These offers are good through 12/06/07 or while supplies last. Not to be combined with any other offers or discounts.

30% OFF Spring Blooming Bulbs*Excluding Amaryllis and Paperwhites

30% OFF Shade Trees (Excluding Aspens)

40% OFF Perennials

50% OFF Fruit Trees

50% OFF Select Trees, Shrubs, & Conifers

HCG Alb: High Country Gardens retail store in Albuquerque is located in the portal of Jackalope at 6400 San Mateo NE. Retail hours are 9am to 6pm seven days a week. Call: 505-856-7641.

Turn This Christmas 'Green' with a Live Tree
By Cindy Bellinger

During the Middle Ages, winter solstice street plays used boughs of evergreens as the only prop. But wanting to suppress anything pagan, the Church quickly abolished street plays. So the people danced around live trees in the commons. The Church then outlawed dancing around trees in public.

So villagers went inside. In doing so, they brought their trees with them. Thus the beginning of indoor trees during the dark days of winter. But unlike the pagans who set cut trees in halved wooden kegs, we can use live trees. That way we save cutting down a tree then enjoy it year round ever-after.

Live Christmas Trees
The trees we carry that make good indoor décor during the holidays include different varieties of spruces, pines and firs. In the warmth of houses they add that fresh outdoor scent of conifers and always create a conversation piece.

Guidelines
--for bringing home a live tree then planting it after all the dancing is done

Before Buying

• Choose the site. Our staff at Santa Fe Greenhouses can help with site requirements.

Prepare Planting Hole

• Dig the hole before the ground freezes; make it the same depth but twice as wide as the container.
• Amend the backfill soil; mound it and cover with plastic.

Storing the Tree

• Keep live trees outside in a wind-sheltered location.
• Water every 7 days.
• Water thoroughly the day before you take it inside.

Inside the House

• Set tree near cool window.
• Keep root ball slightly moist.
• Don't keep your tree inside for more than 7 days. This can break dormancy, which may let it freeze when put outside again.

After the Holidays

• Keep tree in a wind-sheltered area for 2 weeks before planting. This acclimates it to the outside again.
• Continue to water weekly.

Planting the Tree

• Do not break root ball.
• Center tree in hole.
• Add amended backfill to hole.
• Create water basin around the tree.
• Water to saturate root ball.

And there you have it; the perfect way to have a tree and save it too.

Read My Little Garden Patch - gardening column by Cindy Bellinger.