The Color of Cool Winter Flower Gardening Options
SEASONAL TASKS FROM THE DESK
OF Dr. Q
Star Nursery is a complete Garden Center that is independently owned and operated. We cater to both residential and commercial clientele. Currently, we operate in Southern Nevada, Southern Utah and Northern Arizona with a total of 15 retail locations and 9 Rock Distribution Centers. We offer a complete line of dry goods including irrigation supplies, fertilizers, and an array of gardening accessories and tools. We carry a large assortment of trees, shrubbery, drought-tolerant plants, succulents, houseplants and more. We, also have a have a selection of hardscape products ranging from flagstone to pavers to rock. Find everything you need to maintain a beautiful landscape or garden space. We pride ourselves in giving our customers the right price and the best advice. Star Nursery -Your garden’s partner for every bloomin’ thing since 1983. Las Vegas, NV
Pahrump, NV
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Ann Road & Simmons 2600 W. Ann Road North Las Vegas, NV 89031 (702) 216-STAR (7827)
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CONTENTS GARDENING IN THE DESERT SOUTH WEST
6 of Cool 13 The Color
This is the traditional time to heavily prune most deciduous trees and shrubs.
A Note From The Editor
9
Seasonal Tasks from The Desk of Dr. Q
11
Winter is Coming
12
Dead or Dormant
15
Wrap it Up!
16
Exclusive!
The Life Cycle of a
Christmas Tree
14 Winter Pruning
5
Pave Your Way to Your Happy Place
18
What Would Dr. Q Do?
22
Winterizing your Landscape
23
Improve Your Curb Appeal
Products that Work!
For Dormant Disease and Insect Control... ol....
Spray Trees Now!
with Liqui-Cop® & Monterey Horticultural Oil For healthy new leaves in spring and d summer, apply Liqui-Cop® three times a year: 1 New Year’s Day 2 Valentine’s Day (or at bud swell) 3 Arbor Day (March 7-14) • Combine with Monterey Horticultural Oil to kill insects wintering on the tree. • Liqui-Cop® is the only copper treatment you can mix with oil. • Liqui-Cop® will NOT wash off in rain like other copper treatments. Mix Liqui-Cop® for dormant disease control (Peach leaf curl) at 4 to 6 tsp per gallon. Mix Monterey Horticultural Oil with Liqui-Cop® or separately to kill wintering insects at 4 tbsp per gallon. Always read and follow directions on label.
Reminder! Liqui-Cop® and Monterey Horticultural Oil can be used any season on ornamentals, citrus, vegetables, and flowers.
A great spray combo!
For more information call: 559.499.2100 • www.montereylawngarden.com
A Note From The Editor Our Staff
Editor-in-Chief
Nina Gallagher
Art/Design Taylor White Contributing Writers Crystal Gwaltney Terry Newcomb Paul Noe Contributors Doug Ryan Photograpy Rodney Flemming Springs Preserve Circulation & Distribution Western Mailing Services 530 Pamalyn Suite C, Las Vegas NV, 89119 Phone (702) 896-7363 Fax (702) 896 -8972
Winter is one of my favorite seasons of the year. It’s time to let go of the old and make room for the new. This season, take a long hard look at your current garden situation. Revamp your thinking when it comes to re-inventing your outdoor space. I plan to incorporate fresh flowers into my empty pots with pansies, vintage stock and ornamental cabbage. Maybe even add some cool season edibles for an added twist to the theme. Gift-giving is just another reason I love this time of year. There are so many things that you can give straight from you own garden. Edibles and fragrant flowers are just a couple of gift ideas for that Gardener on your holiday list. Bundle up and enjoy this cool season with your family and friends. Enjoy! Nina Gallagher Editor-in-Chief
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Your Garden’s Partner for Every Bloomin’ Thing!
The Color of Cool Winter Flower Gardening Options Plant one. Plant them All Don’t miss out on the beautiful color this season. ~Julie Johnson
“A tip for those who have the shady blues: Strategically place a reflective gazing ball or mirror in the planted area. It will increase light and provide visual interest at the same time.”
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Without a doubt, one of the best things about living in Las Vegas is the mild winter temperatures, which allow us to enjoy colorful flowers throughout the year. When everyone else in the country is stuck inside or shoveling snow, we’re blessed with bright and sunny daytime temperatures that warm the soil enough to keep some annuals and perennials blooming right through the winter months. If you have a solid half-day of sun or more expect long-lasting blooms from snapdragons or dianthus. Both of these plants get a little taller (about 18” - 24” in height), so place them in the back of a bedding area or in the center of a container to serve as a pretty back-drop for lower growers. For an excellent focal point in your winter garden, add vintage stock. It’s flower is aromatic. It will grow great in well-amended soils or simply in colorful pottery. Place them outside in the sun and fertilize regularly to encourage new blooms.
Pink Zonal Geranium Pelargonium Hortorum
Snapdragon Antirrhinum majus
Calendula offers eye-popping orange and yellow blossoms throughout the winter season. It is the perfect height to place next to your taller plants. It grows to about 12” in height and its velvety gray-green leaves are a nice contrast to its own bright flowers and the darker green foliage of nearby plants. Ornamental cabbage and kale bring sculptural appeal anywhere it is used and looks fantastic planted in a formal setting or mixed in with other seasonal flowers. Pansies are the most reliable low-growing winter color for an area that receives full sun. It doesn’t matter what theme you’re shooting for in your garden, because there is a pansy to suit anyone’s fancy. Since they only grow to about 6”-8” tall, pansies are ideal next to a walkway or along the edge of a container.
Mix Vintage Stock Matthiola incana
Cyclamen Cyclamen persicum
People often think they can’t grow anything that flowers in the shade. Contrary to popullar belief , there are actually several flowering plants that do well without a lot of sun. Minimal sunlight works fine with any of the following plants, though they can absorb up to half a day without a problem. Take zonal geraniums, in the right light , they’ll bloom nearly year-round and take a break only during the hottest parts of the summer. Then, there is the cherry red, white and pink colored blooms amongst the cyclamen. It is the perfect flower to spruce up your entryway for the holidays. Cyclamen are also one of your best options for an area with no direct sunlight. Violas or english primrose are also an attractive addition to your winter garden.
Viola Johnny Jump-up
Poinsettias Care Card • Handle Carefully when removing protective wrapper. “Flowers“ are actually bracts on top of the colorful leaves and bruise easily.
• Display or place from wind, drafts or vents. • Display in a room with temperatures higher than 60-70 degrees to increase blooming and help prevent root rot disease.
• Place near a sunny window with indirect light • Examine soil daily and water only when it feels dry. Drain well.
Red Poinsettia
Christmas Cactus Care Card
• A perennial houseplant that blooms in December and again in late Spring with proper care. • Joints are fragile and easily broken off when mishandled • Needs well drained soil, fertilize with houseplant food 2-3 times a year. Don’t fertilize after October just before blooming months. • Water every 2-3 days Spring and Summer, less often in Winter • Bud drop usually a result of overwatering without proper drainage. If this happens, lightly fertilize and move to a sunnier spot.
Christmas Cactus
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Seasonal Tasks from the Desk of Dr. Q
January
• Winterize irrigation systems, hose bibs, pipes and pool components by wrapping or covering with insulation materials. Try our convenient PVB Protectors for above ground backflow prevention devices. • Keep it Green and Growing! Fertilize with Dr. Q’s Winter Gem for the cool season and lawn care. • Protect tender cacti and succulents from the cold by covering them with N-Sulate or Burlap. • Check houseplants more often for proper moisture. Use a Moisture Meter to make this task easier. • Avoid icy sidewalks or lawns! Watering cycles should be set between 9am and 10am. No overnight watering.
February
• Prune your dormant fruit trees and roses! Visit our website for a complete schedule. • Winter is not the time to prune citrus trees, but you can remove sucker growth. • Protect citrus trees if a hard freeze is forecasted, about 28 degrees or lower. Cover foliage with burlap or other breathable fabric overnight and uncover during the day. Water regularly as hydrated plants will better withstand freezing temperatures and icy wind. • Protect deciduous fruit trees from disease and insects by using Liqui-Cop and Neem Oil sprays, and keeping old leaves, twig and debris cleaned up. This is also a good time to re-paint or wrap fruit tree trunks to protect form sun scalding in the summer. • Start warm season vegetables seeds in an indoor tray. This will be a head start for your Spring garden. Tomatoes and peppers are an excellent start for this project. • Gray aphid populations explode in the winter. Try Bayer Advanced Rose and Flower Insect killer.
March
• Spring into action! Prepare your garden beds this winter. Dr. Q’s Special recipe: 100 sq.ft. = 4lbs of 16-20-0 Ammonium Phosphate and Ironworker. Top this off with three inches of Dr. Q’s Paydirt, Vegetable & Herb Mix, or other organic mulch. Mix it together well and water thoroughly. • Repot. Replant. Renew. Use a large container for your houseplants. Add Dr. Q’s Houseplant Tonic. It’s less shocking on your plants root system. • Keep an eye on the weather forecast and be prepared. Cover your frost-tender plants when the warnings come due to an early false spring. • Time to fertilize deciduous fruit, nut and shade trees. Use Dr. Q’s Fruit and Nut Tree Food or Tree, Shrub & Vine Food per bag instructions. • Pecan trees and grape vines need extra zinc to help them produce their best. Use Dr. Q’s Plant Tonic for transplanting. • Promote spring growth and large flowers! Fertilize your roses! Use Dr. Q’s Rose and Flower Food.
Want more? Watch Dr. Q on TV and Youtube youtube.com/starnurserydrq Sunday Channel 8 6:30 am | Saturday Channel 13 6:55 am
From the Garden to the Table Chicken Tortellini Soup Ingredients: • 4 Medium Chicken Breasts (Bone in) • 2 C Carrots, sliced • 2 C Celery, sliced • 1 Large Onion, chopped • 1 Large Bag or Family Size Cheese Tortellini • ½ C Italian Parsley, chopped • Salt/Pepper to taste • Chicken Broth or Water + 4 Bouillon Cubes, enough to cover chicken and vegetables by 4 inches. Directions: Place chicken breasts and vegetables in a large soup pot, cover with water/bouillon or broth and bring to a low boil. Turn down heat to medium low and simmer for approximately 45 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked. Remove chicken, discard skin, and chop chicken into bite size pieces. Return chicken to the pot and add tortellini and parsley. (Add more chicken broth to the pot if the liquid isn’t at least two inches above meat, vegetables and tortellini). Simmer covered for 30 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste. Serves 4-6.
Apple Cobbler Ingredients: • 2 Medium Apples (Peeled, Cored and Sliced) I prefer Granny Smith for baking. • 1 Lemon (Zested and Juiced) • ¾ C Pecans or Walnuts (Chopped) • 1 C Flour • 1 C Sugar • 1 tsp. Baking Powder • 1 Egg (Lightly beaten) • 1/3 C Butter (Melted) • Cinnamon and Nutmeg (to taste as a topping) Directions: Mix flour, sugar and baking powder and add beaten egg. Place apples, lemon juice and zest, and the nuts in the bottom of baking dish. Mix together. Add topping mixture (it will be crumbly) and pour melted butter over the top. Sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg to taste. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until top is browned and fruit is bubbly. Allow to cool.
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Mustard Greens
Winter Is Coming to your garden...
Lacinato Kale
Beets
And, for vegetable gardeners that means fretting over those seedlings that you’ve worked so hard to grow over the fall season.
Make sure to uncover the beds during the day, so that your plants can absorb the sunlight after the morning temps rise.
The good news is that cool season crops are pretty forgiving. If you’ve planted carrots, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower or hearty greens such as kale or collards, then you have yourself a pretty low maintenance winter ahead of you. They can take temps down to 28 degrees and some even lower without protection.
If you’re growing things out of season like peppers, tomatoes or cucumbers, you’ll have to be diligent about raising the temperatures in your garden beds over the next 3 months. You can create a greenhouse by constructing a frame covered in clear plastic sheeting to cover your garden. Just make sure that you have some holes for ventilation and that the plastic does not come in contact with the plants themselves.
If you have very young plants or more tender lettuces, you’ll want to cover your crops with a layer of burlap to insulate over the nights when we drop to freezing temperatures.
Happy Gardening. Happy Eating C. Gwaltney
Carrots
DEAD OR DORMANT? C. GWALTNEY
Winter is a natural time of slowing down. People have a lot more in common with plants than we realize. We go through a period of dormancy much like our barren trees in the cold season. It’s all about conserving energy during times of limited energy availability. In ancient times, that meant we slowed energy expenditure when food was not as plentiful as it was in the summer. A plant’s energy source is dramatically cut back as the hours of daylight become fewer and end up shedding leaves to conserve energy. Sometimes it can be confusing to know whether your plant is just taking a long winter nap or if it has ceased to live entirely. It is important to know what you have planned and have reference to know which is deciduous, evergreen or semi-evergreen. Evergreen means that the plant should keep its foliage all year long. Deciduous means that the plant or tree will shed its leaves annually. Semievergreen shrubs and trees will keep their foliage if our winter is on the mild side and will drop their leaves if we have a very cold winter.
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As the days get longer and warmer in the spring, you’ll start to notice your deciduous plants “budding out”. Some plants take a little longer than others to emerge from hibernation, needing longer days or even warmer temperatures. Have patience with Lantana, Daleas and Desert Birds of Paradise as they are great examples of long winter sleepers and need temperatures to be much higher than non-desert plants to come out of dormancy. Some tender shrubs like the Ruellia or any of the tecomas, can freeze back in a harsh winter. But, it will generally recover in the spring. If a plant’s information states that it is frost sensitive, it should be protected with a layer of burlap or insulation fabric when the weather is forecast to drop to the threshold temperature for that plant. Remember to remove the insulation to let the plant get sunlight during the day. Be sure to visit your local Star Nursery and ask questions if you are unsure of what type of plant you have or what it should look like at certain times of the year.
WINTER
PRUNING BASICS
by Paul Noe
SHRUBS
TREES
A Matter of Common Sense
Same Basic Principals For deciduous shrubs the same pruning basics apply. You should remove any dead, dying or diseased wood. Remove any branches that rub or closely cross other branches or in any way interfere witht he growth of other branches. In the case of many of the flowering shrubs, you do not need to stick to the 25% rule. In fact, for bush roses you should cut the main stems back to 12 to 18 inches and thin out all the small branches, leaving an evenly spaced framework for next year’s growth to appear on.
Winter is the traditional time to heavily prune most deciduous trees and shrubs. The overall shape and structure of the plant is much more visible during the dormant season on plants that drop their leaves. Also, during the cold weather, their circulatory system is slowed down and pruning is less stressful on them. Remember that pruning is the removal or reduction of certain plant parts that are not required, diseased, ineffective, obstructive, or bring the risk of breakage to the plant. It may be done to supply additional energy for the development of flowers, fruit or limbs that remain on the plant. Once the objectives are determined and a few basic principles understood, pruning primarily is a matter of common sense. For trees, the basic rule for how much to prune is to not cut more than 25% of the total volume of the tree in one year’s time. If it is a rapidly growing, young tree that needs to be trained to develop a good structure, you can prune off a little more in one year. However, if it is an older tree, say 10 years or more, the total removal should be less than 25%. As trees get older, pruning percentages should be reduced. Old, mature trees should only have 5-10%, or less, of their volume removed in a year.
DETAILS
It’s All About Structure
Good pruning is all about structure! Trees should be pruned to develeop and maintain good structure. Good structure is achieved when branches are well spaced on the trunk and in relation to one another, as well as strong and well attached. Well spaced branches should radiate out in all directions from the trunk and smaller branches should do the same in relation to the larger branches to which they are attached.
Branches grawing at a wide angle of attachment (approximately 45 to 90 degrees) are much stronger than those with a narrow angle of attachment. Branches with a very narrow angle of attachment are far more likely to be broken in high winds or when they get older and heavier.
Your trees and shrubs are the most important living elements for your landscape. Proper pruning will protect their health and beauty. Healthy plants are better able to withstand our For trees branched to be strong and well harsh conditions, using water more efficiently attached, pay close attention to the angle of and tolerating drought conditions. Winter is the attachment to the trunk or to the larger branch time for heavy pruning to be done! from which they’re growing.
PLACE
To Your
HAPPY
PAVE
The Way
N. Gallagher
A simple trick to making a nicely planted or even a sub-par yard feel more manicured is to add a defined piece of hardscaping. Patios, paths or an upgraded driveway not only define space, but also provide the kind of contrast that makes a flower bed or lush lawn really pop. So, when traditional surfacing materials leave you feeling as flat as poured concreted, you should really consider pavers. It’s more affordable that stone, more colorful than brick and more durable than asphalt. Concrete pavers are practical. Despite the theme or design of your landscape, there is a hardscape piece out there to suit your needs. Star Nursery offers a variety of colors, textures and sizes. Pavers can become an attractive option anywhere in your landscape. And, because they’re modular, they are easy to install and fix for the ambitious DIYers out there. Enhance the look of your landscape this winter by creating an art piece out of pavers. From a great walkway for an edible garden to a centerpiece suited for a water fountain, the possibilities are endless. You’ll find that this concrete product will leave you speechless once installed. It’s a product that will continue to be attractive for you season after season because of its durability and strength. If you’re looking to improve the look and feel of your current landscape situation, visit any one of our Star Nursery locations. Check out the selection we offer. It makes for a great addition to any outdoor space.
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WRAP
! p u t i
Because we reduce our watering to one day per week during the winter, most people don’t think about routine irrigation maintenance. Once the daytime highs drop below 60 degrees, we need to think about insulating any exposed piping. You may have been lucky and made it through several winters without a problem, but the first break you have can be a costly one. As many of us learned last winter, it only takes one extremely cold night to cause a big headache. Here are a few simple tasks you can follow to protect your irrigation system and landscape: First, you should protect your back flow preventer or PVB. The easiest way to do this is whith a great product by Frostite - PVB protector. It slips over the top of your PVB and can be secured at the bottom with a small padlock or even a simple zip-tie. This product comes in 3 different sizes and configurations to fit every application. *If weather forcast foresees temperatures in the teens, you should shut off and drain your PVB. This can be done by shutting off the bottom valve, which is the incoming water, manually opening one of your automatic valves and to open one of the small test valves on the PVB. Doing this will allow air to vent in and drain the water out into the system. Next, check out your pipes that are still exposed to the elements. The best solution for protecting these pipes is to utilize foam tube pip insulation. This insulation has a simple application. There is a slit located on one side of the tube and easily slips over the pipe. It can then be secured with adhesive pipe wrap or duct tape. This is also a great way to reduce heat loss on exposed hot water and water softener pipes. Now, the next step would be to look at your hose bibs (aka: hose faucet). These can also be covered by a hose faucet protector. These covers are quite simple and have Velcro straps to secure them tightly. By simply following these easy steps, you can avoid spending hundreds of dollars calling a plumber or landscaper for any repairs. Even if you are able to do the repairs yourself, no one wants to play in water when it’s freezing outdoors.
PVB
PVB Protector
Faucet
LIFE CYCLE
of a
CHRISTMAS TREE
The holiday magic begins before Santa arrives. We have a special Elf that will roam the hillsides in Oregon to find the best looking Christmas trees for all of our guests that visit us at Star Nursery. Our trees are “farm grown.” This means that teach tree is specifically planted and grown for this purpose and when one tree is cut, another is planted in its place. The trees that are cut down for Christmas nowadays are grown on tree farms. These tree farms are in business with the sole function of planting, cultivating and then harvesting evergreen trees for Christmas. The process is very similar to any other farm. There is continual maintenance and care of the plants from seedlings to ready-for-the-season trees. This process can take seven to ten years, and during this time these trees are doing their part to reduce carbon dioxide and produce oxygen for our environment. The sales of Christmas trees are the sole reason that these farms exist. The trees start their life cycle as seeds that are geminated in a greenhouse until they have a developed a healthy root system and a height of 4-5 inches. At this time, they are planted in long rows in a field where they can “harden off” and get acclimated to the outdoor environment. Here, they are regularly irrigated and taken care of until they are ready to be shipped to a tree farm where they are planted in permanent growing rows 8-10 feet apart to give them plenty of room to develop. Throughout the year, these trees have to be fertilized, treated for insects, diseases and weeds like any other farm. They also have to be pruned and shaped as they grow so they can develop into a well-shaped Christmas tree. When a field of trees is ready to be harvested, not all the trees will be the same size or quality because they all grow differently. Graders walk through all the rows of trees and mark the ones that are good enough to harvest the first year. The remaining trees will be left in the field until they can meet the quality standards.
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Normally, fields are harvested for 3 or 4 seasons and then the stumps are pulled out, the field is plowed and a nutrient-rich grass is planted to revitalize the soil for a year. The process starts all over again with planting of new trees. When the trees are harvested for the holiday season, they are graded and tagged for size, run through a shaker to shake out any dead needles, and then through a bailer that wraps them tightly for shipping. They are then loaded on trucks to be shipped all over the country to retail outlets like Star Nursery. Once we get the trees, we have to sort and stack them in our stores for processing. Our processing consists of putting some of the trees in racks for customers to pick out of, or putting some of the trees in stands that hold water to keep them fresh. Either way, we try to keep all the trees shaded and watered down at least twice a day. Experience the Star Difference when you purchase one of our trees. You’ll receive a fresh cut on the base of the tree. This will allow the tree to easily take a drink from a water-filled stand in your home. We’ll also place a plastic bag onto the tree for less mess before and after the holiday season. Once your tree is set in place, simply roll the plastic down and cover it with your tree skirt. With ease after the holiday season, you can roll the plastic up and around the tree.
Each year, there are multiple locations for Christmas Tree Recycling. The trees are chipped into mulch that can be returned to the earth to help plants grow. This good deed leads to the start of a new cycle of trees being planted. Complete the Life Cycle of your Christmas tree this season. Give your community of mulch. Recycle. Recycle. Recycle. by Paul Noe For more information on christmas tree recycling, visit springspreserve.com
What Would Dr. Q Do? Questions from concerned gardeners! Q: Is there anything we can plant now that will stay colorful through the cold weather? A: Yes, there are many colorful bedding plants that will brighten up flower beds or containers in your yard this winter. Pansies are the most common of these flowers, but there are also Stocks, Snapdragons, English Primrose, Cyclamen and ornamental Kale and Cabbage. These all offer great color in the cold weather. There are also many shrubs that have colorful leaves or berries this time of year, like Nandina, and Pyracantha.
Q: Some of my beautiful flowering plants have started to turn darker colors and stopped blooming. Is it because of the weather? A: Yes, many of our most prolific warm weather bloomers, such as Lantana, Tecoma and Desert Birds of Paradise, are frost sensitive and will discolor or defoliate in the cold weather. If there are several nights of sub-freezing temperatures, these plants can be frozen to the ground if not protected from the cold. In most cases, even without protection, these plants will grow back from the roots as soon as the warm weather returns. Just wait until the cold weather has past and then cut them back.
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Q: When should I start pruning my plants and what do dormant sprays do? A: Prune deciduous plants and trees, including roses, in January and evergreens in mid-February, just before spring growth begins. Dormant sprays like Neem Oil and Liqui-Cop are good for smothering wintering insect and eliminating fungus spores.
Q: Should you really try to plant shrubs or trees in this cold weather? A: It depends on what they are. If they are deciduous varieties (that naturally drop their leaves in the winter), then yes, you can plant these in the cold weather with very little problems. But, if they are evergreen varieties, they are more susceptible to winter cold damage and you should probably wait until spring. Q: When is the best time to start seeds for the spring garden? A: Start seeds indoors in seed trays about midJanuary. Allow 6-10 weeks from the time you start the plants until you move them out to the garden. Remember to slowly acclimatize them to the outdoor environment before you plant them.
Across 1. What panda bears would eat in the after-life 3. An investment in this fragrant flower won’t fluctuate with the market 6. The orange and yellow blooms of this big bloomer is sure to make you think of warmer weather 7. An ornamental version of this leafy superfood. Down 2. Shares a name with an instrument and will surely make your garden resonate with color 4 Don’t let the firebreathing name fool you, this is a cool season beauty. 5. The “Face” of winter flowers. Down: 2. Viola 4. Snapdragon 5. Pansey Answer Key: Across: 1. HeavenlyBamboo 3.Stock 6. Calendula 7. Kale
Because of You By shopping with Star Nursery, you allow us to invest in
helping our communities youth to grow!
Star Nursery is proud to support our School Gardens along with the nonprofits and community partners that make them possible.
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RECYCLING
is SMART
Do your part and be rewarded! Bring in your empty black plant pots and recieve IN-STORE CREDIT toward future garden purchases.
We accept the following sizes:
In-Store Credit
• 1 Gallon ...................................................................................5¢ per pot • 3 Gallon .................................................................................10¢ per pot • 5 Gallon .................................................................................20¢ per pot • 15 Gallon ...............................................................................50¢ per pot
Don’t Forget Your PLANTING PARTNERS
• PAYDIRT • GOLD DUST •PLANT TONIC
Winterizing Your Landscape
As you bundle up to stay warm this winter, don’t forget about your plants. Some of them benefit from extra protection when the temperatures dip. Look up your city’s average frost dates to know when to expect frost.
by Brandi Eide
a lightweight cloth that can be found in at least 4 different weights which increase temperatures by around 4-10°F if used correctly; it allows a fair amount of light to reach plants, therefore it can be left on for several
If you are uncertain, check species online to determine their winter hardiness. Yards often have different microclimates; plants have some protection when placed under trees and shrubs, patios, and next to homes or walls that heat up during the day. Shrubs sheared into unnatural shapes or those over-pruned are more susceptible to frost damage. Avoid applying fertilizer later in the year, it encourages tender growth sensitive to frost. Water leafy plants before a freeze; their hydrated leaves will then better tolerate the ice crystals that form and draw moisture from the leaf tissue. Succulents are just the opposite: keep them drier during cold months, water infrequently or not at all. (There are winter growing succulents, with varying temperature sensitivities, but most landscape succulents in the southwest are summer growers and should remain dry in winter while dormant). Cover sensitive plants with frost cloth, sheets or any fabric light enough not to crush a plant, or construct a framework around delicate plants with poles, PVC or tomato cages to support a heavier fabric. Frost cloth is
weeks. Apply plant coverings like a tent: draped to the ground and held/ staked there. This captures the warmth radiating from the ground and keeps out cool air that sinks to the ground at night. Don’t wrap fabric around shrubs or trees like a lollipop wrapper. While this offers some protection, it is far less effective than tenting. Use supports with plastic sheeting to keep it from touching plant material as it can otherwise cause more damage than good.
Some columnar cactus are tall or too challenging to cover. In this event, place Styrofoam cups over the tips of the stems for protection. In a pinch, use large plant containers, buckets or trash barrels to cover larger succulents overnight. No matter what solution you use, leave the materials on for a short period of time. You can use fabrics for a few weeks and buckets overnight or a few days. Frost cloth is a hot commodity right before a freeze. Don’t wait until the weather forecast predicts freezing temperatures to gather necessary supplies. Plan ahead, order supplies
from your local nursery or online and be ready for cold evenings. Alternately, know the frost tolerance of the plants you purchase. With careful selection and plant placement for your climate, (consider both winter and summer exposure), you can often avoid the need for winter protection. If your plants show signs of frost damage, resist the urge to prune until the danger of frost has passed. Dead foliage continues to protect the inner parts of the plant through winter. Some plants die back to the ground entirely, wait until spring to determine which plants need to be replaced and which require a rejuvenation pruning.
For useful information about desert gardening, visit the Springs Preserve Garden in Las Vegas or visit us online at springspreserve.org.
Improve Your
CURB APPEAL • Decorative Rock • Flagstone • Wall Rock • 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)216-7837
2600 West Ann Rd. (702)216-7837
1335 South Dixie Dr. (435)628-8004
5380 Blue Diamond Rd. (702) 444-7837
Fort Mohave
St. George
5380 Blue Diamond Rd. (702) 444-7837
1145 West Sunset Blvd. (435)688-STAR(7827)
8725 South Eastern Ave. (702) 216- 7852 Pahrump 911 Buol Rd. (775)727-5300
Lake Havasu 8725 South Eastern Ave. (702) 216- 7852
DELIVERY SERVICE AVAILABLE
LANDSCAPING PAYS
Receive a cash rebate of $2 per square foot of grass you
replace with water smart landscaping. Your home will not only look beautiful, you’ll be doing your part to save water. Using less means more. Restrictions apply. To learn more, visit snwa.com or call 702-258-SAVE.
SNWA is a not-for-profit water agency