The Salman Raspberry Ranch is Now Open!

Our U-Pick-It Rapsberry Fields in Mora are ready for picking. Call before you come for field conditions, toll free 866-281-1515.

We're closed on Mondays and occasionally other week days when weather is bad or berries need a rest. The Café is open with many new items Tuesday through Sunday, 11am to 4pm with an extra hour to 5pm on weekends. Our store is open daily from 9am to 5pm. 

The crop looks great and we welcome our visitors.

• Mid-August is too late to apply fertilizers high with Nitrogen: more than 5%. Instead, use organic fertilizers whose major nutrient numbers are smaller and released more slowly. Yum Yum Mix contains Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium (NPK) in the ratio of 2-1-1. GroPower has NPK percentages of 5-3-1 and 3-12-12 depending upon formula.
• Neem oil continues to be a non-toxic effective control for fungus. If you have mildew on your plants, use the oil as directed. Also dispose of fallen leaves so the fungi spores do not over-winter in your yard.
• Plant Ornamental Grasses now. They beautifully decorate yards through the winter months. Another fall and winter favorite is Caryopteris, or Blue Spirea. Its massive display of blue flowers bloom into fall. Then the flower sprays are replaced by large seed heads that remain through the winter.

Hot Watering Tips for Heat Spells
By Cindy Bellinger

With the scorching heat these days, we need to pay more attention to our gardens.

Rule Number One

• If the hose has laid in the sun, be sure to let the water run until cold. You don't want to scald your plants.

Other Rules

• Watch for sagging foliage and/or a grayish color; this is a plant's first cry for water.
• Water early in the morning or in the evening to lessen evaporation.
• Deliver water slowly so it can penetrate and not run off.
• Don't water when it's windy; wind quickly evaporates water.

The goal is to keep root systems from completely drying out. At the same time you don't want plants to become overly dependent upon water. Many xeric plants need the heat and actually like it.

And a Rule of Thumb
Watering schedules depend on where you live, the type of garden soil, the type of plants. Generally, non-xeric plants need irrigating 1 to 2 times weekly in the summer. Xeric plants need a deep soaking once every week to ten days. Very xeric trees and shrubs need a deep soaking monthly if conditions are dry.

Amount

• A 5-gallon potted xeric shrub/tree needs 5 gallons of water per application
• Most perennials need 1 to 2 gallons of water 2 times a week.

New plantings may need a bit more water to help get them established. Be sure to fortify the roots with a root stimulator to encourage strong growth. Water with the root stimulator every 1 to 2 weeks for at least 3 applications.

If you're growing edibles, they will need more water now as they are starting to produce their vegetables. The stalks and leaves tend to wilt easily in this sun.

And don't forget to wear a hat! The sun is glaring right now.

Read My Little Garden Patch - gardening column by Cindy Bellinger.