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 lanscape…. 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” floatiing row cover to protect against sun and wind…… It realy 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

     As the month of May fills our early spring calendar the time to plant in our cold climate zone is gaining momentum.  From leaf type crops to root crops to cabbage, broccoli and Brussels sprouts. Ahhhhhhhh the excitement and optimism is building. New plants coupled with the new products are also part of the driving force.

            If you are a just getting started in the fun and joy of backyard gardening keeping it small is my best advice. This practice allows you to use better products, have greater results, more manageable plots, and hopefully a better experience. Utilize local garden centers for their source of knowledge. Small raised beds (4’ wide by 4’ or more) will make your efforts much easier. Using potting soil, compost, and organic fertilizers will ratchet up your potential for successful yields. I would avoid native soils and manure. Our Cold Climate organic fertilizer, Azomite, and Soil Activator (Humic Acid) should be added to the soil. Building a wood frame over the raised beds and then wrapping them with our frost blanket should have you up and running. Applications of Earth Juice “Grow” will add a needed boost to all seedlings and early sprouts. If you run into disease problem try the organic “Serenade” or bugs “Spinosad” and all should be well! If you take the time to build a “Sturdy” wood trellis on the NORTH end of your raised bed you will be able to train and grow the ramblings of cucumber, watermelon, squash, and the likes.

            Lots of sun, drip irrigation, and a little patience and you are off and running…. Happy Gardening…. Doug

     Redmond Greenhouse, in celebration of Earth Week and Arbor day will be giving away FREE seedling Ash trees……… and don’t forget to bring in your kids……… we will share with them how to plant and how to care for them………… Happy Wednesday…………. Doug

     We will offer these trees until they are all gone………    Redmond Greenhouse…. Proudly serving local gardeners and landscapers since the 1950’s………….   Thanks for supporting this family owned business

     New ones to watch for: Sweet Pea “Villa Roma Scarlet” and Zinnia “Double Zahara Fire”. Both are Fleuroselect’s choices for 2010 Gold Medal winners. This is the first sweet pea to ever gain this recognition and we all (or should) know there is nothing like a spring blooming sweet pea. The Zinnia is a shorter growing variety but it is DISEASE RESISTANT…. Dang. Powdery mildew is always such a problem when growing this non stop summer flowering annuals.

     Redmond Greenhouse will do all it can to obtain these GREAT plants for local gardens.

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 water-feature 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 you sow your seeds outside remember to cover them ever so slightly with a special “Seed Starting” soil, washed river sand, or a fine milled garden compost. This practice will make a HUGE difference in your germination rate..

     If you are starting seeds inside your home try using a heat mat, plastic humidily dome, and special seed starting soil versus regular potting soil. As soon as they germinate move them to bright light and cool temperatures. Brush your hand over the seedlings daily to help strengthen the main stem. A GOOD grow light will make all the difference in the world…….. At Redmond Greenhouse you will find the new energy efficient LED lights….. Happy Early Spring Gardening….. Doug

     What a wonderful pick for the herb of the year. The many uses of this herb is as extensive as your culinary imagination…. Easy to grow in a sunny location this fantastic plant should find its way into you life and into your garden. Best grown in a garden bed it offers a wonderful backdrop due to its height. In the salad or in the dressing this lacy herb will add great zippiness to your crunch salad. The mainstay in many pickle recipes as well as countless other dishes the herb “Dill” is a dandy. Redmond greenhouse will make sure we have ample seed and garden starts to satisfy local gardeners………… happy March…… Doug

     As November fades from the yearly calendar many of you will begin thinking about the traditional centerpiece of the Christmas season, The tree. As in past years Redmond Greenhouse will be presenting to you a host of “living” trees for your selection. From small tabletops to larger specimans we hope you will find the perfect tree for your home. There has been an increase in interest in living trees  as folks look for ways to make better spending choices. I know of folks who use the same tree year after year. They simply use the tree for the season and then return it to the patio for the remainder of the season.

     The choices you will have will include the most popular Colorado Spruce along with a few assorted Pines. As more kids get involved with gardening we have made sure to increase our inventory of smaller one gallon trees plus a special selection of “garden-start” trees all dressed up in a traditional Terra Cotta pot complete with bows and  keepsake ornaments….. Happy Holidays!!!!

     We also like to suggest using living evergreens such as Holly, Mugho Pines, and Pieris for indoor greens and decor. Simply wrap the nursery pot with decorative florist cello or rustic burlap to conceal the pop….. zippo………. you are looking great and going with “growing green”. For your table you might just plant up a low decorative planter bowl with succulents, ivy, and Christmas cactus, add a couple of long taper candles and again you are “going green” with your table centerpiece.            As you can see the possibilities are endless…. This is what I call “Getting out of the rut”…… Happy end of November….. Doug

     Just in case you are all wrapped up in other important things…. Don’t forget to get your garlic planted. We thought we were out, but then we were able to get another shipment in. Fall is the time to plant these wonderful little garden gems and our selection is pretty darn good. Many of you have found out how easy it is to grow and how GREAT the results can be not to mention the money that you can save. I was in a local market the other day and the shallots were at just under six bucks a pound…. ye ha dang!!!!! Someone just might want to start a small cottage business in raising and selling quality organic shallots.

     In other related garden news don’t forget to top-dress your empty garden beds with a generous application of “Cold Climate” organic fertilizer as well as at least three inches of compost. You still have time to plant a few “spring flowering” bulbs if you have not already done so. For those of you that have fruit trees DON”T forget to spray your fruit trees with dormant spray. In my opinion this is BEST preventative you can do to guard against overwintering insects and disease.

     Meanwhile back at the ranch I have been able to get away a few times to enjoy life up at our cabin on the north slope of the Steens Mt. Talk about ye haw dang…………… it has been SPECTACULAR!  On other unrelated items my back continues to mend and I am very optimistic about the surgery they did. I just hope I will respect my body just a little bit better and not tear things up.

     Well that is about all for now……….. I will try to be a little bit more attentive to posting info as we head into the late fall early winter season. Hope you had a good season…. Enjoy the weather each and every day……   Try making a homemade soup and a loaf of fresh bread….. Now we are realy living the good life….. Happy November… 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