Monday, March 31, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
SALE almost over...
All Sloat Statuary is on sale!
50% off through April 30th
Selection varies depending on location...
50% off through April 30th
Selection varies depending on location...
Bedding Plants & Groundcover spacing. Our nifty chart!
| Spacing | 36 Plants | 48 Plants | 64 Plants |
| 4 Inches | 4 Sq. Ft. | 5.25 Sq. Ft. | 7 Sq. Ft. |
| 6 Inches | 9 Sq. Ft. | 12 Sq. Ft. | 16 Sq. Ft. |
| 8 Inches | 16 Sq. Ft. | 21 Sq. Ft. | 28 Sq. Ft. |
| 10 Inches | 25 Sq. Ft. | 35.75 Sq. Ft. | 45 Sq. Ft. |
| 12 Inches | 36 Sq. Ft. | 48 Sq. Ft. | 64 Sq. Ft. |
| 15 Inches | 56.25 Sq. Ft. | 75 Sq. Ft. | 100 Sq. Ft. |
| 18 Inches | 81 Sq. Ft. | 108 Sq. Ft. | 144 Sq. Ft. |
| 24 Inches | 144 Sq. Ft. | 192 Sq. Ft. | 256 Sq. Ft. |
Healthy Gardens start with Healthy Soil
Each spring, we encourage gardeners to learn how to improve their soil because this knowledge has such an enormous impact on gardening success. The easiest way to create a superior growing medium for your plants is to add organic material to existing soil. The goal is to create a balance of sand, silt and clay that will provide easy penetration by roots, air and water.
For many Bay Area gardens, amending high clay content will help achieve a “loamy” soil balance. To break up heavy clay soils, Sloat Loam Builder can help. It contains a unique blend of chicken manure and composted mushroom soil (wheat straw, cottonseed hulls, Canadian peat moss, cottonseed meal and gypsum). This high-powered combination enhances bacterial action in the clay and loosens the soil to allow air, water and root penetration.
For soils that need moderate conditioning, use Sloat Organic Planting Mix. This mix contains fir bark, mushroom compost, perlite and gypsum and is ideal for improving the soil in flower and vegetable beds.
Mulching your soil with Sloat Forest Mulch Plus will also improve soil in several important ways. As a mulch it will help conserve moisture and its fir bark content will add long–lasting organic matter to the soil and help keep clay particles separated.
How much do you need? As a rule, use 1/3 soil amendment to 2/3 native soils. To provide a boost to existing beds, apply a 2-inch layer.
For mulching, blanket the soil with a ½ to 1 inch layer. Two cubic feet of mulch will cover 48 square feet of surface at ½ inch.
When crops are deprived of basic nutrients they suffer. Improve the quality of your soil this spring and watch your plants thrive.
For many Bay Area gardens, amending high clay content will help achieve a “loamy” soil balance. To break up heavy clay soils, Sloat Loam Builder can help. It contains a unique blend of chicken manure and composted mushroom soil (wheat straw, cottonseed hulls, Canadian peat moss, cottonseed meal and gypsum). This high-powered combination enhances bacterial action in the clay and loosens the soil to allow air, water and root penetration.
For soils that need moderate conditioning, use Sloat Organic Planting Mix. This mix contains fir bark, mushroom compost, perlite and gypsum and is ideal for improving the soil in flower and vegetable beds.
Mulching your soil with Sloat Forest Mulch Plus will also improve soil in several important ways. As a mulch it will help conserve moisture and its fir bark content will add long–lasting organic matter to the soil and help keep clay particles separated.
How much do you need? As a rule, use 1/3 soil amendment to 2/3 native soils. To provide a boost to existing beds, apply a 2-inch layer.
For mulching, blanket the soil with a ½ to 1 inch layer. Two cubic feet of mulch will cover 48 square feet of surface at ½ inch.
When crops are deprived of basic nutrients they suffer. Improve the quality of your soil this spring and watch your plants thrive.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
2 plants you can have fun with this weekend
CINERARIA & FOXGLOVE
CINERARIA - Senecio hybrids
This daisy-like flower comes in magentas, blues, purples and white combinations. The flowers may be a slightly different shade when the new seedlings appear next winter. Plant in loose, rich soil, full to light shade, and give regular water. They look good planted as a group, combined with forget-me-knots, as a backdrop for daffodils or species geraniums. The seedlings planted for outdoors may grow 2’ tall and wide. The plants planted as indoor color can also be planted outside after they have finished blooming.
Cineraria are classified as perennial but act more like hardy annuals. They bloom in late winter and early spring, then dry out and look bad when the weather warms up. Give the dry flower heads a shake to encourage re-seeding or to collect the seed and sprinkle in other shady spots in the garden. Pull the old plants and toss in the compost pile.
FOXGLOVE-Digitalis
These Biennials from the Mediterranean need regular water, well-drained soil and fertilizer. They are normally planted in part sun but grew to be 5 feet in one outer Richmond garden with southern exposure. They make a fantastic vertical element to the back of a bed and are very impressive when massed.
After first flowering cut off the main spike and the side shoots will grow and provide additional blooms. Hummingbirds love the bell-shaped flowers. The spikes can grow 2-5 feet depending on the species. Flower colors come in yellow, white, salmon, pink, lavender, purple and rose. All parts are poisonous if ingested.
CINERARIA - Senecio hybrids
This daisy-like flower comes in magentas, blues, purples and white combinations. The flowers may be a slightly different shade when the new seedlings appear next winter. Plant in loose, rich soil, full to light shade, and give regular water. They look good planted as a group, combined with forget-me-knots, as a backdrop for daffodils or species geraniums. The seedlings planted for outdoors may grow 2’ tall and wide. The plants planted as indoor color can also be planted outside after they have finished blooming.
Cineraria are classified as perennial but act more like hardy annuals. They bloom in late winter and early spring, then dry out and look bad when the weather warms up. Give the dry flower heads a shake to encourage re-seeding or to collect the seed and sprinkle in other shady spots in the garden. Pull the old plants and toss in the compost pile.
FOXGLOVE-Digitalis
These Biennials from the Mediterranean need regular water, well-drained soil and fertilizer. They are normally planted in part sun but grew to be 5 feet in one outer Richmond garden with southern exposure. They make a fantastic vertical element to the back of a bed and are very impressive when massed.
After first flowering cut off the main spike and the side shoots will grow and provide additional blooms. Hummingbirds love the bell-shaped flowers. The spikes can grow 2-5 feet depending on the species. Flower colors come in yellow, white, salmon, pink, lavender, purple and rose. All parts are poisonous if ingested.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
Easter lilies are here
All Sloat locations now have lilies for Easter. Why purchase an Easter lily at Sloat? Because ours are thicker and taller, with more blooms, than your average grocery store variety. We have plenty of colors and lovely pots to choose from!
Ceanothus bursting with color, from the SF Chronicle
by Katherine Grace Endicott
Read the article here...
Ceanothus varieties, such as 'Dark Star,' are blooming along roadsides
and at nurseries now. Photo, 2006, by Miriam Owen
Read the article here...
Ceanothus varieties, such as 'Dark Star,' are blooming along roadsides
and at nurseries now. Photo, 2006, by Miriam Owen
Friday, March 14, 2008
Edible Landscaping in the news
Backyards, Beware: An Orchard Wants Your Spot
"In the last few years, an increasing number of Americans have turned their yards over to mini orchards, planting them with dwarf and semi-dwarf fruit trees, even in dense urban areas. The backyard orchard makes sense, given the growing popularity of the local-food movement. Nothing is more local than the backyard, after all, and home orcharding, as the practice is sometimes called, guarantees freshness and cuts the energy costs for transportation to nil." - New York Times, March 2008
This spring at Sloat Garden Center we're undertaking an effort toward sustainability by urging gardeners to incorporate edible plants into their landscape. An article in this week's Home & Garden issue of the New York Times discusses this very point. Read it here!
"In the last few years, an increasing number of Americans have turned their yards over to mini orchards, planting them with dwarf and semi-dwarf fruit trees, even in dense urban areas. The backyard orchard makes sense, given the growing popularity of the local-food movement. Nothing is more local than the backyard, after all, and home orcharding, as the practice is sometimes called, guarantees freshness and cuts the energy costs for transportation to nil." - New York Times, March 2008
This spring at Sloat Garden Center we're undertaking an effort toward sustainability by urging gardeners to incorporate edible plants into their landscape. An article in this week's Home & Garden issue of the New York Times discusses this very point. Read it here!
More Edible Landscaping in the news
Asparagus start slow but produce for years
SF Chronicle
Read it here!
Asparagus shoots sprout from crowns and break through the soil in spring.
A plant can produce spears for 25 years.
SF Chronicle
Read it here!
Asparagus shoots sprout from crowns and break through the soil in spring.
A plant can produce spears for 25 years.
Furniture is coming, furniture is coming!
We’ve ordered lots of new styles and colors for spring. Watch our blog for more info!!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
The ladies are here!
We have ladybugs, mantids and nematodes to help control pesky garden eaters. Hooray for beneficial insects!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
San Francisco Flower & Garden Show - this weekend
March 12-16
Visit SFFGS website here!
Four acres of inspiring gardens, free seminars for all gardening levels, and shopping at 300 exhibits all strictly related to gardening, outdoor living and gardeners.
Visit SFFGS website here!
Four acres of inspiring gardens, free seminars for all gardening levels, and shopping at 300 exhibits all strictly related to gardening, outdoor living and gardeners.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Daylight Savings hours. We're open longer!
Starting Sunday, March 9th all Sloat Garden Center locations will be open 7 days a week, 8:30am to 6:30pm. Hooray!
New Stuff at Sloat!
We have a few new items to watch for this spring...
Tumbleweed Composter - rugged construction should withstand any Bay Area weather over the course of time; has a center aeration rod to let air in and speed the breakdown process; spins easily to turn compost pile; and has detachable lids on both sides for easy access.
Scarecrow Animal Deterrent – chases animals away with motion sensor activation of sprinkler; protects plants and pond areas; shoots sudden burst of water scaring unwanted animals away
Radius Garden Tools – provide ergonomic comfort, minimizing hand and wrist stress; lightweight yet very strong aluminum-magnesium blades; bulb trowel, cultivator, trowel and weeder available
Barnell Spring Buckets – Collapsible buckets that compress to 3” size for easy storage and transport; rugged enough for professional use; extra thick perforated bottom panel adds longer life span; 3 sizes with padded adjustable shoulder strap
Elizabeth Wilmore Greeting Cards – Photos from a local Marin artist who donates part of all proceeds to Breast Cancer research in Marin County
Tumbleweed Composter - rugged construction should withstand any Bay Area weather over the course of time; has a center aeration rod to let air in and speed the breakdown process; spins easily to turn compost pile; and has detachable lids on both sides for easy access.
Scarecrow Animal Deterrent – chases animals away with motion sensor activation of sprinkler; protects plants and pond areas; shoots sudden burst of water scaring unwanted animals away
Radius Garden Tools – provide ergonomic comfort, minimizing hand and wrist stress; lightweight yet very strong aluminum-magnesium blades; bulb trowel, cultivator, trowel and weeder available
Barnell Spring Buckets – Collapsible buckets that compress to 3” size for easy storage and transport; rugged enough for professional use; extra thick perforated bottom panel adds longer life span; 3 sizes with padded adjustable shoulder strap
Elizabeth Wilmore Greeting Cards – Photos from a local Marin artist who donates part of all proceeds to Breast Cancer research in Marin County
Plant a Tree for California Arbor Day
March 7 –14
National Arbor Day - a day set aside just for tree planting – is celebrated nationally on the last Friday in April, but many states observe Arbor Day on dates according to their best tree-planting times.
In California, Arbor Day is often celebrated on March 7, which is also the birthdate of pioneering Santa Rosa horticulturalist Luther Burbank. This year Sloat Garden Center would like to encourage you to do your part to reduce global warming by planting a tree.
HOW TO PLANT A TREE:
Purchasing a healthy, vigorous tree is the first step to a successful planting. Choose a tree that has branching and foliage on about 2/3 of its total height. This will help distribute stress from wind along its trunk. Large roots should not be exposed above the soil. This usually indicates severely kinked or circling roots that can eventually girdle (strangle) the tree, weakening or killing it in time.
The planting hole should be only as deep as the root ball and twice as wide. A deeper hole might cause the tree to settle too deeply, possibly causing crown rot. If the sides and bottom of the hole are glazed (shiny and smooth), roughen them with a shovel so the roots can penetrate into the surrounding soil easily. Prune any dead, broken or twisted roots. Roots matted at the bottom or circling around the root ball should be removed or straightened. Amend the backfill soil with 50% Planting Mix or other organic amendment if your soil is clay-like or sandy.
If wind, hot sun or aesthetics are not factors, position your tree so that the majority of the branches are facing away from the afternoon sun. This will help the tree produce more foliage on the “barer side”. If hot sun is an issue, position the tree so that the bud union (the crook) on a grafted tree is facing away from the afternoon sun (it can burn!). If wind is a factor, position the tree so that the majority of branches face the oncoming wind. Once the position has been determined, backfill ½ of the soil, making sure there is good contact with the roots, and water. Fill the hole with the second ½ and water again. Mulch around the tree (leaving the crown uncovered) with fine or micro bark to reduce evaporation and subdue weeds.
National Arbor Day - a day set aside just for tree planting – is celebrated nationally on the last Friday in April, but many states observe Arbor Day on dates according to their best tree-planting times.In California, Arbor Day is often celebrated on March 7, which is also the birthdate of pioneering Santa Rosa horticulturalist Luther Burbank. This year Sloat Garden Center would like to encourage you to do your part to reduce global warming by planting a tree.
HOW TO PLANT A TREE:
Purchasing a healthy, vigorous tree is the first step to a successful planting. Choose a tree that has branching and foliage on about 2/3 of its total height. This will help distribute stress from wind along its trunk. Large roots should not be exposed above the soil. This usually indicates severely kinked or circling roots that can eventually girdle (strangle) the tree, weakening or killing it in time.
The planting hole should be only as deep as the root ball and twice as wide. A deeper hole might cause the tree to settle too deeply, possibly causing crown rot. If the sides and bottom of the hole are glazed (shiny and smooth), roughen them with a shovel so the roots can penetrate into the surrounding soil easily. Prune any dead, broken or twisted roots. Roots matted at the bottom or circling around the root ball should be removed or straightened. Amend the backfill soil with 50% Planting Mix or other organic amendment if your soil is clay-like or sandy.
If wind, hot sun or aesthetics are not factors, position your tree so that the majority of the branches are facing away from the afternoon sun. This will help the tree produce more foliage on the “barer side”. If hot sun is an issue, position the tree so that the bud union (the crook) on a grafted tree is facing away from the afternoon sun (it can burn!). If wind is a factor, position the tree so that the majority of branches face the oncoming wind. Once the position has been determined, backfill ½ of the soil, making sure there is good contact with the roots, and water. Fill the hole with the second ½ and water again. Mulch around the tree (leaving the crown uncovered) with fine or micro bark to reduce evaporation and subdue weeds.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
SALE!
We mentioned it before, but it bears repeating...
Our ENTIRE inventory of statuary, birdbaths & fountains is on sale.
Stop in & take advantage of these terrific savings. More info here.
Our ENTIRE inventory of statuary, birdbaths & fountains is on sale.
40% off through March 13
50% off March 14 - 27
WOW!
50% off March 14 - 27
WOW!
Stop in & take advantage of these terrific savings. More info here.
Sloat Pottery Color of the month is SUGARCANE!
In the Garden --- Repotting for Spring, Mixing in Some Memories
What a terrific article in the New York Times gardening section last week!
By ANNE RAVER, New York Times
Houseplants, which often come into your life without asking, are more than a little like pets: they need food and water — and the kind of attention that verges on love.
Read it here....
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