Tagawa Tails Has A New Look!

It's true, our Tagawa Tails Newsletter has a brand new look!

We have re-designed our newsletter to an easier- to read, more concise format—and split it into two!

Our Educational Newsletter—features classes, events, monthly garden tips and the ever-popular Dick’s Corner.

Then, two or three times a year you will also receive our Fun and Promotional Newsletter that will feature full-color photos of fun, new and exciting products in each department, along with coupons and other special offers. We hope you like the changes, and invite you to e-mail your comments to Beth@tagawagardens. com.

 

This issue...

• Dick's Corner
• Events
• Employment
• Garden Tips

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Dick's Corner

Dick’s Corner By Dick, our Garden Expert

This years concern is the Mountain Pine Beetle, as it has moved into the Front Range; a drought stressed area. As long as your pine trees are healthy, they will usually “pitch” out the beetles.  As a preventative, consider SEVIN,® EIGHT® (a Permethrin) or SPINOSAD®  (a biological control). Drench the trunk and large branches in April.

The IPS Beetle usually bores into stressed pine trunks 6''in diameter at waist level. They start on upper third of the tree, evidence is fine sawdust on the trunk and at the base of the tree. They carry the blue staining disease that will kill the pine tree. Apply SEVIN® ,EIGHT® or SPINOSAD®  in April and again August.

Now let’s go to a nasty little fellow who causes PINE WILT--the PINE WOOD NEMATODE.  The insect carrier is the Pine Sawyer Beetle [Long Horn Beetle]

PINE WILT has been found in our area.  It attacks foreign pines such as Scotch, Mugo, Austrian,  Japanese, Chinese etc, when the pines are under stress. The needles will be off color, grayish green and then brown, and the discoloration happen quickly. No cure at this time.  Good news is NATIVE TREES are not affected.

SOUTHWESTERN PINE TIP MOTH host to a number species of pines. For control use SEVIN®, a Permethrin or SPINOSAD® on the upper third of the tree when the new growth (candles) has needles starting to show. A second application in two weeks may be necessary. When ever possible, plant a variety of trees in your yard, it lessens the chance of loosing a number of trees from a disease or insect like if you have the same species.  To get a leg up on insect problems on trees or shrubs, use Bayer® Advanced Garden Tree & Insect Control. This product is effective for 12 months. Don’t use this product on any fruit or vegetables.

If you had a fungus on your lawn last year, use Green Light®  FUNG AWAY or fertilome® F-STOP, excellent choices for control—as always, read the label before applying. Green light®  also has two fine products: Broad Leaf Weed Preventer and Crabgrass Preventer.  Both provide pre-emergent weed control (prevents seeds from germinating.) For grub control in the lawn, apply Bayer® Kill a Grub and water in.  Keep your lawn healthy to prevent fungus and insects--organic-based lawn fertilizers help keep for a nice healthy lawn, for example, Pro Rich® and Natural Guard® Soil Conditioner. The Happy Frog® line  has a number of organic Fertilizers to keep all types of plants healthy and happy.

What about those critters? For voles, Liquid Fence® Vole/Mole Repellent  will keep them out of the yard and from eating on the roots and bark of shrubs. There will soon be a new crop of rabbits to keep at bay--Bobbex,® or Liquid Fence® are both good repellents for Rabbits and Deer. Blood Meal will repel rabbits and is a fertilizer. Milorganite® fertilizer will repel deer-another a double benefit.

Planting a garden early ? Use Walls O’ Water™ when planting tomato plants, squash, cukes or other vegetables that are frost tender. Keep a frost blanket on hand for larger areas.  Peas, potatoes, spinach can be planted in mid to late March if you have spring fever. After the last frost date (approx. May 15, but differs with elevation) all vegetables and annual flower can be planted.  Keep a frost blanket handy, you know our Colorado weather!

When planting one of our trees or shrubs, use a root stimulator and Natures Yield® Compost, 1/3 compost to 2/3 your own soil, and water in. Our Nursery has a fine selection of plants for smaller yards--compact and colorful—as well as tall, columnar varieties for shade and privacy in a narrow area.

Visit Dick’s Corner and our Garden Supplies Department -a new shipment of pottery is in, with great new sizes and shapes, and a eye- dazzling colors! Our statuary and fountain area has a many new pieces and sizes of these items, some one of a kind.

In Bird World, Leslie our bird enthusiast and specialist and is very knowledgeable on proper feeders, houses and seed for your area

Last but not least, fertilize and water your lawn and water your trees and shrubs, perennials and gardens as needed, check with us if you need help. A water meter is great tool for garden plants and houseplants to help you determine when to water you plant.
Hats off to the most wonderful people in the world-- GARDENERS!

Dick and our other garden experts can be reached at 303-690-4722 ext 146 or GardenExperts@tagawagardens.com.

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Fri., Apr. 18
FREE Denver Daisy Seed packets (while supplies last). The Denver Daisy celebrates Denver’s 150th Anniversary!  Show your city spirit and plant Denver Daisies! (free seeds compliments of Hardy Boy® Plants.)

Fri., Apr 18-Sun., May 4
“Re-Forest Colorado Arbor Day Program” Exclusive to Tagawa Gardens! Every $15 donation to Re-Forest Colorado receives a coupon for 25% OFF the purchase of one tree* at Tagawa Gardens! Re-Forest Colorado is an effort by the Colorado Tree Coalition—donations from the Tagawa Program will benefit tree planting in Holly, Granby and Cheesman Reservoir area (to replace trees damaged by tornado, bark beetle and wildfire damage, respectively.) 

Fri., Apr 18

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Our visitors make our best employees!

We have many wonderful seasonal opportunities for employment during our busy season. We offer rewarding work in a beautiful environment with friendly co-workers, a family atmosphere and a generous employee discount. Gardening experience is helpful, some weekend and overtime required.

We invite you to pick up an application at our Customer Service Dept. or download one at http://www.tagawagardens.com/tgemploy.htm Sorry, wWe are unable to accept completed applications via e-mail. Resumes are not necessary and not accepted in lieu of our applications. Questions? Please call Michelle in our HR department at (303) 690-4722 x107 Mon-Fri 10-4.

 

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What to Do in Your Colorado Garden

April Gardening Action

Early April: Plant INDOORS – from seed: peppers, New Zealand spinach, collards, beets and eggplant.

Early April: Plant OUTDOORS – from seed: carrots, kohlrabi, peas, radishes, sage, spinach (not New Zealand) and turnips.  Also from plants and roots: Chinese cabbage, parsley, spinach, broccoli, kale, and cauliflower, potatoes, onion sets, garlic and asparagus roots

Mid-April: Plant INDOORS – from seed: celery, garlic, leeks, onions, lima beans, endive and escarole.

Mid-April: Plant OUTDOORS – from seed: parsnip, beet, carrot, endive, escarole, lettuce, pea, parsnip and turnips.  From plants: Broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, collards and kale.

Late April: Plant OUTDOORS – Plant spring bulbs and roots – Ixia, lily of the valley, anemone, lilies, freesia, gladiolus, dahlia, canna and peonies.  Plant hardened-off perennials.

When active growth appears on roses, fertilize with a “rose food” formulation according to the label.

Prune roses now (prune back to approximately 1-2 feet above the ground or to live wood). 

Don’t prune climbers except to shape or remove dead canes.

Feed your turf areas according to the directions on the fertilizer.

Fertilize all established plants starting to grow with 5-10-5 (or similar) fertilizer.

Fertilize trees and shrubs with the appropriate fertilizer (Ornamental, Fruit, Evergreen, etc.)

As weeds begin to actively grow, spray with weed killer according to the directions on the container.

Apply borer control only if you find evidence of borers, and you did not apply in March.

Remove mulches from perennials and roses.

Remove tree wrap if not done already since this is an excellent incubation area for insects and diseases if not taken off.

Feed our feathered friends – there are not enough natural foods available yet.

May Gardening Action

Early May: Plant OUTDOORS – broccoli, peas, beets, Brussels sprouts, carrots, collards, kale, radishes, spinach, tomatoes with “Wall O’Water” only, sage, pansies, all potted perennials, summer flowering bulbs.  Make sure to ‘harden off’ the plants before putting them in the ground.

Early May: Plant INDOORS – From seed: corn, snap beans, mustard, pumpkin, summer & winter squash.

Mid-May: Plant OUTDOORS – anything listed in early May, plus lemon balm, New Zealand and Malabar spinach, all herbs, all annual flowers, dahlia tubers, gladiola corms, all potted perennials (hardened off).

Late May: Plant OUTDOORS – Anything listed in early and mid-May, plus cucumbers, pumpkins, summer & winter squash, basil, lima beans, peppers, corn and tomatoes.

Throughout May: Plant trees, shrubs, evergreens, annuals and perennials (Make sure your annuals and perennials are ‘hardened off’.

Use a root-stimulating fertilizer (Bone Meal or Superphosphate) when planting new plants or transplanting “old” ones.

Fertilize your lawn if it was not done in April.

Fertilize established trees, shrubs and perennials if it was not done in April.

Fertilize roses with Mile High Rose Food formulated and recommended by  local rose societies.

NEVER use a systemic insecticide on any plant that bears edible fruit or vegetables.  Instead use natural controls such as Lady Beetles or treatments formulated especially for fruits and vegetables.

Spray weed control on actively growing weeds (follow directions exactly when using weed killer or any pesticide).  When spraying weeds in your lawn, be sure to use weed control that won’t harm your grass.

If black spot has been a problem on Aspen in the past, when the leaves begin to open, spray with a fungicide to prevent a reoccurrence of this common Aspen problem.

Prune only to shape plants since you don’t want to stifle the new season’s growth, which is the most vigorous.

If pruning is needed on spring flowering shrubs, wait until the flowering is done.  Otherwise you will be removing the flower bud before it has a chance to open.

Cut bloom stems from tulips, daffodils and other spring-flowering bulbs.  Do not remove the foliage – let it dry first.  This is the way the bulb is gaining energy for the next season’s bloom.

Pinch runners on strawberry plants when they are setting fruit.

June Gardening Action

Container grown plants can be planted anytime this month (be sure to ‘harden them off’ before planting if they were greenhouse grown.  Otherwise they will struggle.

Early June: Plant OUTDOORS – From seed: snap beans, beets, corn (early types), lima beans, and mustard seeds.  From plants: cantaloupe, pumpkin, tomato, summer & winter squash, cucumber, oregano, pepper, endive, kale, kohlrabi, leek and eggplant.

Give your lawn a light feeding if necessary (it will tell you by its look).

Give roses their monthly feeding.

Give all flowering and fruiting plants with a food high in phosphorous (the middle number in the “3-number” formulation.

Fertilize outdoor hanging baskets and container gardens frequently.  Since these plants are watered daily, nutrients are quickly leached out of the soil.  Fish emulsion works well for an organic alternative.

Continue to closely watch for pests and treat immediately (follow label directions carefully when applying these or any herbicides).

Prune to shape plants and cut back shrubs as needed after they complete their blooming period.

Don’t remove green leaves from spring flowering bulbs.  They are energizing the bulb for next years bloom and the dry leaves will decay providing more nutrients.

Remove all spent blooms on annuals and perennials to prolong the blooming period.

Check your outdoor hanging baskets twice a day (morning and afternoon).  Water thoroughly so water runs through drainage holes in the pot.

Apply mulch to plants to conserve moisture and cut down on weeds.

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