 Someone once said, "The love of flowers is really the best teacher of how to grow and understand them." It is easy to love the Rose. The rich fragrance, the sumptuous clusters of silky petals, the extravagant color, the rewarding bouquet in the vase on the kitchen table... It is also easy to be frustrated by the Rose...the powdery mildew, the black spot, the aphids, the "green worms", the pale dull foliage, the sparse blooms... In the maritime Northwest with our cool summers and our wet winters, the rose may feel like somewhat of an unwelcome guest, unless we consider its needs and comforts as good hosts always should. To begin with, choose your variety carefully. Often what's available in the Northwest market are roses that come from Texas and California that aren't necessarily appropriate for the cool summers of Whidbey Island. You may end up being disappointed by a poorly performing, diseased rose bush. At Bayview Farm & Garden, we select our roses based on disease resistance for the types of diseases we get here in the Northwest and you can trust that our roses will perform well on Whidbey and Western Washington. Consider carefully the purpose for your rosebush. Will it be a climber to be trained upon an arbor or trellis, a rambling shrub rose to swag over a fence, a compact pop of beauty for the front of a mixed border along a walkway? There is so much versatility with roses that can be used to our advantage. In a group of plants which, at its smallest, will reach just eighteen inches high, and at its grandest, takes the form of forty foot climbers, there is scope for a great deal of imagination. There are three choices in sun exposure when choosing a site for a rose...sunny, sunnier, or sunniest. In other words, roses need sun to bloom and to be healthy. Make sure you have at least six solid hours of sun a day during the growing season. The other requirement is well- drained soil. A rose will not do well in heavy, dense clay soil that holds the water all winter long. To plant:
It's a good idea to top-dress the soil around the rose with alfalfa meal. Roses love alfalfa meal. It's a good source of inexpensive nitrogen and it seems to help the roses resist disease. Deep water your roses once a week during the growing season. Fertilize in April, June and August with your good organic rose food. Any insect pests that appear, usually aphids, can be controlled by a strong spray from your garden hose, a gentle, non-toxic insecticidal soap, or with predatory insects like Ladybugs or Silver Lacewings. We carry several types of natural, non-toxic control sprays in the Garden Shop. Please avoid the systemic insecticides. They do kill the aphids but they also kill the beneficial insects that keep the insect community in balance in our gardens. They also kill any honey bees that may come to visit your rose. Birds have been known to die after drinking water from a puddle that developed near a bush that is full of systemic insecticide. Bear in mind that rose diseases can be controlled by close monitoring and good sanitation. Lightly prune the tall roses in late Fall just to keep the canes from whipping around in the wind. Then wait till March 1st to do the hard pruning. Be careful when pruning the climbers, the antique roses and the English roses, removing only the least productive old wood, and any damaged or diseased wood. Tuck your roses in for winter by applying bark mulch about a foot up the canes to protect against winter injury. Remove the mulch from the canes and spread it out in the spring when you prune again. With a little love, care and understanding, our thumbs grow greener and our roses grow stronger and more beautiful!   Bare Root: Lowest Price of the Year! It's always fun when the bare root plants arrive in the nursery. It means that Winter will soon be drawing to a close and Spring is just around the corner! This is also the time when we have the widest selection available at the best price. So if you are looking for a new fruit, nut flowering or shade tree, stop on by! Never planted a bare root tree before? Instructions can be found below, along with a complete list of our fruit and nut trees available. Bare root trees are easier to plant and transport now, which means we offer them at a lower price than when they are potted later in the spring. How to Plant Your Bare-Root Tree 1. Dig a shallow, wide planting hole.
2. Mix the native soil with Planting Compost at a ratio of up to 50/50. Add a good starter fertilizer to the soil mix. We recommend Gardener and Bloome Planting Compost which is full of beneficial microbes and mycorrhizae at the ratio recommended on the box. 3. Spread the roots evenly in the hole, then back fill with your soil mix. The first roots should be just slightly below the surface of the soil. Be sure not to bury the graft! 4. Water well. 5. Trees should be lightly staked for about one year and may need protection from rodents and deer. 6. Water new trees and shrubs as needed the first year.  Cold Weather Warning!
The forecast is calling for cold and dry conditions. This weather can be damaging for broadleaf evergreens, tender perennials and fall annuals. Not to worry however, damage can be avoided with a little effort and planning. Tips for protecting plants:
Plants you may want to protect:
Examples of plants you may want to think about protecting:
Please feel free to call us anytime if you have any questions! 360 – 321 – 6789  Container Planting WorkshopWhat: Container Planting Workshop When: Tuesday, April 25th | 11am-12pm Cost: Free Bayview Farm & Garden owner, Maureen Murphy, will walk you through the thrill, fill and spill to make your own colorful containers! Think color, texture and beauty all summer. PLUS 10% off container planting materials and plants for attendees the day of the workshop. RSVP & more info here: https://www.facebook.com/events/251712485235007/  Bonsai WorkshopWhat: Container Planting Workshop
When: Sunday, May 7th | 10am – 1pm Cost: Free Taught by Roger Hickman, who has 20 years of bonsai experience. Students will learn the ins and outs of creating, caring for and maintaining bonsai plants. PLUS Bayview Farm & Garden is stocking tools, pots, plants and everything else you need for bonsai plants and care! RSVP & more info here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1449270525131163 MARCH RHODODENDRON SALE
1 Gal Rhodies: Buy 2 Get 1 FREE (Original: $12.99) These beautiful shrubs produce some of our favorite blossoms, from pink to purple and everything in-between – they are all uniquely gorgeous! We look forward to their arrival each Spring and this year we are boasting dozens of varieties in color and leaf structure. Stop by and pick up the perfect Rhodie to add to your garden this year. Sale continues through March, while supplies last.  SPECIAL 2-DAY BARE ROOT SALE Bare Root Stock: 40% OFF (March 11 & 12 only) Plant bare-root trees now for delicious fruit and luscious flowers later! It's that time of year to get inspired planning your garden and we have the widest selection and best price. This sale includes bare root Rhubarb and Asparagus, for delicious early Spring veggies! Never planted a bare root tree before? Instructions can be found on our website, here. Bare root trees are easier to plant and transport now, which means we offer them at a lower price than when they are potted later in the spring.
 GARDEN SHOP SALE Gift Table: 50% OFF (March 11 & 12 only)
We're making way for new merchandise with this special weekend sale! Stop by the Garden Shop and browse our table of selected gifts from the home, pantry and kids sections.  Spring is around the corner! With less than 3 weeks left, we are making big plans for beautiful fruit trees, fragrant rose bushes and delicious Spring veggies. Read below for tips on what plants you need to be getting in the ground now.
Roses are Red Stop by the nursery to browse the varieties of rose bushes we have in stock. Selected for disease resistance, repeat bloom, fragrance and performance in our Western Washington growing conditions. We have an impressive variety of David Austin English roses, climbers, floribundas, hybrid teas and hardy shrub roses – all gorgeous, fragrant and ready to be planted!  Bare Root Stock: 25% Off Plant bare-root trees now for delicious fruit and luscious flowers later! It's that time of year to get inspired planning your garden and we have the widest selection and best price – all bare root trees are 25% off! Never planted a bare root tree before? Instructions can be found on our website, here. Bare root trees are easier to plant and transport now, which means we offer them at a lower price than when they are potted later in the spring.
Berry Goodness! New arrivals at BFG – we're talking blueberry, boysenberry, raspberry, strawberry, loganberry and more berry! Ready to be planted for bountiful Spring & Summer harvests!
Rhubarb and Asparagus are in! It's time to plant those perennial veggies – if you aren't lucky enough to have them buried in your garden from years past. Robust bare-root starts that are ready to plant, easy to care for and are 25% off – just some of the reasons these are a spring-must in our book!  Sweet Peas It's Sweet Pea planting season! The garden shop is full of tons of beautiful varieties so you can get those seeds in the ground now. And if you haven't yet, don't forget to browse our seed wall in the Garden Shop.  The Bees are in! Now is the time to start your own colony of native pollinators, the Orchard Mason Bee. These friendly little guys work hard to improve pollination of fruits, veggies and other plants in your garden. We have bees and all bee supplies in stock.  The chicks are *almost* back in town! Baby Chicks arrive March 15th! We'll have many different dual-purpose varieties and everything you need to raise strong, healthy chicks. Stay tuned for more details and workshops!
Garden Shop Goodies
Welcome Spring into your home with this new line of candles, body lotions and soaps from The Herb Garden. We can't get enough of these delicious smells – stop by the Garden Shop and try for yourself!  1. Dig a shallow, wide planting hole. 2. Mix the native soil with Planting Compost at a ratio of up to 50/50. Add a good starter fertilizer to the soil mix. We recommend Gardener and Bloome Planting Compost which is full of beneficial microbes and mycorrhizae at the ratio recommended on the box. 3. Spread the roots evenly in the hole, then back fill with your soil mix. The first roots should be just slightly below the surface of the soil. Be sure not to bury the graft! 4. Water well. 5. Trees should be lightly staked for about one year and may need protection from rodents and deer. 6. Water new trees and shrubs as needed the first year. What kind of bare-root trees do we have?  Bare-root trees are easier to plant and to transport. It's also the time when we have the widest selection at the best price (25% off)! So if you are looking for a new fruit, flowering or shade-tree, come on in!
Enjoy your plants!
 Join us in the greenhouse for a fun and informative afternoon, learning about our edible Native Plants. Kelsi Franzen from Whidbey Island Conservation District will be presenting in the greenhouse for this totally free workshop. Please RSVP here.
  Plant this Fall for Spring Blooms! Planting bulbs in containers offers a solution to gardeners who lack the space to create a full garden. Spring blooming bulbs can be grown in decorative pots to add accents to patios, decks and entryways. Bulbs planted in beds outside require little maintenance, however, with a few guidelines and commitment, container bulbs can prove equally as easy. Read more from the Netherland Bulb Company about container bulb planting here. Stop by the garden shop to browse our bulb wall and see the wide range of bulbs and potential blooms.  
With every year we get the chance to create new family traditions that are sure to create lasting memories. If you've ever considered having a live tree for the holidays we have many conifers to choose from that once planted can be a reminder of holidays past as the tree grows and adds its beauty to our ever green Northwest landscape. Find out the scoop on taking care of and planting your living tree in this blog entry. Introducing a living tree into its new home during the Holidays can be a rewarding family experience. Bringing a live tree indoors can mean risking the life of the tree, but with some common sense and following a few basic rules, it can be done successfully. TIP: ~The tree should not be indoors for more than 7 to 10 days.~ STEP 1: Pick out a live tree that suits your family's space and personality. When you take the tree home first put the tree in the garage or under cover where the needles can dry. With newspaper under the tree to protect the floor, spray the whole tree down with Wilt Stop, an anti-desiccant. This helps to prevent moisture loss. Let it dry before bringing indoors. STEP 2: Double bag the root ball with regular plastic garbage bags. STEP 3: Once indoors, use an old sheet or towels tucked under the base of the root ball to level the tree. You may also place your tree inside of a decorative container. Cover with a decorative cloth or Christmas tree skirt. CARING FOR YOUR TREE ONCE INSIDE: Every third day or so, lay a bag of ice cubes over the top of the root ball. Make sure there are some holes punctured into the bottom of the bag so that as the ice melts, it slowly waters the tree. Take care not to position the tree too close to a heat source such as a wood stove or fireplace. PLANTING YOUR TREE: Immediately after the holiday, the tree should be gradually transitioned to the outdoors, especially if the weather is very cold. Put it in the garage or some other protected place for a day or so before planting. Without removing the burlap, plant the tree into the amended planting hole. Cut the twine and unwrap it and the burlap from around the trunk. We recommend the use of a good quality organic fertilizer added to the hole at this time. Take care that the tree is not planted too deeply. The crown (where the roots meet the trunk) should be just above the soil line. Water in thoroughly to settle the soil around the root ball. Stake it to stabilize against the wind if necessary. Don't forget to give adequate water, especially for the first year. Enjoy your tree! And share your stories and photos with us, we'd love to hear about your experience. Happy Holidays. The days are shorter, our clocks have been set back... Flowers have medicinal properties not only for our bodies but also for our souls! A Fall and Winter Container to greet you in the morning when you leave for work can brighten your day. Check out this free tutorial from Maureen Murphy, Owner of Bayview Farm and Garden on how to create a gorgeous container to lift your spirits and match your style! Did you know that you can plant spring bulbs in your fall containers? Check it out! For more cool tips from our expert staff be sure to Like us on Facebook and Sign up for our E-News (links in the sidebar). Did you know that the best time to plant trees, shrubs, vines and most perennials on Whidbey is during the months of September, October and November? The soil is still warm, the temperatures are cool and the rain (thankfully) begins. Planting in the fall cuts way down on the need to water, and allows the plant to slowly establish a strong root system underground while everything above ground is moving into a restful dormant phase. By the time spring arrives, the plant is well rooted and ready to blast into a new growing season.
At the time of planting, be sure to work in plenty of organic matter such as compost or steer manure. This, and a handful or two of a good quality organic fertilizer with probiotics will go a long way toward establishing the roots, improving the soil condition and encouraging healthy microbial action. Fall Check List: * Clean up debris from vegetable beds, dig in extra compost, plant winter vegetables, or sow winter cover crop seed on beds that are to remain fallow. * Plant the spring blooming bulbs: daffodil, tulip, crocus, allium, iris, hyacinth, anemone, fritillaria. Pansies and Forget-Me-Nots are perfect for planting over bulbs. Don’t forget the bulb fertilizer...it makes a big difference. * Plant garlic, shallots and some onion varieties. Select a bed that has not grown plants in the allium family for at least three years to break any disease cycles. These tasty bulbs are fun and easy to grow. * Do some light pruning and shaping on summer blooming deciduous shrubs. Fruit trees can be pruned after harvest. Take the time to learn to do this properly through classes or seminars, or hire someone who has had actual training in pruning. Always check the background and references of anyone you hire for this kind of work. Improper pruning creates worse problems. * Withhold fertilizer from container fuchsias and geraniums if you plan to winter them over. It’s time to let them slow down and harden off. * Plan for fall color in the garden. Excellent trees for our area include, Katsura, Liquidambar, Red Maple, Ginkgo, Vine Maple, Japanese Maples, Korean Dogwood, Oxydendron (Sourwood), Parrotia, Stewartia, Amelanchier....Good deciduous shrubs: Euonymus (Burning Bush), Hamamelis (Witch Hazel), Aronia (Chokecherry), Enkianthus, Fothergilla, Kerria, Blueberry (the one called ‘Toro” is dynamite!), Smoke Bush, Oak-Leaf Hydrangea, Nandina, many Viburnums, many Spiraeas...the list is long. * Groom and wash houseplants that have been outdoors for the summer. It’s time to bring them in without any unwanted house guests. * Install, reseed and feed the lawn. Cooler temperatures are ideal for good root development of the lawn. The fall feeding is the most important one of the year. Cooler temperatures also stimulate lawn growth and another mowing may be necessary. * Transplant trees and shrubs. As soon as plants show fall color or exhibit signs of dormancy, you can start transplanting. Be sure plants are well watered a couple of days before and immediately after transplanting. Liquid seaweed extract works wonders in eliminating transplant shock. * Transplant and divide perennials if needed. Some perennials are best to plant and transplant in the spring, such as Lavender, Rosemary, Santolina, Lithodora, and some later summer blooming perennials. * Look for dried pods, berries, hips, cones, flowers and twigs to collect for holiday decorating. ...and if you do all these things this fall, you certainly are one energetic gardener...hats off to you! Maureen Murphy Bayview Farm & Garden |
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