Surprise!  Again Mother Nature working her magic in Lassen County.  I guess monotony will never be our thing.  Isn't it what makes living here wonderful?  The weather is different each season and it keeps us on our toes constantly.  I have to say, I was not entirely ready for this.  Lots of "garden and patio to-do's" that still need done.  I hear there are multiple storms coming, so I guess the Almanac was right!  Time to kick it into gear and tuck everything in for what is likely to be a much needed big, wet winter!  

This weekend starts the "unofficial" start to the holiday season here at the garden center and our entire crew has been incredibly busy getting ready for our Annual Harvest & Holiday Preview event. Please join us this Saturday, November 5th, and wander through our holiday wonderland and enjoy all the goodies we will be providing!  We have guest craft vendors in displaying their wares for the day, too!   They each have unique and wonderful items, perfect for the holiday season.   We also have our Fall Planting Sale this weekend.  Huge discounts on nursery stock and dry goods specials, too!   Whatever you do - while you are here, don't forget to enter our drawings! We are giving away over $500.00 worth of gift cards & giveaways!

Our other big news for the start of this month, the Holiday Workshop Calendar is now up on our website. We are publishing this a little early this year so you can make your plans well in advance and save your seat.  This season we have two brand new classes!  I am excited about them and cannot wait for you to see them.   Just click here to take you to our website where you will find complete descriptions and easy sign-ups. 

Remember, we still have some beautiful days ahead to plant this season, fall really is the best time to plant! The roots continue to establish, even in the cold weather, all through November and your plants will wake up in spring ready to support the new growth.
                                                                                     See you in the garden, Melissa

Gardening "To-Do" List

~Apply mulches now-use compost or bark mulch to protect trees and shrubs from winter damage!  2-3" of organic matter mulch works magic on your gardens.

~ Winterize your lawn with G&B Organic Lawn Food, formulated to release fertilizer for your grass as it needs it.  A nice layer of Kelloggs Topper over old lawns will revive them.

~ Protect your trees from rubbing and trunk guard chewing animals with bark guards or caging.  Now is the time the deer do the most damage rubbing and chewing your trees! After the       snowfall, rabbits eat your bark and girdle your trees.  

~ Prune trees and shrubs after they lose leaves, heading-back creates bushiness, and thinning creates shape....we have a GREAT selection of pruning books, and Fiskars Loppers & Corona Pruners. PLUS; our staff is always ready to assist you with any questions you might have.   

~Use G&B Soil Building Compost for a great mulch!  

~Plant trees now.  November is still a great time to plant! Select trees and shrubs with red, orange, and yellow fall color...they will do 80% of their annual rooting now!

~Make sure your Glazed Pottery is up off the ground for the winter.  Use bricks, wood, or pot feet to keep that bottom from continual freezing and thawing causing cracks.

~Rake and remove leaves from areas where they can rot and create staining and mildew.  Insects overwinter on leaves as well, so composting them or taking them to the green waste is the best option.  

~Spray your fruit trees with Bonide Orchard Spray to get a jump on maintenance.  Anytime leaves are not present is a great time to spray.  Saturate stems, branches and the trunk for early prevention of unwanted overwintering insect larvae.