June

June 16, 2010

SALE! Veggies are half off while they last! We have lots of beautiful winter and summer squash, a few great heirloom tomatoes, peppers and greens. Sorry, herbs are not included in the sale.

Other discounts to be had include: gladiola and elephant ear bulbs and a selection of annual baskets.

Not on sale, but tons of fun: The first Seedbomb machine appears in Minneapolis at Mother Earth Gardens. Fifty cents to beautify your municipality...

If you are thiinking about planting trees and shrubs now that summer is here, consider these choices:

Chestnut Crabapple, 20 ft, Zones 3 -7:  University of MN, 1946. Originated as an open-pollinated seedling of Malinda.  Large crabapple (2" diameter) with outstanding flavor and good texture for fresh eating. Medium storage life (4- 5 weeks).  We have a couple on the lot with apples!

Viburnums of all varieties:  Many are native to Minnesota, all are beautiful and hardy.  What they have to recommend them:  Three season interest, pretty fall color and wildlife berries, will grow in sun or part shade, come in a variety of heights and widths.

As we've mentioned before, this has been an incredible year for bugs. Try the University of Minnesota Extension Gardening Plant diagnostic tool online or try one of the great books we sell. That said, not all bugs need to be immediately wiped out. Some caterpillars have pupated and will no longer munch, other bugs do cosmetic damage but can be tolerated. Consider this quote from the U of M Yard and Garden Brief:  "Small to moderate numbers of fourlined plant bugs normally do not seriously harm plants and treatment is not necessary to protect the plants' health. Tolerate and ignore fourlined plant bugs when possible, especially if you have not seen much damage in recent years."

And last, but not least: MOSQUITOS. The search for a DEET-free mosquito repellent continues. This year we are stocking the Bugband, a wrist band that works up to 120 hours (and can be stored between wearings).  It repels insects with an essential oil derived from geraniums.  Check out their salesmanship at www.bugband.net/.

We hope you are transitioning to summer happily. Enjoy your families, friends, pets and gardens!