Welcome 2015: Here's Whats to Come for Spring Gardening

Hello 2015. The New Year always turn my thoughts to the garden. Gardening in the high desert has its advantage, there are times you can head out in January to prune or clean; or  find yourself inside due to cold and snow. 

I am working on several blog topics that will cover late winter/early spring gardening ideas and tasks to help once spring arrives. 
Stay tuned and don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions or comments. Send me a note to gardencoachinreno@gmail.com.

Here are a few of the topics,

Topic 1

Setting up supplies for the spring gardening rush

                          

Topic 2

Seed starting, it’s not as hard are you think. 

Topic 3

Pruning; how when and why to prune blooming and non blooming shrubs and trees.      

Talk to you soon,

Marnie, GardenCoach in Reno 

The Weather and your Garden

I noticed that next week's weather may have some changes coming our way, and they may effect your garden. This is one of the unfortunate effects of gardening in the high desert. Like any gardener the weather gets me into the garden, and we have enjoyed weeks of amazing weather. For those who have planted some cold sensitive plants here are some ideas that will help.



I use these 5 gallon water containers that I have cut the bottom off to keep newly planted edibles safe for a freeze. Even if they are cool season plants, recently planted plants will benefit for some protection.





(The plant in the photo is a Sorbaria sorbifolia)
My Iris are so lovely and the blooms are amazing. But there are time when we get that late freeze and there blooms are burnt. Since they only bloom once a year I do all I can to protect if the weather changes. These wire cages work great, I throw a sheet over them, anchor with rocks and wait for better weather.
These also work great keeping rabbit from enjoying your plants.

The plants we find at the garden center come from warmer areas and need time to acclimate. Once they do no worries, but if you just planted you may want to keep the ends of the leaves and branches from freezing. I took a sheet and sewed it making a tube and us it on my dwarf peach when needed. You don't have to use a tomato cage like it shows in the photo.