Check this out - a SUPER fun addition to our

ever-growing vegetable selection in 2011 is ...

MONSTER VEGETABLES

Beier's Greenhouse is so excited to introduce this variety - we will be offering:

• Monster Jalapeno Pepper
• Monster Green Bell Pepper
• Monster Cantaloupe Melon
• Monster Watermelon
• Monster Acorn Squash
• Monster Tomato

We are excited to hear from our valued customers -

How big YOURS grow! 

Take advantage of our popular patio container vegetables this season - create a beautiful container that you can reap the benefits from! 

Maximum taste on minimun sized plants!

We offer a wide variety of patio vegetables made for growing in a container - perfect for a deck, balcony, or, well, a patio!

We offer Strawberry Tasty Sweet, Pan Squash, Bush Cucumber, and MANY MORE - Celery, Tomatoes,

Cherry Tomatoes, Basil, and Zucchini!

 Check out these fun videos from our friends at www.GardenGirlTV.com!

Her videos this month are all about starting seeds - and we have the supplies you need to do just that! Like we said in our previous email: we are extending a special offer to our email customers ONLY! Take advantage of the opportunity to come into the Greenhouse BEFORE we are open and recieve 25-40% off our seedling starting supplies! 

Gardening: How to Start Seeds Indoors With A Hot House

How To Make Seed Tape

This year at Beier's Greenhouse, we will be featuring one of last year's new additions! These aren't just ANY tomatoes - Tomaccio Tomatoes can be eaten fresh of course, but they can also be dried and eaten like a 'raisin'! They have an intense sugary flavor and are great in a variety of recipes. Here are some tips and directions on how to dry your Tomaccio fruit.

PLANTING

Plant in a large container or directly in the soil. Wait until the danger of frost has passed before planting outside. This vigorous-growing variety may reach the height of 9 ft. Support the main stem with a 6 ft. cane.

GROWING

For better-quality tomatoes, pinch out all side shoots every week so that only the main stem is growing; also remove the first flower cluster. For faster ripening, remove all the leaves below the ripened tomatoes.

HARVEST

Harvest Tomaccio at an early stage. The tomatoes are already matured with their full flavor when they begin to turn red.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DIRECTIONS FOR DRYING TOMACCIO TOMATOES

PREPARATION:  Pick, wash, and dry ripe tomatoes. Preheat oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large baking sheed with aluminum foil. Place whole tomatoes on baking sheet. Sprinkle 102 tablespoons salt over tomatoes.

BAKING:  Place in oven at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for 2.5 - 3 hours. After 2 hours, begin to check tomatoes to ensure that they are dried to preference. Remove baking sheet from oven after 3 hours.

STORAGE:  Allow fruit to cool and then place in zip-top bags to store. Dried fruit can be stored at room temperature.

How To Protect Against Spring & Snow Thaw Damage

It may still feel and look like winter outside, but your plants still need to be maintained and cared for in the right manner. Snow and cold temps can bring about changes in your lawn and landscape plants.

What do you do when winter is leaving and spring is on the doorstep?

Evergreens: With any heavy snowfall, it is important to knock all the snow off of your evergreens. The extra weight can break and damage branches, which can cause an unsightly mess in spring. It is best to use a soft broom or a leaf blower.

Lawn: Stay off your lawn throughout the winter and especially in the spring when the grass is waterlogged. You can cause damage when the grass is tender and coming out of its dormancy. Walking on tender grass could cause tearing and break up shoots and roots. Whenever there is frost on the ground, the turf is also very tender. Stepping on a frozen lawn can break the shoots and crush the crown of the plant. The grass plant cannot come back once the crown is damaged.

Salt Damage: It is best to apply Gypsum which repairs road salt damage to lawns when applied to the area in the fall as a preventative or in the spring as corrective measure. It can also be used for animal urine damage. Place one to two cups on affected area

Gypsum is calcium sulfate and is used to improve soil structure, increase water and air movement, increase plant growth and vigor, and a good cupplier of calcium and sulfur. Sulfur increases growth and maturity in plants and has a major role in the formation of proteins in plants. Calcium provides structure to plant cells and membrane transport.

Snow Mold: The more snow we get in a season, the more likely snow mold could occur on our lawns. A complex of fungi that thrive on moisture and are most active at 32 degrees causes snow mold. When snow cover has lasted for over 3 months, there is the possibility of getting snow mold. The signs of snow mold ar emost evident after the snow has melted in the spring. There are two different kinds of snow mold and each looks slightly different.

Gray: The infected areas are matted together and have a gray appearance as the grass dries.

Pink: Small patches on turf and the outer ring of the patch is a pinkish hue.

Often times as the temperature warms, the grass will grow back in the infected areas and no re-seeding is necessary. However, this fungus can kill turf. In that event, re-seeding is necessary.

Control:

1. Use a late season winterizer fertilizer that has a small amount of slow-release nitrogen in the fall. Over feeding the lawn with Nitrogen promotes top growth.

2. Keep lawn no longer than 3" going into the winter. Too much top growth will create a tall canopy, which is perfect snow mold culture.

3. Rake or mulch all excess leaves in the fall. Do not leave them on the lawn going into winter.

4. Prevent snow compaction by cars, snowmobiles, and sleds.

 Beier's Greenhouse

is now accepting applications!

With the season soon to begin, we are looking for energetic, hard working, and friendly people to join our staff. 

Tell your friends and fellow gardeners about this great seasonal position - basic plant knowledge, retail experience, and basic computer skills will be very helpful.

You will learn with us, as we grow together as a team.

To apply, print an application form from our website - CLICK HERE. 

Send completed applications to 2707 Midway Lane, Grand Rapids, MN 55744.

If we feel you are a candidate, we will call you for an interview.

No phone calls please.

Join our ever GROWING team! Beier's Greenhouse is a great place to work - who wouldn't want to work with plants all day ?!?