Jeff Rice

May 2018 marks 33 years in business for us here at Bald Mountain Nursery. My parents, Richard and Cecilia Rice started the business in 1985. Richard Rice (Dad) passed away in 2005. I joined the business in 1992 and have been fortunate enough to raise my son here and have him grow up around the business. He used to be here all the time as a kid and worked here too. Truly a family business. He’s now off on his own and living in Wisconsin. Mrs. Rice (Mom) is still here regularly but starting to take time away more. She enjoys watering and tending to plants but she is not there for writing up sales. She also enjoys and talking to folks. It’s nice that she still enjoys the business that she and my dad started in 1985. This month has not been hot except for a couple of warm days and a little rain and long range forecasts indicate seasonal temperatures for the rest of the month. We have had a beautiful spring this year. It’s a great time to do some gardening and planting. Check your watering systems and make sure all drippers and sprinklers are working. Don’t …

Read more

Due to the rain, the Saturday Organic Vegetable Gardening Class is rescheduled for next Saturday the 14th. Class for Sunday the 8th is still on at 10 AM. With the weather forecast for 3″ of rain Friday into Saturday this week we are rescheduling the Organic Vegetable Gardening Classes. Saturday the 7th is cancelled. Sunday the 8th is still on at 10 AM. Saturday the 14th we will have another class at 10 AM and also Sunday the 15th at 10 AM. There is no charge for the class and no need to register or sign up. Just attend the class that fits your schedule. Hope to see you there, Jeff

WE ARE EXTENDING BARE ROOT SEASON FOR TWO MORE WEEKS. WE STILL HAVE A REASONABLE SELECTION OF FRUIT TREES AVAILABLE BARE ROOT. DON’T WAIT TILL TOO LATE TO BUY BARE ROOT FRUIT TREES. THE COOLER WEATHER IS KEEPING THEM DORMANT SO WE CAN EXTEND THE SEASON A LITTLE LONGER. ONCE WE POT THEM UP, THE PRICE GOES UP. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE EXTENDED SEASON AND GET BARE ROOT FRUIT TREES NOW. March has started out a bit cool this year. Winter decided to come a bit late. It actually is still winter by the calendar until the 20th which is the first day of spring. Lots of nice rain to start off the month. My rain total for the winter up through the end of February is 15.25″ so far since October here at the nursery. As I write this, we had another 1.5″ overnight last night and more rain coming through Friday at least. Last year at this point we were at 38 inches for the same period. It is now time to get ready to start fertilizing.The rain is going to get the ground good and moist, and with the above average temperatures we had in February, many …

Read more

Bare root season continues through February. The selection of bare root fruit trees and roses is still very good. We had 8″ of rain in January with a dry start in February and it is an excellent time to plant bare root fruit trees. At the end of the month we pot up what has not been sold bare root and then the price goes up. Take advantage of bare root prices and selection and get your fruit trees in now. Final Dormant Spraying is Due This Month The third and final dormant spraying to prevent leaf curl is due this month. Don’t delay. Get it done before the trees bloom. I spray all the deciduous trees in the orchard. It not only prevents leaf curl but it also helps to prevent fireblight on pears and apples and greatly reduces the aphid and insect problems on all the trees. The third and final spraying is the most important one. You should have done two applications already and the final one should be done before flowers come out. We sprayed the nursery orchard for the final time last week because some of the apricots were ready to bloom. Don’t put this …

Read more

FREE FRUIT TREE PRUNING CLASSES THIS SUNDAY JANUARY 21st AND NEXT SATURDAY AND SUNDAY THE 27TH AND 28TH AT 10 AM EACH DAY. ATTEND ONE OR ATTEND ALL. WE WILL HAVE SOME FREE GIVE AWAY’S FROM THE SUPPLIER OF OUR BARE ROOT FRUIT TREES. LEARN HOW TO PRUNE YOUR FRUIT TREES. WE WILL HOLD THE CLASSES IN OUR ORCHARD HERE AT THE NURSERY. NO REGISTRATION NECCESSARY. JUST SHOW UP. FREE COFFEE, TEA, AND HOT CHOCOLATE DURING THE CLASS AND BARE ROOT SEASON. We will also cover rose pruning and dormant spraying and answer any questions you may have. Bare Root season continues through the end of February. Great selection of bare root fruit trees and roses and shade trees. Blueberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, Asparagus, Artichokes, and Strawberries all available now as well and onion starter plants and seed potatoes. And of course our full line of shrubs, trees, and plants. Hours: 9 to 5 Monday through Saturday, 10-4 Sunday. 530-743-4856

Bare root season is now in full swing. We have our fruit trees in stock now and are selling briskly. Bare root shade trees will be in within a couple of weeks and a few more miscellaneous fruit trees. We will also have some bare root lilacs available in a couple of weeks. Bare root berries, and vegetables such as artichokes and asparagus are also available now. Blueberries, figs, and pomegranates in pots are in as well. We have free coffee or hot chocolate or tea during bare root season. Most standard sized fruit trees are $22.00 and most semi-dwarf fruit trees are $25.00. There are exceptions. Complete price lists for bare root fruit trees and bare root shade trees are available at the nursery or via email by request. Bare root season goes now through the end of February. The selection of fruit trees is very large, but don’t wait till the end of the season to shop. Once a variety is sold out, it is gone until next year’s bare root season. At the end of February, the trees that are left, which should be few, are potted up and sold later in the year and the price …

Read more

Our bare root fruit trees are all in. We just finished heeling in the standard size today and will be finishing the semi-dwarf tomorrow. Shop early for the best selection. If you would like a price list, email me and I can send one to you via email. It’s an excellent time to get your fruit trees in. The selection is great right now. Open 9-5 Monday Through Saturday, 10-4 Sunday. Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Years Day.