Planting Tips

	Chilling Requirements: What they mean (700) Three or four digit numbers, such as this example, indicate the approximate chilling hours required for that variety. All fruiting & flowering plants need adequate dormancy before the beginning of their flowering period. For many plants, this d...more
	Growing Artichokes PLANTING ARTICHOKES Cultural requirements Artichokes are native to the Mediterranean. In warm areas, (zones 8 & 9) such as California, artichokes can be treated as perennials and left in the ground for 6-7 years until they need to be divided. In c...more
	Growing Bare-Root Fruit Trees TREE SELECTIONFruit and nut trees are a long-term investment and caring for them properly right from the start will ensure years of enjoyment and productivity. If you make good choices in variety and plan for your trees' needs early on, maintenance w...more
	Growing Bare-Root Ornamental Trees PLANTING TIPS FOR BARE-ROOT ORNAMENTAL TREESTrees are a long-term investment and caring for them properly right from the start will ensure years of enjoyment and productivity. If you make good choices in variety and plan for your trees' needs early o...more
	Growing Berries & Currants PLANTING RASPBERRIES AND BLACKBERRIES Blackberries, Black Raspberries, Red Raspberries and Yellow Raspberries are very closely related. Botanists separate the Raspberries from Blackberries by determining if the core stays in the ripe fruit or if the...more
	Growing Conifer Trees PLANTING CONIFER SEEDLINGSPlanting Location Before you order your tree(s), carefully choose a planting location that provides maximum sunlight, good air circulation, and adequate drainage. Even an extra hour or two of shade a day can noticeably red...more
	Growing Flower Bulbs GROWING FLOWER BULBSBulbs are an incredibly versatile addition to any type of garden. Typically, they are used in perennial borders, natural woodland gardens, naturalized in meadows and orchards, in containers or for indoor forcing to enjoy the bloo...more
	Growing Kiwi GROWING KIWICultural requirements Native to Eastern Asia. An introduced fruit crop to America that is gaining popularity as a backyard fruit. Emerald-green flesh with small, black edible seeds. Plant in zones 7-9 (1-10 for Hardy Kiwi). For the self-...more
	Growing Native Perennial Grasses Native grasses are a vital part of our ecological heritage. With the increasing recognition of their value for revegetation, fire reseeding, ground cover, erosion control, dryland pasture improvement, wildlife habitat and natural landscaping, more va...more
	Growing Potatoes GROWING POTATOESFall-planted spuds can produce outstanding yields by May. However, if you are in an area of hard Winter frosts (zones 1-7), plant potatoes in spring. Calculating Seed Potato Quantities One pound of potatoes plants a row approximately...more
	How To Grow Asparagus PLANTING ASPARAGUS, GROWING ASPARAGUS, and HARVESTING ASPARAGUSCultural Requirements: Asparagus is a hardy perennial, native to Western Europe, which is usually started from crowns but can also be grown from seed. It grows well in most areas of the c...more
	How To Grow Citrus Trees GROWING, PLANTING, AND HARVESTING LEMONS, ORANGES, AND LIMES Cultural requirements Evergreen plants with bright green foliage & fragrant flowers. Valuable as ornamentals or orchard trees. Excellent source of Vitamin C. Citrus are not difficult to gr...more
	How To Grow Garlic & Shallots Hardneck Garlic, Softneck Garlic, Elephant Garlic & Shallot Culture PLANTING GARLIC, GROWING GARLIC AND HARVESTING GARLIC Garlic is exceptionally Winter-hardy. Fall is the time to plant it for the best yields and the highest quality garlic bulbs. Plant garlic September through early January, depending upon your clima...more
	How To Grow Grapes PLANTING GRAPES, GROWING GRAPES AND HARVESTING GRAPES Cultural requirements Grapes prefer a light soil with good drainage and moderate to high fertility. They grow best in a deep soil with a pH between 5.5 to 7.0. Soil should be kept moist the first...more
	How To Grow Olives PLANTING OLIVES, GROWING OLIVES and HARVESTING OLIVESCultural Requirements Some olives are self-fruitful, but all are best with cross-pollination. Due to the olive tree's hardiness & adaptability, the majority of varietals can survive in just about ...more
	How To Grow Onion & Leek Transplants PLANTING, GROWING AND HARVESTING ONIONS & LEEKSThe best onions are grown from transplants set out in October or November, and wintered over, to mature in June or July. Sets are best used for Spring planting (Fall-planted sets tend to bolt with the le...more
	How To Grow Strawberries PLANTING STRAWBERRIES, GROWING STRAWBERRIES AND HARVESTING STRAWBERRIESSoil Preparation Strawberries require a loose, loamy, slightly acidic soil (pH 6.0-6.5) and full sun to achieve peak berry quality, but they will tolerate a variety of soil cond...more
	How to Use & Grow Cover Crops ANNUAL COVER CROPS Annual cool weather mixes or single varieties are usually planted with the intention of mowing or tilling at the end of their growing cycle. In your initial soil-building phase, you may choose to cover crop one or more areas inten...more
	Growing Horseradish GROWING HORSERADISHCultural Requirements Horseradish is a hardy perennial that grows in all zones except the hottest low desert regions. Where you plant depends on whether you intend to treat it as a perennial and leave it in place for years, or a...more
	Growing Native Plants Gardening with native plants can be very rewarding and save you time and money in the long run. Natives generally require less water and long-term maintenance. These rewards will be greater if your garden replicates conditions similar to their native...more