Archive for the ‘Products’ Category

During the past six months or so I have read a couple of garden tidbits that revel in the fact that crab meal just might offer a spot of protection in regards to soil nematodes and or root maggots. Many a veggie gardener have run into problems with these pesky soil wigglers. It does not make a gardener smile when you pull a sweet onion out of the ground only to see the smiling face of tiny worm sticking out of your harvest. Most folks are not real happy if they have to contemplate the use of some pesticide to help control this common garden problem……. so with that in mind the “possibility” of some control with the use of crab meal is truely an exciting find. In my thoughts it may be working on the same principle as that of diatomaceous earth. I do know for sure that it will not be of harm to add it to garden beds. the nutritional benefit of this product is just plain fantastic. I have used it off and on for several years in combo with the organic fertilizer “Cold Climate”. I just scratch both of these products into the rows I am planting and the job of nutrition is done for the full season…. 

Happy Spring and Happy Planting…………. See ya out in the garden             Doug

With the abundance of hot weather the devastating insect known as the spider mite is populating at a very very fast rate. From roses, to butterfly bushes, to marigolds the damage is really starting to show up. Make inspections to your garden and landscape at least two times a week. Indications will include possible webbing (but not always), yellowing of leaves starting out low on the plant from the inside out, plus the leaves on affected plants are usually dusty looking. Two products that Redmond Greenhouse carries that are proving very effective are “Three and One” plus an organic solution called “Spinosad”. You should apply the products every week for three consecutive applications. Water the target plants in the morning and apply the spray in the early evening. Follow directions on the label for types of plants you can spray plus other precautions. If left unchecked the mites will probably take your plants down and then move on to other species in your garden and landscape.

I know a lot of you will or have already started to get early plantings out into the garden, but if you don’t give them a little protection you investment in little starters and your valuable time just might take a hard hit from late hard frosts and the sometimes drying, burning gusty winds. On the market for several years and a favorite of many is the walls of water. This great product that you fill with water and place around each plant will offer protection to tender plants even when the temperature gets down to the mid teens.  I have found it best to set these units up in the garden several days in advance to help warm the soil. An improvised lid over the top is recomended for those extra cold nights. Next in line and probably the most popular is the garden frost blanket. We have been selling this white spun-bound product for years. Offered in many sizes you can even cover an entire garden bed, containerized early plantings, or flats of garden center plants that you are “hardening off” before they are planted in the garden. They do vary in density but most will give you a seven degree of temperature protection. Other benefits of this product is you can use it year after year, it protects tender seedlings and transplants from sunburn as well as gusty drying spring winds. For crops that don’t need pollination you can leave the blanket on the entire season as it lets light and water through! This great product will also give you protection from insects as well as larger snackers (deer, rodents, and rabbits). Just make sure you anchor the fabric down securly or your distant neighbor just might find it in his garden after a very windy day.

Other products are on the market so you may want to shop around, but most importantly they are well worth the investment. With that said I will wrap up this little helpful hint and let you get back to the early spring garden………… Happy Planting………… Doug

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.

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