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| Magnolia Gift & Garden Newsletter | March 2011 | |
 | | Lenten Rose/Helleborus |
"Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly recieved the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love!"
-Sitting Bull |
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Greetings,
Are we there yet? Spring is right around the corner, officially beginning March 20th, according to the calendar. This is such an exciting time of year in the garden. Everywhere you turn, plants and trees are blooming. The bees are busily weaving from flower to flower, collecting the bounty of pollen.
This is also the season of weeds. Walking through my garden, a newly emerged weed catches my eye. I bend to pull it. Then I see another weed, and another. Their ripe seedheads are ready to burst, spreading successive generations across my beautiful garden! Before I know it, I have been weeding for twenty minutes. I slowly rise from my knees; oh, my aching back!
It is important to get on top of the weeds now, before they reseed. Pre-emergent is a great way to win the battle against weed seed. We carry Concern brand corn gluten pre-emergent to help.
Ah yes, spring is a wondrous time of year that brings much growth and re-emergence, both undesirable and desirable. |
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Now is the Time to Fertilize
 | | EB Stone Organics |
Plants need food too. Rootzone temperatures are warming, and plants are beginning to absorb nutrients again. We now carry a full line of E.B. Stone organic fertilizers, including All Purpose, Citrus and Azalea Food. Our new product line includes Agricultural Lime, which increases the pH of acidic soils and adds calcium and magnesium. Alfalfa Meal pushes vegetative growth, fruit and flower. Added to a compost pile, it will accelerate decomposition. Bone Meal is ideal to use after transplanting, as it promotes root formation. It also is a great bulb and flower food. Cottonseed Meal naturally acidifies the soil, and is often used for blueberries, Rhododendrons, Azaleas, and Camellias. Gypsum helps loosen clay soils by supplying calcium to break up soil particles, and sulfur, which decreases pH. Kelp Meal is ideal for transplants, promoting root development and resistence to stress.
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Impatient for Impatiens
 | | Impatiens |
The urge to plant Tomatoes
and Impatiens can be over whelming. Don't let yourself get ahead of the seasonal weather. Typically the North Valley's last frost date is mid-April. Be careful not to plant these and other cold-tender plants until frost danger has passed. And if you just can't wait, make sure to be aware of nightly temperatures and protect them as needed.
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 | | Home Show |
We will be at the Soroptimist Home and Garden Show on March 19-20th at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds in Chico. Our booth will be located just outside of the It's All About Food building. Stop by and pick up a valuable coupon to use the next time you visit the nursery!
Soroptimist International of Chico puts on this event each year as a fundraiser. All ticket proceeds go toward helping women and children in the Northstate. It's always a fun event; we hope to see you there!
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Cheerful Natives
 | | California Poppies |
The California State flower, these cheerful natives thrive in poor soil conditions. They are drought tolerant once established, and easy to grow. We carry Renee's Garden seed selections. The California Poppy does not just come in orange. Colors vary from rosy pink to creamy yellow and even red, in varieties such as, 'Dusky Rose' 'Buttercream' 'Tropical Sunset' and 'Tequila Sunrise'. Sow them while you can. In our mild winter climate, you typically should sow these seeds no later than April. |
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Featured Color of the Month
Copper Drip
 | | Featured color of March |
Available in the Ribbed Pot style, as shown, the Urn and the Globe. Combining the strong elements of earth and sky, this distinctive glaze adds striking texture and metallic richness to any setting without formality. |
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"Simon Says"
 | | Pug Words of Wisdom |
March To-Do's -Fertilize -Apply pre-emergent (keeps weed seeds from germinating) -Seed cool season veggies outdoors and summer veggies (Tomato & Pepper) indoors -Prune and fertilize Camellias (after bloom) -Be aware of temps and use frost cloth as needed -Plant spring Dahlia bulbs
(Simon is one of Chris and Courtney's three dogs. He loves dishing out wisdom he has picked up while spending time in the garden) |
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To Our Customers
Effective March 1, 2011, Magnolia no longer carries Bayer yard care products. Many Bayer formulations contain the systemic chemical Imidacloprid. This pesticide is one of the neonicotinoids-a group of chemicals which extensive data from international research suggests is harmful to honeybees. While this has been a factor in our decision to discontinue the Bayer product line, the primary impetus for this change is that there are simply better alternatives. Since the nursery was founded in 2008, Magnolia has advocated a systematic approach to plant nutrition, pest and disease control with minimal environmental impact known as Integrated Pest Management. We have progressively expanded our inventory of organic fertilizers, soils, and natural pest and disease control measures to continue to meet the needs of the Northstate community. While a holistic approach may not provide the rapid gratification of a chemical application, it pays dividends over the long-term without the environmental costs of synthetics, including pest resistance, salt buildup and toxic leaching into the surrounding landscape or groundwater. Our knowledgeable staff are always eager to help you work toward comprehensive landscape health through a combination of sound horticultural practices and proper application of naturally-derived products.
For more info go to
http://magnoliagardening.com/news/to-our-customers/
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"Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams"
-Ashley Smith
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Sincerely,
Magnolia Gift & Garden
1367 East Ave. Chico, Ca.
530-894-5410 
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