MONTHLY PHOTOS      

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SEASONAL TIPS

See Archives ‘02, ‘03 for more valuable info. I liked last years!

Summer is here. The world is in ‘peak' bloom. The Nursery is definitely worth a field trip with family and friends. Everything is lush and beautiful.

It's not too late for you procrastinators - Beautiful Nursery Stock is still available - Swing on by and have us plant up a custom herb basket or flower pot for summer color.

We are more than happy to plant trees and shrubs at your house too!
Create a little shade today.

Freshen up flower pots that may have ‘burned out' a bit. Stock, Pansy and Viola do the best in cooler temperatures - Now, pull them out, plant ‘em in the ground and add some "HOT" summer color to your arrangements!

Lucky Again - on the spring frost sequence - Lots of plant covering for us but . . . no super hard killing frosts this year. Take notice of all the fruit and berry bounty. Use Organic or short term insecticides to protect your harvest from pesky bugs.

Don't forget to fertilize your Proven Winner and Proven Select flowers at least once a week to maximize beauty. They can't do it themselves, it's your job!

Peony, Iris and Oriental Poppy - Banner year for them. I've never seen such a perfect blooming spring for these varieties! (The bulbs fared well ‘toolip'.)

Warm weather, actively growing weeds - Now is the best time to spray all selective and non-selective herbicides - Round-up, Killzall, Weed it II, Grass Killer, Crabgrass Killer, etc. For a more effective kill, use the chemical cocktail with Soil Acidifier, Sticker and Fertilizer.

After you are satisfied with your weed elimination, plant the area and use a pre-emergent for a season to discourage any new weed seed from germinating.

Try not to mow more than 1/3 of your grass blade to maintain a healthier lawn!

We have been blessed with the most perfect spring and early summer weather in many years... take advantage of a good growing season.

     INSIDE THE GREENHOUSE

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MONTHLY SPECIALS

In-house Aspen Special:1-1½" caliper Aspen Now Only $55.00 each when you buy 3 or more! (Normally $65.00 to $85.00 each)

Huge selection of hardy shrub and heirloom roses. 5 gallon, buy 2 and get a third one for half price!

Advertised Specials on:                            Clump Aspen
Clump Canada Red Cherry
Flowering Crabapple
20% off - this is unheard of! Awesome plants, unbeatable prices.

Growers Bounty - Beautiful Annuals at a reduced price due to the dog and cat days of summer!

ORGANIC LESSONS

Let's just say it one more time, a different way. Most of the problems we encounter with plants at this elevation are due to environmental stress. We all know that we cannot change Mother Nature but, we can make our plants stronger and more able to withstand the ravages of wind, soil ‘situations’, fluctuating temperatures and life in general by supplementing our gardens, berms and lawns with nutrition - Fertilizer Specifically!

Now, let's add another element. We are already dealing with a weak Balance of nature. If we constantly feed our plants chemical fertilizers, we will make them completely dependent on the chemical as a source for nutrients by killing the micro-organisms in the soil. Of course, we do not want this to happen. I am not chemist and consequently do not understand the science of soil so, I cannot explain this as intricately as it actually is. . .

By incorporating Natural, Organic Based Fertilizers into your ‘feeding' schedule, you can strengthen your plants without weakening your soil.
This is Good. 

MONTHLY ARTICLE

Water Saving Tidbit - Drip System vs. Rotor Sprinkler Systems

Over and over we are acknowledging the advantages of Drip vs. Rotor and following are some interesting calculations to confirm the hypothesis.

Many of our customers have switched to drip and found the watering ritual to be much more accurate - less moisture lost to evaporation and wind factors; more absorption into the soil - where we want it.

We have also had specific instances where customers living in high-wind areas have noticed a definitely higher mortality rate on Trees and Shrubs in their non-dripped areas compared to their drip system areas. This is enough evidence to convince us that the expense of a Drip System is not an issue. You can't afford not to Drip if you want to avoid costly tree replacement!

NEVER, EVER water Trees and Shrubs Daily.... Sometimes a couple of times per week, but more likely once every week or week and a half – once established. You must interact with your system - water needs change throughout the growing season and throughout a yard's lifecycle.

Kevin Pickens, our Sprinkler Division Manager has made some very interesting calculations below! You can contact him at kevin@parkcitynursery.com.

Example 1: 3685 Sq. Ft.

Rain Bird R-50 Rotor Sprinkler:                                        30 gallons/min. x 35 min./day = 1,050 gallons/day    times 15 days/month = 15,750 gallons/month               for 6 months = 94,500 gallons/year.

Netafim Techline Drip System:                                        25 gallons/min. x 15 min./day = 375gallons/day        times 30 days/month = 11,250 gallons/month               for 6 months = 67,500 gallons/year.

A difference of 27,000 gallons/year or 71%

Example 2: 2700 Sq. Ft.

Rain Bird 1804 Spray Heads:                                            45 gallons/min. x 20 min./day = 900 gallons/day       times 15 days/month = 13,500 gallons/month               for 6 months = 81,500 gallons/year.

Netafim Techline Drip System:                                        18 gallons/min. x 15 min./day = 270 gallons/day       times 30 days/month = 8,100 gallons/month                 for 6 months = 48,600 gallons/year.

A difference of 32,400 gallons/year or 60%

Example 3: 900 Sq. Ft. of  Sod

Spray Heads:                                                                     15 gallons/min. x 20 min./day = 300 gallons/day       times 15 days/month = 4,500 gallons/month                 for 6 months = 27,000 gallons/year.

Rotors:                                                                                8 gallons/min. x 35 min./day = 280 gallons/day         times 15 days/month = 4,200 gallons/month                 for 6 months = 25,200 gallons/year.

Netafim Techline Drip System:                                          6 gallons/min. x 15 min./day = 90 gallons/day           times 30 days/month = 2,700 gallons/month                 for 6 months = 16,200 gallons/year.

Drip vs. Spray: difference of 10,800 gallons/year or 60%

Drip vs. Rotors: difference of 9,000 gallons/year or 64%

PLANT OF THE MONTH

Lightning Bolt Aspen

Populus tremuloides ‘Lightning Bolt' - Zone 2
 

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The Lightning Bolt Aspen is a new cultivar of the ‘old fashioned', hardy, seed grown Aspen.

It was hand selected in North Idaho by our grower for its unusual Lightning bolt branching habit.

It is a nice change from a regular Aspen and a perfect answer for someone who lives in a harsh climate (like ours) and wants a tree with an ornamental shape -

It Can go where many Crabapples Cannot!

SYMPTOM: You have holes in your Aspen or other trees that look like they are bleeding -usually there is a little pile of sawdust too!

COMMENT: Borers.... yuck, but not impossible to get rid of. You can apply several different products directly to the trunk and spray around the base of the tree: Sevin, Carbaryl, Permethrin (brand name Garden, Pet and Livestock). These can be ‘injected' into the tree with a syringe, and also sprayed on the trunk and in the soil at the base of the tree. These products are relatively safe for chemicals and very short lasting. They need to be re-applied several times throughout the season to ensure effectiveness.

There is another product by Bayer containing Merit. It is a Systemic Insecticide. You apply it around the base of the tree. It takes about three weeks to work its way up into the tree from the roots. It lasts for one year. Although it is relatively ‘expensive' per application, it is cheaper than buying a new tree

 It is also effective for ‘Tip Weavil!' Put it down in April, 2005.

SYMPTOM: Still don't know how much water to use?

COMMENT: This is a very real problem. Plants don't talk, they show signs of water stress but, it can look the same for too much and not enough. No one can really predict the natural moisture. The retaining capacity of our clay-like soil is incredible and needs to be monitored constantly. Moisture Meters and a shovel are still your best tools - fingers work well too!

See Trouble Shooting July 2003, for specific water requirements on Spruce, shade trees, and shrubs. Remember, New plants, especially Potentilla have a very high water requirement because they have not yet established a good root system. Honor this need.

SYMPTOM: Squirrels. This year, there are more than ever. What can you do?

COMMENT: Spray “Dog-Gon it" Repellex . . . Daily! Live Trapping does work - Friends of the Animals and the County will supply traps for free with a deposit. But, it is a constant battle and you have to decide whether or not it’s worth fighting. Apparently prefer Annuals and Potted Pretties. The babies appear to be the main culprit. The fatter ones go for sunflower seed. Try to avoid squirrel reproduction on your premises. They are drawn to bird feeders and that's where the problem seems to start.