Snow hits, but garden questions keep coming

First, when is the 2012 Northwest Flower and Garden Show scheduled?

I can't think of a better way to spend your PFD than visiting a good flower and garden show in the middle of the winter. There are lots from which to choose, but for Alaskans, two make sense because of easy air access and the likelihood that some of the educational sessions will be applicable to our climate. The third is just a neat experience for flower show freaks.

How about starting with a trip to Seattle for this year's Northwest Flower And Garden Show. This is Alaskans' favorite flower and garden show, going into the third year under new ownership, and the new owners have transitioned without a hiccup. It is still at the Convention Center, a bit earlier than before, from Feb. 8 through 12. There are all sorts of area hotel deals, too, but you need to act soon to make sure you get one. Check out the show's site at gardenshow.com.

By the same token the Yard, Garden and Patio Show in Portland is also a great deal of fun. It is a bit smaller, but you can throw in a visit to Portland's Chinese Garden on the way as both are in the city street car's free zone. It is worth the visit to the Rose City on its own merit. The YGP show is at the Portland Convention Center from February 17 through 19. Check ygpshow.com/ for specials.

And just in case you want to make plans to go the BIG flower and garden show, and the oldest one in the country, the Philadelphia Flower and Garden Show is March 4 through 11. They have a theme every year and the display gardens use it and are "over the top." This year it is a Hawaiian theme, so you may be you can skip the real visit to the islands and do the "Philly Show" instead. Their site is, in true Main Line fashion, is theflowershow.com.

Next: Is it time for to put bird seed in the feeders?

No, it is still too early. There have been reports of bears all over town, including a brown bear in mid-Hillside. And don't think you are safe if you put feed in a second story feeder or on a high deck. Bears do and will climb. Wait a couple of more weeks and thank your stars it's been so warm for so long. The birds seem to be doing just fine.

Here is a fall question: Is there anything that prevents voles from tearing up the lawn and eating the bark off trees during the winter months?

Voles are tiny, mice-like critters that do not hibernate, breed like crazy, mature in 21 days and sometimes use your lawn as a subway system once there is snow cover. They hide under the snow to evade predators, especially hawks. When populations get large, their tunnels cause temporary but unsightly damage.

You can try to trap them in mousetraps using an oatmeal-peanut butter combination. (Not too much lest you trap a bear!) However, populations can be large and this really won't do that much good. You can tamp down snow to reduce its cover value. This is especially useful under trees. Other than that, there isn't much you can do for the lawn.

Protect trees by placing foot-tall, collars around trunks. Sometimes you can find trunk protectors for sale or you can make them from "hardware cloth." Aluminum foil can also be used -- but how tacky! It will, however, protect trunks from voles eating the bark and girdling the tree. This is advised for young, newly planted trees. They don't seem to like the bark of older ones.

Finally, aphids are on all house plants. Help!

This is a common complaint this time of year. If you don't see them, you see yellowing leaves and sticky sap. Either some came in with an outdoor plant brought inside or they just got in the house and found your plants. It is entirely possible they have been there quite some time. Aphids multiply best when temperatures are warm, so they do well inside when the heat goes on.

Small plants that can be easily carried should be washed in the sink or tub a few times over the course of a week. You can spray larger plants with a neem-based insecticide such as AzaMax and use it as a soil drench on all our plants if infestations are really out of hand. Yellow sticky traps are always a good idea.

Jeff Lowenfels is a member of the Garden Writers Hall of Fame. You can reach him at teamingwithmicrobes.com or by calling 274-5297 during "The Garden Party" radio show from 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays on KBYR AM-700.