Star Nursery's Fall Green Pages 2021

GREEN pages Fall 2021

A Year of Spectacular Color

ing

o i n n Pla a p m nt Co

Your #1 Source for

DECORATIVE ROCK & HARDSCAPES • Pavers • Flagstone • Wall Block • Stepping Stones • River Rock • Boulders • Bulk Soil • Bulk Sand

•Create a Maintainable and Drought Tolerant Landscape •Use Flagstone for a Beautiful and Unique Walkway

Decorative Rock Yards Nevada

Arizona

Utah

Las Vegas

Kingman

Dixie

2600 West Ann Rd. (702) 216-STAR (7827)

4140 Stockton Hill Road (928) 757-STAR (7827)

1335 South Dixie Dr. (435) 414-5893

5380 Blue Diamond Rd. (702) 382-ROCK (7625)

Fort Mohave

8725 South Eastern Ave. (702) 251-ROCK (7625)

6325 Hwy 95 (928) 788-STAR (7827)

Pahrump

Lake Havasu

911 Buol Rd. (775) 727-5300

1141 N. Lake Havasu Ave. (928) 505-ROCK (7625)

St. George 1145 West Sunset Blvd.

(435) 688-STAR (7827)

DELIVERY SERVICE AVAILABLE

Our Staff Editor-in-Chief

Mackenzie Vesp

Art/Design

Doug Ryan Taylor White

Contributing Writers

Paul Noe (Dr. Q) Joey Lynn Watt Mackenzie Vesp Christine MacRae

06

Gardener’s Fall Calendar

Landscape Design

10

Fall Fruit Trees

1

Welcome Joey Lynn

Community Partners

12

Year of Spectacular Color Companion Planting

ATHLETICS

08

RODEO

For a FREE copy of Green Pages subscribe @ starnursery.com Please help us set the record straight.

If you are receiving the GREEN PAGES under the wrong name, getting two copies, you’ve moved, or if you wish to be removed from our mailing list, please email: marketing@StarNursery.com and we will fix it.

18

D.I.Y. Bird Feeder Malizia’s Cast Iron Ratatouille

22

16 21

Employee Spotlight

Store Spotlight

23

1 application protects against insects for 1 year

Mix & Pour at base of tree/shrub

• • • •

TRUSTED SINCE 1926®

Ornamental trees Fruit trees Roses & flowers Shrubs

Garden Centers Las Vegas, NV Ann Road & Simmons 2600 W. Ann Rd. North Las Vegas, NV 89031 (702) 216-STAR (7827) West Cheyenne & Tenaya 7330 W. Cheyenne Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89129 (702) 253-STAR (7827) W. Charleston Blvd. & Cimarron 8170 W. Charleston Blvd.

Las Vegas, NV 89117 (702) 360-STAR (7827) W. Tropicana & Fort Apache 9480 W. Tropicana Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89147 (702) 278-STAR (7827) Boulder Hwy. & E. Tropicana 5340 Boulder Highway Las Vegas, NV 89122 (702) 435-STAR (7827) S. Eastern & Pebble 8725 S. Eastern Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89123 (702) 333-STAR (7827) Blue Diamond & Lindell 5380 Blue Diamond Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89139 (702) 444-STAR (7827)

Pahrump, NV Buol Rd. & Hwy. 372 911 Buol Rd. Pahrump, NV 89048 (775) 727-5300

Star Nursery has been privately owned and operated for 36 years. We are proud to be the premier garden center for all your landscaping needs. Currently, we operate in Southern Nevada, Southern Utah and Northern Arizona with a total of 16 Garden Centers and 9 Decorative Rock Yards. We cater to both residential and commercial clientele.

Star Nursery offers the best in garden supplies. From a large assortment of trees to shrubbery, drought tolerant plants, succulents and houseplants, we have landscape material to suit anyone’s lifestyle. We offer the largest and most complete line of products that include irrigation supplies, gardening accessories, yard tools, succulents, houseplants, pottery and our very own exclusive line of Dr. Q’s Garden Products. This line of products consists of soils and fertilizers that are specifically formulated to help you succeed with your gardening efforts in the Southwest Region. We also carry a selection of hardscape products ranging from flagstone and pavers to decorative rock and bulk soils.

Find everything you need to maintain a beautiful landscape or garden space. We pride ourselves in giving our customers the right price and best advice.

Star Nursery -Your Garden’s Partner for Every Bloomin’ Thing Since 1983.

Lake Havasu, AZ Lake Havasu Ave. & College Dr. 1141 N. Lake Havasu Ave. Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403 (928) 505-ROCK (7625)

Kingman, AZ Stockton Hill Rd. & Gordon Dr. 4140 Stockton Hill Rd. Kingman, AZ 86409 (928) 757-STAR (7827)

Fort Mohave, AZ Hwy. 95 & Boundary Cone Rd. 6325 Hwy. 95 Fort Mohave, AZ 86426 (928) 788-STAR (7827)

Mesquite, NV

Bullhead City, AZ

Commerce Cir. & Pioneer 549 Commerce Cir. Mesquite, NV 89027 (702) 613-4770

Mohave Dr. & Miracle Mile 1579 Mohave Dr. Bullhead City, AZ 86442 (928) 758-STAR (7827)

St. George, UT Sunset Blvd. & Bluff St. 1145 W. Sunset Blvd.

St. George, UT 84770 (435) 688-STAR (7827) Dixie Dr. & Gubler Ln. 1335 S. Dixie Dr. St. George, UT 84770 (435) 674-STAR (7827)

Washington, UT Telegraph Rd. & 500 W. 385 W. Telegraph Rd. Washington, UT 84780 (435) 986-0820

Gardener’s

Fall Calendar

SEPTEMBER • Fertilize: Spend Labor Day fertilizing your lawn, roses, citrus, and fruit trees.

• Lawns: Aerate, dethatch, overseed, and add ½ inch top dressing, anytime from now through November. Download Star Note #830 “Spruce Up and Over-Seed Your Lawn” for step by step instructions at starnursery.com.

• Plant: Fall is the time for new growth, so start planting your favorite trees and shrubs. Plant mums when buds are tight, with few blooms fully opened for blooms from fall to first frost. Plant deciduous vines & groundcovers now so they’re established before cold weather temps push them into dormancy.

• Roses: Once temperatures are below 100 degrees, give your roses a light pruning, save the heavy pruning for January.

• Treating Iris’: Divide and transplant Iris’.

• Watering Schedule: With less sun comes less watering. Make sure to adjust your controller for less frequent watering. We suggest watering trees and shrubs only two or three days a week.

• Winter Annuals: Now is the time to prepare your flower beds for winter annuals. Mix in fresh organics like PayDirt.

• Perennials: Continue to hose off plants frequently to control spidermites, aphids & whiteflies or use insecticidal soap or EndAll by Safer.

OCTOBER • Shrubs: Help your shrubs harden-off for winter by reducing water frequency. You can safely move shrubs that have not been happy with their summer location. Be sure to transplant with our “Planting Partner’s”, Dr Q’s Pay Dirt, Dr Q’s Gold Dust and Dr Q’s Plant Tonic, to help prevent transplant shock.

• Planting: Plant cool-season annuals and vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, radishes and garlic. It is still a good time to continue planting hardy trees and shrubs. Now is the time to toss wildflower seeds to create a spring pollinator’s garden. Consider planting native plants like Brittle Bush, Desert Marigold, Globe Mallow and Penstemon.

• Frost is Coming: Purchase burlap, frost cloth and cactus covers for the arrival of frost. Get to stores early while supplies last.

• Harvest: Now is finally the time when you can harvest pomegranates. You know pomegranates are perfectly ripe when their shell is red to reddish brown in color.

• Weeds: Deal with winter weeds now. Put out pre-emergent herbicides, especially on rockscapes.

• Pruning: Lightly prune mature evergreen shrubs to remove any sun damaged foliage. Follow up with Dr. Q’s Plant Tonic to stimulate new root growth which will encourage healthy fall growth.

NOVEMBER • Frost is Here: Begin checking the forecast for freeze warnings.

If you have young vines that are frost tender, lay them down, cover them with a thick layer of mulch for winter protection.

If you can get the plant to maturity, it will be more likely to acclimate in the future. Don’t forget to uncover in the spring.

Now is your last chance to pick up burlap and protect your plants from the harsh weather coming. The average first frost typically arrives in mid-November. Plants must be protected when temperatures drop below 28°F. Don’t forget to protect your young citrus trees.

• Potted Plants: When in doubt about cold sensitivity, bring potted succulents indoors. If there is a cool breeze, don’t let them freeze. Other cold sensitive potted plants like citrus and Pygmy Palms can be brought into the garage until the threat of freeze has passed.

• Harvesting: Harvest Mexican Limes and other citrus as they ripen. Don’t leave them to freeze on the tree as cold weather approaches.

• Cactus Care: Starting November, withhold watering through February. Withholding water encourages dormancy and will lessen the chances of root rot or excessive freeze damage in bitter cold.

• DON’T Clean Up: Fallen leaves from healthy decidious trees and conifers are nature’s mulch. They decompose and help add the much needed organic matter our soil lacks.

•DO Clean Up: Pepper plants must be pulled and allow area to rest in the winter. Use this time to plan a different crop for next season, as rotating crops help prevent soil born disease and nutrient deficiencies.

Landscape Design

Landscape Design can be an intimidating phrase to many. Let alone considering doing it yourself !

However, it doesn’t have to be. With the right knowledge and a sound plan, you can be on your way to landscape perfection in no time. So, we got with one of our former Landscape Designers and asked for a few tips to share with all of you to get you started in the right direction.

Sun Exposure We all know that one of the most essential requirements for thriving plants is sunlight. Perhaps the best place to start when drafting up your very own landscape design, is to become familiar with the amount of sun exposure your yard gets and how it changes throughout the day. For instance, you are thinking of redesigning your front yard, does it face east? If so, you can expect morning sun. Or west, you can expect the sizzling afternoon sun and will want to curate some hardy, full sun, and heat lovers. A great way to determine the amount of sun your yard gets is to map the sunlight. This can be done in one day, or over a few days. It is a good idea to do this through each season however, if you want to get started sooner, mid to late summer will do just fine. You’ll want to observe your yard at different times throughout the day, starting when the sun rises and ending when it sets. Record your observations, paying attention to various sections, rather than your yard as a whole. Different areas will have different exposure throughout different parts of the day, and it is important to note what and where the sun is hitting to ensure you choose the right plant for each space.

Most plants are labeled with the sun requirements specific to them, making it easier to choose the plant best suited for each area. Those that are labeled ‘full sun’, require six or more hours of sun each day to encourage blooming and healthy growth.

Whereas those labeled ‘part sun or part shade’, will do well with three-six hours of direct morning sun. Finally, those labeled ‘full shade’ need three hours or less indirect sun to avoid burning and stunted growth.

Plant Selection

Watering & Irrigation

Plant selection is perhaps the most common area for mistakes when putting together a landscape. For instance, you’ve finally decided to jump into that weekend project of replanting the 4’ x 12’ bed that lines the walkway to your home. You have a vision of filling it up because you want this very plush and powerful impact, and you want it now. So, you choose a few (small for now) trees for the first tier closest to the house, a handful of shrubs for the second tier and some perennial color to line the pathway. It looks amazing for a few months. And then you start to notice that your trees aren’t doing so well, the leaves are burning and you’re not sure why. Could it be the reflective heat of a neighbor’s window scorching your plant? Your shrubs are looking more and more unruly, there are too many and they are growing beyond the space that you have for them. And the color you have chosen, is no longer flowering, even though it is still blooming season because they are no longer receiving adequate light due to the overgrown shrubs. The truth is, these are easy (and potentially costly) mistakes to make when you don’t consider the right plant for the right place.

Watering and irrigation are another essential piece of the landscape design puzzle. Without proper irrigation and drainage, all your efforts for creating a beautiful green space will be for nothing. In order to create and maintain the ideal environment for each of your plants, its imperative that you have a good understanding of both, the type of soil you are working with, as well as the watering and drainage requirements of your plants.

A tree is obviously going to have different watering needs than your perennial flowers, so if you are using drip irrigation, you will need a separate line for each of these. Also, remember that as the seasons change, so will watering requirements. Be sure to adjust your watering systems accordingly. Failure to water properly can lead to a myriad of issues from burning leaves to root rot, that are costly of your time and pocketbook.

When choosing plants for your landscape, do your homework.

Consider the amount of sun in the area you are wanting to plant in. Consider the mature size of the plant and the space you have available. Avoid planting a shrub that can reach a width of 10 feet just a few feet from a wall or walkway. Sometimes the vision we have for our landscape doesn’t quite match up with the environment we are working with. In some cases, you can add shade to an area that is otherwise full sun so that you can plant those dreamy vines that can only take part sun. But sometimes, you must change your vision a bit and maintain flexibility so that you have a beautiful and practical result that will last.

For those wanting a landscape ripe with colorful blooms that last more than a few weeks, choose a variety of color that blooms at different times. This is where perennial planning comes into play and there is a great article in this edition by our very knowledgeable, Joey Lynn aka @filthyrichgardening.

In conclusion, there is so much more to consider when bringing the vision for your landscape to fruition, however, this information is intended to provide a foundation in which you can build upon as you begin your new project. For more information, we encourage you to checkout our Star Notes for tips on drip irrigation, landscape lighting, fertilization, pruning and so much more. You can also stop by your local Star Nursery and speak with a member of our team.

Fall Fruit Trees

Fall is a great time to plant some new fruit trees in your yard. Just keep in mind that there are different types of fruit trees and some do better than the others when planted in the fall.

Citrus fruits like lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruits are evergreen trees that stay green all year and are more sensitive to the cold weather. These trees can be planted early in the fall, like late September or early October, so they have a chance to establish new roots before the cold weather hits. They should be protected from freezing temperatures for the first couple of years by covering with burlap or other protective materials when night temperatures drop below freezing. Winter is the most stressful time of the year for citrus, but they hold up very well in the hotter months. This is why you may have better success with planting citrus fruits in the spring.

Deciduous fruit trees (or stone fruits, as they are sometimes called), like apples, apricots, peaches, plums, figs, pomegranates and nut trees, lose all their leaves in the late fall and winter.

Because of this and the fact that they also have a harder bark tissue to protect them, they are not affected by the freezing temperatures. However, they are more sensitive to the hot, summer temperatures that can scorch their foliage. To get these trees better prepared for the hot months, it is best to plant them in the fall. Even though they will have no leaves in the winter, the roots of these trees will continue to grow throughout fall, winter, and spring preparing them to handle the heat in the following summer.

Just because you do not have to protect these deciduous trees from the cold weather does not mean they do not need protection. Dormancy is the best time to protect them from many of the problems that come later in the year. By using dormant sprays every winter, you can prevent many of the fungus and insect problems that attack these trees. There are two dormant sprays that should be applied in the winter months. One is a fungicide, like Liqui-Cop or Copper Fungicide that kills the spores, or seeds, of harmful fungus that may cause fruit rot or leaf diseases. The other is a horticulture oil spray that will kill insects and their eggs that may be over-wintering on your trees or in dead leaves or twigs around the base of your trees.

Deciduous fruit trees also need protection from the hot summer sun. Although their bark helps to protect them from the cold air in the winter, it is severely damaged by the direct afternoon summer sun. Long periods of direct exposure can sunburn the bark and cause it and the underlying soft tissue layer to die. When this happens, it creates an opportunity for infections or insects to enter the tree. This can be avoided by painting the trunks and exposed limbs of young trees with a tree trunk paint or using a tree trunk wrap.

Giving your fruit trees the best start possible will go a long way towards having successful future crops. Be sure to put them in a proper location for their exposure and mature size, plant them properly by digging large holes, using plenty of organic mulch mixed with the native soil, and make sure that they have an adequate irrigation system. Do not use rock mulch around fruit trees, only use organic mulch or wood chips.

Protecting and caring for your fruit trees can be extremely rewarding, especially here in the southwest desert!

Welcoming Joey Lynn to the Dr. Q Team!

Star Nursery is best known for providing the lowest prices and the best gardening advice in the industry. Sometimes, though, bringing a soil or leaf sample, or pictures into the store to get assistance on how to treat your landscape is not always the answer. If you fall into this category and need more help diagnosing diseased trees, protecting against climate changes, or avoiding insect infestations, a Dr. Q House Call is exactly what you need. We have two of our most knowledgeable staff members that will come to your house for one hour and walk your yard with you: describing the issues they see, options to help your plants thrive or recover from stress and answer any horticulture questions you have specific to your landscape.

Most of our customers are very familiar with Dr. Q (AKA Paul Noe), who does our TV segments and has been conducting House Calls for over 12 years. He has been serving the Las Vegas valley and surrounding areas as well as Utah and Arizona to help customers achieve a green thumb. This service is incredible for both the experienced gardener who just has a few questions or the amateur who is looking to start a garden.

We now have an incredible addition to the Dr. Q team, Joey Lynn. She is a certified arborist and has been studying horticulture for the past 6 years. With years of retail and customer service experience at Star Nursery, Joey Lynn is the perfect person to assist in your gardening endeavors. Joey Lynn has worked at several Star Nursery locations and in turn gained a keen understanding of the fundamentals of gardening. In 2019, she began volunteering within the gardening community, found a new love for learning and decided to become an ISA Certified Arborist ®. With this newfound knowledge and drive to teach others, she joined the Dr. Q team to work on TV segments and commercials, create content for the Green Pages and take on House Call clients alongside Paul Noe. Those of us that have the privilege of working with Joey Lynn, describe her as outgoing, energetic, and oozing with knowledge. She is truly one of a kind and we, as well as all our customers are lucky to learn from her.

For a service fee, you will receive up to one hour of consultation. To schedule your House Call, visit any Star Nursery location or email HouseCalls@starnursery.com.

A Year of Spectacular Color It seems there is a belief that year-round color in your yard is difficult to achieve. And although in some extreme conditions, it may be challenging, it is not impossible.

With a little planning, each season can greet you with beautiful color and variety.

Not all color needs to come from annual flowers. There are many evergreens, perennials, and deciduous trees that provide color as the seasons change. Creating an ever changing, interesting landscape, ready to thrill you with each passing month.

Fall Color Shall we start with fall? There are several deciduous trees that promise to have you craving pumpkin lattes, caramel apples and mulling spices as you witness their leaves turning from green to fiery hues of yellow, orange, and vibrant reds.

Chinese Pistache

Red Push Pistache

Raywood Ash

• Chinese Pistache • Red Push Pistache • Ash Trees • Chrysanthemums • Marigolds Chrysanthemums

Marigolds

Winter Gem Boxwood

Ornamental Kale

Violas

Cyclamen

Pansies

Snapdragons

Dwarf Golden Arborvitae

Nandina

Winter Beauties Winter does not have to be a season without color. Afterall, parts of the desert southwest have only a short period, if any, where the temperatures fall below freezing. And even then, protecting with burlap is usually enough to protect from frost damage. So, peer out your window and admire all the beauty.

• Dwarf Golden Arborvitae • Winter Gem Boxwood • Purple Hopseed Bush • Nandina • Kale & Cabbage • Dusty Miller • Sweet Alyssum • Snap Dragon • Cyclamen • Violas/ Johnny Jumps ups • Pansies

Early Spring Show Stoppers Spring seems to get all the notice and why shouldn’t it? The early blossoms and colors of fruits trees tell the world (and pollinators) it is time to wake up from their winter slumber. Some bloom early and only once while others bloom all the way through summer into fall.

• Flowering Plum • Bradford Pear • Fruit & Nut Trees • Texas Mountain Laurel • Hawthorn • Bottlebrush • Globe Mallow • Penstemon • Banks Rose • Tangerine Crossvine • Desert Daisy • Lilac

Flowering Plum

Bradford Pear

Yellow Banks Rose

Bottlebrush

Tangerine Crossvine

Globe Mallow

Texas Mountain Laurel

Majestic Beauty Hawthorn

Desert Daisy

Spring into Summer • Jasmine • Chaste Tree • Desert Bells • Cassia Star Jasmine

Chaste Tree

Bells Of Fire

Cassia

Summer Dazzlers • Crape Myrtle • Desert Museum Palo Verde • Desert Carpet Acacia • Desert Bird of Paradise • Oleander • Purple Robe Locust • Burgundy Lace Desert Willow • Pink Dawn Chitupa • Texas Sage “Barometer Bush” • Russian Sage • Autumn Sage • Honeysuckle • Vinca • Star Flowers • Lantana

Arapaho Red Crape Myrtle

Desert Museum

Red Bird of Paradise

Purple Robe Locust

Heavenly Cloud Texas Sage

Russian Sage

Lantana

Vinca

AT THE BULL

RI

NG

BA T

E TL

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23RD, 2021 GATES OPEN AT 12:30 P.M. RACE STARTS AT 7 P.M. PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS ONLINE AT LVMS.COM

MAKING STRIDES OF LAS VEGAS 10.24.2021 | 7:00 A.M. Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa 11011 W Charleston Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89135

We invite you to join forces with the American Cancer Society – the nation’s nonprofit leader in the breast cancer fight. Join the Making Strides movement to help save lives and fund the future of breast cancer research and programs.

SIGN UP OR DONATE

MakingStridesWalk.org/LasVegasNV

AVOID the

PENALTY BOX or you could BE FINED

WATER ONLY

3 DAYS A WEEK SEP-OCT

Find your mandatory watering schedule at snwa.com Southern Nevada Water Authority is a not-for-profit water agency

21.0278_LVVWD_S21_FALL COMPLIANCE_STAR NURSERY ADS_8.5X5.5.indd 1

N Available O W In Stores

6/24/21 1:25 PM

COMPANION PLANTING

Have you ever noticed how a group planting of a variety of herbs and vegetables tends to perform better and produce more than the solitary, isolated plant, planted alone, which has been asked to fill its space and produce a bountiful harvest? Plants, like humans, are social and thrive when surrounded by other plants. Now that fall is here, many of you may be ready to expand your gardens and try adding new herbs or vegetables, making this a perfect opportunity to concentrate on companion planting. Companion planting is an efficient technique used to plan your garden. It is a practice of planting plants that will benefit from each other by increasing productivity. Improve soil conditions by adding plants that will contribute valuable nutrients and strong root systems. Provide a diverse environment for pollinators and wildlife. Organically repel harmful pests and help make efficient use of your garden space. Sounds like an all-around winner, doesn’t it?

To get the full value of joy

you must have someone to divide it with.

Mark Twain~ This fall issue of the Star Nursery Green Pages concentrates on “cool season crops” and which plants are compatible. These are plants planted in early fall when average temperatures are 97° for the highs and 72° for the lows. Herbs are included, however, as the temperatures drop and the season transitions into winter, the use of “cold caps” or burlap is highly recommended. If you’re interested in planting the following vegetables this fall, see the list of compatible plants, and give it a whirl.

COMPATIBLE PLANTS BEETS

• Broccoli • Cabbage • Onion • Garlic • Lettuce

BROCCOLI

• Carrots • Chives • Cucumbers • Dill • Garlic • Lettuce

• Onion • Rosemary • Sage • Spinach • Swiss Chard • Thyme

AVOID: Peppers, Squash & Tomatoes

CAULIFLOWER

• Carrots • Chives • Dill • Garlic • Lettuce • Onion

• Oregano • Rosemary • Sage • Spinach • Swiss Chard • Thyme

Lettuce

• Broccoli • Sage • Carrots • Thyme • Chard • Tomatoes • Garlic • Onion • Spinach

PEAS

• Carrots • Spinach • Corn • Thyme • Cucumber • Parsley • Peppers • Sage

AVOID: Peppers & Tomatoes

ONIONS

• Dill • Chamomile • Parsley • Savory AVOID: Leeks, Garlic, Shallots, Peas, Sage & Asparagus

AVOID: Chives, Garlic, Leeks & Onion

PEPPERS

• Basil • Carrots • Oregano • Parsley • Peas

• Rosemary • Swiss Chard • Tomatoes • Sage • Thyme

SPINACH

• Broccoli • Sage • Cauliflower • Thyme • Cilantro • Leeks • Lettuce • Peas

tomatoes

• Basil • Carrots • Onion • Peppers

AVOID: Beans, Broccoli, Cauliflower, & Fennel

Swiss chard

• Broccoli • Cauliflower • Onion • Peppers • Sage • Thyme

• Lettuce • Beets • Parsley • Marigolds

AVOID: Broccoli, Cabbage & Fennel (these will actually inhibit the production of tomatoes)

Potted herb companion plants that prefer moist soil: Basil, Catnip, Chives, Cilantro, Lemon Balm, *Mint *Mint will eventually take over the pot, consider planting alone.

Potted herb companion plants that prefer dryer soil: Caraway, Curry, Hyssop, Marjoram, Oregano, Sage, Savory Companion plants to repel pests like aphids, beetles and even rabbits: Onions, Garlic, Marigolds

There are so many benefits to having birds in your yard, from beautiful bird watching to ridding your garden of weeds and pests! If you want to attract more of our favorite feathered pollinators, consider creating a little feeding area for them to stop by and feast! There are so many great ideas out there for homemade bird feeders and we would like to share one of our favorites for putting some of your fall harvest to use as well.

What You Will Need: • Fresh whole fruit or vegetable (such as apples or squash) • Jute or twine • Peanut or almond butter • Bird seed • Dried fruits/berries and nuts are optional but a great addition

How-To Assemble: • Slice your apple or squash into a thick chunk, 2–3 inches works great • Remove seeds and create a hole (at least big enough to easily thread a piece of twine through) • Slather one or both sides in the nut butter, be generous • Pour bird seed onto plate or tray • Place the buttered side of your fruit or vegetable in the bird seed, press down firmly to get the bird seed to stick • To hang your feeder, thread your jute or twine through and knot tightly • Take your new bird feeder outside, hang from a tree or hook in your yard & watch as your new feathered friends flock to it!

s e e r T s a m t s i r h C rting at Sta rt

39

88h ac e ac

Poinsettiaat s g Startin g

7

98h ac e ac

R

®

Professional Bird Control Products Since 1992

Inc.

Available at all Star Nursery locations!

BEFORE

AFTER

One stop shop for residential bird control!

Humane and effective products that work!

Protect your fruits and vegetables from pest birds!

Keep pest birds away and the diseases they carry!

R

Stainless Steel Spike

R

Hawk Decoy

Malizia’s Cast Iron

Ratatouille

Prep. Time: 30 min • Cook Time:1 hour • Yield: 4-5 Servings

Sauce Ingredients Ώ Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 3 Tbls Ώ 1 Can of tomato sauce, 15oz Ώ 1 Can of tomato paste, 15oz Ώ Water, 15oz Ώ Garlic, 3 cloves Ώ ½ White Onion Ώ ½ Red Bell Pepper Ώ Salt Ώ Pepper Ώ Italian Seasoning Ώ Garlic Powder Ώ Red Pepper Flakes Ώ Fresh Basil Ώ Red Wine (Recommend Merlot)

Cooking Instructions 1. Place 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat in sauce pot.

2. Once hot, add minced garlic and diced onion. Cook until fragrant.

3. Add diced bell pepper and cook until slightly softened.

4. Add tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Mix well.

5. Thinly slice 3-4 leaves of fresh basil into strips.

6. Add basil, spices, and wine to taste.

7. Reduce heat for a low simmer and cover.

8. Simmer for 1 hour and stir as needed.

Ratatouille Ingredients Ώ 2 Eggplants Ώ 2 Zucchini Ώ 2 Yellow Squash Ώ 4 Vine Tomatoes Ώ Dried Oregano Ώ Dried Parsley Ώ *Thinly slice vegetables for stacking

Cooking Instructions 1.

2.

3.

4.

Preheat oven to 375°.

Coat cast iron pan with olive oil.

Layer sauce on bottom of cast iron, about 1/4” depth.

Arrange sliced veggies in a circular fashion alternating: eggplant, tomato, zucchini, squash.

5. Once the veggies are laid, spread sauce over the veggies to fill the gaps, but DO NOT submerge.

6. Sprinkle oregano and parsley over entire dish.

7. Cover with foil and cook for 40 minutes, then uncover and replace in oven for 20 minutes.

even t S

n o s b Gi

Steven Gibson is the general manager of the location on Sunset Blvd. in St. George, Utah.

Steven is a Utah native, born and raised in the St. George area. He has always enjoyed living in such a beautiful place. He spent many years at Utah State University in Logan, Utah where he studied civil engineering. After a tragic mountain biking accident that left Steven with severe medical issues and caused him to be put on bed rest, he was presented a job opportunity by one of the general managers. This proved to be what he needed to get back on his feet and he has loved working in Star Nursery’s beautiful stores ever since. His love for hiking continues every year when he takes eight continuous days to backpack through a new area of the United States. In the next few years, Steven has a lot of traveling to do; He plans to visit Iceland, Japan, and the South American rainforest. We look forward to watching Steven accomplish all of his goals and continue to lead an amazing team as a Star Nursery General Manager.

Destiny Lust is the newest general manager of our location in Kingman, AZ. Destiny was born and raised in Las Vegas, but was recently promoted and relocated to Arizona to revamp and expand Star Nursery in Kingman. She is very active and has always enjoyed being outside, playing football, riding bikes and rollerblading. With little to no knowledge of horticulture when she began her career, Destiny has gained a wealth of knowledge not only in horticulture but also in her leadership skills. She finds joy in helping people fulfill their goals and loves seeing costumers happy with their home and garden projects. Some of her most memorable experiences revolve around customers who have lost a loved one and come into the store looking for a something to plant in their honor. It is a truly wonderful thing for someone to turn loss into something beautiful and Destiny is so happy to be a part of that process. She is looking forward to planting a garden at her new home and having her daughters assist in choosing flowers to brighten up their yard.

L us

t

. re ry M J

stiny e D

Jr

.

Jerry M. Belt, Jr. is a native to Las Vegas and a UNLV graduate. He has over 30 years of experience in landscaping, construction, and water conservation. Jerry is an accomplished writer whose work appeared in the Irrigation Association’s, Irrigation Business, and Times, to name a couple. His extensive public speaking experience includes American Water Works Association California/Nevada Section annual conferences, Desert Green and countless local organizations and schools. Jerry is a Certified Water Auditor and has extensive irrigation training. Other career highlights include being a past Chair of the American Water Works Association CA/NV Section Conservation Committee and he assisted in building the Las Vegas Valley Water District and Southern Nevada Water Authority’s water conservation programs. Jerry enjoys sharing his knowledge with customers and coworkers at Star Nursery. Away from work, Jerry enjoys spending time in nature hiking, fishing, and experiencing the trails less traveled to enjoy the wonders of nature in solitude. Jerry’s second passion is supporting the local art and music community.

As an avid music fan, you will find him attending a local show on any given night.

t, l e B

STORE SPOTLIGHT South Eastern Avenue 8725 S. Eastern Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89123

The Eastern store opened in the spring of 1993. Starting out as a small building with a little yard to hold plants, it has transformed into our largest and the highest volume location in the company. In 2001, more land was purchased, and we were able to expand the yard into what you see today. At this time, the parking lot was oversized, and the building was still too small to accommodate the high demand. In 2004, renovations began to double the building and yard size. This expansion promised customers a larger retail store with a beautiful yard to shop our endless varieties of plant material and dry products. With over 10,000 square feet indoors, we now have enough space to accommodate a huge inventory and allow space for new and exciting merchandise.

We are proud of the evolution of this location, as it services many contractors all over the valley. It is our number one store for providing materials to landscape companies throughout Las Vegas.

Because of the long history, we also have customers who have been shopping there for over 20 years. This gives the employees general opportunity to build long lasting relationships. The current store manager, Lindsey Bare is known for her strong leadership skills in creating a positive work environment that promotes relationship building and great customer service. This location is full of so many knowledgeable salespeople. You will find that the information booth is filled with employees who have worked at Star Nursery for decades. Inside, you will also find that our irrigation section is full of specialists who have also been working at Star and in this industry for over 30 years. Needless to say, whatever questions you might have, there is sure to be an employee or two that can give you a well thought out, educated answer.

The most important aspect of Star Nursery is creating a positive customer experience. If you look back at previous articles written about stores or employees, one thing remains constant: our employees love helping customers, they love seeing people satisfied with the products we sell, and we love seeing customers come back for every home improvement project they may have. As Star Nursery expands with new locations and in different markets, we will continue to put the customer first. We hope you enjoy shopping with us as much as we enjoy serving you.