"Nowadays people know the price of everything and the value of nothing."
–Oscar Wilde
"A bargain is in its very essence a hostile transaction . . ."
–Lord Byron
Although I freely dispense advice weekly in this column, I also have the pleasure to visit gardens and dispense advice (although not for free!). As a businessman, I hope that gardeners will support the local nurseries. As a pragmatist I am aware that many shoppers are influenced by cost and believe that bigger will offer a better price. I don’t believe that is necessarily true.
During a recent visit with a new client, I was asked to design a garden, using the plant material recently purchased at a new warehouse outlet. The plants were attractive and priced competitively... the major influences in the purchase. There was only one problem. Few of the plants were appropriate for use in Laguna. I believe that savvy advice derived from knowledge will always save money over price in the long run.
For those of you who had forgotten... this is the month for rain. With predictions of showers this week, it appears that we are leaving a relatively dry period and returning to a more normal period of rainy weather. This is the prime time to plant bareroot roses. Moist soil and our warm winters will have those roses blooming before March. Your favorite nursery is currently offering their largest selection and best values of the year.
We have until the end of February to plant bareroots and/or prune our existing roses. Generally, I don't recommend removing more than 1/3 of a rose. And I suggest that you just strip the leaves off existing climbing roses. Otherwise you will be pruning off this season’s flowers.
Add pruning... seal cuts when they are larger than 1/2" in diameter on roses and other deciduous plants. Pruning paint is a convenient way to keep diseases from entering pruning cuts (think of it as a bandage). Dormant sprays should be applied after pruning, prior to the appearance of new leaves.
This is also a great time to plant lawns, either to fix a small spot or an entire plot (believe the Marathon grass commercial, it’s true). It is important to prepare the soil properly first, add redwood compost, gypsite, and preplant fertilizer. Cool season grasses like Marathon, other tall fescues, and bluegrass will benefit from fertilization during the winter.
Pest alert... Catharine tells me that aphids are already appearing on the new, red foliage of roses because of the unseasonably warm weather. Use water and Ultra Fine Oil to wash them off. Snails and slugs are active, particularly after a rain shower. That’s It snail granules will provide excellent control without endangering your pets.
Winter color... this is my favorite time for color. I love pansies, snapdragons, stock, the primroses and particularly Iceland Poppies. Once again, prepare the soil properly to ensure success. Try Cocoa mulch to keep snails and the neighbor’s cats off your flowers. As a bonus, it smells just like a chocolate malt!
I always believe that it makes sense to get your money’s worth... I don’t begrudge anyone that. But shop wisely. A truckful of plants from an inland warehouse may appear to be a bargain, until they fail to grow in Laguna. Caveat emptor! See you next time.
|
