Gardener's Quote of the Day

My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made while learning to see things from the plant's point of view.
–H. Fred Ale

Everything you've always wanted to know about fish emulsion (but were too afraid to ask)

Fish emulsion is one of the original organic fertilizers. It is a partially decomposed blend of finely pulverized fish parts.

Chris at EB Stone says the mixed fish parts from the Fort Bragg area are ‘cold-processed’ which keeps the fish material fresher with less chance of decomposition that can be an unfortunate and smelly part of heat-processing. There is also an added enzymatic step, a light digestion process that helps break down the material into smaller parts. The smaller the particles are the faster the soil bacteria can break it down for the plants, yummy! Fish Emulsion is high in Nitrogen, and the source of several trace elements.

The addition of Kelp, which is classified as an algae, means using a natural renewable resource that grows along the coastlines around the world. Kelp is not only a great source of microbes which are needed to break down the nutrients for the plants but….an immediate benefit is attributed to the release of auxins, cytokinins, and gibberellins. What’s that you say? These plant growth hormones, required in small quantities, are essential for cell division and cell elongation, basic functions of plant growth. This increased level of plant hormones helps with enhanced seed germination, and stimulates root and shoot growth as well as drought-resistance, frost-protection and stress recovery of the plant.

According to Rodale’s All New Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening ‘sprays of seaweed extract can help prevent plant diseases.’ In recent tests performed at Virginia Polytechnic Institute soil sprayed with a seaweed solution had between 67 to 175% more roots than untreated soil. Foliar sprays are up to 20 times more effective as a way to supply nutrients when the soil is poor quality or when roots are stressed from transplant shock or suffering from extreme heat and drought conditions. Kelp is an excellent source of chelated minerals necessary for plant growth. Because Fish Emulsion with Kelp is water-soluble it is immediately available and can be used in early spring to gets plants going. Regular organic fertilizers cannot be broken down until the soil is warmer. Fish Emulsion can also be used as a foliar feed, even for tomatoes.

This is a great fertilizer solution for gardeners with drip systems. Our friends at the Urban Farmer Store say that by installing an EZ Flow tank, liquid fertilizer can be applied to the garden through the drip system. The EZ Flow tank comes in several sizes and is easy to install.

Gorgeous plants in stock now for the weekend and beyond!

Blue-violet, red and white petunias for July 4th!


Gorgeous succulents on the bedding table


Brighten up your doorstep with red and yellow!


Herbs are still fresh and beautiful


ah.... summer!

Sloat Summer Solstice SALE this FRIDAY!!

Too much summer squash?

There's a saying in many rural areas throughout the U.S. and it goes something like this: never leave your car windows down during gardening season or you might drive away with a back seat full of zucchini squash!

In preparation for the summer squash abundance, we're posting a recipe for calabacitas... shared by Sloat's senior horticulturist, Katy Thompson.



CALABACITAS
6 assorted summer squash (zucchini, crookneck, patty pan, etc), cubed
1 chopped onion
2 fresh roasted chiles (or 1 small can prepared Anaheim green chile)
1 TB olive oil
Salt and course ground black pepper, to taste
1 cup cheese, optional
Herbed creme fraiche (or sour cream) - see recipe below

Saute onion until translucent in the olive oil. Add squash and continue
cooking until half cooked and still crisp. Add chile and cheese. Stir until
cheese is melted. Add salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with the herbed
creme fraiche or sour cream.

Herbed Creme Fraiche
1/2 bunch cilantro
Small bunch chives
Mince herbs together or put in food processor. Stir into sour cream or creme
fraiche

Roasting chiles
If you have a gas range, you are in luck! Place fresh chiles directly on the range burners and turn constantly until blackened. Your house will smell like New Mexico! You can also char the chile on the barbeque. Place roasted chiles in a plastic bag and allow them to steam. When cool, they peel oh so easily!

Too much summer squash?

There's a saying in many rural areas throughout the U.S. and it goes something like this: never leave your car windows down during gardening season or you might drive away with a back seat full of zucchini squash!

In preparation for the summer squash abundance, we're posting a recipe for calabacitas... shared by Sloat's senior horticulturist, Katy Thompson.



CALABACITAS
6 assorted summer squash (zucchini, crookneck, patty pan, etc), cubed
1 chopped onion
2 fresh roasted chiles (or 1 small can prepared Anaheim green chile)
1 TB olive oil
Salt and course ground black pepper, to taste
1 cup cheese, optional
Herbed creme fraiche (or sour cream) - see recipe below

Saute onion until translucent in the olive oil. Add squash and continue
cooking until half cooked and still crisp. Add chile and cheese. Stir until
cheese is melted. Add salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with the herbed
creme fraiche or sour cream.

Herbed Creme Fraiche
1/2 bunch cilantro
Small bunch chives
Mince herbs together or put in food processor. Stir into sour cream or creme
fraiche

Roasting chiles
If you have a gas range, you are in luck! Place fresh chiles directly on the range burners and turn constantly until blackened. Your house will smell like New Mexico! You can also char the chile on the barbeque. Place roasted chiles in a plastic bag and allow them to steam. When cool, they peel oh so easily!

Next week is National Pollinator week. Get ready!

The U.S. Postal Service will issue the new Pollination stamp series on Friday, June 29th.

June 24-30, 2007 has been designated National Pollinator Week by the U.S. Senate (S.Res. 580) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The Rooftop Alternative Elementary School in San Francisco (at the corner of Corbett Ave. and Romain St.) will hold a Pollinator Garden Opening celebration on Wednesday, June 27th from 3 to 5 p.m. Pollinator-related snacks, drinks, and games will be provided, and the event is open to the public. Please contact Gregory Kellett for more information (gregory@cliptrip.com or 415-260-2428).

More info here:
www.pollinator.org/pollinator_week.htm

In our stores this week

Novato location - New crop of cinderella pumpkin starts and a good selection of winter squash.

3rd Avenue location -We have a Sobralia orchid that is 7ft tall -- looks like a bamboo with cattleya flowers growing out of the top! Several colors and sizes available starting at $19.99. Also, maidenhair ferns are at their peak and the gloxinias are especially nice this week.

Danville location - Wire arbors and obelisks from Sierra Mirage, along with dinner plate dahlias that are just about to burst with color! Haven't been to the Danville store in a while? You'll be amazed at the transformation that has taken place as you stroll through beautiful displays, inspiring your gardener's heart.

San Bruno location - Hydrangeas are spectacular, full bloom and a great selection. And geraniums -- these old favorites couldn't look any better right now. They make a great addition for July 4th color, as do red, white and blue petunias that are blooming and plentiful.

Mill Valley location (Blithedale) - Beautiful 6" plumeria in bud and blooming.

Survey says!

What do you love about Sloat Garden Center? What needs improvement? We've created a short feedback survey for you to tell us about your Sloat experience.

Complete the survey and you'll be eligible to win a $100 Sloat Gift Certificate redeemable at any Sloat Garden Center.

In our stores this weekend

Kentfield store - Lots of nasturtium just in and beautiful!

San Rafael store - Lots of hydrangeas, Calla lilies (in assorted colors), Red Bananas, Canna in bloom, Yuccas with huge spikes, assorted Clematis in bloom, water plants, Leptospermum in bloom, Roses in blooms, Dahlias in bloom, plenty of Wine & Table grapes, Grewia in full bloom, Buddleia in assorted colors and in bloom, STUNNING 15 gallon Tibouchina, Pentstemon in bloom, pristine Myoporum laetum and lots of Nandina

Happy Gardening this weekend!

Gardener's Quote of the Day

"When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it,
it's your world for the moment."

- Georgia O'Keefe

Clematis Care

These deciduous/evergreen vines need regular moisture, good drainage and for their roots to be cool. The deep-colored blossoming clematis, (red, purple, white, blue) can tolerate full sun. The lighter-blooming (lilac, lavender, pink) will tolerate more shade and actually ‘pop’ better in light shade. They like a regular rose-type fertilizer in the growing season (EB Stone Rose and Flower Food, Maxsea 3-20-20). Use Zeba, SureStart and Agricultural Lime when planting.

Regular watering is vital; if the leaves at the bottom of the plant turn yellow and fall off, it’s because of lack of water. Use Sluggo for snails in the early spring so the deciduous plants get off to a good start.

Plant the crown of the plant about 2” below the soil surface level, (like tomatoes), this will make a much stronger plant. Sloat also carries clematis as indoor plants, the “Garland” series will flower for 6-8 weeks indoors. When they finish blooming they can be cut back to 6” then placed in a larger pot for outdoors.

The Patio series can also be pruned the same way (back to 6”) next spring and are perfect for pots.

Knowing when to prune clematis can be intimidating. The type of pruning you do depends on when the plants flower. If you don’t know what kind it is then watch it for a year to see when the plants bloom: then prune accordingly.

Spring-blooming clematis bloom only on the previous year’s wood. Cut back a month after flowering to restrict sprawl, preserving main branches (examples-Josephine, Nelly Moser, c.Montana, c.armandii, c.alpina, c.macropetala).

Summer- and fall-blooming clematis bloom on wood produced in the spring. Cut back in late fall after flowering or in early spring as buds swell. For the first 2-3 years, cut back to within 6”-12” of the ground. Cut to 2’ or less on older plants.

Spring-and summer/fall-blooming clematis bloom on old wood in spring, new wood later. Do only light, corrective pruning in fall or early spring: pinch or lightly shape portions that have bloomed to stimulate low-branching.

Since most of these vines are deciduous they are not good screens but look fantastic when allowed to grow up into climbing roses or shrubs or even trees.

What does Agricultural Lime do?

Agricultural lime neutralizes soil acidity and raises soil pH, improves texture by loosening clay particles, improves soil texture by granulating sand and assists bacteria in transforming nitrogen to usable forms. It also alters salts of phosphorus, potash, and iron to available forms, neutralizes iron and aluminum which tie up phosphorus, and neutralizes toxic elements in the soil. It also stimulates microbes involved in the decay of organic matter, promotes growth of lime-loving plants e.g. iris, delphinium, bluegrass, and legumes, and repels rabbits when sprayed on peas.

Ag Lime provides calcium and magnesium-essential elements and Calcium helps plants build cell walls, aids in early root growth, improves plant vigor and stem stiffness, and encourages seed production. It helps prevent blossom end rot on tomatoes. Magnesium is an essential part of chlorophyll, it’s necessary for plant sugar formation, acts as a phosphorus carrier in plants and helps regulate uptake of other nutrients.

The following are types of Agricultural Lime (a generic term used to describe all forms of lime for agricultural purposes: Limestone (Calcium Carbonate), Dolomite (Calcium Carbonate and Magnesium Carbonate), and Oyster Shell Lime (Calcium Carbonate). All three of these forms of lime are safe, slow acting, and generally excellent for home garden use. Since they work by reacting to acidity, they can be used with little fear of over-liming or creating too high a pH. Only slow acting forms like this should be used in composting.

Dolomite is the only ingredient in EB Stone’s Agricultural Lime. A single cup will amend 50 square feet.

Mexican Lime-Best in margaritas, but also excellent in other liquid refreshments.

More on bees...

Here's another slant on the bee story we've all heard so much about lately....

http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_5194.cfm

Ah, June is here

Gorgeous orchids


Water garden


Sloat pottery


Still life with elephant


Fuschia!


Marigolds


Cosmos (attracts butterflies!)


Backlit grasses


Yarrow (another butterfly attractor!)


Hydrangea


What a healthy aloe plant!