Jeff Rice

June has gone like the rest of the spring this year as far as the weather goes. It has been very warm and then cool. We have some rain and cool weather for about another week. And looking at the long range forecast on my weather app, it looks like it will be nice. WATERING Watering becomes much more important to make sure it is done well with the warmer weather. When watering trees, be sure to give established trees a deep soak once or twice a week depending on temperatures. Newly planted should be watered daily for the first week oor so then cut back to about three times per week. Do not give short daily waterings. Give good deep soaks. A good rule to use is to give 10 gallons of water per week for every inch of trunk diameter and be sure to soak to a depth of at least 12 inches. On larger trees you’ll want to soak to a depth of 2 to 3 feet. Use slow drip and let it run long enough to soak deep. Add 3″ of mulch around your trees and shrubs to hold the moisture in the ground and not …

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May 2017 marks 32 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 almost every day. She is supposed to now be moving out of the customer service capacity at the nursery. She still likes to do it but is not as fast at it as she used to be. She is always there to answer questions and water and tend to plants but she is not there for writing up sales. Her vision is not what it once was and she prefers to not be in that capacity any more. So she will be in a capacity of doing some of the maintenance chores around here she enjoys and also enjoys talking to folks. But myself and those who work here …

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WE WILL BE CLOSED EASTER SUNDAY. Well, it seems that winter is not wanting to end this year. But really with the moisture and the cooler weather, it is a great time for planting. Many things are needing to be done in the landscape during April. Rhododendrons should have the flower trusses that are spent snapped off at the base as soon as they fade. Don’t wait until all the flowers have finished blooming to remove them because the plant will expend energy making seeds that would be better used to add new foliage when it has completed the bloom cycle. Fertilize them right after flowering with a rhododendron azalea camellia fertilizer now and then again in 30 days and a final time 30 days after that. The same treatment applies to azaleas when they are done blooming. All those daffodils that were so beautiful earlier are no longer beautiful. Don’t cut off the leaves while they are still green. While the leaves are green, fertilize them with a high phosphorous fertilizer or one labeled “bulb food”. They bloomed early this year but here at the nursery the leaves are still green and the fertilizing can still be done. Hopefully …

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Vegetable starts and all the fertilizers for a successful garden are now in! All the fertilizers you need for growing vegetables are available here at the nursery. Along with all the advice to grow a successful garden. 4 inch vegetable starts – $2.25 each 6 pack vegetable starts – $3.50 each We will be getting new shipments every week for the next several weeks. Organic fertilizers for your vegetable garden We hope To See You Soon, Jeff

March has started out a bit cool this year. Winter wants to hang on. Which it can until the 20th which is the first day of spring. Lots of nice rain this year. A little too much at once a few times, but we need the moisture so no complaints. 38 inches since October here at the nursery. Considering the warmer weather coming and the ground is good and moist, be ready to start fertilizing soon. As soon as deciduous trees and shrubs have their full set of leaves, you should give them their first fertilizing of the year. A balanced fertilizer works well for most things. Use a rhododendron, camellia, azalea fertilizer for your acid loving plants. Fertilize azaleas and rhododendrons after they are done blooming. Same thing for camellias. Citrus should use a citrus fertilizer. Lots of citrus may be looking a bit yellow after the winter and all the rain. Start fertilizing as soon as the danger of frost is past. I think it is safe now but considering how cool we have been, maybe wait another week or so. Fertilize citrus monthly through the growing season. Speaking of citrus, we now have our citrus and avocados …

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Bare root season continues through February. The selection of bare root fruit trees and roses is still very good. We have had plenty of rain this winter and it is an excellent time to plant bare root fruit trees. If we are holding trees for you that have already been paid for, remember that they must be picked up by the end of February. 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 get your fruit trees in now. Final Dormant Spraying is Due This Month The third and final dormant spraying of your deciduous fruit trees is due this month. With all the rain we are having it is very important you get this done to avoid leaf curl and other possible diseases. You should have done two sprayings 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. If the buds stay closed, we will probably try for one more as added insurance against leaf curl …

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Onion Plants: Walla Walla, Red Torpedo, Red Candy Apple (Sweet red onion), Candy (Sweet yellow onion). $5.30 per bundle. 50 to 75 plants per bundle. Seed Potatoes: Yukon Gold, Red Norland, Russet, Kennebec. $2.35/ pound. Hours: 9 to 5 Monday through Saturday, 10 to 4 Sunday 743-4856