Maples for the Tree Canopy

Our Truckee Meadows “Tree Canopy,” as measured by the Nevada Forestry & U.S. Forest Service study (using government “Stimulus” funds – - a topic for another time), is poor … less than Las Vegas even.  Sparks is at 3.9% and Reno is 5.2% with 75% of the combined 4.6% cover on residential properties.  Self-serving but true translation – - we need to plant more trees and do a better job caring for them!  The study shows a current economic value of about $43 million but with a 20% coverage (a level achieved in many cities) those numbers jump to nearly $90 million.  The economic value of trees is more than just a reduction in carbon footprints.  The University has a 9.3% Tree Canopy.  Our area has a lower canopy cover than similar western U.S. cities.  Trees Matter.  This link will take you to the study for further information if desired.

'Paint the Town' Rose

Just about everyone likes roses and wants to figure out how to incorporate them into the landscape because roses bring show stopping color and a dramatic presence to almost any sunny spot. The problem has always been that in order to grow spectacular roses gardeners have had to commit to a rigorous and time intensive regimen of spraying, fertilizing and pruning. Even after all the hard work the results left many gardeners frustrated and asking “Is that all there is?”

Things have changed in the world of roses. Over the past several years rose breeders have been working hard to introduce roses that will produce spectacular results for every home gardener. New roses are tested and grown in fields where they receive minimal care and are not sprayed for insects or diseases. Only those that excel under these grueling conditions are brought to market. Roses have moved past being temperamental plants with issues and instead become reliable and rewarding flower-power machines. The roses at Moana Nursery will not only survive but thrive in our High Desert environment.

Do you need a spot of color for a pot near your front door?  A miniature rose like “Itty Bitty Pink” will bloom all season long while demanding nothing more than regular water and a light feeding every now and then.
Are you looking for a flowering shrub to anchor a sunny planting bed but are bored with traditional shrub choices?  “Paint The Town” rose is carpeted with wonderful clusters of intense red hybrid tea-shaped blooms from spring through fall.
Are you at a loss about how to cover a large hot and sunny area?  The “Drift” series of groundcover roses are low maintenance solutions that come in colors ranging from white to apricot to red.

Landscape Roses - - 'Coral Drift'

There is an easy-to-grow rose for almost any spot in your landscape. Get them off to a good start with proper planting (The experts at any of our three Moana Nursery locations can show you how!) then relax and enjoy them for years to come.

Here are some more Moana Nursery favorites:

“All the Rage” – A multi-colored spectacle with tight coral buds swirling open to apricot-colored blossoms with luminous yellow centers, blooming steadily all season so there will always be a range of colors to admire.

“Champagne Wishes” – New for 2012. Clusters of pale apricot buds open to antique white with just a hint of apricot before fading to a clear white. Great with perennials or planted as a refined low hedge.

“Como Park” – An exceptionally tough rose developed in Minnesota that features deep green leaves and a profusion of medium red, double blossoms. Excellent planted in groups for a bright accent.

“Grandma’s Blessing” – Resembles a traditional hybrid tea rose with large, full dusty-pink blossoms. Stunning color combines beautifully with many perennials and it also makes an elegant hedge.

“Kashmir” – Velvety red blossoms are as soft as cashmere, shaped like a traditional rose and beg to be cut for the vase. Evenly rounded habit fits perfectly into today’s urban landscapes.

“Music Box” – This rose sings with double blooms of creamy yellow centers surrounded by delicate pink blends; an ever blooming accent that will bring harmony to your garden.

“Sunrise Sunset” – Moana Nursery’s best selling rose. This one is a stunning blend, with bright fuchsia-pink petals brightening to apricot near the centers. Ever blooming and tough, its dense spreading habit makes it an ideal groundcover and it is also superb in mass plantings.

Homeowners can add value, functionality and joy to their homes by crafting a Do-It-Yourself  landscape project for spring renewal.  Here in the link above and below, we connect you to over 25 articles written for you by two of  Moana’s talented landscape designers.  Curl up by the fire and pick a few topics to read that seem relevant to your situation.  DIY projects require inspiration, planning and tools.  Throughout our website, exploration will lead to inspiration and advice/assistance.  All you have to do is get started!

Quiet Reading For Winter Planning

• Water during the day when temperatures are at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit to allow water to percolate through the soil.
• Finish watering before 3:00 p.m. so water can drain away from the surface before sunset.
• Water the soil around the plants, avoiding the trunk and crown of the plants. You can use an oscillating hose sprinkler for larger areas or open end hose with the water turned on low for smaller areas.
• For potted plants, assuming they are in a quality frost-resistant black clay pot and have well drained potting soil, water approximately every two weeks.
• Be sure to thoroughly drain your hoses and store them inside your garage or shed so they will be easy to access and use.
• We recommend using Cloud Cover, burlap, and mulches to help protect your plants through our cold and dry winter.

Click here for a printable version of our Winter Watering Guide, and remember, do not water when the ground is frozen. If you have any questions, stop by any one of our three Moana Nursery garden centers.

By now, most gardeners are familiar with “organic gardening.” While many of you are followers of organic gardening, I imagine you have discovered some of its drawbacks. For example, an organic pesticide will not kill every insect in your yard and may not work as quickly as a chemical pesticide. Organic fertilizers will not force plants to grow as high or fast as regular fertilizers. And organic weed control can be back breaking at times.

Healthy gardening is like healthy living – it’s hard work. However, a few tasks, like taking care of all those fall leaves, can be easy. Years ago, my crew and I spent a lot of time raking fall leaves. We created several large piles and spent the rest of the day piling those leaves into a flatbed truck and hauling them to the landfill. After weeks of this, I finally had to take care of my own yard! The last thing I wanted to do was rake again.

After considerable thought I began to use my 1986 Honda lawnmower and its side chute attachment to blow leaves into the shrubs. The following spring I noticed that those leaves had disappeared as soon as the temperatures started to rise. With this knowledge, I special ordered a mulching mower conversion kit. I also mail ordered a year supply of organic fertilizer which was the only way to get a blended, organic fertilizer for lawns without the smell of bagged manure. What followed was a spring and summer of effortless lawn care without having to bag any leaves!

When fall arrived I discovered, much to my joy, that my mulching mower was able to handle the weekly deposit of leaves. While a heavy deposit gives me some trouble, a second pass from the mower gives a beautiful, clean lawn. The following year my thatch was less and my lawn required less frequent fertilizing.

I continue this routine every year. I look forward to fall and the leaf drop. Mulching the leaves adds valuable organic matter to lawn soil. To make this process even easier, you can purchase a blended, organic fertilizer at Moana Nursery. I prefer Dr. Earth Super Lawn Fertilizer for the fall. It is specifically formulated to promote strong root growth. The high potassium level is prefect for winterizing your lawn and its beneficial soil microbes and micorrhizae greatly increase the break down of leaves and thatch. It’s kind of like an easy diet, healthy for the lawn with less effort and sacrifice.