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Hello to all and welcome to our September 1, 2010 newsletter and garden tips. Man do we have a lot going on at the nursery right now so I'll do my best to fill you in but first a little update on our latest little getaway last week. We did get away for 2 nights at our newly discovered "favorite" little waterfront hotel the Bay Club on San Diego Bay (http://bayclubhotel.com). They are literally right next door to the performance pavilion at Humphrey's by the Bay where we had tickets to see A Prairie Home Companion featuring Garrison Keillor (the long running NPR radio show) that I so love. I knew of Garrison Keiller & his Lake Wobegon stories ages before moving to the USA – he was a very frequent guest on the BBC (you know – one of the 3 channels you received over there back then). The show was fun, the venue was fun and we are already planning to go see it next year – can't beat staying right next door as we went to dinner (with adult libation) and were able to stroll over to the show. But the biggest news of the night was Dave staying awake for the WHOLE show AND I even caught him singing along a few times (told him to keep his day job as I don't see American Idol banging on the door anytime soon. The next day it was golf at Coronado Golf Course (hard to get tee times – a visually nice but pretty mundane course according to this "scratch" golfers expert analysis) and over to Peohe's for an early dinner. I'll always recommend the Coronado Golf Course because of the views but Peohe's was a bit disappointing - views were "to die for" but the service was at the very best disappointing and the food was somewhat average. I will however recommend our breakfast/brunch place the next day – the Red Sails in Coronado (www.theredsails.com/) – just a great, old Coronado tradition. I let Dave talk me into the Fish & Chips and I have to agree with him – haven't had better anywhere in SoCal and very few were as good back in the old stomping grounds of Glasgow. The wrap up for us was a Wednesday afternoon "….where the turf meets the surf…." (Del Mar Race Track) for our once yearly drubbing (I mean betting). I had my $16.00 dollar budget set aside and after the eight races were concluded I was not weighted down with any additional funds to have to tote around (or any of the original budget for that matter). Dave on the other hand actually left with $4.20 cents more than he started with – I think. I swear he bets every horse in every race and am baffled how he keeps track of all those little pieces of paper. I'm half of the belief that he puts $4.20 in his back pocket before the races start so he can make it magically appear as we walk out and claim his hugely successful day at the track.
As I mentioned – lots going on at the nursery these days. As most of you know we opened up our new Gift Shop at the entryway a few months back and We now have the Secret Garden (including the "Old Gift Shop") almost fully renovated and looking nice. The old gift shop is going to be taking on it's new life as our Seasonal Clearance Area (Dave keeps wanting to call it "Half Price Heaven" – thankfully I can outvote him somehow) but the bargains and savings are going to be substantial. We are also relocating out Hydroponic Gardening setup and are planning to use it to help educate and introduce hydroponic gardening to our nursery friends. Dave thinks he will have it all done in time for this Labor Day weekend which gives him the balance of today and all of tomorrow so I'm betting on him this time. Good way for me to segue to –
NOTE: Nursery will be open on Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 6th) – may close at 4:00 PM depending on how many true gardeners are still hanging in with us at that time.
FOR SD6 Rewards Members (you know who you are):
"SD6 Rewards Members, enter the code HOUSEPLANTS to earn 10 extra rewards points!"
Okay – we are firmly entrenched on Facebook now and are gathering friends there: Here is the link to join us on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Andersons-La-Costa-Nursery/136652703034185?v=page_getting_started
We will be using Facebook in a variety of ways including disseminating helpful and timely garden tips, announcing spur of the moment specials and some fun contests. Don't miss out – I think it will be a ton of fun.
Let's get to gardening, unless-
You'd like to jump straight to our online store and see what Dave has put on special click the link below:
http://andersonslacostanursery.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=19
Or visit our home page at:
http://andersonslacostanursery.com/index.php
Regards from,
Una, Dave and the Anderson's La Costa Nursery Team
Anderson's La Costa Nursery
400 La Costa Ave.
Encinitas, CA 92024
Ph; 760-753-3153
Fax: 760-753-3263
www.andersonslacostanursery.com
This Issues "Email Specials":
--Get a full 20% off all fountains and garden statuary through mid-month.
--Take a look at our online offerings:
Store link: http://andersonslacostanursery.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=19
Specials link: http://andersonslacostanursery.com/index.php?main_page=specials
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---Want to consider having one of our certified garden design experts come to your house to assist in a design (or re-design) of your garden? We continue to book all available slots so if this interests you please come in or call for an appointment. Doing it right the first time can save a ton of grief (and money) so we'd be pleased to share our experience with you. More info: http://andersonslacostanursery.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=16
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September Dates to Remember:
--Sept. 6th – Labor Day (And the NFL Season Opens that weekend – Oh Joy, Oh Joy)
--Sept. 9th – Rosh Hashana
--Sept. 11th – Patriot Day
--Sept. 12th – Grandparents Day (according to Dave this should be a National Holiday since it is also the day that god awful American Football thing starts going again)
--Sept. 18th – Yom Kippur
--Sep.22nd – Autumnal Equinox
--Sept. 26th – Me & Dave and Willie Nelson at Harrah's Rincon (Willie will handle most of the singing though) – more info:
http://www.harrahsrincon.com/casinos/harrahs-rincon-san-diego/hotel-casino/property-home.shtml
--Del Mar Racetrack – meets held 5 days a week thru September 8th including big plans for the Labor Day weekend (we'll see you there). Click here for more info: http://www.dmtc.com/
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What's New at the Nursery:
We have a gorgeous Salvia display at the entry (and more in the Secret Garden). All attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
- Salvia 'Golden Girl' – Golden Yellow flowers
- Salvia 'Orchid Glow' – Purplish, magenta flowers.
- Salvia 'Shell Dancer'' – Hot rose and salmon pink flowers. All 3 of these Salvias are evergreen, compact getting only 18" tall – long bloom time and low water needs.
- Salvia microphylla 'pink' (SEE PHOTO BELOW). 2ft tall and 3.5 ft wide, evergreen, broad lipped bright pink flowers. Dense and spreading, blooms spring thru fall, low water needs.
- Salvia leucantha 'Mexican Bush Sage'. Gets 3 to 5ft tall. Velvety purple blooms, will stay more compact with pruning a couple of times a year.
- Russian Sage 'Perovskia' (SEE PHOTO BELOW), actually it's not a Salvia at all but is a woody sub-shrub with long panicles of lavender-blue flowers that become increasingly brilliant as they open. Gets 3 to 4ft tall and blooms summer thru fall. Prune back to about 6" in the spring, before new growth starts.
Also looking perfect with the Salvia display is Agastache 'Coronado Red'. Aromatic foliage – attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.
In the Secret Garden we have a beautiful Buddleia display – also loved by hummingbirds and butterflies.
- Buddleia podaras 'Lavender Nectar Bush' and 'Dark Pink Nectar Bush'. These are compact Buddleias getting on 1 to 2ft tall and 3 to 4ft across. They bloom from early summer till frost. Drought and heat tolerant.
- Buddleia 'Buzz White' (SEE PHOTO BELOW). Another dwarf Buddleia gets 2 to 2.5ft tall and wide. Also in purple/pink.
- Buddleia davidii 'Santana'. Gets 4 to 5ft tall and wide – has a variegated leaf.
Another beautiful plant near the Buddleias is Iochroma cyaneum 'Blue' – related to the Angel Trumpet tree and gets to 8ft tall. Hummingbirds love this one too.
A hint of fall is in the nursery this week….
- Cyclamen (SEE PHOTO BELOW). 2", 4", and 6" sizes, all the colors…keep them in a shady spot. They like to be fertilized regularly. When you plant them make sure the crown stays just above the soil.
- Ornamental Peppers (SEE PHOTO BELOW). Ornamental pepper plants are dwarf pepper plants with more colorful fruits and foliage than the standard hot pepper varieties. They are not for eating – look at only. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Will get to max size of 16" tall and wide.
In the Greenhouse – many fabulous and unusual plants:
- 6" Pitcher Plants – lots of fun for all – dangerous if you are a bug. Venus Flytraps too.
- Fragrant 6" and 8" Hoyas. The larger ones are in bloom. Hindu rope Hoyas too.
- Variegated white/green Split Leaf Philodendron – quite rare.
- Fresh Sensitive Plants (Mimosa pudica)
- Breynia 'Hawaiian Snowbush' – very full and exotic – a great indoor plant or for a protected shady area outdoors.
- Anthuriums in 4" pots – red, orange, white and pink – also in red 6" and 8" pots.
- Aloha Lily 'Child of Heaven', fragrant Eucomis
- Croton color is incredible – the new 'Zanzibar' variety has skinny leaves and is crazy looking.
- Large specimen Tillandsias – amazing flowers and unique colors. These air plants should be submerged in water every two weeks. Use water soluble Bromeliad fertilizer.
Epidendrums !! – in champagne, purple, brick red, peach and burnt orange. Epidendrum orchids are simply beautiful in tropical gardens and look stunning in large quantities by the patio or deck. They need bright light (OK in full sun here at the coast). Water and feed frequently.
New delivery of Staghorn Ferns. Here's a few of the varieties:
- Netherlands, Casa Aita, Hillii, Drummond, Lemonii.
Staghorn growing tips:
- Use liquid worm castings or seaweed extract as fertilizer
- Don't overwater – if the moss is still damp then wait….
- Keep in shade or very lightly filtered light.
- We have small bags of Chilean moss – the best for orchids and staghorn ferns.
New Seeds delivery – all the seeds have been replaced with the 2011 varieties – lots of new stuff !!
Make sure you plant Sweet Pea seeds now for Christmas blooms – make sure you use early bloom varieties
Back in the Secret Garden:
- Finally some more tasty Tomatoes – varieties good for the fall season – we have Siberian, Manitoba and Champion.
- Lots of tasty Herbs – Basils, Dill, Fennel, Oreganos, Thymes, Mints (a bunch of varieties).
- Cool season veggies starting to arrive too – Baby Pac Choi, Asparagus
- Red Russian Kale, Heirloom Salad Mix, Italian Gourmet Greens,
- Beets, Swiss Chard, Italian and Curled Parsley, Chamomile.
- Cat Grass and Catnip !!
- Bay Laurel in quart pots.
We have LOTS of Citrus and fruit trees:
- Meyer Lemons, Pineapple Guava, Kumquat, Blood Orange, Limes,
- Calamondin, Eureka Lemon, Persimmon, Washington Navel……and more.
Other interesting and cool new stuff….
- Thevetia peruviana 'Yellow Oleander' (SEE PHOTO BELOW) - An evergreen tropical shrub or small tree that bears long lasting yellow or orange-yellow, trumpet like flowers and its fruit is deep red/black in color encasing a large seed. Very low maintenance. Poisonous as is the Nerium Oleander. Sun or part shade, likes the heat, generally get 6 to 8ft tall. Looks very luxuriant and tropical.
- Bocconia frutescens (Tree Poppy) - A shrub from Central America, South America and the West Indies. It has odd wand-like smooth barked stems to 12-18 ft long with gray-green leaves, hairy on under surface. In late spring small greenish-purple flowers in dense 8-24" long panicles appear and are followed by gray fruit. The flowers are not showy. Tolerant of most any soil. Grows in full sun or moderate shade and can irrigated regularly or given little or no supplemental watering in coastal gardens. Not hardy to frost but will resprout from base after freezing to the ground. Useful in the background of the garden against finer texture plants where the bold foliage can be seen.
- Acacia merinthophora (Zigzag Wattle) - An open shrub from Western Australia, reaching 9 to 12 feet tall with a weeping habit. The leaves are long (up to 8 inches), curved, narrow and gray-green in color. The stems of the branches change direction at the points where the leaves occur producing a zigzag shape. The branches are very attractive in dried arrangements. Short, rod-shaped flower clusters (about 1-2 inches long) are produced in early winter to early spring. They are bright yellow in color and are followed by slender, curved seed pods. Low water.
- Melianthus major (Honey Bush) - This fast growing evergreen open shrub can grow up to 12 feet tall or more and spreads rapidly by sucker roots. The one foot long bluish-green leaves have 10-15 serrated leaflets and when bruised have a strong salty peanut butter like smell. Spikes of dark maroon colored flowers are displayed on stalks above the foliage from winter through spring followed by papery seed pods. These flowers are honey scented. Plant in full sun to part shade and water occasionally.
- Athanasia acerosa 'Coulter Bush'. Striking shrub, grey foliage gats 3 to 5ft tall and a bright yellow flower. Drought tolerant.
Lots of new things in the Gift Shop:
We have welcomed Halloween early. Patrick's favorite time of the year, and here are a few Spooktacular (sorry !) selections for you:
- Eerily elegant mercury glass hurricane lanterns and votive holders complete with creepy lithographs….think bones, bats, spiders and ravens.
- Glittered Spiders and flies with adjustable (of course ?) legs and wings.
- Furry rats with adjustable tails – maybe a wee bit too lifelike.
- Beautiful hand blown glass pumpkins – 2 sizes and colors…very elegant.
Acalypha hispida 'Chenille Plant' has arrived…
Chenille plant is an upright shrub that can get 6-10ft high with a spread of 3-5ft. Potted plants are kept considerably smaller. The evergreen leaves are oval and pointed on the tips. Flowers are purple, bright red or crimson, and clustered in velvety catkins, 8-20 in long and an inch in diameter. They are dense and fluffy, like a cat's tail, and they appear intermittently throughout the whole year'
Still a little early for the cool season bedding annuals to arrive in quantity but we have nice Nemesia, Celosia, Gailardia, Gypsophylla, Zinnia, Vinca, Achillea, Anagalis, Helychrysum, Bacopa and Scaevola all in 4"
Ooh and I must mention we got quart size pots of a dwarf Angel's Trumpet 'Ballerina Yellow', and in 'Ballerina Purple'. These fully double scented flowers measure 6 to 8 inches and are followed by ornamental fruit. The plant is quite compact in containers, reaching only about a foot high and 3 feet wide. In the garden, it forms a dense, well-branched shrub 3 feet tall and slightly wider. Beginning in early summer and continuing until the fall weather sets in, the plant is covered with magnificent blooms!
Well that's the highlights….and still more plants arriving as I type this on Thursday afternoon….
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Sept. 1, 2009 Garden Tips
Unwritten rules of gardening ...
The best way to garden is to put on a wide brimmed straw hat and some old clothes and with a hoe in one hand and a cold drink in the other tell your husband where to dig.
Garden Tips for September
The most important tip in this email - Protect Against Wildfire: September is the start of the Santa Ana wind season. If you live in an area that is prone to wildfires you should prune off dead tree limbs, clean your yard of brush and dead leaves and clean leaves from the roof and gutter.
September is our transition to fall here in Southern California and the start of the best planting season of the year (according to the resident self appointed expert – Dave). Although the nights may begin to cool off the days are still warm and it's not uncommon to have short blasts of extremely hot weather and Santa Ana winds (see info below on clearing the garden/yard in case of wildfires). Over the next two or three months we switch from summer-blooming to winter-blooming annuals and from warm-season to cool-season vegetables. This is not an abrupt change but a slow transition. Start cleaning out faded flowers and vegetables but leave the good ones in place to enjoy as long as they last. Now is the time to prepare the soil and to begin to plant but don't rush the planting at the expense of preparing your soil well. Remember - October is the best month for planting so you have time. The basis for every good garden is the soil; if you take care of the soil you won't have to worry about the plants. The steps differ depending on whether you're starting a new planting bed or replanting an existing one. If you've never planted a fall garden before and if you choose to do it this year you'll be in for a most rewarding experience. Autumn is the time to plant the cool-season annuals, perennials and vegetables all of which will thrive in our lovely San Diego-area autumn weather.
Soil Preparation for New Beds: Start by turning the soil and watering deeply - continue to water and wait at least two weeks. The loose soil and water should germinate most of weed seeds in the soil. Weed these opportunists out now and you should have an easier time keeping the bed weed-free later. Before planting, finish with the soil preparation steps for existing beds which follows.
To summarize: Turn...Water...Wait...Weed
Soil Preparation for Existing Beds: Loosen the soil and add a three-inch to four-inch layer of organic material. This can be home-made compost, bagged compost or planting mix. Add an all purpose food and turn in well. If you have a heavy clay soil (as most of us do) add some gypsum; it helps to break up the clay (about 10 pounds for every 100 sq. ft). To replenish the nitrogen in the soil, add bloodmeal, cottonseed meal or some well-composted manure. To replenish the phosphorus in the soil add phosphate or bone meal (Note: Since phosphorus is water-insoluble and nearly immobile in the soil it should be added now when it can be thoroughly mixed into the soil). To figure out how much of each of these amendments you should add follow the instructions on the label. When all the amendments have been added mix them thoroughly into the soil with a spade or spading fork. Now you're ready to plant.
To summarize: Loosen...Add organics...Add gypsum (if needed)...Add nitrogen...Add phosphorus...Mix thoroughly...Start planting!
New Plantings:
--Sweet Peas. For sweet peas by December plant seeds now. Look for varieties designated "early flowering." To speed germination soak seeds overnight before planting. Provide a trellis for vines to climb.
--Peas. Choose a good variety. There are three basic types of peas: snow peas, snap peas and English peas. The first two have edible pods - English peas have to be shelled. Peas need a trellis for vines to climb.
--Cool-season Vegetables. Plant cool-season vegetables such as broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, kale, kohlrabi, mustard, lettuce and other greens.
--Cool-season Flowers. Plant cool-season flowers including calendula, cineraria, dianthus, delphiniums, Iceland poppies, nemesia, pansies, snapdragon, stock, wild flowers, violas and violets.
Garden Maintenance
--Amaryllis Belladonna. Dig up and divide Amaryllis belladonna (Naked Ladies) after they bloom but before new roots and foliage have begun to grow. If the bulbs are transplanted during this brief period of dormancy next year's flowering will not be interrupted.
-- Cut back flowered ornamental grasses to 1.5" (that's not a typo – 1.5 INCHES) tall by November (or sooner).
--Camellias. Keep camellias well watered this month. Letting them go dry will cause the buds to drop off depriving you of their beautiful blooms. Some varieties of camellias form a great many more buds than they can support and so will naturally drop buds. For the largest flowers you can start "disbudding" camellias now by removing all but one flower bud from each cluster. Be careful not to remove the growth bud. Growth buds are thin and pointed; flower buds are round and fat.
--Citrus. Make sure citrus trees are adequately and evenly watered during this month. If the roots go dry the result can be split fruits.
--Cymbidiums. Switch cymbidiums to a lower nitrogen, higher phosphorous & potassium fertilizer to encourage development of bloom spikes. If your cymbidium leaves are dark green chances are that they're in too much shade. Bring them out into more light until their leaves turn a yellowish color.
--Hydrangeas. If you want to maintain a "blue" hydrangea or change your hydrangea's color you need to start now. Once they start developing buds it's too late. Not all hydrangeas can be made blue. White varieties always stay white and some pinks turn purple instead of blue. The "flowers" on your hydrangea are really modified leaves called bracts just like the so-called flowers of poinsettias. The hydrangea bract color can be modified by adjusting the pH of the soil. A pH 4.5 to 5.0 yields blue flowers, a pH 5.5 to 6.5 yields mauve, and a pH 7.0 to 7.5 yields pink. Hydrangea Blue can be used to lower soil pH. Liberal use of compost will also aid in reducing soil pH.
--Irises. Clean up the iris beds now. Cut off damaged leaves, remove debris and mulch beds. Irises will not bloom if over-crowded and need to be divided about every three years. If your irises need dividing - do it now.
--Oleanders. Oleanders can be pruned now after bloom. Pruning in the Spring instead of the Fall may reduce Spring bloom. Prune oleander back severely, don't chop off tops like a hedge. This fails to renew the plant and all you get is an unattractive hedge with no flowers.
-- Always re-fertilize after hard pruning to promote new growth.
September Fillers
Bedding plants are those "sure bets" the gardener can count on for fall and winter color especially when little other color has been planned on from the shrubs, trees or perennials. Among those popular bedding plants are the pansies which give color from the day they are planted either as a riot of mixed colors or massed together in solid shades of blue, yellow, white, red, rose and pink. Another great addition to the flower bed is the fairy primrose which has a dainty flower with delicate foliage. These flowers provide a choice from white, pink, rose, red or lavender. For a mass of color around the borders and edges try the viola. Its cheerful flower is available in purple, white, yellow and blue. For a taller flower try some snapdragons. They come in heights from 8 inches up to 2 1/2 feet tall. They make excellent cut flowers. If they are not in stock by the weekend they will arrive early in September
In California there are two major planting seasons--spring and fall. Spring gets plenty of attention but one of the best kept secrets is the beauty of fall planting. First of all is the weather. Its cooler in the fall and that makes it easier to transplant trees, shrubs, bedding plants and to plant lawns. Although trees and shrubs are not actively growing above the ground they are very busy sending out strong roots and getting themselves established for the spring and summer. It's easier to prepare the ground for major plantings too so go ahead and discover the growing possibilities for your garden this fall. You'll reap the benefits in the spring.
Just because the tomatoes are slowing down their production doesn't mean you can't have fresh home grown vegetables in the winter. Prepare the vegetable plot and get ready for winter vegetable gardening.
Roses should be encouraged to continue blooming by making sure they get the supplemental food they need. Feeding them becomes the number one item if gardeners want to have cut roses in their home during October, November and maybe even December. The last meal for the roses should be in early September - no later than mid-month in most areas.
Planting Tips For The Month: If you're expecting guests for the winter holidays from the East Coast or Midwest and you want to impress them with your winter flower garden start planting the winter annuals after the middle of this month. Pansies, stock, Iceland poppies, California poppies and calendulas should all be in glorious bloom in time for the holidays when they are planted this month.
Give Garden A Fall Cleaning: Don't neglect your fall cleanup chores. Spent annual flowers and vegetables should be removed immediately; pests and diseases thrive in plant debris. You will be surprised how a thorough garden cleaning will reduce insect problems.
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Your Summary Planting Guide:
Flowers From Seed - these can be planted any time this month: African daisy, Alyssum, Bachelor button, Bells of Ireland, Calendula, California poppy, Candytuft, Canterbury bell, Carnation, Chrysanthemum, Cineraria, Clarkia, Columbine, Delphinium, Forget-me-not, Foxglove, Gerbera daisy, Godetia, Hollyhock, Iceland poppy, Larkspur, Linum, Mignonette, Nicotiana, Pansy, Phlox, Scabiosa, Shasta daisy, Snapdragon, Stock, Sweet pea, Sweet William, Verbena, Viola, Wildflowers
Flowers From Bedding Plants: Wait until the weather cools toward the end of the month to set out transplants for these plants: African daisy, Alyssum, Calendula, English daisy, English primroses, Gerbera daisy, Iceland poppy , Pansy, Penstemon, Primula malacoides, Snapdragon, Stock, Viola
Vegetables: Beets, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Oriental greens, Peas, Potatoes, Radishes, Spinach, Sugar snap peas, Turnips
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