|
|



Lafayette
Weather Courtesy of:

Subscribe Now to
The Orchard Online News | |
|
Have
a Look Around our Site |
|
Click Here to see Roses in Stock! |
| Be
a Guest Gardener:
Gardeners love to learn from other gardeners "over the fence." We
would love to include a tour and or an article from one of our readers! |
| |
Contact Information:
Online Form:
Click to contact us.
Telephone:
(925) 284-4474
Address:
4010 Mt. Diablo Blvd.
Lafayette, CA 94549
|


Nurseryman's
Bumper Crop Booster
|
|
E. B. Stone Citrus & Fruit Tree Food
is a blend of select natural organic ingredients for use with citrus and other home orchard fruit trees and with small fruits like berries and those grown on vines. It is formulated to encourage new growth, lush green foliage and to support bountiful crops. E. B. Stone Citrus & Fruit Tree Food is rich in nitrogen which, is essential for all fruiting crops. It also contains phosphorus and potash, which are important for fruit production. It may also be used to feed shade trees, flowering trees and ornamental vines. Don't forget to check your pH and lower as needed with our pH Adjuster Plus for healthy citrus. |
|
|
 |
 |
|
Many gardeners give up on their roses in the summer, believing they only produce quality flowers in the spring. Rose blossoms do tend to be smaller in the summer and the colors not quite as vivid because the summer heat forces the blooms to open before blossom size and color pigment have completely developed. But given the proper care, combined with a few simple pruning techniques, roses will re-bloom every six weeks until the first frost with the biggest blooms in the spring and in the fall.
Pruning off old blooms encourages the rose to continue to re-bloom. Cut stems just above a leaf (consisting of 5-7 leaflets) which points outward from the center of the plant. Try to cut at least 1/3-1/2 of the stem off. Remember that the new branch growing back will never be bigger than the stem it is growing from. Also if you only prune the tips off, you will have a tall, leggy plant by the end of summer.
In order to continue to perform all season, roses need plenty of fertilizer. Click here for Bonnie’s Guide to Growing and Caring for Roses from our web site.
The second feeding is in August, so now is the right time to feed. If you already have rose fertilizer, continue to use it according to the directions through September.
Happy Gardening… |
 |
|
The Lazy K House has just received its fall delivery of broken china garden pots and accessories.
Come take a look at all the wonderful colors and patterns in many new styles.
Don’t miss our small birdhouses, a great value at just $26.95
|


|
|
 |
 |
Who's your bud? Not the budworm. When the weather warms up, you can bet this pest is on its way. The budworm (a type of caterpillar/moth) is gunning for your geraniums, petunias, snapdragons, and other flowering plants. Knowing the budworm's diet, habits, and the effective control methods, you will be armed and ready for combat.
It can be hard to spot budworms. They are very small and they tend to take on the color of the bloom or foliage they are infesting, further enhancing their camouflage. You will see irregular chewing on the blossoms and round holes through flower buds and leaves. The numerous black droppings they leave behind are one of the telltale signs. Many gardeners may not know they have a problem until the damage becomes severe.
Controlling this pest depends on the amount of planting. With a small patio of plants, physically removing and killing them should be effective. A larger yard would require spraying. Insecticides that contain Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis), such as Safer Caterpillar Killer, offer reasonably effective biological control. Because the Bt must be ingested by the insect to be effective, it may take a few days before you no longer see any signs of budworms. Plant sprays containing Spinosad are also effective in controlling budworms.
Now that you know what to look for, and what to spray, you'll be armed and ready at the first sign of attack. |
|
 |
LAST WEEK'S QUESTION:
Name the variety of the first orchid in the world to be used as a perfume.
CORRECT ANSWER:
“Miss Udorn-Sunshine” a vanda hybrid. In 1987 Dr. Pradit Kamperpool introduced his orchid hybrid and then a year later in 1988, the Udorn Sunshine orchid hybrid was registered with the International Orchid Registry of the Royal Horticultural Society, UK. In 1995, Dr. Pradit Kampermpool began producing the world’s first orchid perfume.
PRIZE WINNER:
Kris Diede wins a $10
Orchard Nursery gift certificate! Stay tuned for another trivia question
next week! |
 |
|
What You'll Need:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 cup half-and-half cream
- 6 bananas, halved lengthwise
- 1 1/2 cups whipped heavy cream
- 1 pinch ground cinnamon
|
|
Step by Step: |
- Sift flour and powdered sugar into a mixing bowl. Add eggs, milk, butter, vanilla, and salt; beat until smooth.
- Heat a lightly greased 6 inch skillet. Add about 3 tablespoons batter. Tilt skillet so that batter spreads to almost cover the bottom of skillet.
- Cook until lightly browned; turn and brown the other side. Repeat process with remaining batter, grease skillet as needed.
- Melt 1/4 cup butter in a large skillet. Stir in brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir in cream and cook until slightly thickened.
- Add half the bananas at a time to skillet; cook for 2 to 3 minutes, spooning sauce over them.
- Remove from heat.
- Roll a crepe around each banana half and place on serving platter.
- Spoon sauce over crepes. Top with whipped cream and a pinch of cinnamon.
Yield: 6 servings
 |
|
click here for a printer friendly version of this page |