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Winter Rose Care & Pruning

Although major rose pruning is not done until late February into early March, there are a few things I do to get roses settled in for the winter. First, I wait until the first frost has occurred before I do anything. That happened on December 1 this year, a little later than normal. If you do any pruning prior to that, new growth will be encouraged, and it will just be nipped later. I will then do minimal pruning, about 1/3 of the plant or to about waist-high. It does not matter how you make the cuts. More precise pruning will be done in late winter. Giving roses a slight pruning at this time will decrease the damage from strong winter winds. Roses are not deeply rooted, and any long canes can spell trouble. Pick off any remaining leaves, if possible. I know that can be a big job if there are still many leaves left on the plant but you don't want leaves, especially diseased leaves, left to fall and harbor spores for next season. Clean the area around the base of the rose. Rake out ...

Cranberry Orange Cookies


I make these cookies every year around the holidays. They are some of our favorites and are very easy to make. They are chewy and very flavorful (I upped the orange zest).

CRANBERRY ORANGE COOKIES

3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter, softened

1 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 egg

zest of 1 orange

3 TBS orange juice

2 cups cranberries (chopped)

1/2 cup pecans or walnuts (chopped) 

Glaze
1 cup confectioner's sugar
4 TBS. of orange or lemon juice (or enough to get a runny consistency)

Preheat oven to 375.
Sift together the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

Cream together the butter and the two sugars. 

Beat in the egg, blending well.

Mix in the orange zest and juice.

Add the sifted flour mixture.

Add the cranberries and nuts (the nuts are optional).

Drop tablespoon sized dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet, about 2 inches apart.

Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the edges have turned golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely on wire racks.

Prepare the glaze by mixing the confectioner's sugar with the orange juice. Add more juice if needed. You want the glaze to be a bit runny. Drizzle over the cookies after they have cooled.

Store in an airtight container.


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Those cookies look amazing. Cranberry and orange is a great combination.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I bet they are delish. Cranberry and Orange zest... I would have loved one with my morning coffee just about now.

    ReplyDelete

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