Checklist for May Gardening

April 25, 2023

Protect your cherry crop! Prevent wormy fruit. Start spraying with Captain Jack’s spinosad weekly when fruit begins to change from green to strawberry color.

Feed roses now and every two weeks for maximum rose production. Use MaxSea plus Kelp Sea Life for the trace elements and minerals.

Thin apple, plum, apricot and peach crops if too much fruit has set, you’ll get fewer but larger, juicier fruit.

Timing is important for grub control. If you had trouble with grubs last summer and fall, now is the time to prepare a treatment plan for prevention. Treating your lawn in May with Bonide Grub Beater or beneficial Nematodes while the grubs are young and vulnerable is best. Use beneficial Nematodes in your vegetable garden as well!

Ladybugs and praying mantis to the rescue! Control aphids, beetles, scale and leafhoppers naturally.

Deep-root water trees and shrubs. Never depend on lawn watering to take care of trees and shrubs. The use of soaker hoses helps deliver deep water as well. Your trees and shrubs will thank you for doing this at least monthly through the warmer months.

Do you have small sucking bugs on your vegetables? Use vegetable safe Bonide All Season Spray Oil.

Plant 4-inch or larger vegetable plants and save several weeks of growing time. Remember to protect them from hungry snails and slugs with Sluggo Plus or pet safe Sluggo. Both are labeled for organic gardening, both control slugs, Sluggo Plus controls insects too.

Prevent olive fruit set with Florel Fruit Eliminator. Spray the olive when the tree has just reached full bloom. Olive flowers are tiny, so watch carefully. Full bloom usually occurs in early May. Spray the whole tree thoroughly. We have the names of commercial spray companies that can help too.

Turflon Esther for Bermuda grass control controls that wiry-stemmed, nuisance weed Bermuda grass. It also works wonders on Oxalis, a yellow clover look-alike.

The miracle of mulch. As well as looking good, mulching conserves water and suppresses weeds and keeps roots cool. We suggest a mulch layer of 4 inches thick. Don’t mulch right up to the plant trunk or stem. Leave 4 to 6 inches of breathing room.

Protect the trunks of fruit trees with Go Natural Tree Trunk Paint. Applying this coating to the trunk will reflect heat away from the tender tissue and protect the trees.

Regular feeding for Citrus. Citrus performs well with monthly light feedings of fertilizer specifically formulated for Citrus. This will ensure that your tree gets a nice even supply of food year-round instead of occasional periods of highs or lows. We recommend Master Nursery Citrus Food, or for a completely organic approach, use E.B. Stone Citrus and Fruit Tree Fertilizer. Make quarterly applications of Iron Sulfate for optimum feeding and greening.

Prep your roses for the second wave of bloom! Cut back and feed roses as the first set of blooms fade. Feed with Master Nursery Rose and Flower Food. Water and stand back (roses typically rebloom six weeks after pruning and feeding. For special treatment, feed roses with water-soluble Maxsea. It can be sprayed on the leaves and gives the plant a dark glossy appearance.

Vegetable Gardening Made Easy

April 19, 2023

There are several key elements in growing a successful and fruitful vegetable garden, one of which is “Mother Nature”. We can’t always predict or control what nature brings, but the following steps can help improve your success rate.

Soil Preparation
Soil prep is the #1 key to a successful garden. Most of our valley soils have a high clay content and must be loosened to allow for proper drainage and better root growth. The addition of soil amendments or organic conditioners plays a big role in turning our heavy soil into “good garden loam”.

First, remove all large rocks, weeds, and debris from the planting area. For a 10′ x 10′ sq. area, rototill or work into the soil 5-8 bags of Bumper Crop, 15 pounds of E.B. Stone Tomato & Vegetable Food (use less if you use a traditional fertilizer instead of an organic selection like E.B. Stone), 5 lbs. of Iron Sulfate and between 5 and 40 pounds of gypsum. This will provide you with a soil that is better draining and rich in nutrients.

If you are planting in a raised bed, remember that the soil should be refreshed each season for maximum production. We recommend using our Master Nursery Professional Potting Soil to add soil volume to beds that have settled. Mix in Bumper Crop along with E.B. Stone Tomato & Vegetable Food, Iron Sulfate and gypsum and you are ready to “grow”.

Planting
Vegetables may be started from seed or “starter” plants. A 4-inch potted plant gives you a head start in the growing process and in many cases is more efficient for the urban garden. However, if you start from seed, you will have to thin the seedlings as they grow to get stronger, healthier plants.

Spring planting is generally done after the danger of frost, which for the Valley is the first week of April. Spring/Summer crops include tomatoes, peppers, squashes, eggplants, cucumbers, corn, beans, pumpkins, strawberries, and melons. Some of your leafy green vegetables can also be grown now if given some special care.

Fall planting is generally started as the summer heat subsides, which for the Valley is on or about October 1st. Fall/Winter crops include artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbages, cauliflower, kale, lettuces, mustards, onions, peas, rhubarb, swiss chard, spinach, and potatoes in January.

When planting small starter plants, be extra gentle with the stem where it enters the ground or crown of the plant, as it can be damaged easily in transplanting and then your plant will fail. Also, make sure not to bury the stem of the plant under extra soil, the crown needs to “breathe”. The exception is tomato plants, whose stems can be buried. Each hair will turn into a root. When you plant, mix into the soil a “starter” fertilizer like E.B. Stone Sure Start. This helps the young plants develop a stronger root system.

Fertilizing
Fertilization is the 2nd key component to a fruitful garden. A “starter” fertilizer like E.B Stone Sure Start, will get your young transplant off to a good beginning. After about 3-4 weeks you’ll need to start your regular fertilizing schedule.

We recommend using organic or organic based fertilizers such as E.B. Stone once a month since they provide many benefits to the crops and soil.

Fertilizers should never be applied to dry, thirsty plants. Water your plants first, let a couple hours pass then apply your fertilizer and then water the plants again. Avoid feeding on extra hot days (over 85 degrees).

Tomato & Vegetable Food 4-5-3
E.B. Stone Tomato & Vegetable Food is formulated from quality natural organic ingredients for use throughout the vegetable garden as well as with soft fruits like strawberries.

It will contribute to even plant growth without producing excessive foliage at the expense of fruit. The additional phosphorous helps to ensure the production of high-quality fruits and vegetables.

The calcium in E.B. Stone Tomato & Vegetable Food aids in preventing disorders like blossom end rot.

Watering
Watering is the 3rd key to a successful garden. Water new transplants right away and keep young, establishing plants evenly moist. A maturing vegetable garden is perfectly suited to be water-wise since veggies will fruit better if kept on the dry side. Drip systems and soaker hoses can be used for the vegetable garden. Soaker hoses, although left on for an hour or more at a trickle can still reduce water use by as much as 70%.

With drip systems, you’ll need to use 3 emitters per plant, triangulated around the plant, and run the system for 1 hour to start, then increase it to 2 hours when the plant has grown. How frequently you will have to water depends mostly on your soil’s water holding capability and secondly on weather conditions. In general, you want to thoroughly soak your vegetable plants and then let them go dry in between waterings. When you see the plants wilting (droopy), and you know it’s been awhile since you’ve watered, then it’s time to water again. However, temperature extremes will cause plants to droop even though they have enough water.

Mulching
Mulching with 3-4 inches of shredded or nugget forest material helps to conserve water, moderate soil temperatures near the crown of the plant and discourage weeds. Studies have also shown that plants that have been mulched, grow faster and develop higher yields in the long term. We recommend any Master Nursery Bark material. Mulch in late spring to allow the sun to warm the soil early on.

Pest Management
The first line of defense for your new plants is to protect them from snails, slugs, and earwigs with organic Sluggo Plus. Spread bait, “1 tablespoon per square yard” in a broad pattern out from the plant base of your plants. Read label directions for the frequency of reapplication. For other pest problems, it is best to identify which pest you’re dealing with before treating. If you are not sure what you’ve got, you can always bring some into the nursery in a sealed container. Ladybugs make a good biological control for aphids and some other soft-bodied insects. Captain Jack’s products, (Spinosad) and Bonide All Season Spray Oil are good broad-spectrum pesticides that are organic (OMRI approved) and treat the majority of vegetable pests.

Other Tips & Hints

In spring, new plants should be transplanted into the ground late in the day, (just before sunset), so they will not suffer from heat stress.
Tomato flowers will not set fruit if nighttime temperatures drop below 55 degrees and usually will drop off.
When your tomatoes are blooming, shake the plants to aid in pollination. This will increase fruit set. (This is helpful with peppers too). Spray open yellow flowers with Bonide Blossom Set to enhance fruit set.
Even out watering on tomato plants once the fruit has set and begins to color.
Cooler nighttime temperatures delay the ripening of many spring veggies.
Mix in a tablespoon of Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom Salts) in the bottom of the hole for tomatoes. Apply a tablespoon monthly through the growing season.

Easter or Spring Grass

March 21, 2023

We have wheat seed, perfect for growing an instant Easter egg nest in pots, bowls, vases, and baskets. A fun project you can enjoy indoors throughout the spring season.

Fill a container 2/3 full with soil, sprinkle with seed and press seeds firmly against the soil.

Water and watch it grow! Wheat seed germinates in 3-4 days and takes 10-15 days to maturity. Plant in time for Easter on April 9th and spring decorating.

Please Note We do have some organic grasses available in our seed section.

Peonies

March 1, 2023

Peonies are among the most adaptable perennials for North America. We have many of them in several forms. They are asleep right now, but will offer glorious blooms soon. Peonies are right at home in our area; growers once grew them commercially in Sunol for the cut flower market.

Peonies include a variety of flower forms and beautiful colors with attractive foliage that remains long after the flowers have faded. They can serve as an accent along a shrub border, fence or wall. If planted close together, a natural hedge effect can be created.

Available in a wide range of colors, from dazzling white to deep maroon, and various flower forms, peonies work well as a subtle divider as a shrub-like backdrop for annual flowers; or along a driveway or property line. Their flowers and foliage make them a versatile landscaping addition for planting in the middle range of perennial borders or beds by themselves.

Whether perennial bush, “tree” form or hybrid Itoh, peonies make a lovely addition to your garden.

The bush form renews itself each spring with new shoots emerging from the ground. They grow into soft green shrubby plants that will reach 2-3 feet high. Choose a spot with at least half day of sun for the best bloom. They love acid soil so use Master Nursery Acid Planting Mix for best results.

The tree form, (really a shrub), does best when planted in the morning or filter sun. These faithfully bloom each year on their woody stems. In the winter the plant loses its leaves, but the woody stems remain.

The plant will slowly grow to a height of 4 to 5 feet; Its flower can be a foot across. The flowers are made up of big soft crepe paper-like petals. Choose from varieties that are pure white, pale yellow, light, and dark pink as well as burgundy. Some are fully double, and others are single with a yellow center.

Itoh Peonies are new hybrids from Monrovia. Tree and bush forms were crossed to create this beautiful new addition. These seven year old plants come with a guarantee of 10 or more blooms the first year. They perform best in bright shade or sun until 10am.

Grow Your Own Strawberries

February 8, 2023

We enjoy the mild winter weather and warm spring making strawberry growing easy. Growing and eating fresh strawberries is a Northern California treat. Bare root Strawberries have just arrived so plant plenty for spring and summer.Bare root strawberries planted now will produce by this summer.

Throughout the year, we carry an assortment of strawberries, but the first to arrive are the bare root Seascape everbearing variety. They produce berries throughout the warm season with the heaviest crop in late spring.

Planting Strawberries

Plant strawberries in soil that has been improved by spreading a 3″ layer of Master Nursery Gold Rush or Bumper Crop and mix it in well. Form the improved soil into mounded rows about 4-6″ high and 12-18″ wide and 24-30″ center to center. Or plant strawberries in containers using Master’s Pride Potting Soil.

Ideally, you will want to keep the fruit from touching the soil. Traditionally when planting in mounds, a layer of straw was used to hold the berries up out of the dirt, but you can use any mulch, including bark or even landscape weed fabric. Lay the fabric over the freshly prepared soil anchor it down with soil staples, stones or a bit of dirt, then cut slits into the fabric where each plant goes.

Place each plant a little bit high in the soil, just covering the roots. Planting this way ensures the crown does not rot, and roots do not dry out. Strawberries like even moisture and light fertilizing at planting followed by a heavier feeding after fruiting.

At the time of planting, mix in Master’s Tomato Vegetable Fertilizer. Feed monthly through September.

Succulents – Beautiful & Water Wise

November 2, 2022

What is not to like about succulents? Succulents are the rave right now, and that’s not hard to understand when you see all the advantages they offer.

Low Irrigation
Generally, little irrigation is needed. Succulents can withstand drought better than wet soil. These plants thrive where others wilt from lack of water. Include these plants as an important part of water conservation while landscaping and gardening.

Low Maintenance
These plants are about as close to “plant it and forget it” as you can get. Many are native to harsh environments with little or infrequent watering.

High Versatility
These plants are equally happy to be in your garden, landscaping, containers, and inside your home as houseplants. As long as you keep in mind, they do have some special needs. Most require at least 6 hours of sunlight and fast-draining soil, so location is important, and some will need protection during the colder months.

Good Looks
Fortunately, you don’t have to sacrifice appearance for all these benefits. Cacti and succulents are some of Nature’s most beautiful and exotic plants. Outdoors, your succulents will liven up your garden and give your home an original look. Few plants attract as much attention as these. You can use them as exciting accents or go all out and create a complete desert garden motif. Inside, dish gardens with succulents can provide an attractive tabletop decoration that is sure to be a conversation starter.

Off-Season Blooming
When most other plants are in their dormant cycle, and the rest of your landscaping has the winter color blahs, many of these plants are at their colorful best. The aloes are in their glory from December to January; the puyas, yuccas, and agave flower from April to June. A well-chosen selection and placement of succulents will give your landscaping a year-round color look your neighbors will envy.

Here at Alden Lane, we have a large selection available for you to combine, or we can suggest combinations for you. With their wide variety of architectural forms, succulents are a great garden addition. We just received some beautiful planters.

These plants are among the most versatile of this year’s garden offerings. They can express your artful side or your whimsy, whatever you choose. Also, you might combine succulents with other low water use plants to make a lush garden display. Come in and explore the collection.

Tasty Tropicals

July 19, 2022

Buttery avocados, red strawberry guavas, plump passion fruits . . . all grown at home. Wait – what? You mean we can grow luscious tropical fruits right here in the Tri-Valley? I thought our Sunset Zone 14 (USDA Zone 9) winters were too cold for tropicals!

While it’s true we are a bit too cold for many truly tropical plants which come from a climate with nary a frost, with a little imagination and shift in our thinking we can grow lots of similar fruits which can withstand a bit of cold below 32 degrees. Many of these are from sub-tropical regions of the world. Not only will you be adding delicious treats to your yard, you also gain gorgeous assets in your landscape.

Lots of these plants will look right at home in a landscape themed with layers of palms, large-leaved shrubs, and bright, hot flower colors, straight from your most recent vacation to the tropics. Plant them in sheltered spots in your yard – up close to your house on the south or the east side is a good spot for the most frost tender. Most like a minimum of six hours of sunshine to produce well. And think frost protection for at least the first few years – cover with frost blankets over the tops and down to the ground, and/or wrap with small incandescent Christmas lights for extra warmth.

Try growing a couple of these juicy edible tropicals:

Avocados – yes, challenging, but can be done! Pick a sheltered spot, and choose one of the hardier Mexican varieties, like ‘Stewart’, ‘Mexicola Grande’, ‘Fuerte’, or ‘Zutano’. Fruit ripen 6 to 8 months after flowering.
Bananas – though you won’t harvest any fruit, what a great accent plant, and probably the best way to grow your own plates!
Guavas – so many sub-tropical varieties! They are beautiful, small scale, easy to grow, evergreen trees or large shrubs which deserve a place in every yard.
Limes – add some sweet/sour zest to your Mexican and Caribbean dishes. ‘Bearss’ lime (pictured above) is an all purpose juicy workhorse, while the smaller, rounder Mexican lime dazzles in cocktails and for eating fresh.
Dragonfruit – an intriguing looking cactus-type plant that bears a beautiful pink highly nutritious fruits.
Loquat – easy growing and tropical looking with its coarse texture and serrated large leaves. Try loquat for virtually effortless clusters of fruit. (‘Big Jim’ loquat pictured)
Passion Fruit – exquisite, exotic purple and white and green flowers like something off a space ship give way to green, then purple hanging orbs with sweet orangy-citrusy pulp inside. Try spooning it out.

To grow tropicals, practice good soil preparation incorporating lots of compost. We recommend Bumper Crop. Raise up planting beds, and add Sure Start at planting. Mulch well, and water deeply, allowing plantings to dry down a bit between soaks.

Enjoy the fruits of your labor!

Small Flowering Trees – Crabapples Delight

April 5, 2022

Few trees stand out in the garden or landscape like flowering crabapples. They are coming into bloom now. These trees are very well behaved and perfect for the smaller landscapes typical of many Tri-Valley homes.

Flowering in pale to bright pink, flowering crabapples are real show stoppers. They would work well planted in a garden with roses. We have a few different varieties blooming in the garden now, so come in and see what you can expect.

Crabapples are easy to work into the garden. Many trees are more massive than crabapples, but these nestle in well, they function like large umbrellas.

Tropical Summer Vines

July 6, 2021

Flowering vines offer a lot of bang for your buck. Several vines display tropical colors throughout the summer and even into our fall. A few are showing their beautiful summer color now.

Bougainvillea

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These evergreen summer bloomers are stunners. Their hot pink, coral, crimson or purple “flowers” are actually modified leaves called bracts. They can be a particularly showy addition to your yard. They are somewhat frost sensitive so they may need protection if we get a particularly cold winter (under 30 degrees).

Black-eyed Susan Vine

Black-eyed Susan vine and a few of its cousins bloom all summer, mostly orange or yellow in color, often with a black eye. Plant it in a sunny spot and expect to give it some frost protection.

Bower Vine

Bower Vine is an evergreen climber with large white trumpet flowers that bare a pink throat June into October. Perfect in morning sun or light shade.

Trumpet Creeper

Often blooming this month in the vine section now and also along our southern fence, Campsis radicans, or Trumpet creeper lends a tropical flair to any sunny garden. We have three colors to choose from, yellow or orange or red.

Mandevilla

Mandevilla offers a tropical feel with an infusion of brilliant color – red, pink or white. You can provide a simple trellis or other structure upon which to climb and your mandevilla will do the rest. Regular dead-heading will repay you with a continual profusion of fragrant blooms and vines from early spring into fall.

Also blooming at Alden Lane this week, our Chaste tree.

Cooling Water Features

July 1, 2021

Recirculating water features transform an ordinary space into a dramatic one. The sound and sights of moving water bring calm to a hot or harried day. We have a beautiful assortment of ceramic and concrete options. Add the cooling effect of a pond or water feature.

Add water for a psychologically cooling effect.

Recirculating water features fit well into a landscape even if you are conserving water. Recirculating water means a fountain uses surprisingly little water, but the pay off in comfort and beauty can be sizable. The sight and sound of water calm the spirit and cools the view.

Water Plants

See our water plants; we have a nice assortment including floaters as well as bog/pond margin plants and also submerged plants.