Greetings Everyone! 

Glad to be here writing another March newsletter for you all. Weather-wise this month has been very up and down. It is definitely one of the months that really brings on spring-fever to be outside and gardening. We've had nice spring-like weather, followed by some cooler weather and much needed rain and snow in the mountains. Everyone is eager to get to planting I know, but some of the plants are still just beginning to grow and flower. Even if your plants aren't blooming or available at the nursery quite yet, there is still plenty to do in the garden to prepare. 

I hope everyone has taken advantage of these March rains and put some fertilizer in the garden. One of the best ways to get nutrients into the soil is to apply granular fertilizer just before a nice steady rain, similar to the one we just had. The idea is to let the rain absorb some of the nutrients and bring it deeper into the soil and into the root zone of your plants. It is never too late to fertilize especially with the nutrient deficient soils we typically have in our area. 

Weeding is a chore that no one likes to do. However, if you let your weeds go to flower and then seed, you will have made your work 10-times more difficult the next time. Do your best to spend small amounts of time pulling weeds from the garden instead of all at once or not at all. Weeds not only invade precious space in the garden, they attract pests like aphids, and they use up nutrients in the soil. Keeping control of them will make for a much healthier garden overall. 

Planting is still very advantageous this time of the year. We still have several months before the long days and hot weather begin, so planting in your garden now will help the plants become more established for harsher, less-forgiving days. That being said, we are just about to change our clocks to Daylight Saving Time, which means we are getting closer to longer days ahead.

I'm so excited to talk about the incredible variety and quantity of awesome plants we've been receiving over the past few weeks! 

First, let's talk about roses. It is a bit early but our supplier mentioned how fast David Austin roses are selling out this year, so we were able to bring in a good selection for an early spring planting. They are lightly rooted still so we recommend leaving them in their pots for another month. 

We weren't able to get all the David Austin rose varieties we wanted but we did get some great ones such as: Lady Emma Hamilton (my favorite!), Gentle Hermoine, Mary Rose, Olivia Rose Austin, Benjamin Britten, Thomas Becket, Golden celebration (climbing), Port sunlight, Carding mill, Queen of Sweden, and a few more you will have to come in to see. Our regular rose shipment, including hybrid tea, floribunda, etc. will be ready beginning in April when they will be in bud and bloom. We are happy to take any special orders if they are available. 

Next, I must make mention of fruit trees, which are located in our edible fruit, veggie and herb area. The supply of fruit trees has not yet caught up with demand. Last year, more fruit trees were sold than in the last three years before that. This has put a heavy strain on growers and their supplies. Knowing that, we brought in a nice early shipment of fruit trees for you. 

There are too many to name but here are some of the most popular fruit trees that we have in stock now: several kinds of apples (Anna, Golden Dorsett, Pink lady), plums (Santa rose, Satsuma, Beauty, Burgundy), apricots (tropic gold and Katy), peaches (Red Baron, Eva's pride, Babcock, Bonanza-dwarf!), nectarines (Panamint, Snow queen, Nectar babe-dwarf!), Spice Zee Nectaplum, figs (Violette de Bordeaux, Brown Turkey, Blackjack), citrus (low supply this year but we have some nice trees to choose from), avocados, passion fruit vines, and berries (blueberries, raspberry, and blackberry). You don't wait too long, these will all sell quickly!

March and April are Australian-native plants season! Plants such as Protea, Leucospermum, Grevillea, Banksia and Leucodendron. Some of my favorite flowering types of plants that aren't the easiest to grow, but once established will take care of themselves. Leucospermum Phil parvin with its pin-cushion style bloom is an awesome scarlet red variety, and banksias have the coolest and most unusual cob-like flower. Pictured here is a Banksia ericifolia.

Different types of Monstera have become so popular, including but not limited to siltepecana and adansonii, below. We also have a great selection of tillandsias and bromeliads (from the same plant family that also includes pineapple).

Don't forget to check out our awesome sale on Clivia,

Camellias and Azaelas this month. All shade loving plants with beautiful blooms. You can find them all under the side shade section next to the indoor greenhouse at the nursery.

As always, I look forward to seeing you at the nursery!