickly approaching, bringing cooler temperatures, refreshing rains, and fewer pests. It’s a perfect time to tackle garden tasks, from pruning perennials to planting vegetables. Pruning Fall is a good time to prune out dead, damaged, or diseased plant material . You can also tidy up perennials that have finished blooming and make light shaping cuts on shrubs. Consider saving some stems when cutting back the spent blooms of herbaceous perennials. When left standing, these stems provide habitat for pollinators and food for wildlife while also adding winter interest to a garden that may otherwise remain empty for the cold months ahead . The highbush cranberry (Viburnum opulus) provides year-round interest with ornate flowers, bright berries, and vibrant fall foliage. These spring-blooming shrubs are best pruned after flowering, but damaged or diseased branches can be pruned out at any time. When left standing, the spent blooms of purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) provide habitat and food for wildlife while adding winter interest. Do not prune spring-blooming shrubs such as lilacs, forsythia, or spicebush in the fall, otherwise you’ll cut off next year’s flower buds. The bigleaf and oakleaf hydrangea also produce blooms on old wood . These are best pruned immediately after flowering. Always use sharp, clean tools and cut just above a bud or branch junction at a slight angle. For pruning best practices along with a comprehensive list of recommended pruning times for common woody perennials, refer to Pruning Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. The ‘Ruby Slippers’ oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) should be pruned after flowering to remove spent blooms, maintain shape, or reduce the overall size. However, spent blooms may be left for continued interest. Planting Fall is prime time to plant hardy perennials, trees, and shrubs. The soil remains warm long after the air temperature drops, giving roots time to establish before the ground freezes. Aim to finish planting by mid-to-late October in most parts of Indiana. Consider natives such as purple coneflower, serviceberry, or buttonbush for low-maintenance beauty. Visit the Indiana Native Plant Society’s Native Plant Finder to explore other native options for your landscape. Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) has a long bloom period starting in June and extending into September or October. The vibrant blooms also provide food for a wide range of pollinators. It’s also the season for planting bulbs for spring blooms and vegetables for a fall harvest. Tulips, daffodils, and crocus should be planted before the soil freezes to provide a burst of early spring color. You can also sow quick-growing cool-season vegetables like leaf lettuce, spinach, and radishes for a fall harvest. Check out The Fall Vegetable Garden for a planting guide on cool-season vegetables. The cooler conditions in fall are ideal for cool-season crops like spinach, which prefer temperatures between 50°F and 60°F. Prep for Winter Protection & Spring Success Trees, shrubs, and perennials should continue to be irrigated deeply up until the ground freezes. Add a layer of mulch after the soil cools to insulate roots from harsh temperature swings. Be sure to keep mulch a few inches away from tree trunks or shrub stems to prevent rot or rodent damage. Winterize Your Trees offers more tips on protecting your perennials from the often frigid and dry conditions of an Indiana winter. Adding a layer of mulch around trees and shrubs insulate the roots from harsh temperatures and help to retain moisture. However, avoid piling mulch against the trunk. Volcano mulching, as seen here, causes problems such as rot and provides shelter for rodents as they chew on the trunk. Referenced resources Pruning Ornamental Trees and Shrubs – Purdue Extension HO-4-W https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/HO/HO-4-W.pdf Indiana Native Plant Society’s – Native Plant Finder https://finder.indiananativeplants.org/ The Fall Vegetable Garden – Purdue Extension HO-66-W https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/HO/HO-66-W.pdf Winterize Your Trees – Purdue Extension FNR-484-W https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/fnr/fnr-484-w.pdf It is the policy of the Purdue University that all persons have equal opportunity and access to its educational programs, services, activities, and facilities without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, disability or status as a veteran. Purdue is an Affirmative Action Institution. This material may be available in alternative formats. 1-888-EXT-INFO Disclaimer: Reference to products in this publication is not intended to be an endorsement to the exclusion of others which may have similar uses. Any person using products listed in this publication assumes full responsibility for their use in accordance with current directions of the manufacturer. Purdue Landscape Report © Purdue University - purduelandscapereport.org |
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