Archive for March, 2008

By using garden inoculant you will increase your bean and pea yields, plus it will also help with germination! Inoculant is an important component of growing both peas and beans. This granular product (looks like soot from the stove pipe) contains Rhizobium bacteria, necessary for converting nitrogen from the air to a form legumes can use. Other benefits include improvement of soil fertility, better root systems, maximum plant growth and yields. I have found it best to moisten the seed (this will also help in germination) then roll the seed in the powder just prior to sowing. Cover seed with washed river sand, peat moss, or special “seed starting” potting soil. We carry the inoculant as well as washed river sand, peat and special potting soils. Hey, the time is closing in and it is time to start the first round of garden peas! Happy Sowing………… Doug

For those lucky gardeners that have a water feature, it may be time to do a little maintenance. Use a skimmer net to rid the pond of decaying leaves and debris.  Add fresh water to top off level. If you have fish make sure you don’t feed them until the water reaches at least 40 degrees. Use a wheat based food until early summer due to high protein content. Raise lowered water plants closer to the surface to hasten soil mass warming and dormancy break. Clean all mechanical features of your pond and waterfall. Apply a dose of Microbe-Lift “Spring” start-up to re-energize your microb base.

If you are just pacing the floor waiting to plant a little garden seed but not quite sure if it is too early or what you should plant that won’t get destroyed by the cold nights………… it is Spinach to the rescue. This GREAT plant will do well even on the coldest of  mornings as long as it has been hardened off. I would recommend starting the seed indoors (the soil is still pretty cold for germination), move it to a cold frame (I will write an article on this soon) where it will be protected but subjected to the outdoors, then you could move it to the garden. Some folks simply continue to grow it in the cold frame with very good results, simply harvesting away. There are several varieties to choose from when you pick out your seed, so sample around and see which ones you and your family like the best. They are all loaded with healthy vitamins and a super good crunch in your salad. Now is the time so you had better get going. Most spinach varieties don’t do so well when it gets hot making this selection a GREAT choice for early sowing.

It was just yesterday that I was passing through our nursery and I spotted this glorious plant getting ready to burst into bloom. Some of the pink blooms had already burst into full spectacle along with a fragrance that had me staggering down the garden path. This particular plant just amazes me with it’s durability (it got down below zero this winter, plus this plant along with all the other containerized plants simply sits above ground, subjecting it to dramatic swings in day and night temperatures) and to top it all off it is usually one of the first to come into bloom. Best planted in  a location of early morning sun with afternoon shade, I am sure you will not be let down with it’s performance. Growth is slow so you may want to save a little longer and buy a bigger plant. It loves to wiggle it’s toes in a soil that has been deeply amended with manure free compost and fed a good organci fertilizer such as our “Cold Climate”. Better swing on by and get one of these planted while they are still  in budded form or you will hear me later on talking about how spectacular this plant realy is and you will have to wait until next year to see with your very own eyes how wonderful this plant realy is!

I can think of no better time to plant trees than in the Early Spring season. Garden centers should still have a great stock of trees left from the previous season and in my opinion there is no better tree. Wintered over and aclamated to the local climate these are the best of the best. The only exception would be if the variety you desired was out of stock….. DON”T COMPROMISE !!! New selections will be arriving as March wanders down the garden trail. Your first selections should include Fruit and flowering trees as these are the first to rattle their leaf and flower buds. Manure free compost and blended organic fertilizer should be all you need to prepare your planting site. Water in and wait for the ground to shake…………….. What a wonderful investment in your life and in your yard. Celebrate….

The time is now and the perfect product is our blended organic fertilizer known as “Cold Climate”

with living microbes and mychorizea. The perfect partner for your entire landscape. No nasty salt build-up or fast leaching, just pure and natural ingredients that will help feed your soil and plants for an entire season. Purchased in 25# bags all your trees, shrubs, perennials, bulbs, and annual bedding plants will be jumping up and down as they see you driving up your drive. If you would like to give some of your very special plants a treat that will exceed their expectations try some of our “Worm Gold” with kelp….. my oh my how good does it get. As always follow label directions as to applicatiion rates. Happy Early Gardening

Understanding Organics click here

 March is here and the tough little smiling faces are looking up and you saying Plant me Please. Beds and borders will come alive with reliable color for cold climates. You may look out on a cold morning and say……. dang, but as soon as the sun kisses their blooms all will be well. Plant with good organic compost and blended organic fertilizer (Cold Climate) and one of the first jobs of sping is done. You are feeling good and you are in the zone!

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