April 7, 2010

This is coming out a little late this month. Bob and I have just returned from an all too quick trip to the kid's house in Florida. We not only helped them finish the fence project at their new home, but we were able to fit in a mini-Henderson-Family reunion, and of course a trip to the Jacksonville Zoo. Now it's back to Spring in Nevada, and you know what that means—time to start making things grow in between our up and down weather. As you would expect during early spring we have a lot going on at the nursery this month. Almost daily we are seeing new arrivals of plant material, pottery, flowers, vegetables and exciting new items in the gift shop. We have a full line-up of free classes and events also at both stores. I thank you for letting me send you our little updates electronically every Thursday.

I hope that you will find time to enjoy these lovely days of early spring. I know I will spend every spare moment when I am home in my own garden. With most of the pruning, mulching, and clean up done, it's time to start getting the vegetable garden planted and the new perennial beds filled up. The "juicing garden" that I had planned last year didn't turn out as productive as I had hoped, so some revamping is needed there also. Now is also the perfect time to just sit back whenever possible and just enjoy all that this beautiful season has to offer.

Till next month, Happy Gardening,

Our average frost-free date is May 15th.. Spring temperatures can be erratic, however, so it’s a good idea to check the weather report each evening for frost warnings. Remember, it can be hot and sunny during the day and still drop below freezing that night! If you need to cover tender plants on nights when temperatures drop, do not cover them with plastic. Plastic does not let plants breath and the heat from the early morning sun will cook the very plants you are trying to save. It is best to use old sheets, towels, newspaper or burlap. Secure the covering so that it will not blow away (bricks work well), and remove it first thing in the morning. If the plants look droopy, give them some water.

Weed and loosen soil in all borders and beds. Incorporate an organic compost such as Gardner & Bloome Organic Soil Building Compost which adds important organic matter and stimulates microbe activity in the soil.

Keep an eye out for pests and diseases before they get out of hand. If at all possible, bring in the pest and/or damaged plants so that we can make an accurate diagnosis of the problem and recommend an appropriate treatment.

Apply Dr. Earth Blood Meal to annual beds to promote top growth and deep green foliage. Did you know blood meal is also known to repel rabbits!

When planting perennials, add Dr. Earth Life to develop sturdy root systems.

If you are bringing seedlings outside for the first time remember to harden them off. Strong spring sunlight will burn young plants and changing temperatures will shock them. They must be gradually brought out into the sun and allowed to stay out longer and longer each day.

Deadhead the early spring blooming bulbs if you must, but leave the foliage until it turns yellow and dies back. The foliage is gathering food for the bulb and next year’s blooms depend on this nourishment. To hide this foliage, plant annuals that will grow around and conceal the yellowing. Do not tie up the dying foliage as this interferes with process of returning the energy back to the bulb.

Use grow-through ring supports on taller perennials such as peonies and yarrow to keep their flowers upright when in bloom. Place them around the plants now so that the foliage grows naturally through the rings.

Prevent weed germination in your borders and beds by applying Concern Weed Preventer or Amaze now. Do not use these products if you will be sowing any seeds as it will prevent the germination of flower seeds.

Spray Remuda by Monterey on actively growing weeds or grass in your beds and borders. Target the weed as Remuda is non-selective. At a 42% rate of weed killer, vs. RoundUp's 2%, you will use less chemical. Also ...it is 1/3 the price!!!!!!!

Plant onions, shallots, asparagus crowns, artichokes, rhubarb and potatoes. Cold hardy herbs such as rosemary, thyme, parsley, chives, sage, lavender and mint may also be planted this month.

Plant raspberries, blackberries, grapes and blueberries in a permanent location. Use Gardner & Bloome Organic Soil Building Compost to amend the soil, add organic matter and improve drainage.

Forsythia and other spring flowering trees and shrubs (Spirea, Mock Orange, Lilac, Magnolia, etc.) should not be pruned until immediately after flowering to promote new growth for next year's flowering.

Fertilize existing lawns with Ringer Lawn Restore or Dr. Earth Organic Lawn Fertilizer, it also works as a natural Bunny Repellant!!!!!

Use Bayer Advanced 12 Month Tree & Insect Control or Bonide Tree & Shrub to prevent damage from Japanese Elm Beetles, Borers & Aphids.

If re seeding an existing lawn or repairing patches of lawn, use Ringer Lawn Restore as a starter fertilizer in conjunction with a grass seed appropriate for your yard such as Agrono-Tec's Eden fescue blend for high traffic areas. Cover seed with Kellogg's Topper, and you are all set to go.

As you continue to add leaves and natural debris to your compost pile, be sure to add Dr. Earth Compost Maker & Gardner & Bloome Worm-Gro castings to aid the "heating up" process.

Backyard wildlife need three elements to thrive; food, water, and shelter. To provide food, clean and set up bird feeders and keep feeders full to welcome the return of migrating birds to your garden. Thoroughly clean hummingbird feeders and fill with Hummingbird Nectar as the hummingbirds return to Fallon from their migration to Central America

Start feeding fish when water temperature is over 60 degrees and pull up any submerged plants and cut back any dead foliage.

Ready Ladies and Gentlemen.......revvvvvv up your garden......it's time to start your veggie's!!!!!!!!!!

The self-standing Season Starter™ (The Improved Wall o Water) allows you to start your cold-sensitive vine crops 2 months earlier. The wall o water performs an important double function: protecting vegetable plants from cold by night and shielding them from excess heat by day.

How it works is fascinating! During daytime hours, the Season Starter  absorbs heat. As the atmosphere cools down in the evening, the Season Starter slowly releases the accumulated heat (as much as 900,000 calories' worth!), which keeps the veggie plants warm at night. Should the weather drop to freezing temperatures, the wall o water  becomes even more effective. Acting as an igloo around the plant, the frozen Season Starter releases even more heat, which protects the plants down to 16°F and even melts snow.

On hot summer days, the Season Starter is just as powerful in protecting your plants. It absorbs solar heat and moderates the temperatures inside, keeping plants cooler and protecting them from overheating.

It's simply the most efficient way to keep plants protected from freezing weather.

In recent years, gardening has been identified as the number one outside leisure activity in the country. Unlike in the past when people were dependent upon growing food or plants for survival, people are now using horticulture for personal satisfaction and enjoyment. Many feel it is time to get back to "the roots of it".

Take it Easy – Tips to make gardening easier

*Pace yourself, spread out difficult projects over time.

* Say “no” to projects that won’t fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your physical and mental health.

*Delegate to others tasks that you dislike or that are to difficult .

* Try to let your worries go by doing some gardening. Gardeners typically become absorbed in their work, giving them rest from the normal worries and cares of the day.

*Vary your tasks. A full day of pruning will give any gardener blisters. Remember it’s not a race. Take your time, enjoy yourself, smell the roses.

*Do something for the kid in you everyday (i.e. pick some flowers, blow a dandelion blossom to the wind).

*Get organized so everything has its place.

*Place stools, garden chairs or benches at strategic places in the garden so that you have many opportunities to rest as you garden.

This year more than ever it may become increasingly important to grow your own vegetables. With the cost of everything in the market going up, why not plan out your gardens now. Through careful planning, and the use of organic measures you can enjoy the fruits of your labor through the entire season. Tomatoes off the vine, squash peaking out from under the shade of green, not to mention the canning and freezing that can be done to take you through the winter months.

Soroptimist Home, Garden
& Recreation Show
Fallon Convention Center (Free)
Saturday, April 17th & Sunday, April 18th.
Michelle will be at the show, handing out coupons for you to come back and visit us at the nursery. It's good for that weekend only, so make sure and stop by our booth to pick one up.

Celebrate Arbor Day
April 30, 2010!

The idea for Arbor Day originally came from Nebraska. A visit to Nebraska today wouldn't disclose that the state was once a treeless plain. Yet it was the lack of trees there that led to the founding of Arbor Day in the 1800s. Among pioneers moving into the Nebraska Territory in 1854 was J. Sterling Morton from Detroit. He and his wife were lovers of nature, and the home they established in Nebraska was quickly planted with trees, shrubs and flowers. Morton was a journalist and soon became editor of Nebraska's first newspaper. Given that forum, he spread agricultural information and his enthusiasm for trees to an equally enthusiastic audience. His fellow pioneers missed their trees. But, more importantly, trees were needed as windbreaks to keep soil in place, for fuel and building materials, and for shade from the hot sun.

IN HONOR OF ARBOR DAY
HUGE TREE SALE THIS WEEKEND
FRIDAY - SATURDAY - SUNDAY
APRIL 30, MAY 1 & 2ND

Growing Young Readers...........A Garden Journey

Saturday, April 10th
11 a.m. - Noon

Join Miss Donna & Miss Eleanor as they read this months stories,
Flora's Surprise by Debi Gliori &
Muncha, Muncha, Muncha
by Candace Fleming.

For our gardening project this month we will be starting carrots & radishes in the back garden. The children will then be able to stop in during the springtime & watch them grow.

To sign your child up just email us flrtree@cccomm.net

Flower Tree Nursery believes through gardening we can teach so much, like responsibility, patience, nurturing, joy and the sweet anticipation of something you cared for, coming to life. Please join us each month as we explore the world of gardening with your child.

Flower Tree Nursery
2975 Reno Highway, Fallon, NV 89406
flrtree@cccomm.net 775-423-1113 www.flowertreenursery.com
Open 7 Days
Monday - Saturday 9-5
Sunday 10-4

Red Zinnia
111 S. Taylor Street, Fallon, NV 89406
redzin@cccomm.net 775-423-1114
Monday - Thursday 11 - 5
Friday - Saturday 11 - 9ish
(Wine Tasting Every Friday & Saturday Evening 5-9ish)

On the Garden Path
Susan's Blog