Garden Central

When Life Gives You Lemons . . . 

. . . Be happy, as lemons are expensive!

Back in the mid 1970’s, in my teens, I got caught up the houseplant craze, and that is where my love of horticulture began. Actually, it became an obsession, as at one point I had collected anywhere from 100 to 150 houseplants and starts—crowding every space possible in my small bedroom. I was not the only one, as the novelty of new and exciting tropicals was embraced in every home and garden magazine for decorative purposes.

The days are getting longer and warmer, signaling that spring will be here soon. This is when beneficial insects begin to emerge. Attracting predatory and parasitic beneficial insects to your garden helps reduce the population of pest insects by consuming them or using them to house and feed their offspring. Pollinators are also beneficial insects who spread pollen between flowers which is essential for fruit and seed production. We will discuss pollinators at length another time.

What could be more rewarding than being able to walk outside and pick fresh ripe fruit right off your own tree? And what could be more tantalizing to the taste buds and senses than an aromatic, sweet and juicy, fresh peach or a firm, crisp apple?

Starting a small home orchard is both fun and simple, and can present you a bountiful supply of right off the tree fruity goodness for years to come.

January is the perfect month to get back out in the garden and prepare your roses for a flush of spring growth and bloom. Your roses may still be leafy and even blooming, but it is time to encourage them to rest. To do this you’ll need to prune them to push them into dormancy. Below are general guidelines to follow for pruning as well as dormant season spraying. Please stop by the garden center for more specific information, we are always happy to help.

Once the brilliant colors of fall have faded, winter in the garden can feel dull and drab.  Many of us get spring fever as the first signs of life emerge.  When the temperatures rise and that fresh crisp smell of spring wafts into your nose, your first instinct may be to head out into the garden and then drive to see us at Central Valley Garden Center.  Here you will purchase all the blooming plants you can possibly squeeze into the trunk of…

As winter approaches---Think spring! By preparing your gardens for winter, you will help ensure that the landscape will flourish in the spring. Even though your garden may be looking tired and ready to rest, keeping the plants protected and healthy during this time will result in strong roots and growth when the weather starts to warm back up in the spring.