Archive for the ‘Flowers’ Category

If there was one plant in our nursery that commands “TOP” spot in terms of popularity, quantity of sales, and “Stellar” performance in the landscape, that one plant would have to be Lydia Broom. Setting it apart from other species of this popular family is the fact that it is not upright and vertical but rather mounding and spreading achieving an overall height of about two feet or so. It is not invasive as are other species found on the western side of the Cascades. Lydia is evergreen and will grow at a medium rate. If you desire to prune this cascading plant the time to do so is right after it blooms. Remove no more than one third of the overall size of the plant. When this wonderful plants springs into seasonal bloom (usually late April or May) you had better grab your sunglasses. “Holy Cow” might come up short in terms of exciting words used to express ones feelings as you gaze upon this plant. Vibrant screaming yellow tiny blooms cover the long slender grass like branches of this plant. Blooms usually last for weeks creating a GREAT stir in your neighborhood.

            When planting make sure you amend the soil with liberal shovels of organic compost. I would also recommend about six to eight cups of our organic fertilizer “Cold Climate” which will feed the plant for an entire season as well as feeding the soil with microbes and Mycorrhizae.

            In conclusion, all I can say is, you need to get out and plant one of these plants as soon as you can before they begin to bloom in the nursery. The Planting season is now, the plants are still dormant, and you will have set the tone for a GREAT day in your rock garden when Lydia does its colorful “Spring Dance”……………..Happy Planting

      As a small child I do well remember my grandmother taking me by the hand and guiding me in the direction of my very first garden. Flowers were her love and joy in conjunction with the great outdoors. Living in the rural area of Oregon, Frenchglen to be exact was certainly a long way from the local garden center. Traditional garden seeds were hard to come by, but Grandma always seemed to have what she needed regardless of our distant location. Sweet Peas and Bachelor Buttons were two of her favorites. Easy to grow, tough as nails, and sure fire performers, helped make both of these flowers a great introduction to youthful gardening.  Sweet peas quickly became a favorite of mine as they did so well in our restless chilly spring weather. She always had me soak the seeds overnight to hasten germination, plus she instructed me to roll the moistened seeds in this powdery black material. Later identified as legume seed innoculant, I have continued to use this product on all my bean and pea seeds. It improves overall plant vigor as well as increasing blossom and subsequent fruit set on this particular species of garden plants. 

            Sweet peas come in two types of plant growth habit. Low growing bush type, plus the traditional climbing vine variety. Since they do best in cool season growing conditions we always sowed the seed in early spring (April / May) thus providing a grand show of color and fragrance usually in the month of May. Once you have grown Sweet Peas and indulged in their wonderful pastel colors and sweet fragrance you will be hooked for a lifetime of enjoyment.

            As you shop your local garden center for available seed you might just want to give a try to some of the many wonderful varieties. If you really get into it you will want to take a look at mail-order garden catalogs as well as internet sources due to their increased selections. I don’t think you will be disappointed with this new found friend of the early and cool garden. Many varieties will not only yield color to the picket fence but they make excellent cut flowers for indoor enjoyment. I have even sown a few seeds in a hanging basket to grace the early spring patio. You just might deliver  one of these fragrant bouquets to a close friend of relative, causing an unexpected smile of delight.

Now is the time to sow this wonderful seed. Enjoy!!!

As you get out into the yard and bigin your spring clean-up make sure what you do does not have to be done in repeat procedures throughout the season especially when it comes to weed. A good plan of prevention is a must unless you just love the exercise of bending and pulling. I would recommend that after you clear the area of weeds and grasses that you apply one of two granular products that will act as pre-emergence yet cause no harm to existing perennials. The products, ‘Weed and Grass Preventer” (Treflan) which is a synthetic granular product which we carry, and “Corn Weed Blocker” (a product made of natural corn by-products) an organic alternative, should offer you some very good relief from reoccurring weed sprouts. If the granules come in contact with existing perennials you should not have a problem as the product only affects un-sprouted seeds and sprouts. After applying the granular product to the target area I find it best to seal it all up by putting down at least three inches of organic compost. Water the area well which will release the product and you should stay pretty weed free for the entire season. Good Luck with the weeds.

 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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