The Greenery Nursery & Garden Shop
May 08
Now that hydrangeas are beginning to bloom, I wanted talk a little about bloom color. You probably already know that hydrangeas are available in different tones of pink, blue and pure white. Did you know that the color of the bloom is solely based on the pH of the soil?
A more acidic soil will produce [...] [...more]
Now that hydrangeas are beginning to bloom, I wanted talk a little about bloom color. You probably already know that hydrangeas are available in different tones of pink, blue and pure white. Did you know that the color of the bloom is solely based on the pH of the soil?
A more acidic soil will produce blue flowers while alkaline soils will produce pink flowers. Unless you have a reblooming hydrangea like Endless Summer or Twist n Shout, then it is too late to change the color for this year’s bloom. Althought, white hydrangeas are white and the color is not effected by soil pH at all. You will notice any hydrangea turn pinkish purple then greenish white if they are left on after prime bloom. This is just part of the aging process and can be quite pretty!
The Original Endless Summer Hydrangea
If you have one of these newer (and very popular!) varieties you can lower the pH of the soil to create blue flowers by using Aluminum Sulfate now or if you prefer an organic, Cottonseed Meal. If you want to make pink (or pinker) flowers you can apply Triple SuperPhosphate now. However, we typically don’t need to make our soils more alkaline, our climate and soils here in the Valley are naturally that way.
If you have the common type of hydrangea that only blooms once per year then make a note in your calendar for next March to begin applying the Aluminum Sulfate or Triple SuperPhosphate to your soil.
I hope this post has helped answer any questions. If you have any more questions, just ask!
Happy Blooming!
-Adria
May 06
Do you have a favorite butterfly and/or hummingbird plant? A co-worker asked me to name just one. This was just a few hours after hosting 2 seminars at The Greenery. They were both about new plants. I had just been thinking “Too many plants, so little yard…”. So being put on the spot to name [...] [...more]
Do you have a favorite butterfly and/or hummingbird plant? A co-worker asked me to name just one. This was just a few hours after hosting 2 seminars at The Greenery. They were both about new plants. I had just been thinking “Too many plants, so little yard…”. So being put on the spot to name ONE favorite plant was difficult! When my co-worker narrowed it down to a hummingbird and butterfly plant then I was able to name five:
Oranges and Lemons Gaillardia
Oranges & Lemons Gaillardia in my yard with Mystic Spires Salvia
This is a wonderful perennial that begins to bloom as the days get warmer and reblooms all summer long. it can reseed but will revert to the common blanketflower. I just love the color of the Oranges and Lemons so much better. It loves sun and tolerates drier soils once it becomes established.
Hummingbird Sage
This Hummingbird Salvia is annual but is a nectar rich rebloomer. It reseeds readily but is not weedy. Blooms best in full sun but still does moderately well in 4-6 hours of sun. It is available in red, white and coral colors.
Rudbeckia aka. Black Eyed Susan
Irish Eyes Rudbeckia in my yard with Bee Sage
This is another great perennial. Butterflies love it. There are several new varieties out there as well including the very cool, Irish Eyes which has a green center instead of blackish-brown! This is another sun loving perennials that tolerates drier conditions once established.
Brazilian Verbena Verbenia bonariensis
This is an annual the readily reseeds (almost weedy!) However the definition of a weed is “a plant out of place” so anything could be a weed. I’m defending the term because I don’t think this is a weed. If it reseeds to somewhere I don’t want I just pull it our transplant it. Can you tell I really like this plant? This is a tall but “see through” plant. The flower are abundant but in small clusters at the apex of every stem. The leaves are fewer, small and narrow which attributes the translucent look to this plant. It is nectar rich and loved by hummingbirds and butterflies alike. Butterfly caterpillars will even feed on the leaves if you have a large enough grouping of the plants. Best in minimal 4-6 hours of sun or more. I like to pinch it back regularly in it’s youth to make it fill out. I have only seen this plant at The Greenery in seeds but is very easy to grow from seed. Is very drought tolerant even in it’s youth.
By the time I finished listing my fourth plant to my co-worker, I knew what my favorite was: and last but not least, my ultimate favorite hummingbird and butterfly plant….
Catmint
My Catmint, last summer, after being in a pot for at least 2 years.
Catmint is my all time favorite hummingbird and butterfly plant because it is such a great plant all the way around. It is a perennial so it dies to the ground in the winter. It will bloom all summer long, loves heat sun and tolerates dry conditions very well. Believe me, if I can keep something in a pot for over 3 years, that means they are really tough! Of course hummingbird and butterflies love it!
I hope I might have inspired you to try one of these plants. I would also like to hear what is your favorite hummingbird and butterfly plant, (or top 5).
Happy Growing!
-Adria
Apr 29
We all have them, that one (or more!) that you really want to grow but haven’t. Maybe it’s the thought that it is too hard to grow. Are you afraid of failure? Maybe it’s the cost of the plant. Maybe you don’t have the space where you live. Let’s exclude plants that in no way [...] [...more]
We all have them, that one (or more!) that you really want to grow but haven’t. Maybe it’s the thought that it is too hard to grow. Are you afraid of failure? Maybe it’s the cost of the plant. Maybe you don’t have the space where you live. Let’s exclude plants that in no way could grow where you live. How do you know? Ask me!
What would help you to give that plant a try?
Let me know…I’m curious.
-Adria
Apr 23
We are having tricky weather, here in Calfornia’s Central Valley. This weekend was in the mid-90’s but now they are forecasting rain and upper 60’s for a day or two this week followed by 80’s. At this point most of us are planting or have planted our gardens by now. The wild swings in temperature [...] [...more]
We are having tricky weather, here in Calfornia’s Central Valley. This weekend was in the mid-90’s but now they are forecasting rain and upper 60’s for a day or two this week followed by 80’s. At this point most of us are planting or have planted our gardens by now. The wild swings in temperature can wreak havoc on our tender plants as well as encourage hoards of insects!
New Plantings and Tomatoes
New plantings need to be kept moist but not soggy for the first few weeks. TOMATOES are an exception. Don’t be afraid to keep them slightly moist during the first week or two but as soon as it starts flowering then back off on the frequency of watering. Tomatoes need to be stressed in order to set fruit. So if every year you grow lush, gorgeous tomato plants but little or no fruit then this could be the reason! I only water my tomatoes when they begin to wilt. Due to the swings in temperature and periods of rain we have had and may still have, this means you will need to check your new plantings, daily.
When vegetables wilt
When vegetables wilt they typically need water, like any other plant. However, pay attention to the time of day they are wilting. In our long, hot days plants, especially those with larger leaves like Squash, Zucchini, Pumpkins, Melons will wilt in the afternoon on the hottest days. This does not mean they need water. If they are still wilting by the time the sun begins to set then they DO need water. If they have perked up by then, then they DON’T. What happens is that plants always transpire (sweat), when it is really hot plants transpire faster than they can take up water, even if the soil is moist. This causes wilting. Does that make sense?
Extra water won’t hurt…FALSE!
You may be thinking, well I’ll just give them a drink in case they need it. This is not a good idea. Keeping the soil too moist, especially on vegetables, can cause root rot or blossom end rot. You may also see blossom end rot on Tomatoes early in the season. This can be cause by a number of issues including overwatering or a lack of calcium. The Greenery carries topical sprays that can resolve one of these problems, if it is severe.
So to summarize, keep new plantings moist but not soggy. After the first few weeks only water when necessary and still water thoroughly. Watch for blossom end rot.
Happy Watering!
-Adria
Apr 23
Have you noticed the beetles are back?
Every spring we get Hoplia Beetles on white or light colored flowers. They can decimate flowers very quickly leaving them unsightly.
Unfortunately there is not much to do about these pests. A typical non-organic insecticide kills them but it has to come into direct contact with them. These beetles fly [...] [...more]
Have you noticed the beetles are back?
Every spring we get Hoplia Beetles on white or light colored flowers. They can decimate flowers very quickly leaving them unsightly.
Unfortunately there is not much to do about these pests. A typical non-organic insecticide kills them but it has to come into direct contact with them. These beetles fly in from other parts of the garden (or neighbor’s yards) so standing there all day, spraying is not an option. The best thing to do is hand pick and smash them as you find them. This is a perfect job for children, right along with smashing snails! You help to deter them by putting out a light or white bucket with a couple inches of water in the bottom, near the affected plants. They are drawn to light colors and will drown in the water.
If you have a large yard you might consider putting out Grub Control in March every year. These beetles over winter in the soil as grubs so the Grub control will kill them before they emerge. However this is not an organic product. If you live in the city you would have to convince your neighbors to apply it as well otherwise they will just fly in from their yard!
So unfortunately this is a pest we just have to deal with for the next few weeks, then they will be gone for another year.
Happy Picking!
-Adria
Apr 20
We have finally reached consistent warm weather! Hooray! Now the watering begins. Proper watering is one of the keys to healthy plants. I will touch on basic tips but if you have any questions about your particular situation please ask!
Watering depends on a number of different factors: temperature, wind, soil, type of plant to name [...] [...more]
We have finally reached consistent warm weather! Hooray! Now the watering begins. Proper watering is one of the keys to healthy plants. I will touch on basic tips but if you have any questions about your particular situation please ask!
Watering depends on a number of different factors: temperature, wind, soil, type of plant to name a few. The weather forecast for the next ten days ranges from low 90’s to mid- 70’s for our area. Wide swings in temperature make it difficult to regulate water, especially if you rely on automatic sprinkler systems.
Check irrigation systems
The first thing to do is flush your irrigation systems. Do this by removing the farthest sprinkler head or drip emitter, then turn on your system for a minute or so. This flushes any dirt, debris or insects that may have settled in there during the winter. Doing this helps prevent plugged sprinklers or drip emitters! Make sure to replace the sprinkler head!
Next turn on your system and run it long enough for you to check to make sure each sprinkler head or drip emitter is working properly. Slow running or clogged sprinklers or emitters will kill plants since they aren’t doing their job of delivering water! Also check for leaks in the line or sprinklers to improve efficiency and reduce wasted water.
It is also important to make sure you are running your irrigation system the the proper length of time and frequency. For more on this topic see my post How long to run your irrigation systems.
New plantings, check frequently
When you plant a new tree, shrub, vegetable or flower it will need to be checked for water everyday if not twice a day as the days get warmer. Don’t worry this period of higher maintenance doesn’t last for more than a couple weeks. It is important to keep the rootball of the plant moist until it develops new roots that reach into the soil to absorb more water. Once the plant becomes more established it can find moisture in the soil much easier. Please do not leave sprinkler systems to baby sit new plantings. You may have established plants and new plants on the same irrigation system but their water needs are much different. So some hand watering may be in order until the new plants catch up.
Keep in mind that annuals and perennials will become established much faster than trees or shrubs. Trees and shrubs can take as long as 18 months or more before they are considered established. However the frequency of water needed will progressively reduce with age.
Get a Moisture Meter!
If you aren’t sure about watering, pick up a moisture meter. This is an inexpensive probe that instantly tells you if a plant needs water or not. It’s a great tool to have.
I hope this has made you aware of the increased water needs now that the temperature is climbing and we are busy planting in our yards. As I have said, if you have any questions, please ask!
Happy Watering!
-Adria
Apr 20
It is important to determine proper length of time to run your system and how often to run it. Doing so will encourage healthy plants that can withstand periods of heat and drought as well as save water.
Check irrigation timer
Now check your irrigation timer (if you have one) to see how long and often it [...] [...more]
It is important to determine proper length of time to run your system and how often to run it. Doing so will encourage healthy plants that can withstand periods of heat and drought as well as save water.
Check irrigation timer
Now check your irrigation timer (if you have one) to see how long and often it is running. Unless you have new lawn seed, sod or brand new bedding plants you should not have to water ANYTHING more than once a day, with the exception of containers but that’s a whole different topic! Even then new bedding plants should be fine with one thorough watering per day for the first week or two. If you have new lawn seed or sod you should have been given instructions on watering and care. If you weren’t, call or drop by the nursery and ask for them.
Watering established plants
Established plants (trees, shrubs and perennials) should need no more than 3 thorough waterings per week. Trees can be watered even less frequently if established and watered properly. We recommend watering established trees with a hose on a slow trickle for 12 to 24 hours but only repeat once a week or less. Doing this encourages a deep root system which will withstand dry spells or occasional missed waterings far better than trees who have been watered solely with lawn sprinklers. Make sure your sprinklers or drip systems are running for the proper amount of time to apply the proper amount of water to each plant. Sprinklers are rated at inches/per hour or 1/4 hour and drip emitters are typically rated at gallons per hour. If you don’t know what your sprinklers or drip emitters are rated for then here’s a way to figure it out.
Determining Sprinkler Output
For sprinklers (typically for irrigating lawns), collect several straight sided containers (cat food or tuna cans work best) and disburse them where the sprinklers will water. Next run the sprinklers for 15 minutes. After running the sprinklers, use a ruler to determine how many inches of water are in each container, add these totals together and divide by the number of containers you used. Now multiply that number by 4. This number tell you how many inches of water per hour your sprinklers apply. The next step is to determine how many inches of water per week or watering you need to apply. This is based on the type of lawn you have, type of soil you have and sun exposure. Once you know how much your sprinklers put out and how much you need to apply then do the math to determine how long to run your sprinklers each time. For this information please read on here. If you need individual assistance with this, we can help you as well, just call or drop by the nursery.
Determining Drip Emitter Output
For drip emitters the process of determining how much water is applied is much simpler. Find a container in which you know the size of (a 1 gallon watering can, quart jar, etc.) Now place the emitter in the container then run the drip line for 15 minutes. Check to see how much water is in the container and multiply by 4. That is how much is applied per hour. Drip emitters can be as little as 1/4 gallon per hour or up to 4 or more gallons per hour.
Watering rule of thumb
A general rule of thumb for watering, we recommend the size of container is how many gallons each plant needs at each watering. So if you have purchased a #5 shrub or tree, it will need 3-5 gallons of water at each watering and just to begin with. As the tree or shrub gets older it will need more per watering but less frequently than at first. So keep that in mind when you are determining how long to run your drip system. If your drip emitters put out 1/4 gallon per hour and you have a #5 shrub, then you will need to run it for 10 hours in order to apply enough water.
For more on this topic check out our FREE handout Analyzing Your Sprinkler System. As always you can ask for more information on your particular situation.
Happy Analyzing!
-Adria
Apr 16
Now that the weather is finally consistently warm we are in the height of vegetable planting season. I was thinking last night, why do I work so hard on this? Why is it so important to me? Some think I’m crazy growing and preserving as much as I do. When I used the last of [...] [...more]
Now that the weather is finally consistently warm we are in the height of vegetable planting season. I was thinking last night, why do I work so hard on this? Why is it so important to me? Some think I’m crazy growing and preserving as much as I do. When I used the last of my homemade tomato sauce from last season I really did have a panic attack. Many of my friends didn’t understand and just suggested I buy some. Yes, I could but homegrown, homemade tomato sauce is important to me and really easy! So I have yet to buy tomato sauce…
Here are some more of my thoughts. I hope they might enlighten you if you don’t already relate…
Ease my budget
One of the reasons I grow so many of my own vegetables (I want to grow more fruit, but haven’t yet), is to save money. When you spend $1.99 on a packet of seeds or $3.25 for a 6pack of vegetables, you will no doubt reap a ton of savings! This year I’m tracking what I spend for each crop as well as what it will yield, just to prove this! You can also see my blog on washing your own lettuce…
Ease my mind
One of the things that concerns me is the serious contamination problems that have occurred in the recent years. I’m talking about salmonella and many more. If you have ever visited this site, FDA , it is scary how much food gets recalled each week! I can’t help but wonder if many of the “new, improved” foods or processes we have developed are actually more harmful than good. Decades ago food was made fresh everyday, for every meal. Of course life was much simpler then and both parents didn’t typically work outside the home or even hold more than one job. I think it’s time to go back to our roots. I am excited about all the different homesteading, home grown or at least local/organically grown produce. One site I am excited about is Kitchen Gardener’s International. Check it out, let me know what you think!
I like to grow what I reasonably can because I know where it came from, what was applied to it, how it was handled etc. Now I am not saying to grow EVERYTHING because that is unreasonable. However, pick a few things (vegetables, herbs or fruit) that you really like or use a lot of and grow it. Even if you haven’t grown it before, just try it! Is there a certain plant you would like me to elaborate about how to grow? Let me know! Leave a comment!
I also am taking advantage of California’s fabulous climate and soil. California has one of the richest soils and grows the most diverse crops in the world. Why not grow some in your own backyard? You can also check out your local fruit stand or farmers market as well! Turlock Farmers Market starts May 4th!!
So there are some of my thoughts on this subject. Do you relate? What do you prefer to grow and never buy? What will you grow this year that you haven’t before? Let me know, I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Happy Commenting!
-Adria
Apr 10
I wanted to talk about a few different terms that have been very popular in the media lately. These often seemed to be confused and lumped together.
Organic
Organic can be defined many different ways depending on how you are using the term. To the typical consumer or home gardener “organic” is with out synthetic pesticides or [...] [...more]
I wanted to talk about a few different terms that have been very popular in the media lately. These often seemed to be confused and lumped together.
Organic
Organic can be defined many different ways depending on how you are using the term. To the typical consumer or home gardener “organic” is with out synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. There are many different ways a product can be certified as organic. If you are looking at an insecticide an OMRI label is one way to know that is is organic and safe to use in your organic garden. OMRI stands for Organic Materials Review Institute. This is a non-profit organization that reviews products that someone applies to them for review. If the product passes it will carry the OMRI label. There are other certification programs. This is the most common.
Heirloom
Heirloom is defined as a plant that is true to seed. These plants have not been hybrized but the genes are pure and have been passed down through generations. This is why it is called heirloom. If you are a seed collector you need to be aware of what is an heirloom and what is not. Heirlooms will produce seed that can be replanted and will be just like the parent plant. Hybrids will not. If you collect seeds from a hybrized plant you really don’t know what you will get once the seed germinates. It could be similar or it could be completely different than the parent plant!
GMO
GMO has been very popular in the media lately. The legal battle going on between Monsanto and farmers is definitely exposing this topic even more. GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organism. Companies like Monsanto are actually changing the DNA of plants (and other organisms) to “improve” them. For instance they have added a gene to certain agricultural crops like alfalfa or hay to make them resistant to herbicides. This helps the non-organic farmer by allowing them to spray a weed killer in there fields without hurting their crop. They are also using this technique to breed insect resistant crops as well, which in turn benefits the non-organic farmer. Unfortunately this is backfiring. These crops are cross-pollinating with the weeds and breeding insect or weed killer resistant weeds! How they are going to solve that problem, who knows!
I know that you will not find any GMO plants or seeds in The Greenery. These methods are generally being used for agriculture at this point.
So I hope this helps clarify some of these terms for you. If you have any questions or comments, I’d love to hear them!
Happy Defining!
-Adria
Apr 10
I just ran across this app Birdseye.
It is an app for iPhone and Android. You can use this app to instantly upload your sightings to your eBird account! That sounds great for those of you, like me, who almost always have their smartphone handy. The app costs $9.99 so I’m not sure I’m gonna buy [...] [...more]
I just ran across this app Birdseye.
It is an app for iPhone and Android. You can use this app to instantly upload your sightings to your eBird account! That sounds great for those of you, like me, who almost always have their smartphone handy. The app costs $9.99 so I’m not sure I’m gonna buy it right now, maybe when I have a little more spending money…
I thought others might be interested in it as well so I wanted to share. As I said, I haven’t purchased it yet but will probably in the future. Let me know if you have or when you do and what you think!
Happy Smartphone Birding!
-Adria
