Planning for next year

It's about 20 degrees outside right now, but in my mind it's about 75 and the greenhouse is overflowing with plants. In front of me is one of next years tropical orders and I am slowly perusing the pages of new and unusual plants for next year. I've amped up the order for citrus plants and patio tropicals with a bit of guilt knowing some may end up at my house at the end of the season.

We are fortunate in our profession that we escape one season in anticipation of the next. Even though Christmas is an important part of our business, it's an early business for us. Meaning the most profitable part of it happened two weeks ago. At this point we are just hanging on until the end of the season. We still have a few poinsettia plants and a couple of lonely Frasers left. One more week and this year is officially over for us.

But, in my mind it's just gearing up for another wonderful season!

Steve Maddox
smaddox@ricesnursery.com

Planting Trees-HGTV

Great video on how to plant a tree.

Rain, Rain Come our Way!

I find it amazing that here it is September 26 and we are finally getting the first real rain in many days. We can usually count on fall to be cool and wet. Well - not this year. It seems that every season has been a little off lately.

Since it has been so dry, PLEASE remember to water your plants. I know perennials and shrubs I had planted back in April were looking VERY thirsty. For those of you who planted trees, make sure you are watering at least once a week but no more then twice a week. Give them a good drink - 2" caliper trees or larger could easily be watered for 30-45 min. at a very slow trickle. New perennials and shrubs should be watered at least 2-3 times a week with enough water to soak the plant and the ground around it. Once the leaves fall off the trees and shrubs (and I mean when they are supposed to fall off) cut back the watering to once a week to once every two weeks.

Also, remember to get out and fertilize your trees, shrubs and perennials. Plant-Tone and Holly-Tone work great right now. Just be sure to use half the rate that you would have used in the spring.

With all the fall activities going on this year, don't forget to decorate your doorstep. We have LOTS of fall decorations and plenty of gourds and pumpkins to choose from.

Enjoy the rain!

Steve Maddox
smaddox@ricesnursery.com

Fall is for Decorating

It wasn't to long ago that Fall was known for planting. It is still one of the best times to plant, however we've discovered its more FUN to decorate! We've got a great selection of our own farm grown pumpkins and gourds to choose from. Some of them are beyond description - which makes it so much fun!

We also have cornstalks, straw (mini and regular), and all sorts of Halloween decorations. Don't forget about the mums and other colorful fall plants that freshen up those tired summer containers.

And YES it's still a great time to plant. Cooler weather and additional moisture makes planting trees and shrubs a "no-brainer". Even though the last week has been exceptionally dry, the cooler weather is a huge advantage for new plants. We have some great prices on trees at the nursery right now. Also, don't forget about the Farm Tree Sale the first two Saturdays in October. We'll have some great prices on the trees that were dug this year, and of course you have first pick on the trees to be dug this fall and spring.

Steve Maddox
smaddox@ricesnursery.com

Looking forward to an exciting Summer at Rice's Nursery. Come out and see what you are missing!

The beetles are coming! The BEETLES are COMING!

Oh no!!! It's that time of the year again when those pesky Japanese Beetles escape from the ground and descend on trees, shrubs and perennials in our gardens. The question of what to do, and what NOT to do is a hot topic in the garden center right now.

We are not big fans of the beetle bags since they attract LOTS of beetles that feed continuously until they reach the bag. Then, the bag can only hold so many so often the remaining beetles keep feasting away on your plants!

We have a couple recommendations that will kill and keep your beetles away. EIGHT which is a product produced by Bonide does a great job. It kills the ones that are there, and then remains on the leaf 3-4 weeks keeping beetles off your plants. This product seems to be the most effective.

Spinosad which is the ingredient in Captain Jack's (also from Bonide) is supposed to also kill the beetles and is listed for organic gardening. If you are protecting veggies and herbs - this is the product for you!

Both of these come in a hose-end attachments, a ready to use spray bottle, and a concentrate for your pump-sprayer. All of which can be purchased at the nursery right now.

Get them early, otherwise they will do significant damage to your plants in a very short period of time!

Avoid "Killing your plants with kindness"

Now that summer is officially here we need to be concerned about watering. Often, we become concerned with OVER WATERING, or killing plants with kindness! Even though this seems to go againest what most people think, overwatering is more dangerous then underwatering. Here is a breakdown of what we recommend for watering your plants:

The roots of newly planted trees and shrubs must not dry out completely. This is especially the case during the first growing season, since such stress may kill the plant. Here are some tips on how and when to water your newly planted trees & shrubs.

HOW
- Remove the nozzle from your hose and place it approximately six inches from the stem or trunk.
- Apply small stream of water (1/4”) to soak the ground for 3 to 15 minutes depending on plant size.
- Or, use a Gator Bag watering device for each tree and fill every 3 days (ask about this time saving watering device)
- Shade, pine and spruce trees all require different amounts of water:
- Shrubs 3-5 minutes
- Ornamentals (Flowering Crabs, etc. ) 10-15 minutes
- Evergreens (6’ ht) 15 minutes
- Deciduous (2 1/2” Cal.) 15-20 minutes (add 15 minutes to every additional inch of caliper)
WHEN
As a quick reference (under normal conditions):
April 15 - May 15 (Water once a week)
May 16 - Sept 15 (Water twice a week)
Sept 16 - Oct 31 (Water once a week)
Mid-November - Early December (Water once when the soil is not frozen)

POTTED PLANTS
Water once a day especially if they are in full sun. The best method is to lift the pot or use a water meter to be safe.


CAUTION: MORE TREES AND PLANTS ARE KILLED BY TOO MUCH WATER THAN TOO LITTLE.