Flowering Plums, Flowering Pears, and Gophers ~ Oh, My!

02/28/2014 Ken Lain, mountain gardener

In their full glory this week are two trees that each spring are the first to show off their floral splendors.  The tree covered in pink blooms is the purple ‘Thundercloud’ plum.  This beauty does not bear fruit but is…

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Large Conifers + Essential Spring Gardening Tasks

02/21/2014 Ken Lain, mountain gardener

There are a couple of benefits to planting larger growing conifers before April.  The first is that, knowing garden centers stock up early for the spring planting season, informed gardeners buy early.  This guarantees cream-of-the-crop selections before the general public…

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First Thaw Signals it is Time to Think “Roses!”

02/14/2014 Ken Lain, mountain gardener

Soil begins to thaw and the first shipment of rose bushes has arrived at garden centers, so we know that the planting season is here! Over 150 roses arrived this week at our garden center, and in just a matter…

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Local Fruit Trees that Produce the Best Harvests

02/07/2014 Ken Lain, mountain gardener

A healthy fruit tree will be 5-7 years old before producing its first crop, becoming more prolific with maturity.  Unfortunately, garden center trees aren’t labeled with their ages or when they are likely to produce substantial crops. So when shopping…

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