Winter Hours Nov-Feb 10-4 pm
Big changes are happening at the first of this month. We are going back to standard time on November 2nd, and any time change up or down always messes with our systems. More importantly for us is that winter hours begin on November 1st. We will still be open 7 days a week, but from 10-4 instead of 9-5. For one thing, there just isn’t enough business or projects to keep us busy. The other (although you wouldn’t know it with our current ‘Indian Summer’) is very cold mornings and cold late afternoons in the winter. Throw in some inclement weather like freezing cold rain, and I think you get the picture. Six hours outside is more than enough for this old girl. Besides, we like the slower pace after working the spring busy and the summer heat. We might even find time and energy to get a few projects done on the home front.
I just got back from seeing my family in White Salmon, Washington. The timing was perfect to get the full effect of fall foliage color in my son’s neighborhood and town. The maples were red, the Ginkgos were golden, the Chinese Pistache was glowing, and the barberries were multi-colored. I would guess they are a week or so ahead of us. In my yard, the October Glory Maple is beginning to show some red color at the top, my oldest Pistache is starting to turn, and so is my Crape Myrtle. The Pistache at the Senior Center is looking awesome, and the Ornamental Pears downtown are turning red. Some of the Raywood Ash have already turned their red wine color. Others are not far behind. I just love the autumn colors, and there is no reason why you can’t have them growing in your yard, too.
We often get asked for evergreen trees because people do not want the leaf cleanup of fall. This is crazy because leaf litter in the fall is for a very short time only, and it looks so pretty. Evergreen needle-like trees drop all summer long into fall. My Redwoods drop for two months. My Doug Firs drop constantly. Evergreen Magnolias also drop those big leaves you can’t ignore. The tree-like Italian Buckthorn drops leaves in late summer for at least 6 weeks. So don’t think because a plant or tree is evergreen that they don’t drop older leaves or are not messy. They are often messier over a longer period than deciduous trees and shrubs. Don’t forget how beneficial leaving leaves in your beds is over winter. It not only helps feed your soil, but keeps mud from splashing up on the foliage, overwinters beneficials, and helps feed the birds worms and other insects.
I have mentioned before some of the benefits of gardening. Not only is it positive for our environment if you pass on using harsh chemicals, but it also feeds our souls and promotes better health overall. I have mentioned that studies show there are more antidepressants in soil than Prozac. I just read about another study done in Finland. Do not forget Finland is pretty far north and can be very dark and cold in the winter. They have turned preschool yards into wild gardens and encourage the kids to play in the dirt. Tests show these children have a better immune system than kids who play in gravel or hardscape school yards. Although my nails are always dirty and my hands are rough, I still don’t use gloves very often. It isn’t that they aren’t in my apron pocket. I will put them on, take them off for some reason, and forget about them. I play in the dirt and get dirty, and the truth is, I am rarely sick. Something to think about. Many of us have found that gardening covers all the bases: mind, body, and spirit.
So what is in store for November? Well, our 2026 fruit liner pots will be showing up this month. These include berries, grapes, figs, and pomegranates. The rest of the 2026 fruit tree order is not due til the second or third week of January. Living potted trees from Steffens Conifers should be here by mid-month. These are our living Christmas trees for those of you who go that route. Deb’s family is once again heading to Oregon to pick up our cut trees. The plan is to have them back here on the 25th. That means we will have them for Thanksgiving weekend. We stock lots of Doug Firs, the most economical and fragrant, and Nobles and Nordmanns too. We plan to pick up our wreaths and garland on the 20th for those of you decorating the weekend before Thanksgiving.
Once your fruit trees go dormant, this is the month when the first of three sprayings is recommended. We have one product, Orchard Spray, that has both sulfur for disease and pyrethrum for insect control. Otherwise, copper spray is more recommended for dormant time disease control. You will need to combine it with Horticultural Oil if you want to add insect control for overwintering egg cases. If insects or diseases such as Peach Leaf Curl have been issues for you, definitely do the recommended spraying three times this winter. One way to remember timing is Thanksgiving, New Years, and Valentines/Presidents Day. You need 36 hours of no rain after application. November is also the first application of True Blue for blue Hydrangeas next summer.
Plant your spring-blooming Sweet Peas and bulbs before the holidays start occupying all your focus. We still have a good assortment of mixed and straight yellow naturalizing daffodils. These are deer-resistant along with Hyacinth and the giant Alliums. Unfortunately, tulips are not, but these are great in pots on the deck. Mixed containers of bulbs below and pansies on top are always a winner and can make nice gifts. German Iris does very well here, and we have a few colors to choose from, plus they are deer-resistant and provide year-round greenery.
Freezing weather is around the corner. Battery timers need to be brought in, irrigation valves drained, timers shut off, Citrus protected, and houseplants brought in. Water pots during periods of no rain.
November Specials
20% Off
- 2025 Deciduous Fruit and Vines
- Glazed Pottery
- Decorative Rock
- All Geraniums
- Roses
- Mums
