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FEBRUARY | MARCH 2023 • MONTANA SENIOR NEWS HOME & LIFESTYLE 17

IF YOU LIVE HERE

Commune with the tree for a moment, and it will give you the answer on how
it wants to be pruned. Trim long, weak branches at the end. Notice how the
buds rotate in a spiral: find the place the tree wants the branch cut, locate a
bud pointed in the direction you want it to go, and snip about a quarter of an
inch past that. Photo by Craig Thomas Naylor. CALL

This was a freak discovery in the French wine district, where
they sprayed grapes to make them unattractive, so tourists wouldn’t US FIRST!
munch the product and, oops and voilà, they found it cured diseases
as well!
Be sure to spray any product at sunrise, or just before sunset,
since any of these compounds can be detrimental to the bees that Are you thinking about:
pollinate our food. Once the sprays dry, they’re safe. If you spray
Bordeaux or sulfur, be sure to wait a month after applying the oil,
to avoid a chemical reaction that can damage the trees.
A LITTLE SPACE, PLEASE
And, almost last, comes branch spacers. I take a 2x4, rip it
in 3/8" strips, cut them into lengths from 4" to a couple feet,
and slice a V-notch in each end. I prop these between trunk and
branch, or branch to branch in strategic locations, to space them WINDOW upgrades, new
a la Mr. Miyagi. This is particularly important for my pear trees,
which tend to grow straight up. I like them a bit wider, mostly so INSULATION, or installing a
picking is easier. HEAT PUMP?
COMING BACK TO LIFE
I still have a few other chores remaining: grafting shoots I cut If you have Electric Heat as your primary heat
from feral orchards, to spread the bloom season out, and tasting source, you may qualify for REBATES and
unusual, heirloom fruit. But, mostly, I sit, read a book, wait for the LOW INTEREST LOANS through your Co-op!
magic of spring blooms, and salivate from thinking of fall’s bounty.
While doing all this, be sure to occasionally look up to the sky,
listen to the redtail hawk screech, ponder some chickadee chatter,
and feel rejuvenated as life begins to pulse again, quickening toward
bloom and harvest. We live in a marvelous world, and may the
MEET YOUR
return of the sun bless you all. MSN
ENERGY ADVISOR

Give us a call BEFORE you install. We’re here

to help you save time and money.

FOR INQUIRIES, CALL
Teri Rayome-Kelly

406-751-5291

If you have a tree with fire blight, sanitize between cuts. A little isopropyl alcohol
or bleach solution (about 5-percent bleach) works well—just dip the clipper and flatheadelectric.com/save
shake the excess off. Photo by Craig Thomas Naylor.