Archive for the ‘Seasonal’ Category

Oh my, how the season engulfs my time. Seems like only yesterday we were deep in the late months of winter, and now look where we are.. Heading towards summer and all it has to offer.
For timely tips…. (very short) look to the Redmond Greenhouse “Facebook”
Meanwhile out in the garden and landscape…. Deep water to encourage strong roots and healthy plants. Feed with the organic fertilizer “Cold Climate”. Healthy plants are far more resistant to insects and disease plus I do believe you will almost gain a zone of hardiness by using this type of fertilizer in conjunction with lots of organic compost…….
If you are having problems setting out your plants…. Try using a “light” floating row cover to protect against sun and wind…… It really will make a difference………
Try to keep weeds under control as they allow many insects and disease to lurk close by your valuable plants.
Control ants in the garden as they will contribute to spread of aphids………… There are many great organic products on the market to help control this early spring and summer pests…..
So sorry for all you folks that lost so many plants, trees and shrubs this past winter……….. The worst loss year I have seen in the thirty some years I have been involved in this business……….. Dang!!!!! The cause…. mild winter but DRAMATIC spikes in temperatures……. Just blew the bark right off the trees…. so to say….
Happy Spring……… have fun planting…. and don’t forget to smile across the fence……… Feels good….. Doug

Tracking the footsteps of this spring is certainly a winding trail. I don’t remember such a mild approach in the past thirty years I have live in the High Desert. I do know that an incredible number of gardeners are overflowing into the plot as they sow seeds of lettuce, onions, peas, and more. Starts of cabbage and broccoli are also finding their way into local garden soils. My oh my must we remind ourselves it is still March and our last approx frost date is the end of June!!!! Oh well me must do what we do…….. be enthusiastic and over the top optimistic….. Smile and Believe!
If you are planting asparagus make sure to take a look at some of the hybrid varieties of “all male” and gourmet selections such as “Gourmet Purple”. Work into the soil at least 12” of organic compost in combination with our organic blended “ Cold Climate” fertilizer. Possible light harvest next spring if all goes well! As you plant your strawberries MAKE SURE TO PLANT THEM IN RAISED BEDS! This practice will allow for good drainage and higher yields. Mix and match your selections for longer season harvests. Add our product “Azomite” for an additional boost of goodness. Keep all runners off the new plants and mulch with additional compost.
Over in the pond and waterfeature area you may want to add a shot of Microbe Lifts “Spring” starter package. Follow up with some PL and possible “Sludge Buster” for getting rid of that bottom pond YUK. If you need a GOOD algaecide try the Microbe Lift version. Gets rid of green water and NASTY STRING AGLEA!
Happy Early Spring….. Ready to go Veggie Starts and a ton of GREAT seed….. Doug

     As the first day of January rolls onto the calendar we are greeted with a warm day and lots of Central Oregon sunshine. Being the optimist I am I do belive this will be a fantastic year to garden and landscape. Ample moisture in the soil and the warmth of the sun usualy yeilds great results. I do realize this is early in the season to get off and running but as someone once said……………… daylight is burning and there is no better time than now to set your plans in motion………………. That said………….. Smile and unlock the gates of your garden………… let the sunshine in and drop to your knees! Let the gardening season begin…………. Doug

     As December rolls up another page of the calendar you might want to make sure you have your tasks in line.

• Dormant sprays have been applied to all fruit trees as well as other disease prone plants (Alberta Spruce, Roses, Snowball bushes, etc.).
• Apply liquid “Copper” spray to lilacs and disease problem roses.
• Make sure to keep fallen leaves from lawn
• Apply Mole and Vole repellent to lawns to avoid “under snow” winter damage.
• Prune selected evergreens
• Clean and store all garden tools. Spray with “Pam” to reduce rusting
• Mulch “garden stored” veggies with insulating straw or other organic mulch
• Store and protect valuable statuary, fountains, and bird baths.
• Place heaters in bird baths to encourage the overwintering  of backyard birds.
• Put heaters in water features that have fish.
• Fill winter bird feeders and hang suet
• Don’t forget to check winter stored bulbs for decay and rot.

Well that about wraps it up for now. Hope the late fall season finds you healthy and your pantry full of the gardens bounty….. Doug

     As the summer sunshine continues to warm the ripening fruits in our gardens make sure you keep an eye on potential bugs and disease. Spider mites are a big problem when the days are as warm as they have been and you don’t  won’t to let get out of control. The product “Spinosad” (an organic) has been working pretty darn good. Make sure to spray three different times at one week intervals! This spray will also help with white fly, thrips, and leaf beetles.

     Side dress beds with organic compost to help suppres weeds and add nutrients. If any plants are not up to par……… try giving them a shot of liquid organic “Earth Juice” bloom……….. In regards to tomatoes if you run into blossom end rot we stock a liquid calcium that should help. This product is also good for squash and cucumbers.

     Hope the season is going well. If you are looking for starts of lettuce, carrots, and other late summer  plants we just might be able to help you out. We have been sowing seeds in anticipation of late season growing….. It works and there is a lot of great growing time yet to come. We also have wonderful starts of flowering cabbage and kale, plus a new and fresh crop of pansies, violas, asters and mums. Not to mention a GREAT collection of fall grasses and sedges…… Hope to see you soon.    PS: Sorry for not keeping the site so up to date……….. my back surgery had me not so comfortable at the keyboard… all is well and healing and the smile is still on my face…. see ya in the garden… Doug

   Ahhhhhhhhhh the season of summer is here andI hope all is well in your garden. Not a bad spring in terms of past history….. A few frosts, a  couple of heavy downpours, along with a scattered pounding of harsh hail. Welcome to the “High Desert”. As I have always said if you can ride out the unexpected climatic conditions of thus unpredictable gardening are you “just might” have a pretty good garden of flowers, herbs, and veggies.

     As we move into the month of July there are a few things you will wanat to keep an eye on. Spider mites are the number one invader of so many our flowers and shrubs. Do keep a watchful eye (with a hand held lens) for distressed looking foliage. Leaves will often become dusty looking as well as a little sprackled yellowing on the inner leaves. The product called “3 in 1 Insect, Disease, Mite Killer” is a top end and very effective. On the organic side a product called “Spinosad” seems to be doing a pretty good job. As always make sure you “WATER DEEPLY IN THE MORNING AND DON’T SPRAY UNTIL THE COOL OF THE EVENING”. I might also add that it is imperative to repeat the spray every seven days for three times to get the most out of your efforts!!!! Down in the Vegetable garden it will pay you to apply preventative sprays of “Serenade” (organic disease control) on such plants as your squash (Zuccini) and cucumbers. These plants inparticular are very vulnurable to powdery mildew. The particular disease goes by so many time undetected and will realy take a toll on your plants vitality…… Don’t forget to continue to sow seeds of crunchy salad greens as well as cilantro, radishes, and peas. The HOT weather will sometimes derail your efforts, but if you are successful the mid to late summer crunch will be all yours.

     Out in the orchard (for those of you that are lucky enought to have fruit trees) should make sure to thin your crop if you have not already done so…………….. Less fruit means a bigger and tastier late season harvest. In worse case senerios I have seen frut trees complety dump their fruit because of too much fruit combined with inadequate waterings……. Side dress with some of our organic fertilizer “Cold Climate” and maybe even a thin layer of good organic compost to help hold in moisture as well as reduce weed populations.

     For tomatoe growers who may have not properly addressed the need for calcium you may want to apply a liquid or granular side dressing of “Liquid Calcium” of granular “Azomite”. This practice might also be good for your cucumbers and squash…… Mulch with compost as well!!!

     If you have any Alberta Spruce trees, if you have not already done so it would be advisable to give them a liquid drench of Ferti-Lomes “Systemic Insect Drench” to help ward off any hot summertime Mite damage. Almost Guaranteed they will arrive and do their damage. Potted Alberta’s will usually show signs of browning, rusty dusty on the side facing the building. Sometime webbing will be seen but not always….

     Contrary to many this is a good time to sow seeds of wildflowers, lawns, and other desired crops. With the warm temperature, warm soil, warm nights, germination will simply astound you. I did my lawn in July several years ago in mid July. I had germination in 5 days and was mowing in 15 days!!!!! THE ONLY THING……..  If you do not water with diligence (at least three times a day) the seeding project may not go so well……….. Other tips I might offer to you would be to make sure you work a lot of good compost into the seeding area. Lightly cover the seed with a fine compost and use ONLY ORGANIC FERTILIZERS. You might also consider covering the freshly seeded area with our special “Seedling Cloth”. This scanty spun-bound white fabric is a true miracle in regards to helping new seedbeds. It will shade the seed, hold in moisture, and keep birds out. Just make sure to anchor it down or the High Desert breeze will move it down the block or possibly farther…….

     Well……………….. That about wraps it up. Sorry I have been a little slow with subject, but my back has been giving me fits of late and I find it very unpleasant to sit at the computer…………. I did have surgery and I am in the recovery mode…. My wonderful wife bought me a new computer desk, chair, and keyboard…………… ye ha………….. I will try to do better………… happy gardening…………. Doug

     Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh you just have to love a GREAT WEEKEND…………….. Warm weather, lots os sunshine, and the garden is ready to plant.

     As I have mentioned many times since the start of the year………. this is…………. “The Year of the Garden”.  There is not a day goes by that at least one person tells me that they are going to try a vegetable garden this year. Some have done so in the past but have let the practice slice, and then there are those that have never gardened in their lives. I find this so exciting not just because I own a garden center but that I realy beleive gardening is a VERY imortant part of a good and solid lifestyle………..

     If you have not yet visited my blog at coldzonegardening.com you may want to click and go………….. I try to give seasonal information on gardening in relationship to cold climate gardens and landscapes. Topics on trees, shrubs, perennials, bulbs, and products are continualy entered as time permits. I hope you find it useful.

      Meanwhile back in the garden the tomato seems to be capturing the lions share of attention. From the topsy turvy to the historic heirlooms it seems just about everyone is trying to grow their own. Herbs are also a very hot topic as so many folks are returning to the kitchen and pulling out a cook book. No matter what drives you to the garden I think it is a VERY GOOD thing………. Celebrate and enjoy the health benefits as well as the nutritional goodnes a family garden can provide……………..   Happy May and welcome to Spring…………. Doug

The weather is warming and “I Think” the hard frosts are in our rear view mirror. That said, the time is perfect for sowing seeds of root crops and leaf vegetables. We also have a GREAT selection of “hardened off” cabbage, broccoli, celery, etc. Our Greenhouse is full and overflowing with fabulous flowers perfect for our “High Desert” climate.
I hope everyone enjoyed the GREAT Mothers Day Weekend……. Ah the wonderful weather…. Happy May.. Doug