Issue No.10 January 2010



Gardeners often neglect the annual pruning of fruit and ruses trees. Without training and pruning, however, fruit trees and roses will not develop proper shape and form. Properly trained and pruned fruit trees will yield high quality fruit much earlier in their lives and live significantly longer.
 
A primary objective of training and pruning is to develop a strong tree framework that will support rose and fruit production. Another goal of annual training and pruning is to remove dead, diseased, or broken limbs. In order to do this you must have the right pruning tools, click here to read about how to choose the right pruning tools.

Pruning your fruit tree and roses is actually very easy. If you would like to read a little more about how to prune your fruit tree you can click here and read about pruning fruit tress.  Also I have a description of how to care for different varieties of fruit trees that will help make pruning easier.  Just click here to read more about pruning specific varieties of fruit trees. 

We have classes every weekend on pruning fruit trees and roses.  Come in and ask all the questions you want and just remember that McShane's is here for you!  Winter is a great time to garden.  Take a look of our sales, special events and tips for this winter.  Have a wonderful New Year and here is to a prosperous 2010!

Here is to your garden!!


Steve McShane

Pruning Classes for the Month of January

Pruning roses and fruit trees this month is very important.  McShane's is offering you both rose and fruit tree pruning classes.  The schedule is as follows:

Saturday, January 9th - 10:30 am Rose Pruning

Saturday, January 9th - 1:30 am Fruit Tree Pruning

Saturday, January 16th - 10:30 am Rose Pruning

Saturday, January 16th - 1:30 am Fruit Tree Pruning

Saturday, January 23rd - 10:30 am Rose Pruning

Saturday, January 23rd - 1:30 am Fruit Tree Pruning

Saturday, January 30th  - 10:30 am Rose Pruning

Saturday, January 30th  - 1:30 am Fruit Tree Pruning


If you would like to read up on rose pruning before you come to class you can click here.



Although your yard and garden may look like it's in a state of hibernation during the winter months, there are important things taking place all year long in the garden that contribute to the overall health of your plants.

* For example, your soil is active all year long, and your evergreen plants continue to use nutrients. Thus, it's important that you replenish nutrients in the soil for the next growing season. Composting is a great way to do this. Daffodil

* Fall and early winter is a great time to plant bulbs. Bulbs can often be the first flowers to bloom in late winter and early spring. Some of the best bulbs for planting in the fall and winter include daffodils, day lilies, iris,and tulips.

* Also, winter is also an excellent time to read up on gardening and plan your garden for next year. You can think about what plants you'd like to grow, and how to design your garden. This website on garden design can give you some great ideas.Click here to see how McShane's can help you design your garden!

* Prune, prune prune.  Now is the time!! And remember we have a  rose pruning class and demonstration. It all the difference in the world. It's one thing to read about pruning in a book, but actually getting out there and seeing it being done is totally different!

* If you compost, you should continue to monitor your compost pile during the fall and winter. Turning your compost pile and adding organic material is an important fall and winter gardening activity. Need help composting?  Click here and read this blog Steve wrote about backyard composting!
red leaf
* There are a number of great veggies that you can grow throughout the winter months. Cold hardy greens like arugula is a good pick for the winter garden. Carrots and other root crops also work well.  Need help with veggies? Click here to read Steve's article about winter veggies!


We know we have been talking about pruning but it is JUST as important  to winter / dormant "spray" with an environmentally friendly "copper soap." E.B Stone Copper Soap is an all purpose fungicide that controls mildew, blackspot and rust. Use on ornamentals, vegetables and fruits. Controls peach leaf curl. Available in concentrate or ready-use-spray.

For pruning, Steve always recommends the  ARS "Japanese Made" high quality bypass pruning shears for only $19.99  Buy a pair and attend our pruning seminar.

roseRoses have just come in at McShane's we have the BEST varieties and they are pruned and ready for your garden.  They will look AMAZING in the spring.  They are a must-have for any garden.

A good set of gardening gloves will save your hands from the cold and the thorns.  Make sure you get a nice pair that feel comfortable and make grasping things easy.







All Christmas Items Are 50% for the first 2 weeks of January only!

The new pottery will be in January 4th !  And for our Garden Club Members it will be 40% off.  Make sure you come in and tell them you are a member of the Garden Club and we give you this great pottery for 40% off!

Now is the time to design your landscape so it will look great for Spring and Summer.  We are now offering 20% off our landscape design services.  Call Anthony, the head of the design team, at (831)455-1876 and speak to him about making an appointment.  Learn more about our landscape design service by clicking here.

Gorilla Hair is a great mulch and look for any garden.  It can be used as a cover mulch in planters, around trees, small shrubs and annuals. This  coarse textured product helps reduce weed growth, reduce water usage and produces an aesthetically pleasant finish to the landscape over a long period of time.  The physical characteristics of the Gorilla Hair provides a uniform look while creating a tight barrier against weeds.  Gorilla Hair is now $29.99 a cubic yard.


Garlic-Rosemary Roast Chicken

This recipe comes from our Assistant Manager Morgan Martinez.  This is the way her dad cooks his chicken and it is her favorite!! The best part about this dish-aside from the mouthwatering taste and heart-healthy flavors (thanks, garlic!)-is that you can go into your garden and pick your own rosemary, lemons and even garlic!! Got 10 minutes to go to your garden and prepare a delicious dish? We thought so!

Ingredients

  • Olive or vegetable oil cooking spray
  • 8 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 3 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped, plus sprigs for garnish
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 roasting chicken (6-7 lb)
  • 1 lemon, sliced (optional)

Preparation

Heat oven to 425 degrees. Lightly coat a roasting pan and rack with cooking spray. Combine garlic, rosemary and salt in a bowl. Remove giblets and neck from chicken; trim off fat. Starting at the neck cavity, gently loosen skin from breasts and drumsticks; spread rosemary mixture evenly under skin.  Season with additional salt and black pepper; place breast side up in pan. Roast, basting twice with pan juices, until a meat thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh (and not touching bone) reads 175 degrees, about 1 3/4 hours. Let stand 10 minutes before carving (remove skin). Garnish with rosemary sprigs and lemon slices, if desired, and serve.




CONGRATS TO:

Dexter Farm
Who got the correct answer that Two-thirds of the world's eggplant is grown in New Jersey

Dexter you have 2 weeks to come pick up your $10 gift certificate to McShane's.

This Months Question:

What  has been clinically demonstrated to work twice as well as Dramamine for fighting motion sickness, with no side effects?


Have fun and good luck!


The rules of the game are simple.
We ask one trivia question a month. Please send all answers to sp@mcshanesnursery.com, with your full name.  Prize: A $10 McShane's Gift Certificate. One winner per newsletter.The winner will be announced in McShane's next online newsletter.Winner must bring an ID to the nursery to claim the prize. Prize must be picked up in person with in 2 weeks. Employees are not eligible for this contest.







Have you seen our new website??
Check it out!!
www.mcshanesnursery.com
just click the web address above and you will go right to it
Save 10%Get 10% off your next purchase of $50 or more when shopping at McShane's Nursery and Landscape Supply. Coupon only valid on regular priced items.  Limit one per customer.  Minimum purchase of $50 before taxes, required. Not valid on purchases of gift certificates. Coupon must be surrendered at time of purchase.

 
Offer Expires: February 01, 2010