Newsletter #5

 

 

 

Volume35, Issue 4 September/October Julie Muhilly, Editor

Gardening Tips for September/October

Cut back perennials after a couple of killing frosts.

Fertilize your lawn! Now that summer’s heat has passed, our cool season grass will respond, in brilliant green, to a fall feeding. Apply a fall/winter fertilizer to your lawn now and then again in six weeks.

If needed, aerate lawns to improve water and fertilizer penetration.

September is the best time (but not the only time) to plant a lawn.

Plant flowering kale, pansies and mums for Fall color in the garden.

Plant bulbs now for great Spring color.

Garlic and onion sets do best when planted now and harvested in the spring. Try planting on the full-moon in October.

The leaves are falling. Now is a good time to start a compost pile. We can teach you how!

Deep water all trees after leaf drop. Wet soil to 18" deep. Evergreens may need additional watering during the winter if there is no moisture for 3 or 4 weeks.

Plant Your Bulbs – when the soil cools

Fall is the time to plant Spring Flowering bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, crocus, iris, etc. If you plant spring bulbs too early in the fall when it is still too warm, your bulbs will start growing as if it were spring. In order to prevent this from happening, we recommend that you buy your bulbs now while the selection is good, store them in a cool, dark location, then plant them later as the weather cools. We are starting to receive our shipments of spring bulbs and our selection and colors are outstanding. When planting your bulbs, don’t forget to condition the soil with organic matter and use a fertilizer high in phosphorus such as bone meal or one that’s formulated for bulbs.

Why Fall is a Great Time to Plant. . .

In the Truckee Meadows, fall is one of the best times to plant most trees, shrubs, perennials and spring-flowering bulbs

The sun is not as high in the sky, and the air temperature is lower than in summer, which helps to cut down on heat stress, for both you and your plants!

The ground is warm from months of summer heat. It will stay warm long after the air outside begins to cool. The warm ground will cause the roots to continue to grow into early winter. This larger root system will support much more growth for the following year. Plants set out in fall will grow much faster than spring planted ones.

Watering needs will be greatly reduced. Soon the fall and winter rains and snows will come and the need for irrigation will be greatly diminished.

Fall planting season comes and goes quickly. Starting in September and lasting through October and sometimes November, it ends with the cold of winter. So plan your visits to Moana Nursery to take advantage of Reno’s "other" planting season.

 

Dormant Oils

Most oils used for horticultural purposes are made from vegetable and fish oils. These products kill insects and mites, both harmful and beneficial types – either by smothering them (and their eggs) or by interfering with membrane functions. They also act as a barrier to prevent certain pests from reaching plants.

One must be certain that the proper oil is used at the right time of the year, for there are summer oils and dormant oils – both do the same job, but are only useful at certain temperatures.

As soon as your tree has gone dormant (when the leaves have fallen off) you need to do your first application of dormant oil spray to help control insect infestation next spring. Always be sure to follow the directions on the container, and dispose of empty containers in the proper manner.

Houseplant Care

With fall just around the corner, it will soon be time to bring your house plants that have been vacationing outdoors inside. Here are a few tips to minimize the shock:

Isolate plants to be sure you’re not bringing in any unwanted guests,

Treat aphids with an insecticidal soap, use a pyretherine spray for spider mites, a systemic insecticide will take care of late hatching mite eggs and will also discourage earwigs.

Gradual is the key word for your plant’s adaptation to its new environment:

Light – try to place plant in a similar environment as its outdoor home; gradually move it to a darker area. Less light means less growth, which coincides with cooler temperatures, lower water requirements and less fertilization.

Your well rested and well adjusted plants will thank you next spring with a burst of new growth.

Pumpkin Growing Contest

Moana will be holding it’s 5th annual Pumpkin Growing Contest, Saturday, October 19 at the Moana Lane location. Entrants will be bringing in their pumpkins for weighing and judging in seven categories for adults and kids. The winner of the largest pumpkin will go home with a $100. gift certificate and many other prizes will be given out. We will have ‘Dotty the Clown’ to entertain your children with face painting and balloon animals during the contest.

 

Pumpkins, yard signs, scarecrows, corn stalks, Indian corn and many other Fall and Halloween items to decorate your home and yard will be arriving the first week of October. Stop by, see our Great Pumpkin Patch.

 

 

 

Look what’s new?

Moana Nursery is now on-line! Visit us at www.moananursery.com

Beginning September 1st, both stores will be open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Sundays.

PLANT OF THE MONTH

Amur Maple

Acer tataricum ginnala

 

The Amur maple is a multi-stemmed, deciduous small tree or shrub that typically grows 15 to 20 feet tall and has a width of 15 to 20 feet. Multiple trunks are common. Small clusters (to 1.5" across) of yellowish white, fragrant flowers in early spring are followed by red, two-winged seeds which often persist into late autumn or winter. The glossy green toothed, 3-lobed leaves (to 3" long) of this cultivar turn a brilliant, fiery red in autumn.

Amur maple is easily grown in average, well-drained soil in full sun to light shade. Best fall color in full sun. A vigorous grower that is very tolerant of temperature extremes. Tolerates somewhat heavy pruning and can be shaped to fit a variety of landscape uses.

Moana’s Saturday Seminars for 2002

There are just a couple of classes left for this season. All seminars are FREE and conducted by our friendly and knowledgeable staff. Seminars will be held at the Moana Lane location at 10:00 am. Come join us!

Sept. 14th Fall Bulb Planting

Sept. 28th Houseplants 101

Oct. 19th Annual Pumpkin Contest

 

 

from The Florist at Moana Nursery. . .

With the holidays rapidly approaching, many people will be receiving floral arrangements. The Florist at Moana Nursery would like to help you enjoy your flowers longer. Here are some recommendations:

If the flowers are arranged in floral foam, all you have to do is add water daily; the foam acts as a preservative to prolong the life of the flowers.

If flowers are arranged in a vase, re-cut flower stems and change water daily, if not using a floral preservative. If you are using cut flower preservative, follow package instructions. Add water to the container as needed and replenish solution every 1-2 days.

Place in a cool location away from heat and drafts. Keep in a cool location overnight.

 

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