My pin oak didn’t produce any acorns this fall.  Why? 
It takes two years for the acorns on pin oaks and red oaks to fully mature. Oaks produce staminate and pistillate flowers in spring.  After pollination, the pistillate flowers develop into fruit (acorns).  It takes only one year for the acorns on white and bur oaks to fully mature. However, it takes two years for the acorns on pin oaks to fully mature. 

In 2007, very mild weather in the latter half of March coaxed many trees and shrubs to begin to grow prematurely. The mild temperatures in late March were followed by record cold temperatures in early April. The record cold temperatures destroyed the flower buds on many trees and shrubs. As a result, most apple trees produced very little fruit in 2007. It’s likely the cold temperatures also destroyed the flowers on the pin oaks.  No acorns matured this fall because no fruit developed in the spring of 2007. 

What is the best way to store left-over flower and vegetable seeds? 
If stored properly, the seeds of many vegetables and flowers will remain viable (alive) for two or three years. Ideal storage conditions are cool and dry. It is generally best to keep the seeds in their original packets. Fold over the ends of open seed packets, then place the surplus seeds in a tightly sealed jar or plastic lidded coffee can. Place one or two tablespoons of powdered milk in a small envelope and place the envelope in the container. The powdered milk will absorb the moisture from the air inside the container and keep the seeds dry. Place the tightly sealed container in the refrigerator or other cool location.

What are some good low-growing groundcovers? 
Plant heights vary somewhat based on the growing conditions at the site. However, there are several groundcovers that are 12 inches or less in height. 

Low-growing groundcovers for shade include bugle weed (Ajuga reptans), wild ginger (Asarum species), lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis), barrenwort (Epimedium species), sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum), spotted dead nettle (Lamium maculatum), creeping lily turf (Liriope spicata), vinca (Vinca minor), and barren strawberry (Waldsteinia fragarioides). 

Creeping or moss phlox (Phlox subulata) and several species and cultivars of stonecrop (Sedum species) are excellent low-growing groundcovers for sunny areas. 

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