March 1, 2010

Wasn't today an absolutely beautiful day to start the first of the month? The clouds are moving in now, and it looks like we may get a little more well needed moisture this week after all. We will spend the next couple weeks unloading the hundreds of trees and shrubs to arrive for the season, and I can't wait, as it signals that Spring is just around the corner. I know there is still much more cool weather to come, but after spending today in the garden, the site of all my tulips and daffodils poking their heads up will get me through till the warmer days arrive.

New things are arriving almost daily at both stores and we hope you will get a chance soon to stop by and visit. We have a full schedule at the Flower Tree & Red Zinnia this month. If you missed the first 2 parts of our "THINK GREEN Garden Series" that was started in February, don't worry! We have tons more in store for you as we continue this month with Composting, Mason Bees & Pollinators, and Edible Gardening. And just a reminder, with Spring quickly approaching, we are back to our regular hours at the garden center...Monday - Saturday 9 -5, Sunday 10-4.

As the equinox signals the start of Spring on March the 20th, I hope it finds you basking in some sunshine, the winds calm, and all your plans for this years gardening coming to reality. Till next month, Happy Gardening,
(pic. Harriet is so excited to be cerebrating the start of Spring this month, she asked me to reprint this photo from last year!)

The March wind roars
Like the lion in the sky
And makes us shiver
As he passes by.

When winds are soft,
And the days are warm and clear,
Just like a gentle lamb,
Then spring is here.

-   Author Unknown

Tips for March

Pre-Emergent:
NOW IS THE TIME TO APPLY PRE-EMERGENT TO YOUR LANDSCAPE. Pre-emergent weed controls should be sprayed periodically throughout the growing season, because weed germination happens all the time . There are many products that you can even add right into your flowerbeds, such as AMAZE to rid unwanted weeds this spring. Stop in and we can recommend the best application for your area, and perhaps even assist you with an ORGANIC method instead.
LAWN AREAS: Green Light Portrait / or / Concern Corn Gluten (Organic choice)
FLOWERBEDS AND ESTABLISHED AREAS: Amaze / or / Concern Corn Gluten (Organic choice)
GRAVEL/DIRT/SAND AREAS: Weed Impede (comes in easy to use hose end sprayer) /or/ Concern Corn Gluten (Organic choice)

Dormant Oil:
Dormant oil spray is a non-toxic material that can be sprayed on trees and shrubs in the fall after leaf drop or in the spring before leaves or blossoms appear. It smothers over wintering bug eggs before they have a chance to hatch. If you have plants under trees or shrubs you plan to spray, then covering them is a good idea as it can hinder growth of perennials. There is only a short time left before the buds will begin to swell. Don't miss this opportunity to protect your fruit trees.
FRUIT TREES/ SHADE TREES : Bonide All Season's Oil /or/ Dr. Earth Home & Garden (Organic choice)

Compost:
Now is the time to add more compost to your planting beds. By working compost into your soil, you are preparing your beds for the upcoming season. We do not have enough nutrients in our soil to sustain plantings year after year. All you have to do is drive out of town 10 miles and see what naturally grows here. We have to continue to add organic matter as well as nutrients throughout the growing cycle. Not sure what to add? We recommend Gardener & Bloome Organic Soil Building Compost. It contains EVERYTHING you need to get your garden beds ready for a wonderful spring crop of flowers or veggies. Improving soil texture is not the only thing Gardner & Bloome Soil Building Compost does for your garden. It also contributes valuable nutrients and pH adjusters to your soil. Gardner & Bloome Soil Building Compost is fortified with all-natural and organic nutrients. A special combination of chicken manure, worm castings and bat guano contributes both fast and slow release forms of nitrogen for quick but lasting results. These plus kelp meal also replenish important micro nutrients and trace minerals in depleted soils. The pH is adjusted (with oyster shell and dolomite lime) to a slightly acidic 6.5, ideal for most planting applications. As a bonus, these pH adjusters provide significant levels of Calcium and Magnesium, both essential for healthy plant growth.

A Glimpse of Early Spring!
It's Time to Force Those Branches ~
What is Branch forcing:
Branch forcing is the process of warming the stems of flowering trees and shrubs to entice the plants to break dormancy and come into bloom. Plants that are spring bloomers develop their flower buds during the previous growing season and are anxious to flower with the onset of warmer temperatures. By bringing the branches indoors we provide the favorable conditions which will incite the cutting to flowers.

Selecting appropriate branches:
When evaluating potential branches for forcing, there are a number of items to keep in mind. Identify branches with a large quantity of flowers buds. Choose young branches which are easier to force because the juvenile stems are able to more actively absorb water. Use proper pruning techniques.

These are just a few of the suitable plants for forcing:
Flowering Quince, varies, 4 weeks
Forsythia, yellow, 2 weeks
Crabapple, varies, 2-3 weeks
Flowering Pear or Plum, varies , 2 -4 weeks
Don't be afraid to prune your spring flowering shrubs and trees and try a few from your yard. If you don't have any, remember there are always absolutely beautiful "permanent silk botanicals" available in the gift shop!

• The perfect time to plant potatoes, St. Patrick's Day!!!!!!!
  Just a few of the varieties available this year...

  Yukon Gold potatoes were introduced to the country in 1980. A sweet-tasting potato with a golden color. Retains its color when baked, boiled or fried. The Yukon Gold potato should be cooked whole and without peeling. The nutrients in potatoes are close to the skin and when cooking whole it retains most of the nutrients. Once cut, sprinkle with lemon or apple juice to keep from browning. When baking don't foil wrap--it creates wet, gummy texture inside the potato.
  Red Chieftain potatoes are a mid to late season red skinned potato. Crisp white flesh and equally suited for baked, mashed or fried. Great flavor. Has shown resistance to both late blight and scab.
  All Blue are very much like Purple Potatoes with a striking color and wonderful flavor and moist texture.  Like the Purple Potato, they hold their shape after cooking so are perfect for a purple or blue potato salad and also make a fun blue mashed potato.  Steam or bake to preserve the color.
  Kids will LOVE to grow these if only for the outstanding color when mashed!
  Also arriving soon:
  Asparagus ** Rhubarb ** Bare root Raspberries & Grapes**

IT'S THAT TIME
March is a great time to get that first application of an organic fertilizer on your lawn.

Added Bonus: Dr. Earth Super Natural Lawn Fertilizer REPELS RABBITS!!! in the lawn...and we now carry it in an economical 40lb size for those larger areas.

"Think Green" Garden Series #3 Composting Made Easy Saturday, March 13 11am with Paul Pflmlin, Master Composter Come and learn with the best! Paul and Mike will take you through all the stages of starting and keeping a compost pile going using a variety of methods that have worked for them here in Fallon.

"Think Green" Garden Series #4 Eating Up The Landscape Saturday, March 20th SPRING EQUINOX with Susan & Michelle 11am - noon Edible landscaping offers the ultimate green organic design, for any garden. Food gardening can be beautiful as well as productive – it can provide edible plants, medicines or wildlife havens and still remain food for the soul. Why landscape with edibles? There are many reasons to incorporate edible plants into the residential landscape. Including: To enjoy the freshness and flavor of home-grown, fully ripened fruits and vegetables To control the quantity and kind of pesticides and herbicides used on the foods you consume To increase the food security of your household To save on grocery bills To grow unusual varieties not available in stores To get outside, interact with the natural world, and have fun This class takes you on a little different path. Instead of planning out your traditional vegetable garden, we will be discussing how you can incorporate edible plants right into your existing landscape. There is no such thing as too little space for flowers and vegetables. Anyone with a sunny area can grow both. Many herbs have beautiful foliage that complements others annuals and perennial. We will discuss some of our favorites, as well as get you started with ideas based on plants already growing in your yard. Please bring a list of shrubs and a sketch of your planting beds with you to this workshop. BYOC (bring your own chair)

"Think Green" Garden Series #5 Pollinators are FUN! Saturday, March 27th 11am Pat Manuba and John Amy give a fabulous presentation on Mason Bees and pollinators. A wonderfully entertaining couple, that love what they are doing, spreading the word about Mason Bees, how to attract them, how to build a home for them, and pollinators importance to our valley. Join us! THIS IS A WONDERFUL PRESENTATION FOR CHILDREN ALSO, AND THEY WILL LEAVE WITH THE TOOLS TO MAKE THIER OWN MASON BEE FARM AT HOME.

Harriet reminds you...... Please Recycle & Reuse You know all those black pots you have sitting in your back garden area? Don't send them to the landfill.......we will take them back and recycle them to our customers that need them. Need some pots for Arbor Day trees that will be coming soon?? Stop by and just ask, we usually have quite a stash in the back area inside the fence. Just let us know how many you need. (Sorry, we do not take back small 6pack plastics due to space restrictions.)	Contains rhizobium japonicum, the only legume seed inoculate you need! A superior blend of fish bone meal, feather meal, kelp meal, alfalfa meal, soft rock phosphate, fish meal, mined potassium sulphate, humic acid, seaweed extract, beneficial soil microbes plus ecto and endo mycorrhizae. Contains seven champion strains of soil building microbes 100% natural and organic More abundant crops A healthy start for your vegetables Long lasting benefits for your plants People and pet safe	Wildflowers of Nevada Seed Garden. A tapestry of nature's most beautiful wildflowers. A collection of twelve annuals and perennials blooming throughout the Spring and Summer. Complete with detailed planting instructions, this easy to grow Seed Garden is guaranteed to grow in most climates and can be planted in the Spring or Fall. This beautiful wildflower assortment from Nevada includes the Lupine, Columbine, Five spot, Shooting Star, Paintbrush, Globe mallow, Primrose, Rose, Phlox, Poppy, Tidy Tips, and Hedgehog. This collection creates a colorful wildflower garden and makes for a thoughtful gift. Covers 350 square feet. Net Wt.3.5 oz.

Saturday, March 13th 11 am - Noon Miss Donna & Miss Eleanor are back with a wonderful selection of stories. Along with the reading the children will be making a fun memento to take home. No need to sign up, we always make plenty of room for everyone.

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The Flower Tree Nursery
2975 Reno Highway
Fallon, NV 89406 (775)423-1113 Email Flower Tree

Red Zinnia
318 S. Taylor St.
Fallon, NV 89406 (775) 423-1114 Email Red Zinnia

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