1. Our first Winter Containers Class. We are excited to bring this workshop your way — we'll walk through how to create a beautiful winter fiber pot or windowbox. Monday, November 8th, 7pm at the store. The class is $40, you will leave with a lovely fiber pot of winter greens, sticks and berries. Windowboxes from 18" to 30" will be available for arranging for an extra $10, or you may bring your own windowbox. Signing up for this class is just like any other — email us at info@motherearthgarden.com to RSVP. We will charge for the class at it's conclusion, no need for a deposit, but we do need to know how many are coming to plan appropriately. Please dress for the weather and bring pruners and gloves if you have them. We will provide if you are unable to bring your own.
2. We are currently taking suggestions for both our Winter/Spring 2011 seminar schedule and for our 2011 heirloom tomato varieties. Here is your opportunity to suggest that class you've always wanted to take, or to let us know how amazing or disappointing that particular variety of tomato was...drop us an email anytime with comments and suggestions.
3. Organic Free Range Christmas Trees: Wow, we couldn't be more pleased to share this beautiful idea made reality. Our good friend and forest steward, Jeff Forester, has partnered with Will Steger to remove understory balsam fir trees from their northern MN lands. These trees are removed to prevent fast spreading of forest fires in stands of 200 year old white pine. Usually the trees are burned or chipped, but this year we will be selling them as Christmas trees. For those of you who love the look of an unsheared or natural tree, this is the ultimate! Straight out of the forest, no chems of any kind, and part of the proceeds will be returned to Mr. Steger's fund to plant appropriate species in these stands. Adding a lovely layer to the season of giving.
4. Fall Cleanup - A whirlwind list, let's get to the garden:
Bulbs - yes you can plant tulips into November. It's still warm enough for daffodils, scilla, fritillaria and hyacinth as well. Make a statement, dig a hole and throw in 50. They don't need to be planted polka dot 4 to 6 inches apart like it says on the bag, but best not to have them touching too much. Yes, plant garlic, 3 inches or so down and 6 inches or so apart. Label it so you don't dig it up. Chicken wire is your best friend this fall, cover the tulips, cover the bottom of your young trees and foil those puffy tailed demons.
Throw away anything diseased (like away, in the trash, not the compost) and throw on a layer of compost or manure on the vegetable garden.
WATER. All of your young trees and new plantings. Deluged with rain all summer and nothing for weeks. Remember the golden rule: Long and deep, not shallow and brief. Okay, I just made that saying up, but it's true - get the water to the roots!
If you haven't brought in your houseplants, you got lucky this year. Check for what MJ calls "squatters", whom you don't want as uninvited guests inside your house all winter. Don't transplant unless you absolutely must. You can bring in rosemary, chives, parsley, oregano, bay as houseplants. I've brought in thyme some years and left it well mulched others.
Pull out all the beautiful summer stuff in your containers that is about to be frosty toast and put in some sticks, mums and pansies! They like it cold.
