Plant of the Month:
Aqulegia – Columbine
Who can resist the beautiful lacy foliage and unique, often two-toned hummingbird attracting flowers of this magical woodland perennial? They are not particular about soil but do like it well drained with regular water. They are short-lived but many varieties self-sow, giving you an ever changing pallet. Some grow to 18” while a few varieties get to 4 feet. I think the single, spurred type of flowers are the best but others like doubles and spurless varieties. Plant in light shade or morning sun here. Columbines are a good choice for under oaks, particularly the western native A. formosa. Although on the deer resistant list, they are often eaten so best to protect.
We have the McKenna and Music varieties in 6-packs and the Songbird series and others in 4”. Many of you asked for the ‘Robin’ growing in a container last year. We will have a few gal sizes too, hopefully including the native Western Columbine.
Plant of the Month $1.00 off 6 packs and 4 inch, $2.00 off gal size
April Specials
- Green-All Organic 2 c.f. Potting Soil
Buy 3, get 4th FREE - Plant of the Month
$1.00 OFF 6 packs and 4 inch, $2.00 OFF gal size - Fill a Flat
Special on annuals Baker’s dozen special on perennials - Fruit or Nut Trees
Buy 3 and get the 4th FREE (does not include olives or citrus) - Roses Bush and Climbers
$19 99 Tree Roses $10 OFF regular price - Soil Booster
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April Newsletter
As I write this it is another rainy Saturday, good for the earth but hard on our pocketbook. Those weeds will be growing like crazy as soon as the sun comes out. I want to remind everyone that we carry a less expensive brand of the weed killer glyphosate called Remuda, which is identical to Round-Up but does not support Monsanto. Glyphosate is reported to break down rapidly and I admit that I use it at my accounts. For those strictly organic people straight white vinegar will give you some relief on a warm sunny day. We do sell a concentrate soap/vinegar combo organic herbicide that I have used with mixed results.
Wet springs will bring some disease problems too. Along with copper and sulfur sprays we are carrying Serenade, which is a bacillus bacteria that eats the bad fungus. I will be using it for the first time this year on our roses, which have now been put in fiber pots. We will be offering them at a reduced price for a couple of weeks till they flush out so it is still a good time to come in and save $8 dollars off the regular price.
Do not forget to use coddling moth traps in your apples and other fruit. Two traps per tree cuts down on the amount of wormy fruit. If you elect to spray instead, the timing is 3 sprayings when your fruit is dime, nickel and quarter sized.
Some of you have already been looking for tomatoes. We do have a limited selection but it is still early for the warm season vegetables to be planted outside. However, there is plenty here to plant for those anxious to get going. Our seed potatoes have arrived and are ready to plant.
We are not doing the baskets for Lakeport this year. Instead, we are growing our own baskets and some perennial material for sale here at the nursery. We are growing several varieties of the Proven Winner Supertunias and if you want to reserve some now, please feel free. We have already taken an order for Pretty Much Picasso. If you have never tried the Supertunias before they are superior to other petunias and yes, they do cost more.
Sadly, I have not done any pruning on my apple trees at the nursery. It could be I will not get to it this year but I am hoping to still get the worst one done. Remember, that you can prune your trees through the growing season too and that this is highly recommended by our fruit tree supplier. If you do, very little pruning will be necessary during the rainy, cold weather and you will not have to beat yourself up because winter got away from you.
Most of the spring hard good orders have arrived and we invite you to check it out. Here is a list of some things of note:
- Potter, Smart Pots, Colorful indoor pots
- Metal baskets, Grow boxes, Wood planters
- Children’s watering cans, Planters, Abby wind chimes
- Bugs, Bunnies and Raccoons, Artsy bird houses
- Key holder animals, Plant cages
Most of our summer bulbs are in, although, we are still waiting on some things like the peonies and tuberose. We have packs of glads, hostas, lilies and dahlias. We have lots of new and great perennials, including 6 packs. We are starting to have 6 packs of petunias too, as they can handle light frost. We are still holding off on marigolds, zinnias and impatiens till we get a little warmer and the danger of killing frost has passed for the most part. There are lilacs, trees, tulip magnolias, viburnums and bulbs in bloom.
Looking forward to some sun and warmth,
Tanya