The Herb Garden & Greenhouse |
Newsletter Spring 2009 |
Garden Greetings... The winter of '08-'09 sure turned out to be one to remember! I've always enjoyed sitting inside with a warm beverage and watching the snow fall. The plants all asleep under the fluffy,white blanket, an aromatic pot of soup on the stove, a much needed rest for all of us. I finally reached the point of "too much of a good thing" last winter. Just getting out of the driveway became a challenge. We call it the winter of the snowblowers. Yes, snowblowers but that's a whole story on its own. Unfortunately, the retail greenhouse collapsed. In between the heater fritzing out and shooting flames 3 ft in the air and getting a backup going, it came down. A heartbreaker for sure, but repairable. The hustle has been to get replacements parts made, shipped and all put back up for the May 6th opening. We should make it...but just barely. My damaged gardens will have to wait. The previously gorgeous "Bloodgood" Red Japanese Maple sustained impresssive damage, as did the Variegated Dogwood Tree. They may have to be replaced. Several of our young fruit trees also find themselves with major and probably irrepairable branch damages. I'm beginning to think the weeds thought the snow was a super grow fertilizer. Greenhouse Hours Wednesday-Friday 10-6 Opening May 6th after July 1st, please phone for updated hours. 4214 N. Willow Rd. One block East of Argonne Rd & Upriver Dr. 509-926-7230 The Garden Expo Sat. May 9th 9-5 Free Admission Spokane Community College Lair Bldg. I'm in the same location with 4 booths, inside the Plant Cafe by the college cafeteria. We will be open at 8am for my customers to get the best selection, and kick off their shopping day. A Few Changes for 2009 Saving Money- Like everyone else, my small business needs to tighten its belt. This spring I will not be sending out a postcard in the mail. I plan on utilizing this great and inexpensive form of media. If you know someone that would like to sign up, please send them to my web page, or email me there address. Yellow Pages- This will be the last season of having a business listing in the phone book. I will email another phone # when I get it. Hopefully you will bookmark this web site and/or add me to your address book to keep in touch. Recycling- Your recycling of pots and flats to me, is tremendously appreciated! (Unbroken only please, and sorry I cannot re-use the pony packs) I also could use your paper & plastic grocery sacks. Perennials- I love unusual perennials. Especially the gold, purple and variegated leafed, double flowers, and other attributes that catch my eye. Unfortunately, this season I will only have a limited selection of ornamental perennials. I have expanded the selection, and quantities of edible plants available at the greenhouse. Like many other folks, we are expanding and focusing more on food production in our own yard and garden. Update On The Pepper Experiment Last year we experimented with growing peppers and tomatoes in containers. It was a success. This season we will do it again. The Pepper Experiment- 1- we grew them in large black plastic tree pots with a good, rich soil mix. 2- pinched off all of the flowers until July 1st. 3- used a new organic stick fertilizer, and even soaked it to make a fertilizer tea. The Tomatoes were treated about the same but the flowers were only picked off until mid-June. The plants were grown outside until frost threatened. Then we moved them into the greenhouse. With only about 3 nights of heat, we picked the last of the peppers in mid-November. If you haven't grown & made your own Paprika, I strongly recommend it! And it's easy. Let the peppers ripen to red, clean seeds, I made long thin strips and dehydrated them. Once dry, grind up. I used my Magic Bullet. Now my homemade chili and enchiladas cannot be made without home grown Paprika. I offer "Papri Queen" plants. Loaded with fruits that are not hot but have a nice smoky flavor. Bartering- Yes I may be interested in bartering my plants or produce. (I'm hoping my Halibut/Salmon connection is still a go.) I'm interested in - ~ Gallons of Honey ~ Exchanging for other edible plants I do not have. ~ Cases of fruit for canning (pesticide-free please) ~ Canning jars and supplies ~ Or? Email me with what you have for further discussion. Many thanks for your continued support of a local grower and small business owner. For 20 years, I have had the privilege of making a living doing what I enjoy, meeting new plants & people, and continually learning along the way. Happy Gardening~ Patricia |
"Papri Queen" Pepper Easy To Make Your Own Paprika. |
"Sweetie" Cherry Tomato Lives up to its name- One of our favorites! |
"Mexico Midget" Small Cherry Perfect size for Summer pasta salad! |
"Sweet Banana" Pepper All purpose, we use it in everything. |
Aconcagua Pepper Mild, Sweet, & Big! |
Grower of Herbs, Heirloom Vegetables, & Edibles |
"Chinese Giant" Pepper Loaded & Big We Dice & Freeze For Winter Use. |
