Feb
24
2010
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Written by Kym
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Wednesday, 24 February 2010 |
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We received some bad news this week regarding our hand picked specialty
tomatoes. Our grower has experienced a total crop loss that included
our heirlooms we have grown special for the nursery. Although this is a
major setback, we will still have our standard varieties of tomatoes
and a good selection of heirlooms available from several other
suppliers. We are expecting these to be in (weather permitting, of
course) around the first week of March. Look for updates here on our
blog and on our Facebook and Twitter pages.
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Feb
24
2010
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Written by Kym
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Wednesday, 24 February 2010 |
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We are featuring daily tidbits of information on our new Facebook and Twitter pages. You can become a "fan" by searching "Scenic Nursery and Garden Crew" on the Facebook search engine. Or get Twitter updates by following us on Twitter. Search "ScenicNursery" in the Twitter search engine. We will be posting updates five days a week, as well as pictures of the nursery and featured items.
Here's our updates from January 27-February 23:
February 23- Did you know: Tired of watering moss baskets all the time? Try using succulents-many have flower shaped rosettes.
February 22-Did you know: We've got Hellebores (Lenten Roses)-and at a great price! Now $12.98, reg $22.98-$24.98.
February 19- Paydirt buy 3 get 1 free sale! 48 ct. annuls on sale $14.99, reg.$20.99
February 18- Did you know: Deciduous magnolias are beginning to bloom! Look for a bare tree with tulip shaped flowers, usually pink or lavender.
February 17- Did you know: spring and fall are excellent times to reseed a lawn.
February 17- We're expecting citrus, shrub and bedding deliveries Friday...just in time for rain : (
February 16-Check out our discussion board-we want to hear from you!
February 16-Did you know: You can easily incorporate flowers into a veggie garden? Your veggies will even benefit! Ask us how...
Cool season pansies and violas are edible, as well as calendula. Come summer, we will have marigolds and sunflowers. Thyme and rosemary can be good blooming ground covers, and many of the herbs and veggies, like chives and marjoram, can produce interesting flowers for arrangements.
Having flowers in or near your veggie garden encourages bees and... See More other pollinators to your yard, as well as beneficial insects. Farmers have used companion plantings for years for this reason in addition to being indicators for pests and diseases. Often you will see roses planted at the ends of old vineyards as "bellringers." They will look at the health of the roses to determine the health of their vines (on another note, roses are edible as well!)
With a little research you will find many common bedding plants (and even some shrubs!) can be used for cooking or other benefits in the vegetable garden!
February 15-Did you know: Hellebores are called Lenten Roses because they bloom around the time of Lent?
February 12-TWO new shipments for shrubs and one for bedding! We have color for your yard!
February 11-Did you know: Crabgrass preemergent can be applied right about now. Preemergents prevent weed seeds from sprouting.
February 10-Did you know: We are a part of the Master Nursery Garden Center cooperative?
Our Master Nursery labeled products are tested to work equally as well or better than other brand name competitors that you find at many of the "box stores."
There are under 1000 MNGC's in the country, but it is still the largest organization of it's kind in the country for the retail gardening industry.
Additionally, as part of the MNGC cooperative, we are given the opportunity to offer more programs and high quality items for our customers! At our nursery, we stand by our high quality standards-in both our green goods and our hard goods!
February 9-Did you know: You can create your own container garden-and plant it at Scenic's Planting Bar?
February 8-New shipments from Monrovia (shrubs and vines) and Do Rights (perennials)!
February 5-New shipment of bedding material from Fredrick's Nursery (locally grown in Ripon!)
February 5-Did you know: Stanislaus county is a leader in fruit tree production? Our trees are locally grown by Dave Wilson Nursery in Hickman.
Check out the Modesto Bee article and pictures in today's paper: http://www.modbee.com/local/story/1036309.htm
February 4-Did you know: It is extremely important to follow directions for recommended application rates of fertilizers and pesticides?
It has been recently found that residential use of fertilizers and pesticides is responsible for up to 50% more water pollution than previously thought (http://energybusinessdaily.com/global-warming/homes-pollute-linked-to-50-percent-more-water-pollution-than-previously-believed/).
February3-Did you know: Spring and summer blooming bulbs are here!
This includes dahlias, bleeding hearts and lily of the valley among others...
February 2-Did you know: You can cut budding quince and place it in a bottle with an inch or so of water-it will begin blooming for a unique indoor display!
February 1-Did you know: It is often best to prune hydrangeas right after they bloom-individual stems, to the ground, for sturdier growth and bigger blooms?
January 28 - Did you know: Gardenias are prone to yellow leaves? Fertilize regularly with iron and watch for over watering.
January 27 - Citrus Tasting from Four Winds Growers at Scenic Nursery February 27 & 28 from 10-3. Scenic Nursery owner and Certified Nurseryman Jungle Jim will be on hand to answer any questions.
January 27 - Did you know: Tomato seeds can be started (indoors) right about now!
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Feb
22
2010
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Written by Tally
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Monday, 22 February 2010 |
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One of the best seasons for Modesto is Spring, I believe. Yesterday, as I drove around the Central Valley, this sentiment was reiterated as almond trees burst into bloom and the bees into action. Here are some photos. We sell the All-in-one almond at Scenic Nursery. According to Dave Wilson Growers, the All-in-one is a dwarf almond tree is the No.1 almond for California home orchards. Heavy crops of soft-shell nuts with
sweet, flavorful kernels are preceded by showy pink and white blooms. Hot summer required to ripen. 15 ft. tree,
very winter & frost hardy. 500 hrs. Self-fruitful.
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Feb
18
2010
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Written by Tally
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Thursday, 18 February 2010 |
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If you are a fan of Spring blooming plants, the words WOW and HOORAH must be on your tongue as so many blooms are appearing. Yesterday, as I drove around, I found an array of beautiful blooms in homeowner's yards. From spirea to forsythia, daffodils to anenome, Carolina jessamine to quinces, there was eye candy everywhere. In the nursery, these same plants are in bloom, waiting to find a home in your yard! Here are some of the pictures of nursery plants in bloom.
Spirea is a wonderful deciduous shrub coveted for its pure white blooms along long arms. It provides a wonderful spring show!
 This image was taken from the Scenic Oaks Park Hope Blooms beds. The daffodils are going strong creating a wonderful ambiance for walkers and Frisbee golfers. As Scenic Nursery donated and planted the bulbs, we have a vested interest in their beauty and love that we can see them blooming from across the street. Try daffodils in your yard for instant color. Miss daffodil bulb season last fall? We have them growing in one gallon cans or in a bulb bowls with colorful pansy. They make the perfect pick-me-up gift for your favorite friends and family.
You can't miss the showy blooms of the Sizzling Pink Fringe Flower! Blooming everywhere in Modesto, these sturdy evergreen shrubs offer much to the landscape. The bloom colors are red, pink or white and even the leaf color varies in different varieties, growing well in both full or partial sun.
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Feb
18
2010
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Written by Tally
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Thursday, 18 February 2010 |
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 Red Cabbage from the Scenic Veggie Plot...
 Cauliflower from the Scenic Veggie Plot...
 Broccoli from the Scenic Nursery Veggie Patch...
Fall Planted Crops are being harvested daily. If you planted in the winter, you may find that you have a few more weeks left. If you have not harvested, keep using the Master Nursery Tomato and Veggie Food or E.B Stone's organic Tomato and Veggie Food!
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Feb
05
2010
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Written by Tally
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Friday, 05 February 2010 |
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February's newsletter is out now! In this month's Scenic Newsletter, Kym gets us excited about our exclusives spring planted tomato and pepper selection. Find out which peppers and tomatoes your garden can't go without this year. Also included is a link to view all the unique and interesting tomato and pepper choices we'll offer this year. Of course, we'll always carry our standard favorites as well. We're on Facebook, for all of you who keep connected to friends and family this way, where we'll be giving timely gardening tips, announce new inventory, and keep you current on what's hot this year. Look for great nursery pics, too. Jungle Jim keeps us busy with projects perfect for this transitional time of year.
Did your New Year's Resolution include eating healthier? If so, check out Tally's article on nutritional fruits, veggies, and herbs to find the best sources of Vitamin A. This article explains which plants are high in Vitamin A, what vitamin A can do for the body, and signs of deficiency. This will be an ongoing article series aiming to help you understand the different vitamin's vital functions and where you'll find them.
Oxygen in the air is always important for good health. Amy L. looks at the easiest houseplants to grow that will offer oxygen back into the home and some pictures of the Scenic Store. She gives pointers for the best plant placements and fertility regimens in this article, Happy Houseplants for a Healthy Home.
Love tomato soup? Love oranges? Check out the yummy recipe combining the two. We wanted to honor citrus season with a warming recipe.
Check out our Coming Events, too! For your Valentine, create a heart-shaped ivy topiary February 13th at 11 am surrounded by beautiful annuals. Nothing says I love you like a hand-planted gift! Citrus season has us excited for our free Citrus tastings, February 27th and 28th form 10-3. Jim will be on hand both days to answer any questions you may have. We'll also be bringing in a new shipment of citrus a week or so before this tasting; so taste and purchase your favorite.
http://scenicnurserynews.com/news/10/05/
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Jan
15
2010
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Written by Tally
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Friday, 15 January 2010 |
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Welcome 2010! Scenic Nursery is welcoming in the new year once again with our fabulous varieties of bare root fruit trees, berries, and roses! January’s newsletter includes our staff’s favorite fruit tree selections for new or existing backyard orchards. And as always, we’re highlighting our new rose varieties, including the All-America Rose Selection for 2010, Easy Does It, and the Jackson and Perkins Rose of the Year, Sedona.
Speaking of fruit trees and roses, if you missed our Fruit Tree and Rose Pruning Seminars last weekend, worry not! You can still catch them this weekend (January 16th and 17th) at 2:00 pm. Jungle Jim will cover fruit trees Saturday and roses Sunday.
Jungle Jim greets the new year with early observations that spring is just around the corner. He also touches on some of the exciting new changes coming to Scenic Nursery this year!
Find out about post-holiday Christmas cactus and poinsettia care, and follow Tally’s Travels to the recently renovated California Academy of Science in San Francisco, where she shares some good pointers for visitors.
Finally, after a long day in the garden (or San Francisco!) try our Hearty “Zaye” Soup-perfect for using up some of that ever-plentiful Swiss chard!
Be sure to watch out for next month’s newsletter, where we’ll put the spotlight on spring blooming shrubs, new and exotic spring and summer veggies and more!
Here is the link for January's newsletter. Simply copy and paste into web address window.
http://scenicnurserynews.com/news/10/01/
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Jan
15
2010
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Written by Tally
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Friday, 15 January 2010 |
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Bareroot Roses and Fruit Trees
Why Bareroot?
Bareroot trees are trees that are dug out and sold without any soil around
their roots.
What are the advantages of planting bareroot trees?
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More root mass. Bareroot trees can have up to 200% more roots than container trees, depending on the soil and transplanting history
at the nursery. Remember to amend the soil with Gold Rush and use a starter fertilizer. Pick up a spray schedule, too.
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Lower cost. Without extra labor and materials, bareroot trees cost
seller and buyer less.
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Easier planting. A young tree without soil weighs little, so it
easy to move and plant.
Know More...Grow More
Bareroot season is always a wonderfully busy time at the nursery. It is a reminder that Spring is just around the corner. Bareroot roses, available now, are already pushing foliage in reds and greens! This year, we carry over 160 varieties to choose from.To learn more about growing roses, join Jungle Jim this Sunday at 2 pm as he talks about different types and varieties of roses, how to care for them, and how to use them properly in a landscape setting.
The fruit trees and berries have also arrived and are located out in the parking lot. For some of you, this may be your first time growing fruit trees; for others, you've got a backyard orchard. Regardless of experience, you can always know more. Learn more about how to care for fruit trees by attending Jungle Jim's Fruit tree pruning and care seminar this Saturday at 2 PM. No sign up and free.
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Dec
24
2009
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Written by Tally
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Thursday, 24 December 2009 |
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The cheery spirit of Christmas was quite evident at this year's Kids' Christmas P.J. party. At this free event, there was ornament decoration, cookie decoration, face painting and most importantly...SANTA. To all who were able to make it, we really enjoyed seeing you all . We also loved seeing Christmas through the eyes of your children. Young and old, we all felt the magic that is Christmas with good old-fashioned family fun at Scenic Nursery.
One happy guy! Hot chocolate and cookies anyone?
Fun ornament decoration.
Face painting.
Cool.
Parents lend a helping hand!
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Nov
05
2009
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Written by Tally
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Thursday, 05 November 2009 |
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Check out our November Newsletter and get a great holiday "swag" recipe. Been wanting to hear what other gardeners are doing in their yards? Read our first guest gardener article more about Walter and Wendy Lysyk's beautiful garden space or see images of their amazing space. Check our their interview on the home page blog, Four Seasons Garden--An Interview with Wendy and Walter Lysyk, for advice from these avid gardeners. The holidays are coming...want to shop stress free? Come on in! Diana breaks down November's to do's for us, too.
Check out November's Newsletter by clicking on the following or by copy and paste: http://scenicnurserynews.com/news/9/45
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Oct
30
2009
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Written by Tally
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Friday, 30 October 2009 |
Monday, October 26th, I interviewed Walter and Wendy Lysyk of Turlock for our first Guest Gardener article--Over the Fence. It was a perfectly beautiful day with two perfectly wonderful individuals with which to interact. We talked at great length about their garden and love for gardening. The following answers have been paraphrased based on the interview with Wendy and Walter...
Question: Wendy and Walter, when I met you two, you both seemed so excited by gardening and the unique plants you selected. Have you always gardened together or has gardening become a shared love over time?
Answer: Walter answers that his parents were farmers, so growing up, he innately picked up how to care for plants and knew the importance of working the earth. However, it was Wendy that knew the names of plants and plant placements. Over the years, their complementary skill sets have allowed them to grow together as gardeners as well as grow great gardens.
Q: How long has this garden been growing and did you put it together piecemeal or all at once?
A: Wendy and Walter have been in this home for 10 years, but have been gardening together for far longer. Actually, the first projects the Lysyk’s worked on were one’s that involved their children. Among the first things planted was a vegetable garden with the kids (who are all avid gardeners today). Then came color in the form of seasonal annuals. Then they moved into their new home in Turlock. From there, plant choices became far more personal, a story or purpose behind each purchase. The Lysyk’s home was one of the first houses in the newly developed sub division. Before the subdivision creation, the property was previously home to a dairy farm. Originally, they were going to put in three different, distinct garden “rooms” dedicated to like groupings of plants in each. However, once they put in the patio, they decided to put in a massive 1000 gallon water feature instead. The water feature took Wendy, Walter and a friend 5 months to complete the 15 x10 x 3 foot cavernous hole. This allowed them a central focal point to build a garden look around, offering a pleasant sound source, and to draw in birds. The garden has grown and changed with these ten years to accommodate their love of nature and new plants.
Q: What kind of plants do you remember in your yard while growing up and do you find that you tend to incorporate these familiar plants in your space OR have you gone a completely different, more experimental, direction?
A: Plants Wendy and Walter remember from childhood include vegetables, roses, hydrangea, oaks, maples (both spent time in Canada). These plants are also found in their current space. However, now they find themselves to be much more experimental gardeners, delving into interesting plants from Annie’s Annuals, Poot’s House of Cactus, and native plants. They read Sunset Magazine to get a feel for what’s new on the market. They often go to nurseries while traveling, finding even more diverse plant selections. This sentiment is definitely reflected in their beautiful garden as they seek to draw in beneficial insects and birds.
Q: In your opinion, what is the most substantial addition or change you’ve made to the garden?
A: Without a doubt, the addition of a water feature wins hands down as the best addition to their garden space. It adds aesthetic value and auditory interest. It also allowed them to bring in fish like Koi and goldfish and water plants, which they watch growing throughout the year.
Q:So, you have a thousand gallon water pond. How did the addition of a large water feature affect your garden space? Would you recommend adding a water pond to other gardeners? What problems have you encountered, if any?
A: Walter encourages all gardeners with space to invest in some sort of water feature--small, medium, or large. To get ideas for their water feature, they went to Creative Water Gardens in Escalon where they learned more about the style of pond they wanted and how to care for it. Placement is the next crucial step for water feature install action. Then they suggest deciding whether or not you want to have fish in your pond. For a large pond (like the Lysyk’s), Walter also suggests investing in a large water pump and multiple filtration systems to control string algae. They use a smaller sponge and UV filter in addition to a red lava rock filter (suggested by Jungle Jim), cleaning the sponges once every three days in summer.
Q: What are some of your favorite garden perennials?
A: Some of Walter and Wendy’s favorites include agapanthus, clematis, arctotis, abutilon (that bloom all year round, drawing in hummingbirds), cotoneaster, daylillies, dahlia, salvia, and gaillardia. They’ve also been selecting unusual tubular perennials to draw in birds.
Q: Favorite annuals for fall/winter?
A: Pansy, dianthus, snaps, and violas.
Q: Annuals for spring/summer?
A: Zinnia (Profusions and Magellans), portulaca, petunia, cosmos, and vinca.
Q:Do you have any bulb plants in your space?
A: Yes, in the form of crocosmia, daffodils, iris, daylillies, dahlias.
Q: If you could start over, are there any plants you would remove?
A: They would remove the tallow tree from front yard only because of it’s tendancy to produce seedlings and mess in the yard. Also, they would reconsider the Twisty Baby Locust behind the pond because of size constraints--didn’t realize its mature size, though it reflects beautifully in the water pond.
Q: For the future, what plants do you look forward to adding?
A: Wendy really looks forward to adding a waterwise cacti rock garden out front. Also, they want to add more fruit trees and roses, fuschia and any other interesting plant that speaks to them.
Q: What are your favorite garden tools you believe all gardeners should own?
A: Right now, Walter is loving his reciprocating saw for tree limb removal. However, different rakes, shovels, and pruners are used on a regular basis.
Q:What advice would you give to the new gardener?
A: You can always improve your soil. Compost your soil daily with used green goods by simply digging a hole and plopping them in to improve soil. You can compost things like onions, bananas, lettuce, green veggies, orange peels, egg shells. You can also find great deals on store bought soil ammenders by buying broken bags since usually the bags are full, just the packaging damaged. Stake the plants that need it, including new trees, roses, and taller perennials so you don’t lose them in high winds. Use bird houses, feeders with niger seed, sunflower seed, etc. to bring in and support nature. Use nature to fight nature--Wendy loves praying mantids for controlling aphid and other pests that frequent, especially in spring. Use lattice work to create texture and give climbing plants and espaliered plants a chance to shine.
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Oct
28
2009
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Written by Kym
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Wednesday, 28 October 2009 |
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Greetings fellow gardeners. As I am writing this, the wind is is still blowing. Tree branches are down all around my street and I had to re-stake 2 of my own precious trees (stakes broke). Luckily I caught them both in time before they snapped. Both of my neighbors lost plants yesterday in the wind. Mother nature really likes toying with us! If you have newly planted trees or tall perennials, you might want to make sure they are well supported. The wind is supposed to subside by tomorrow, but I have a feeling we have a lot more in store for us this season. We have the supplies you need to properly support your precious plants, so come down to the nursery and we'll make sure you get everything you need to do the job right.
In case some of you haven't noticed, I have been absent at the nursery. I had back surgery in September and I'm hoping to be back to my home away from home (the nursery) in late November. I miss my fellow employees and customers and I'm having gardening withdrawals! Since I'm unable to bend or twist, gardening has been nearly impossible. I've had to be very creative in doing things for myself. I use objects such as a garden hoe and a hand rake that my husband connected to the handle of a shovel that was broken to pick things up. I was given a grabber tool at the hospital, but it isn't strong enough to pick certain objects up. That's where our creativity came in. Of course I won't be able to get down and pull weeds or plant my snapdragons and primroses like I usually do, but at least I'm able to pick up the hose and move it around in the yard to water my plants by myself. Watering is truly therapeutic, especially after surgery!
A heart-felt thank you to all of you who have had me in their thoughts and prayers. A stronger and surgically repaired Kym will be back soon. I promise!!!
Have fun in the garden...
Kym
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Oct
11
2009
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Written by Jungle Jim
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Sunday, 11 October 2009 |
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We often think of the winter as cold, windy and bleak. Well, your garden doesn’t have to be that way. There are lots of things you can add to your garden to make it come alive with color, and structural interest.
While there aren’t a lot of plants that actually bloom in the winter there are a few. For instance Carolina jessamine is a bright yellow flowering vine that often shows color all winter in our climate. It sets it’s buds in the fall and usually they crack open in November and shows specks of yellow.
Gelsemium in full bloom Photo by Jungle Jim
I have talked about Sasanquas before, but they deserve an additional mention with their showy three inch flowers from October through January depending of the weather.
Sasanqua Jean May Photo by Jungle Jim
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Oct
02
2009
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Written by Jungle Jim
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Friday, 02 October 2009 |
The number one least liked chore in gardening is weed control. At home and in my design work I have to keep it mind. There are three things that I use to reduce the amount of weed control.
First is to limit the amount of small low ground covers in a design. Generally the lower a ground cover is the more opportunity there is for weed invasion. Hand weeding Scotch moss that has oxalis or spurge growing in it is a nightmare. If you let the weeds set seed you have several years of seed germination to contend with. Again, a nightmare.
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Sep
30
2009
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Written by Jungle Jim
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Wednesday, 30 September 2009 |
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The weather is finally cooling off. Now is when I start planting my winter flowers. Depending on the weather, planting too soon can let a lot of flowers stretch too much.
At the nursery we have started replanting our flower beds with the planters at the entrance to the nursery. Next will be the beds at the street. When you drive by keep an eye out for what we are doing.
In addition Katy and the rest of the bedding staff are starting to redo our display pots and gardens inside the nursery.
At home I have planted a few snaps and soon some pansies, primroses, and Iceland poppies.
Last year Donna and I waited too long and most of the flowers didn’t really perform until spring. One year is enough.
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Sep
29
2009
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Written by Tally
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Tuesday, 29 September 2009 |
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Sincere Fall Family Fun Festival Thank You!
     
A sincere thank you goes out to all who helped make Scenic Nursery’s first Fall Family Fun Festival, September 25-27th, such a successful event. Linked with the Fall Festival, Scenic Nursery also ran a canned food drive through the Salvation Army’s Emergency Food Program. We applaud you all for bringing in well over 400 cans for local families in need!
Despite temperatures over 100 degrees, the weekend was filled with fun, food, music, education, and sales. Friday started with eager customers taking advantage of the 30% off everything sale. As people left with carts full of plants, it allowed us to start thinking about some of the new, unique plants we will be carrying in Scenic’s near future. Friday evening heated up with a Modesto Garden Club Evening Glow Planting Party where friends gathered to plant their fall containers. We thank the Modesto Garden Club members and friends for all of your support in making this event a success. These participants brought in around 175 cans for local families in need. Wow!
There was so shortage of sunshine Saturday the 26th as our customers gathered to enjoy community education, BBQ hotdogs, fun kids games, live music, and great deals. Mr. Howard Rogers of California Sky Ads kicked things off as he flew over the nursery and surrounding area with a banner proclaiming our Fall Festival event and sale: Thank you very much Mr. Rogers! By 9:30 am, 4-H, FFA, and Ag Science students from Enochs High, Downey High, Johansen High, and Grace Davis High arrived with rabbits, piglets and chickens to show off to all the youthful participants. We appreciate very much these young adults who came to educate kids and adults on the importance of agriculture in this area and for a sustainable future. They also helped young festival-goers plant containers to take home and enjoy. For their participation, these organizations earned community service hours. We look forward to working with these fine young men and women again in the future and say thank you for coming!
We would like to thank the Stanislaus Wildlife Care Center for sharing information Saturday. Oscar the rescued owl greeted customers as his handler taught and encouraged people to learn more about what we can do as a community to help rescued California wild animals. To rescue people from landscape design mistakes, Jim Rogers laid out the basics to great landscape design at 10 am. Thanks to all who attended. We look forward to even more learning opportunities with Jim. He is a wealth of knowledge.
From 11 am-2 pm, kid’s enjoyed face painting, balloons, bean bag toss, the fishing game, arts and crafts, planting, petting, and lunch. Adults shopped as they enjoyed Jazzoni, a local jazz and blues band, who created incredible ambiance. Jazzoni was fabulous and their participation was greatly valued. We look forward to having them back for another event. Sunday, Rose Loveall came to give her back-by-demand talk on choosing perennials and herbs—a thank you to her for coming in.
As we wrapped up the Fall Festival, we began thinking about our upcoming events. We’ve got many fun and informative workshops, demos, and seminars planned for fall. Catch CA native plant expert Jim Brugger’s talk on California native plants this weekend October 10th at 10am(which we now carry). Come in for a Coming Events handout for more complete details or look on the coming events sidebar for more information. Our Sunflower Children’s Events lineup will be on the back of that handout. Check out the Annual Scarecrow Stuffing Event and Spooktacular Halloween Happening! Fun, Fun, Fun!
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Sep
28
2009
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Written by Jungle Jim
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Monday, 28 September 2009 |
The Garden Crew is our periodic maintenance department. Fall is the time we start getting busy doing pruning, weed control and fertilizing to get your garden for Spring. Yes, I said spring.
Pruning in the fall means the spring growth doesn’t need to be pruned of in the spring. Depend on us to prune only those things that should be pruned.
By getting the weeds under control especially if we use pre-emergent that keeps seedling weeds down make spring a much more enjoyable time.
By fertilizing and applications of iron the shrubs and trees that need fertilizer absorb the nutrients and are ready to take off in the spring. We use slow release fertilizer that releases small amounts of fertilizer just right for plants to use it. A lot of what we do now doesn’t show up till spring.
If your garden needs a major pruning job, needs help with weed control, needs some fertilizing, irrigation maintenance, or some refurbishing call Diana at 523-2847 for an appointment to look over yard. We do one time maintenance, yearly maintenance, quarterly maintenance or monthly maintenance.
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Sep
25
2009
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Written by Jungle Jim
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Friday, 25 September 2009 |
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When ever I use the word camellia to my design customers I know they are thinking about Japanese camellias, Camellia japonica, with the 3 to 6” flowers mainly in February through April.
Although they are spectacular, there is a group that is getting more and more recognition. That is the Sasanquas. In fact when I am discussing them with my design customers often I just call them sasanquas. This reduces the confusion. Sasanquas are smaller growing, finer textured, smaller flowered and bloom in October through January depending on the weather.
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Sep
23
2009
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Written by Jungle Jim
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Wednesday, 23 September 2009 |
After a long hot summer a lot of lawns are looking tired. Thin spots, weeds and just a lack of vigor are common symptoms of the summer stress.
Here are some things to do to rejuvenate your lawn.
Almost every lawn needs a good fertilizing to get it growing. The turf type fescues especially need to be fertilized in the fall because, as we move into cold winter even fall and winter fertilizer doesn’t work for them. This early in the season we recommend Master Green Fertilizer to get your lawn off to a good start. As the weather cools off, Fall and Winter Feed starts working faster and is what we recommend.
If you have weed issues bring in samples of what is going on so we can get you the best control. For non-grassy weeds we usually recommend Masters Green Weed and Feed. But in any case, we recommend samples if you aren’t sure what you have.
Often a tired lawn is caused by lack of water penetration. If it isn’t caused by irrigation system design issues, aerating can be a big help. We sell water aerators that go on the end of a hose that are easy to use and do a great job. If you feel that is more than you want to do we have names of people that have mechanical aerators that help.
If the lawn is thin or has patched out so creeping red fescue (a super fine textured grass) reseeding is in order. Over seeding in late september, October and into early November is the best time to reseed. Tell us what your conditions are and we will make a recommendation for you. In some cases with sun in some areas and shade in others the answer is using two different mixes.
Remember that lawn generally want to be mowed at two to two and one half inches. Often lawn mowing services mow too short.
If there aren’t grading issues, root issues or something similar this regeime can almost always revive a lawn.
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Sep
22
2009
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Written by Jungle Jim
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Tuesday, 22 September 2009 |
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Bulbs can be fun gardening
So, you want some Spring color in your garden. Mistakes I see people making is depending on the standard Daffodils and Tulips. Yes, they can make a great show, the problem is they aren’t always reliable about coming back. Especially where they get too much summer water.
Most of our bulbs come from dry summer climates. Tulips for instance are native to Turkey and most of the ancestors of the garden daffodil are from the Mediterranean climates from Spain through Turkey. When we water extensively during them summer it allows the bulbs to rot when they are dormant.
There are a number of small flowering species tulips that are much more reliable about increasing. Tulip clusiana is one that I have used at home with good results. I tuck them in spots that don’t get all the water the rest of my garden does in the summer. This picture shows the increase in the second year. The first year there was only one flower in each clump. And I expect even more this next spring.
Tulip clusiana: Picture by Jungle Jim
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Sep
19
2009
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Written by Jungle Jim
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Saturday, 19 September 2009 |
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Over the years I have used Ivy geraniums as ground cover for the wonderful summer color. I used Beacon geraniums first for trememdous effect. The problem Beacons hqve it their need to be pinched to keep them bushy. This year I used Caliente Fire. This is a bushy naturally branching single flowered variety that loved the summer weather here.
Ive Geranium Caliente Fire Photo by Jungle Jim
Most of the semi double and double Ivy geraniums stall or quit blooming in the hot weather. The picture posted here is a grouping of three plants. They are five feet across in one summer and they have bloomed all summer. At this point I can recommend the Caliente varieties as tremendous basket plants and as wonderful ground cover. I have in the past been able to use them for three years, although an exceptionally cold winter can freeze them out.
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Sep
18
2009
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Written by Jungle Jim
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Friday, 18 September 2009 |
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There are lots of perennials to try. one of my favorite short term perennials is perennial statice.
Short term means a three to five year life span. Considering how much color Statice give you, three to five years is a premendous amount of color. It loves sun and slightly dry soil. A little fertilizer and what a show. If you have seen some of my pictures of Donna and my garden you know how large it is. I plant a single plant for a color accent.
Perennial statice photo by Jungle Jim
If you look at my pictures notice how much room i gave it. Plants used for accents need some space to allow them to be seen. This is a rule I use in all my design work.
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