Upcoming Specials

'Perfect Yard & Paint Sale'

April 29th to May 6th
Quart Perenials (5BED) Sale $2.99 - Reg. $3.49
1 Gallon Geraniums Sale $4.99 - Reg. $5.99-7.99
Gardner & Bloome 3cuft Soil Building Compost Sale $7.99 - Reg. $8.99

'Back Yards in Bloom Sale'

May 7th -19th
4" Bedding Color (4BED) Sale $1.59 - Reg. $1.99
1 Gallon Fuchsia Sale $4.99 - Reg. $5.99-7.99
2 cuft Bark all sizes Sale $5.99 - Reg. $6.99
Large, Medium, Small & Shredded Redwood Bark

'Mother's Day Weekend Specials' May 8th - 10th

Aside from all the beautiful flowering plants we have brought in (Orchids, Mini Roses & Star of Bethlehem), We also have on sale;
2" African Violet Sale $2.99 - Reg. $3.99
4" African Violets Sale $3.99 - Reg. $4.99
6" African Violets Sale $8.99- Reg. $10.99

‘Memorial Day Weekend Sale’

May 22nd to May 25th
20% off all Pottery, Statuary and Fountains
20% off all hanging baskets

Native Plants

It is important to know that by planting California native plants you are helping to preserve plants that could very well become endangered in the future, and at the same time, conserve water with drought tolerant natives in place of thirsty imports. Here at Miner’s we carry a great selection of California natives. Remember that not all native plants are resistant to drought because some are native to streambeds and require high amounts of water. Other native varieties are very well adapted to the wet winters and dry summers and will eventually require no watering at all. One of my favorite books of reference for natives is California Native Plants for the Garden by Carol Bornstein, David Fross (Owner of Native Sons Nursery in Arroyo Grande), and Bart O’Brien. This book won a book award from the American Horticultural Society. It is sold throughout SLO County, including here at Miner’s Ace Hardware. Another great book is Ceanothus by David Fross and Dieter Wilken. The entire book is devoted to the genus Ceanothus and includes all species, selections, and hybrids best suited for cultivation. Here is a short list of native plants that adapt very well in a landscape:

California holly (Heteromeles arbutifolia), Western redbud (Cercis occidentalis), Lemonadeberry (Rhus integrifolia), Catalina cherry (Prunus lyonii), California lilac (Ceanothus), White sage (Salvia apiana), Cleveland sage (Salvia clevlandii), Manzanita (Arctostaphylos), Flannel bush (Fremontadendron ) , Coral bells (Heuchera) , Coffeeberry (Rhamnus californica) , California redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), Blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium bellum), Deergrass (Muhlenbergia rigens) , Sticky monkey (Mimulus)

Come in to one of our 5 locations and pick up a copy of our Native Plant list.

Drought Tolerant Plants

Most plants prefer a moist, well-drained soil. However, provided a plant is otherwise healthy, has had time to become established (normally one to two years after planting), and is provided appropriate cultural conditions (adequate soil drainage and aeration, mulch, moderate to low fertilization, proper pH, appropriate light level, etc.) those plants indicated as drought tolerant should be able to survive a moderate period of limited moisture (rainfall, irrigation). Drought tolerance does not mean the plants prefer hot, dry weather or that they will not be adversely affected by extended dry weather. Some decrease in growth or flowering can be expected during a period of limited moisture. Severe drought can result in increased insect and disease pressure, a decrease in leaf size and number, and an overall decline in growth rate and plant vigor. High temperatures and wind, heat and light reflection from near by hard surfaces, and high fertilization can increase the potentially damaging effects of low moisture on plant growth and survival. We provide an extensive list of drought tolerant plants in our nurseries posted with all of our care sheets. Please come by and ask an associate in the Garden Center for a copy!

Control Weeds

With the weather warming up and the wonderful yet meager rain we had this spring, it is time to control weeds by cultivating or mulching. Both of these methods will save water and prevent the ground surface from turning into a hard crust. Cultivating shallowly will destroy weeds, and break up the soil allowing more air to reach roots, thus increasing plant growth. This method essentially makes the top 2-3 inches of soil into built-in mulch. Gardeners and farmers have been doing this for hundreds of years. All you need is a hoe! Do not cultivate soggy soils, and be careful not to damage surface roots.
Mulching with an organic compost or bark is the easier way, but do not mulch too deep around the plant base. Mulch can harbor pests like slugs, snails, sow bugs and earwigs, so try some of the methods suggested in the March newsletter to prevent pest damage, or come in the nursery and we will help you select the product that best suits your gardening style.

Control Mildew

Damp air and moderate temperatures make May the worst month for mildew. You can control mildew with a fungicide. There are many fungicides available, but the important thing to remember is that they should be used as a preventative (before fungus becomes a problem). For this reason alone, I recommend an organic fungicide. Green Light makes a product called Rose Defense. It is neem oil, but it is not just for roses. It controls fungus, insects and mites (all problems for roses, hence the name). Rose defense is safe for veggies and herbs. However, it must be sprayed 3-4 times during the season. Safer offers an organic sulfur fungicide that is effective with mildews as well and also requires re-application. On the chemical side, Bravado Fungicide or Ortho Disease Control are good choices. All of these products are available at Miner’s Garden Centers.

• Keep an eye on the health of your roses, watch for infestations of aphids or spider mites. You can control them easier by spraying early with an organic like neem oil or try the chemical Bayer 2-in-1 for roses that is a fertilizer and systemic insect killer in one product. Bayer also makes a 3-in-1 that prevents fungus too!
• Keep fertilizing your lawns every month for chemical fertilizers or once every 3 months for organics fertilizers.
• Mow lawns taller (no lower than 2-3 inches) as we get into the hotter weather, especially inland. It will save moisture in the soil because longer blades shade more.
• Continue to feed fuchsias, tuberous begonias, irises and roses with a good bloom formula.
• Continue to control slugs and snails organically or with either Cooke’s brand or Sluggo that is safe around pets.
• Spray with BT to control caterpillars on veggies, geraniums, petunias and Lavatera.
• Control fuchsia gall mites, spider mites, Eugenia psyllid, and whitefly with Bayer Tree and Shrub systemic.
• Release beneficials – we have ladybugs and praying mantis still!