|
Your Independent Neighborhood Garden Nursery
Beautiful Plants and Inspired Designs since 1954
| | Dear Friends of Anderson's La Costa, | | |
Happy 250th! Happy Summer!
Wow, what a momentous 4th of July we celebrated this year. 250 years is a solid "semiquincentennial" anniversary of independence for the United States. We hope you truly enjoyed the holiday and what often feels like the official start of our SoCal summer.
If you haven’t been before, The Green Dragon Tavern and Museum in Carlsbad, off Palomar Airport Road, is a surprising find. It is inspired by the original 18th-century Green Dragon Tavern in Boston, which served as the meeting place and think tank for the people and events that would eventually shape our nation to this day. Not only does it have a good menu and bar area, but it also hosts private events and features a free museum showcasing our country’s early architecture, historical artifacts, and culture. Perfect if you're looking for an opportunity to step into the early days of the U.S. and perhaps feel like you might have even taken a visit to the East Coast!
In other news, we wanted to let you know that our fabulous Manny will be moving in mid-July. He has been with us since 2018 - eight whole years! We are all grateful we were able to work with him for a good long stretch. Please stop by and say hello and goodbye to Manny sometime this week (Wed-Fri). His last day is Sunday, July 12. We will miss you, Manny. We wish you and your family all the best!
| |
| |
July Nursery Specials
20% Off
Milkweed & Dracaena
Featuring both narrowleaf and tropical milkweed (Asclepias),
and indoor Dracaena.
| |
| |
Next, you'll find Steven's nursery and garden write-up, followed by Summer Gardening Tips.
Hoping you had a spectacular 4th of July and you're already having a wonderful summer. Please let us know how we can help you with your garden. We look forward to seeing you at the nursery soon.
Best wishes,
Your Anderson's La Costa Team ~ Marc, Mariah, Steven, Manny, Hanna, Tandy, Julie, June, Josh, Mo, Zoe, Madeline, Ella, Gabe, and Alvaro
| |
| |
What's New at the Nursery by Steven Froess
Hello Everyone!
With summer now officially upon us, it is time for the July newsletter. This month, we will see some of the longest daylight hours of the year, which signal lots of plant growth. Personally, I spend a lot of this time of year pruning and shaping my plants, watering them, controlling pests, and finally harvesting.
Tomato plants can grow so fast that most people are overwhelmed by how much space they take up in their garden. Like other plants, you can prune them at any time, which benefits them in several ways. My suggestion is to wait at least a month after planting before doing anything. I like to let the roots become established and the plant on its way to flowering/fruiting before starting to prune. I usually start with the lower leaves and inner foliage to improve air circulation. This reduces the risk of disease and fungus that may otherwise occur.
Next, as the plant continues to grow and I can see where the fruits are setting, I'll trim off parts of the plant that are growing well beyond the support cages or into other plants, so it doesn't become a tangled mess. Remember not to prune off too much foliage in a single session so the plant can continue growing without too much stress. I also take this time to give my second dose of slow-release fertilizer (Agrowinn 4-4-6) to maintain a steady nutrient supply throughout the flowering/fruiting period. I planted my tomatoes in mid-April and am just beginning to get my first ripened fruits (Aiko orange!)
| | |
Summer brings lots of pests to the garden as well. Although I did find some baby decollate snails under some rocks (see picture), I hope these predatory snails continue to multiply. One of the most common insects this time of year is the citrus leaf miner. If you have a citrus tree in your garden, you will inevitably encounter this pest. The adult is a small moth, but the damage is caused by the larvae, which tunnel through newly formed leaves and stems. If you catch them at a very early stage, you can see the yellow larvae inside the leaf and remove them with your thumbnail. This ensures they don't reach adulthood and multiply further.
On larger trees, I recommend leaving the citrus leaf miner as a beneficial insect (parasitic wasps) will be around to provide some control. Ultimately, everyone with citrus will just have to learn to live with this unavoidable pest. Have no fear. There are always challenges in gardening, and we are all here to learn and get better!
| | |
Even though it's halfway through the year and getting warmer, there are still some great plant selections! First, we'll start with some bedding plants, great for both containers and the ground, to add lots of color. Scaevola (blue/violet or white) compacta series can be added to sunny to partly sunny locations and makes a great border plant or addition to pots, with a very long flowering cycle. Euphorbia 'Diamond Frost' is an excellent Proven Winner that does well in containers (be careful of the sap), is pest-resistant, and has lots of little white flowers.
Gomphrena, such as 'Fireworks' or 'Strawberry fields,' are excellent for attracting butterflies and make great additions to cut flower gardens. Echinacea are now in their prime, with very colorful flowers, great for any butterfly garden. I can't say enough how much I like Sunpatiens. These colorful bedding plants perform well in shade, part shade, part sun, and up to full sun along the coast. They come in a variety of brightly colored flowers that last until it gets cold (October/November).
| |
| |
Convolvulus cneorum 'Snow angel' makes a great addition to a garden with its shiny silver foliage and white flowers when in bloom (be careful, rabbits enjoy eating them!). Melaleuca diosmifolia is a unique plant that adds great texture and growth habit to a low-water garden. This shrub/small tree will eventually reach 10-12 feet but can be shaped into a shrub or tree.
Outdoor bromeliads look great all year and can add a colorful pop with their foliage. Some varieties tolerate a good amount of sun, while others need partial or filtered light. They are great both in the ground and in containers and don't need to be repotted very often, as they have a small root system. I also recommend these in tough soils or near palm trees where it's not possible to dig large holes.
| | |
Pedilanthus bracteatus is finally starting to wake up. These are among my favorite succulents, as they grow tall but not too wide and have lots of flowers at the tips of the branches. They prefer heat, and it's been a cooler spring (I'm not complaining), so they are just beginning to look good.
Lavender 'Super blue' is a great summer bloomer with a dwarf growth habit. Good for both containers and in the ground, this plant only grows about a foot tall and wide. Remember, when planting lavender, do not use potting soil (citrus and palm soil are preferred). In the ground, use a similar mix (well-draining, like citrus and palm, or just native soil!)
| | The Anderson's vegetable & flower garden is doing great! Maybe a little overgrown, and more flowers than veggies, but it's still producing. Speaking of lavender (in the section above), we continue to have a good selection of summer herbs, fruits, and veggies- a great selection of bananas, a table filled with tomatoes (they love the heat of summer), and thanks to Hanna and Mo, brand new table cages to keep the squirrels and rabbits away from the lettuce! | | |
For the first time ever, our July sale will feature Asclepias, aka Milkweed! These popular plants are hosts to monarch butterflies, providing both nectar and foliage for the caterpillars. There seems to be no shortage this year, and we'd love to see people contribute to the population. We will have several varieties and sizes to choose from, so come enjoy the butterflies and let the butterflies enjoy the milkweed!
Also in July, we are featuring Dracaena. They make excellent indoor and outdoor plants. I think Marginata (especially the character pieces) make excellent potted plants and look amazing when lit up at night. They also grow well in narrow spaces and are slow-growing, so there is no need to repot them frequently. We currently have Marginata, Carmen, Colorama, Rikii, Michiko, and Compacta varieties in stock.
| | |
The nursery will also receive several new pottery orders this month, so please come in and check out what's available! I always enjoy sharing newsletter updates with you, and I sure hope to see you all at the nursery soon.
Your Local Horticulturalist,
Steven
| | |
As we find ourselves in the middle of summer, it’s time to sit back, relax, and enjoy your garden. Take a peek to see if there's anything that might need some attention, or simple chores like watering and deadheading, that can be done in the early, cool mornings or later into the evening. Regardless, now is the time to reap what you've sown - if not literally, then figuratively! Enjoy the fruit of your labor. However, if you are inclined to poke around in your garden, here are a few midsummer reminders:
Watering and pest control will be your main tasks this month. Remember the basics: Water in the early morning, and water the soil to the extent of the radius of the leaves, and not the leaves themselves. Water deeply and occasionally, rather than shallow and frequently.
It is important to water plants deeply during the hottest days of summer. If they are merely sprinkled, their roots tend to reach up toward the soil surface to access the water rather than extending downward as they should. Shallow roots will perish during hot weather. One deep watering a week utilizes less water, is better for plants, and requires less time than a daily sprinkling. Water thoroughly each time, but allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Deep-water trees as needed, depending on the tree species, age, and weather.
It's also a good time to ensure your irrigation system is performing at peak efficiency. Flush filters and header lines of drip systems. Also, check drip emitters and clean or replace those that aren't working properly.
To continue reading Summer Gardening Tips, click here.
| | |
Welcome to Anderson's La Costa Garden Design Services. Our talented staff has designed hundreds of gardens for Southern California homeowners. Having a dedicated garden designer visit your home or office will help you create the beautiful outdoor space you've always dreamed of.
Our experienced Garden Designers can assist you with:
- A garden designed to your preferences
- Optimal plant selection and options for your unique setting and microclimate
- Advice on drought-tolerant and California native designs
- Recommendations on soil amending
- Plant problem identification and resolution
- Address maintenance needs
- A scheduled nursery visit to view the recommended plant materials
- Professional garden advice as needed
We hope you stop by to learn more about how we can help with your garden. Our Garden Design team is talented, creative, passionate, and professional. Please call, visit us at the nursery, or visit our website:
andersonslacostanursery.com/garden-design-services
| | | | |
