Strawberries

Looks like Summer!!
Strawberry Plants are in, also strawberry pots in 2 sizes.
Perennial garden strawberries come in three main types, defined by when they bear fruit, according to Barbara L. Bowling, author of "The berry Grower's Companion. The three types are June-bearers (also called short-days), day-neutrals and ever-bearers.

June-bearers, are the most widely grown by home gardeners. As their name implies, they produce their crop in June.
Day-neutrals, which are gaining popularity, bear a modest crop along with the June-bearers and then continue to produce fruits into the fall. Day-neutrals, though, generally do not thrive in areas that have hot summers.
Ever-bearers, which sometimes are confused with day-neutrals, bear from early summer into fall but have lower-quality berries than the day-neutrals.

In many areas, if you grow a combination of these types, you will be able to harvest your own sun-ripened strawberries from late May to October every year

Winter Storm Warning

Looks like even the little birds are stocking up for the cold days ahead. All of the feeders in the garden center today looked like the grocery store yesterday, lines a mile long. The mother and father Bluebirds from last year have returned and begun to build their nest. All the other houses in the Garden Center have been rented by the House Sparrows. During the morning hours, you can sit and watch the Bluebirds and Sparrows fight for spots in all the baths, it's very peaceful.

Wordless Wednesday

Bone Meal 3-15-0

Bone Meal is great for bulbs, roses, root vegetables and for establishing new gardens. It has a high amount of Phosphorus (P) which is an important plant nutrient credited with supporting root development so that your plant will be more able to take care of itself.

Use Bone Meal when planting to ensure strong root growth. Mix with backfill dirt and sprinkle around the planting hole. Apply to established plants at the drip line and lightly work into soil surface.

Since Bone Meal is a slow-release fertilizer, it is best to work it into a new garden area a few weeks before planting. Bone Meal has a high Calcium content and is not recommended for use around acid loving plants like Rhododendrons, Azalea, Camellia, Blueberry or Potato.

Bone Meal is very long lasting and slow acting, lasting in soil for a year or longer.

Asparagus

Look what I found in my home garden. I planted Asparagus last year and had a few good spears, but it looks like this year is going to be very tasty.

On Friday, this seasons' bare root Asparagus arrived, along with Rhubarb, Horse Radish, and Garlic. Onions (Red, Yellow & Sweet), Seed Potatoes, Grapes and Raspberries are still in stock, but selling fast.

NorCal Garden Show

Spent the entire day in the Bay Area visiting the NorCal Garden Expo. It was a great show this year and Chris and I found lots of great things for our great customers!! Keep checking our blog for pictures and information on the arrival of many new products and plants.

Cocoa Mulch

Item Spotlight - "Cocoa Mulch"

Cocoa Bean Mulch FAQ

Q: What is Cocoa Bean Mulch?

A: Cocoa shell mulch, also called cocoa mulch, cocoa bean mulch, cocoa bean shell mulch, or cocoa bean hull mulch is simply the shell of the cocoa bean. These shells come off the bean during the roasting process and are separated from the beans by strong air action, thus insuring a dry weed-free product.

Q: Why is this mulch better than other types?

A: It lasts longer, smells better, and gets darker with age. It retains moisture better than regular mulch and is an excellent insulator for root systems in winter and summer.

Q: will the cocoa shell mulch bleach out in the sun?

A: No! Cocoa shell mulch actually gets darker with age.

Q: How thich can I put it down?

A: Cocoa shell mulch needs to be placed only 1 inch thick.

Q: It's very light, is there a problem with the wind blowing it away?

A: No. Provided you spray it down thoroughly with water after spreading. The shells will curl and interlock, creating a honeycomb effect, making for a carpetlike bed of mulch. It also does not float like bark, but does not make a good path as it is slippery when wet.

Q: Are insects attracted to the mulch?

A: No more than any other mulch. As is true with any organic product, there could be isolated instances where insects may lay eggs. Cocoa mulch does NOT contain sugar and does not attract ants.

Q: Is this mulch good for all types of plants?

A: Yes! Cocoa shell mulch has been used on all types of plant materials including annuals, perennials, flowering shrubs, narrow-leaf evergreens, broad-leaf evergreens, trees, vines, ground covers, roses, and many vegetables.

Q: Does Foothill Ace Hardware carry Cocoa Mulch?

A: You bet we do! I also use it in our own yard and love it!!

Blueberries - Step 1 "Planting"

One of the 6 Blueberries I planted in my own yard this year. I will be posting as I tend them throughout the season and we'll see how the harvest is.

Plant blueberries at least 4 feet apart, to allow them space to grow. Dig a hole at least twice as wide as the root ball, but no deeper than the container the shrub is in. After setting the shrub in the hole, backfill with a mix of peat moss and topsoil. Blueberries thrive in acidic soil, and the peat moss will keep the pH at the proper level. Then mulch, (I used cocoa mulch) and water frequently until the plants establish themselves. Blueberries have a shallow root system making mulch essential. A 3 to 4 inch deep layer about 2 feet in all directions will maintain soil moisture.

Wordless Wednesday

Potatoes - Demo Garden

On Friday, February 4th, our "Red Pontiac" potatoes went into the ground.

Our demonstration garden is a 4' X 9' Cedar raised bed with a 4' X 4' Poly raised bed at one end. The potato planter in the middle is made from scrap lumber and will be built up as the potatoes grow. The handout for the design and instructions are available at the front counter. The claim is to grow "100 Pounds of Potatoes in 4 Square Feet!" We are looking forward to the yummy harvest.
Red Pontiac, Yukon Gold, and Russet Seed Potatoes are available in 5lb bags right now. ($9.99/bag)
Red, Yellow and Sweet Onions in 60 and 100 count bags - $3.99/bag.

Can you taste the potato salad?

Spring Smiles

My favorite - "Sorbet Blues Mix" and "Mickey Mouse"

The first little smiles of Spring are here on the faces of the Viola's and Pansy's. Lots of great colors, perfect to collect and press for craft projects with the kids.

Jumbo Sized 6 Cell Packs - $2.49

Bare Root Roses

Bare root roses are here!!

We have a great selection of #1 Grade Roses, just in time for Valentines' Day.

Here are a few of my favorites:

"Double Delight" an AARS winner renowned for its aroma, you can smell it from up to ten feet away, with Red/Cream/White colored flowers.

"St. Patrick" an AARS winner (1996) with yellow-gold flowers shaded with green.

"Julia Child" an AARS winner (2006) with butter gold flowers.

"Don Juan" a beautiful red flowering climber.

and

this years AARS winner "Dick Clark" with a red blended color.

All varieties are only $14.99.