By all accounts the weather is producing a VERY early start on spring…… As I was out wandering in the nursery today I noticed the “Hall’s” hardy almonds are just about to break bud….. (dang this is early). However as I survey the the warming situation I realize we already have in stock… Walla Walla sweet onion starts, dry onion sets (red/white/yellow), along with early veggie starts of Spinach, Lettuce, Romain, Kale, Swiss Chard, and the likes….. Even sold my first tomato plant……. and so it is the march to spring has begun…. We shall see how it turns out. Meanwhile out in the nursery we have a collection of one of the nicest and most complete fruit tree selections we have ever had…… I am hoping and anticipating this will be one of the BEST springs EVER…….. Here is to “HOPING”……. regards….. doug

PS: we also have our first arrivals of certified organic “Seed Potatoes”……. lots of fingerling varieties as well

As in past years Redmond Greenhouse is ready for all your early garden and landscape needs……. “Seed Savers Exchange” as well as “Baker Creek” seed racks are now in and filled with my personnel selections for our unique cold climate “High Desert” area….. These are the only two seed companies that I am aware of that “Guarantee” they are GMO free if this is of interest to you. We also have filled our rack with our favorite Oregon seed company…… “Nichols”. As with other racks at Redmond Greenhouse the offerings are hand picked by yours truely (Doug Stott) lending over 40 years of gardening experience……. The time is now and the selection is pretty darn good….. Hope to see you soon…… doug

If you have not yet felt the surge of weather changes stand by for a GREAT feeling……. Winter is fading and our trail towards Spring has started. If you are new to our High Desert area it will be wise to be patient……. Box stores will swell with early offering of roses, fruit trees, and flower bulbs. In my opinion this is WAY TO EARLY for successful planting. Ours is a unique climatic zone and defies a proper rating……… The unpredictable arrival of Spring with it’s highs and lows will cause much pain and discomfort to un-climatized nursery stock. Stand your ground and be cautious! Watching local nurseries will guide you in the right direction as to proper times to plant various plants, roots, and tubers. At best you will be in for a wild ride when it comes to survival here in the High Desert region.

                If you have not yet sprayed your fruit trees with the so called “Dormant Oils” , the time is now…… Combine with Lime Sulfur for a full coverage of prevention of insects and disease….. Lilacs should also be sprayed if you have had blooming problems in the past…… “Actinovate” (an organic systemic), or Liquid Copper should be applied in dormant stages as well as bud break. This practice should help with bloom performance if you have been struggling……. One should also make sure that suckers are properly removed. Feeding is of equal importance….. A well feed shrub or tree is vital to it’s Spring performance. Our blended organic “Cold Climate” fertilizer is a very wise choice in my opinion.

                If you have not yet applied a weed pre-emergence (as John Wayne would say)……. daylight is burning……. Treflan (Weed and Grass Preventer) is a great choice with no danger of damaging tree and shrub roots is a GREAT choice. Organic “Corn Weed Blocker” is a great choice as well. The late may also be applied to lawns to lessen the presence of dandelions, button weed, and clovers. In areas where there are no tree/shrub roots and you want permanent weed/control you might want to take a look at a product called Mono Bor Chlorate. Just make sure you KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING!!!!!! All products can and will move through the soil if they are on a slope….. BE CAUTIOUS.

                The tools of proper indoor seed germination are…….. Heat Mat, Sterile seed starting container, Soilless Seed starting soil, Plastic dome (for humidity control), Grow Light…….. simple but very effective.

                Many trees will bleed sap if pruned to early……. BE CAREFUL……. contact local garden centers if you have ?’s as to what you are trying to prune….. In General….. Willows, Birch, Aspen, Poplars, and Maples species will bleed badly if pruned to early…… Better later than early….. I recommend waiting until after they leaf out…….

                If you need a little early spring color on your front porch or breakfast table Redmond Greenhouse if overflowing with Primroses, Pansies, Violas, and other Spring Bloomers…… Offered in 4″ pots or planted up in decorative planters…… We have Spring in all it’s EARLY Splendor!!!!!!

                Well for the time being……… There you go…… Sorry I don’t get more posts up in a timely manner…….. Seems I just run out of time and other things seem to occupy my time….. Swing by for a one on one visit….. I will be there….. smile on and ready for Spring……. Happy late February… doug

Falling Autumn Leaves Calander   2012

           Garden beds which had unusually high numbers of insects including root maggots could be treated with our Hi-Yield permethrin based “Garden Dust” or organic Diatomaceous Earth after all harvesting has been completed. Apply according to directions. This application will have all winter to work into the soil thus killing many of the larva and eggs so your garden will have fewer problems in 2010. Although nothing has been proven I might also like to advocate the application of organic “Neem Seed Meal” as a possible treatment for pesky bugs as well. Many of our customers are reporting great results with this unique product. Primarily used as an organic supplemental nutrition a cross use has emerged due to its know properties as a known fungicide/insecticide.

Dormant oil sprays as well as lime sulfur solutions should be applied to fruit trees, berries, and roses just as the leaves are beginning to fall. Then another application should be applied sometime the end of January first part of February when the winter weather gives us a break of warm temperatures above freezing. Mark these times in your computer calendar to remember. It is also time to apply Copper Spray to lilacs as well as other disease prone plants. Make sure to include a surfactant to assure better results. We are introducing a “New” organic product called Actinovate as a possible alternative to commonly used synthetic products. This particular introduction not only controls via surface contact but as a systemic (soaking into the roots) as well…… We are excited about this product!

Any winterizing mulch should NOT be done until there is frost in the ground. This ensures that the plant has gone completely dormant and will not seal in any warm autumn  soil conditions. Our recommendation for mulch is Shredded Hemlock or our “manure free” organic compost which insulates roots and adds valuable humidity during the sometimes dry arid winters. Straw will also give good insulating values but is a tad messy. All of these products will allow the plant to breath and not suffocate the soil. A good mulching is probably the best insurance  you can give your plants that are less than three years old!

Some of the plants to mulch include Roses, new plantings you made this year, rhodys & azaleas, Japanese Maples, and other more tender perennials you may have recently planted.

Mulching with our organic Garden Compost (Weed & Manure Free) around Berries, asparagus, and Rhubarb is also a very worthwhile step. We believe it to be the BEST Compost in the Pacific Northwest !!! We sell it in bulk (save money) or convenient value packed bales.

Fertilizing this time of the year  is a GREAT idea. We recommend our “Cold Climate” for all your landscape/garden beds and our organic pelleted “Cascade Natural”, “Natures Intent”, or Bio-Turf for your lawns. Chemical fertilizers tend to increase the incidence of Turf Problems (Snowmold/Thatch/Fairy Ring, Etc.). I cannot stress enough, the importance of this time of the year for applying organic nutrition to ALL OF YOUR LANDSCAPE PLANTS, EMPTY BEDS, AND LAWNS.

As you plant your tulips, daffodils, crocus, and other fall planted “Spring Flowering Bulbs” we suggest you add liberal amounts of organic compost as well as our organic fertilizer rich in bone meal for best results. Water in well and stand by for an explosion of color next spring. Now Is The Time …. in fact the only time to do this fun and exciting task. Our selection is full of new and exciting varieties as well as many Deer Resistant choices. Our Bearded Iris collection is the BEST ever! If you have children stop on by and we will give each of your children a FREE flower bulb along with simple planting instructions!!!

          If you have not yet planted garlic, shallots, as well as special Winter onion sets……. as John Wayne said…… Daylight is a wasting…. Now is the time before the ground freezes up… Selection is great. We even have Elephant Garlic (a member of the leek family). FREE planting handouts to guarantee better results…

          You might want to try some late sowings of spinach, lettuce, chard of herbs for “possible” early winter greens. We are still offering a few garden starts of these plants!!!

If you have a pond with fish don’t forget to start feeding your fish a wheat germ based food. High protein summer fish foods can cause serious problems with your valuable aquatic pets! Apply one of our many safe selections for the control of late season algae blooms.

          last but not least if you are looking for a little color to fill those empty summer planters you will still find a GREAT selection of fragrant violas, spectacular selections of colorful and frost resistant flowering Cabbage and Kale. Dwarf ornamental grasses and durable plants of Dusty Miller. Mix and match as well as take advantage of some fantastic sales….. We have some “close out deals” on trees, shrubs, perennials, and hardy roses… Hurry in for best selection!!!

Happy Fall Gardening ……

Redmond Greenhouse 

548-5418 info@redmondgreenhouse.com Please visit my informational blog at http://coldzonegardening.com for free info and specials

Listen to KBND 1110AM “Garden Talk” every Saturday 7-9 AM…

Local gardens… Local timely information with your host Doug Stott

Keep a close watch on spinach, Swiss chard, and beet greens for leaf miner damage…… you will see a deteriation of the leaf and will need to take action………… Repeat sprays of Spinosad should do the trick

Sow more seed of romaine to keep the salads coming…….. try covering the seed with peat moss of washed river sand….. the results should amaze you………..

If you would like a steady stream of crunch lettuce throughout the summer season….. try hanging a piece of shade cloth over portion of your garden….. this should cool things down and allow you to be successful in growing summer lettuce, peas, and more…… seed on

Potato beetles are out and about so make sure to observe  your foliage…. physically remove them or apply sprays of Spinosad….

Keep a close eye on your onions and other root crops for maggot damage…… an application of Cyanora should help with the problem….. the dust…. “Garden Pet and Livestock will also aid in the problem…. On a personnel side….. I worked Neem Seed Meal into my garden and  have had no problem….. I’m happy!

Appy organic compost around the garden as it will help suppress weeds as well as help hold in moisture… Wheat straw is also a great idea.

If you are looking to boost the performance of veggies, herbs, and or flowers you just might mix up a bucket or two of liquid Earth Juice “Grow”…….This will add a BIG push to the performance of all your plants……

Pinch or prune away spent blooms from your perennial garden as time permits….. Its well worth your time, plus you just might get some re-blooms on these plants

Keep a close eye on trees and shrubs for early summer insect damage….. problems can occur VERY quickly and cause BIG damage……

For those of you that have ponds and water features make sure you keep a bale, pellets, or liquid barley in your schedule of chores………….. Barley is known throughout the pond community as a GREAT preventer of Algae. Algaeway 5.4 by Microbe Lift seems to be the best product for safe and effective control of the green stuff……….. plus it helps control the NASTY string algea….. dang

and if you are wondering what the black leafed plant with the gorgeous pink blooms is….. Its an ornamental elderberry………….. whooooooo wooooo….. Real GREAT plant and tough as a barn nail….

Meanwhile out in the perennial garden if you see a collapse of your prized delphinium you may have a boring insect………….. a systemic drench should do the trick

Fairy ring in your lawn?…. sorry….. try applying Consan to the affected area….. don’t forget the sticker..

            In the world of perennials, herbaceous shrubs, and trees, there is another fast growing category of plants known as vines and trailing plants. The species of plants typically grow and climb by extending tendrils, which can cover fences, arbors, and trellises, and in most cases in a very short period of time! Used to soften hardscapes such as fences and walls plus other hard to disguise features in your landscape, this group of plants offer the home gardener and landscaper some very unique opportunities. Varieties within this wonderful family of plants have something to offer for almost any garden area as well as special and unique situations. Many have spectacular flowers as well as intoxicating fragrance at given times of the season, while others offer dramatic autumn colors in foliage and berries. There are varieties that work in hot sunny locations as well as difficult shady areas. All will grow well in most garden beds and many will do well simply in containers climbing up a decorative obelisk. Combine the aspect that these plants can also fit into areas no others can and you have got an invaluable species just waiting to fill you wants, needs and wishes. Let’s take a look at some of the possibilities just waiting to be discovered!

Doug’s Twining vining hardy plant picks:

      Honeysuckle:       This group of vining plants is one of my favorites due to its exotic dramatic blossom display. Combine that with intoxicating fragrance from most of the species and you have an instant winner. In addition, they are sure to attract droves of fascinating fast flying hummingbirds. This family of plants has been a part of rural America for years, rambling around old homesteads, rock fences and walls.

      Clematis:  This massive family of plants can sometimes be a little tricky to establish, but once you have seen the dramatic display of an established vine you will never be able to sleep until you have one in your very own backyard. Most of the small flowering varieties are followed in bloom by unusual seed pods. Many of the large flowering types (some over six inches across) will have you thinking you are in the tropics, not the high desert location we call home.

      Silverlace:             This fantastic vine not only grows very fast, but will prevail in sunny dry locations as well as difficult shady places. Dramatic wedding type sprays of white flowers season long will be followed by vibrant orange and red fall foliage.

      Virginia creeper: This is a great vine for sun or shade and certainly wins the blue ribbon for the most explosive red color in the fall. Many opt to plant this at the base of a dead juniper tree and watch the skeleton come back to life….. In a hurry. If you are lucky you might even find a garden center that has a variegated leaf variety for additional charm.

       Hops:       This vine has got to be the fastest growing selection that garden centers will offer. If not the first year the second year will cover your trellis in record time beating all other vine species, “hands down”. Hops are also a favorite of home brew folks as well as local neighborhood bread bakers.

       Wisteria:  This plant is certainly very sought after due to its spectacular display of hanging grape like blooms, but I must say it is a tough one to establish much less get to bloom. There are many varieties of this plant family, but you must make sure you get the ones that are hardy for our cold climate! Trusted garden center employees will ensure you of proper selection.

        Passion Vines:    This is another vine that will surely tackle your sense of patience in regards to establishment in your garden. Some gardeners have been unable to over-winter this unbelievable vine. If however you have ever seen one of these plants in bloom you will probably never give up trying to get it to grow! The intricate bloom design will leave you with a sense of “I can’t believe it is real”!

        Akebia: A fast growing deciduous vine with very fragrant blooms and very curious looking fruit. The foliage possesses a unique velvety look quite different from other plants. If un-trellised this vine would also make a fast growing groundcover.

        Climbing Hydrangea:  This could be one of the most spectacular vines a gardener could grow. With large (6”-8”) white creamy blooms this perennial vine is a sure show stopper. Slow to establish but well worth the effort, this vine will establish a little wow factor in your garden when observed by your special backyard guests!

Annual Vine Species (These are selections that usually have to be replanted every season. They only come back in memory!!!

            Sweet Peas: A favorite of mine that is perfect for our many times cool climate. Fast to grow from seed or garden center starts, there are many varieties to choose from. Most are unforgettably fragrant adding a special allure to selected planting areas. This vine is a must for our area. Fast, colorful, fragrant and fabulous.

            Morning Glory: Some consider this as an invasive species but for our cold climate area it is a natural. Fast growing, with attractive foliage (some are even variegated) this is truly a spectacular velvety dazzling species.

            Black-eyed Susan’s: This vine can grow faster than a rabbit sprinting through the sagebrush and will light up a trellis or pergola with bright yellow and black blossoms the entire summer season once it gets started. This is a fun and easy backyard favorite.

            Other garden center selections with GREAT climbing capabilities would be the likes of Grapes and Roses. Grape vines are currently the rage with many folks as their fruit and foliage add a special class to the backyard arbor as well as a wonderful canopy of shade as the large leafed foliage and clusters if fruit drape over the outdoor dinning pergola. Climbing roses on the other hand have been a standby in yards and gardens for years. Not necessarily a true vine but a plant with vigorous upright growth that will put the “wow” factor on any arbor or trellis with their spectacular show of colorful fragrant flowers.

            In conclusion I can only say one thing, now is the time to get planting, considering that you are now well versed on the ins and outs of vining plants as well as selected varieties that will serve your needs. As always, make sure you pay strict attention to the planting site as well as soil preparation! Oversized planting holes, deeply amended with manure free organic compost, then topped off with 6 to 12 cups of a granular blended fertilizer such as our “Cold Climate” will have you smiling as you watch your plantings explode with color, fragrance, and cool foliage! Happy planting and I hope you enjoy your newfound growing friends!

As the seasons change and the Holidays approach…….. Just a quick note to remind you that Redmond Greenhouse is again offering our “Mail Order” Evergreen Wreath deal. A 20″-24″ hand tied mixed greens wreath, sprayed with our all natural preserver “Wilt-Proof”, add pine cones, Juniper Berries, a hand tied Red Velvet bow with Gold Trim, a special gift enclosure card (with your special message) all wrapped in festive Holiday Florist cello………. All this for just $34.99. PLUS we can ship them FedEx right from our business and the job is done and your gift list is fulfilled……………….. From business gift lists to friends and family this offering from Redmond Greenhouse makes it so easy and we are quite sure you will be left with a smile and a thank you from those who receive them………… Just give us a call or stop on by…. we are now taking orders and shipping has begun…..

                As in the past we will again be offering VERY Fresh-Cut Noble Fir trees starting the first week of December. Custom snow flocking plus other Holiday offerings…….

                Happy late fall, early winter………… the Holidays are here and we are ready to help you out!

Redmond Greenhouse will be offering a free class Saturday Sept. 24th from 11:00 to 12:00. Topic of discussion will center around the “Autumn Garden and Landscape”

     As we pass the middle of June it looks like it could be clear sailing in terms of the veggie garden……. If you don’t make your move in the week or so you may run into problems with ripening as we fall to the bottom of August……….. dang…………… Seeds should sprout much quicker now and transplants should dig in with new roots within a week…. DEEP watering and an occasional “over the top” application of Earth Juice Grow should have you up and running

Redmond Greenhouse still has (as of this date) lots of seed potatoes, onions, as well as cold crops (lettuce, cabbage, kale, etc.). And for you flower growers…. ahhhhhhhhhh what a wonderful selection to choose from…… Lots of NEW varieties and colors and fragrance that will catch your attention…………. Hang on…………… Here we go…….. Happy Fathers Day…. Doug