Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Pollinating with Pat & John
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Easy Fill
Friday, March 26, 2010
Early tomatoes
You know where to bring them Jim if you have to many.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Black Roses
Try to contain yourself from doing any heavy pruning just yet. We recommend that you do not begin that until Mid-April in our area. When you do get the pruners out, you will possibly be taking your roses back to 3-5 main canes. If you just need to be doing something to your roses bushes right now, get some good aphid controls going. I made the attempt to spray mine today with Dr. Earth Rose & Flower. It is a 100% organic spray made from cinnamon, clove, garlic and rosemary oil. Not only does it smell wonderful, but it will cover any overwintering eggs and suffocate them so they don’t hatch. Turns out you can't hook it up to a hose that has a bent connection on it though......so it's off to the store for a new hose later today. While you are at it, check under your mulch. Hopefully you will find 100’s of these little guys under there also, as I did.
Today I did what most nursery people do on their days off, spent it in my own garden. The sun shining, the birds singing......all is well in my world. Have a great week, Susan
Upcoming Rose Pruning Classes @ The Flower Tree:
Saturday, April 10th, 11am
Sunday, April 11th, 1pm
Thursday, April 16th, 1pm
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Springs Arrival
Monday, March 15, 2010
Think Green #3 / Compost 101
Then it was on to building some compost bins. Paul uses a variety of systems in his own yard, and one very effective one for him is the rolled bin. He discussed the benefits, including the low cost, and set about putting a few together. (We purchased a roll of this wiring at our local Ace Hardware -Louie's for 33.00 including tax. It made 6 cages)
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Harriet's Version
No way, I'm not staying in any box that had rhubarb in it. Those red things make my skin crawl. I'm getting outta here.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
As promised....
http://www.flowertreenursery.com/pruningbasics.html
Now get out there and play in the dirt! Susan
Monday, March 1, 2010
Pruning with Jay 2010
Why to prune:
Physically control (manage & enhance) plant growth and development
Change shape of a plant
Improve plant health
Remove hazards
Increase fruit production
Etc. etc. etc. (Have a reason to prune)
Four Rules for Successful Pruning Cuts:
1) Never leave a stub
2) When “heading back always cut to an outside facing bud or branch
3) When “thinning” cut just outside the branch collar
4) Do not paint or seal pruning cut
Useful Web Sites for Pruning
Fruit Trees
http://ianrpubs.unl.edu/horticulture/ec1233.pdf
Evergreens
http://csfs.colostate.ede/library/pdfs/pruning/pruning_evergreens.pdf
Shade Trees
http://www.na.fs.fed.us/Spfo/pubs/howtos/ht_prune/harm.htm
Shrubs
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PM1958.pdf
Roses
http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/roses/prune.html
Thanks again Jay! As always, your class was a fun learning experience.