Smart Soil Prep for Healthy Plants
Healthy soil is vital to the success of your trees, shrubs, annuals and perennials.
Why?
It’s vital because organic soil amendments such as mixes fortified with compost or chicken manure will improve your soil’s physical properties (aeration and porosity) and the organic matter they provide will increase water holding capacity. Plus, they will provide a source of slowly available nutrients to not only your plants, but to an amazing array of beneficial soil microbes.
Organic based fertilizers derived from plant or animal material (rather than synthetic chemicals) will kick start the life of your soil resulting in healthier plants and more productive, great tasting fruits and vegetables.
Sustainable Landscaping and Soil Food Web gardening are both rooted in Organic Gardening. They’re all about respecting and being good stewards of the Land.
Technology has enabled us to better see the amazingly diverse, constantly moving, eating and pooping, nutrient recycling, big wide world that lies underfoot; and soil scientists actually spend their lives studying it.
So … treat your soil right and you’ll be amazed at the results!
Not only will you have the most beautiful, healthiest landscape in the neighborhood … but your edibles will reward you with great tasting, nutritious fruits and vegetables that you grew yourself!
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Ask Dawn: “What’s the Best Way to Get Rid of Powdery Mildew on Crape Myrtle?”
Question: “Hi Dawn, what’s the best way to get rid of the powdery mildew that’s infested my crape myrtle?
–Carolyn Taylor, El Dorado Hills
Dawn’s Answer: “Hi Carolyn, thanks for writing in with a great question!
Powdery Mildew is a problem for a lot of Crape Myrtles.
It’s is a fungal disease that causes damage by halting photosynthesis and other basic life processes of the leaves and buds, which harms the tree. It can be eradicated by applying any fungicide that is labeled for mildew on a weekly basis until the flower buds open. In addition, thinning out branches in order to allow sun and air flow penetration into the canopy can help reduce susceptibility to mildew problems.
I would try to prune the tree considerably to open it up for good airflow, then purchase a fungicide.
Also, when looking to purchase a Crape Myrtle, try to find the varieties that are propagated to resist powdery mildew. Come in to our Nursery today to see our a beautiful, highly mildew resistant, 15- gallon Multi-Trunk Crape Myrtles available for a short time at an unbelievable $32!
I hope this helps!
To your gardening success! Dawn
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Have a question for Dawn?
Click here to send her your gardening and landscaping questions. You More >
“How to Start a Landscape”
Dhetchai Allison, Our Landscape Designer
Not quite sure where to get started with your landscape? Do you have a pre-existing landscape that needs a “face-lift?” Or you have a blank slate to work with and you want to work with us to paint the canvas?
We can make it easy for you!
This is what we’ll do when you talk with us about updating your landscape:
First, we’ll find out what you want and need. We’ll ask you questions so we can get a complete understanding what you’re looking to do and how you want your landscape to look. Based on what you share with us, we’ll then recommend these 2 options. 1. If you’re a Do-It-Yourselfer (DIY) who is looking for advice, we’ll recommend the landscape consultation option. Green Valley has an extremely knowledgeable, creative and (most importantly in this economy) affordable, landscape designer, Dhetchai Allison (see his picture, above). Dhetchai can work with you on an hourly basis … or to create a full design … whatever fits your needs and budget. 2. The second option is you if you’d like us to install your landscape for you. This option is perfect for you if you: a. Live in an HOA: you’ll want or need a More >
Ask Dawn: “How Do I Get Rid of Aphids?”
Question: “Hi Dawn, what is the best and most efficient way to rid my garden of aphids without using poisons or chemicals?”
–Beth Jones, El Dorado Hills
Dawn’s Answer: “Hi Beth, and thanks for writing!
A strong jet of water is a good means of aphid control and the very first thing I would do upon finding aphids. The water knocks the aphids off of the plant and onto the ground. Once on the ground they are seldom able to return to the plant. Use your thumb to concentrate the spray from a regular garden hose or buy yourself a Bug Blaster hose attachment.
Another great way is to release an army of lady bugs! Ladybugs find aphids to be delicious. Ladybugs and their larvae have a voracious appetite for aphids. A single ladybug can eat about 100 aphids a day. We have thousands of ladybugs at our nursery ($8.95) ready and waiting to make a meal of the pests bugging you and your landscape!!”
To your gardening and landscaping success,
Dawn
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Have a question for Dawn?
Click here to send her your gardening and landscaping questions. You might be featured in an upcoming issue of our blog!
“For Success – Use Local Gardening and Landscaping!”
Why will you be more successful if you use local gardening and landscaping experts?
What sets them apart from the others?
Here are just a few reasons:1. You can buy from the grower. This means they do not get their plants and trees in overnight from a Hot House in Southern California, the Bay Area or another state. Their trees and plants are acclimated to our area – which means that their plant material has been through our harsh winters and hot summers. This means YOUR plants and trees have a much better chance for success!
2. When you use a local nursery and landscape company, they take care of all your nursery and landscaping for you! This means they deliver and plant for you. In addition to properly planting the tree or plant for you, they can also install the tree stakes (and the deer fencing to protect your plant or tree from the deer), and tie into or install your irrigation.
3. They will not carry or sell plants and/or trees that will not flourish or do well in our area.
They are landscape contractors – so, they know first hand what does and does not do well in More >
