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Proctor's Garden: How to care for indoor and outdoor evergreens

Here are some tips on how to keep needles from dropping off your Christmas trees and evergreens.

DENVER — Christmas trees, wreaths and garland dry out quickly in our homes.

Prevent needle drop by using an anti-desiccant spray. Organic and safe, these pine tar-based sprays help to seal in moisture. 

For best results, spray outside or in the garage when it's above 50 degrees before bringing the tree or boughs indoors.

Outdoor evergreens that tend to brown out during winter, such as dwarf Alberta spruce, will also benefit. In conjunction with winter watering, this will help keep evergreens healthy.

After the holidays, trees and garlands can be chopped up and added to your compost pile.

Contrary to popular opinion, evergreen needles can safely be used as mulch. There's no truth to the claim that they will over-acidify the soil. With our alkaline soil and water, this is impossible. If anything, using evergreen needles may moderate the soil Ph a bit.

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