Drycreek Blog

Our Sequoia Neighbors

2012-06-08T17:45:00-04:00

Calaveras is a California State Park dedicated to the preservation of a grove of giant sequoias that became a popular tourist destination in the 1930s. The park boasts of being the first big trees discovered by white settlers, back in the mid 19th century. Many of the trees are still standing, having endured the abuse of curiosity, greed, and a host of other exploits attached to these rare, gigantic novelties.

This park has a hiking trail (no park road for autos through the grove) that winds in, among and literally through some of the trees. It's only about one and a half miles in length, but it brings you into the intimacy of their otherwordly presence. The trees are truly fantastic, and the drive to see them over Sonora Pass is well worth living seeking it out, one of the good reasons to be close to the Sierra Crest. All this close enough from Reno to catch it in a weekend.

The Beauty of Cactus Flowers

2012-05-16T13:54:00-04:00

This little Hedge Hog, from Dry Creek Garden Nursery, has been in the ground for eight years. It's a small variety that grows slowly but surely from year to year. The flowers are smaller and more subtle than many Hedge Hog varieties, and is a strange copper yellow green color.

Another cactus that has similar springtime flowers is the Green Pitaya (Echinocereus viridiflorus). The cactus stays small, growing to a height of two to three inches, eventually filling a space between six and twelve inches. This cactus, like most, enjoys very hot, dry conditions in full sun in poor, well draining soils. In other words, it is very easy to care for and conducive to our region of the world.

Currently Dry Creek has a limited supply of Green Pitaya and other cold hardy cacti in stock. This is the time to buy, too, as the cactus sell fast and the blooming season has just begun.

Anticipating the Coming Growing Season

2012-02-24T15:17:00-04:00

It's been a surprisingly dry winter for the Sierra and Great Basin. So dry, in fact, that gardeners needed to compensate for lact of rain and snow by watering their trees, perennials and lawns from time to time during the cold winter months. But if your watering efforts were too little, too late, damage and die back, especially with plants that are strangers to the desert to begin with, are probably the inevitable results.

Some plants will survive and recover. Some will die. As the soil begins to warm with night temperatures rising, the damage will become more evident. Many drought tolerant plants -- the yucca, agave, hardy cacti and others -- will probably be just fine. Plants with deeper root systems might send up their new spring growth like nothing strange happened at all. Time will tell.

If you keep a gardening journal with maps for locating and tracking your plants, it will be easier to tell what's been lost. Whatever the case, this is the time of year to work on preparing and improving the soil for the typically hot, dry growing season to come. If there was little water in the winter, we can most definitely expect more of the same for summer.

Right now, though, as the lack of water continues, it's important to add moisture to your soil, especially for your large trees and shrubs, as well as your less drought tolerant perennials. For large trees and shrubs, twice a month, slowly soak the dripline areas (away from the trunk toward the outer edges of their branches), at least to a depth of 8 inches. Do this slowly so that the water does not run off, but rather soaks in.

National Public Gardens Day

2011-05-06T11:48:00-04:00

According to the National Public Gardens Day Web site, "National Public Gardens Day is an annual celebration of the nation's public gardens to raise awareness of the important role botanical gardens and arboreta play in promoting environmental stewardship, plant and water conservation, green spaces, and education in communities nationwide."

Pictured here is Reno's very own public garden, the Wilbur D. May Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The May Arboretum is a living learning center for novice and professional gardeners and landscapers. Its location represents the unique challenges we face as gardeners

What can we learn from a stroll through our local public garden? We get to see the time-tested adaptation efforts of the experts using both native plants and plants able to adjust to a variety of arid to alpine microclimates. We get to see modern, efficient watering practices installed and working as models for backyard applications. By studying what the experts have tried, we can jot down landscaping ideas, general growing tips and gardening inspiration for our home designs. Springtime is always a productive and fun time to visit, but the May Arboretum offers itself as a living encyclopedia of seasonal advice throughout the year.

So, happy National Public Gardens Day! Find yourself soon at our local public garden. Why not today? Or this weekend? The weather is supposed to be perfect, good reason to take mom on a walk at the May Arboretum on Mothers Day. Then after that, drop by Drycreek Nursery to spot many of the very plants you will have seen in the Arboretum.

Growing Fruit Trees In The Desert

2011-04-27T13:30:00-04:00

A recent study conducted by researchers at Florida State University and published in the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (The FASEB Journal. 2011;25:971.10) gives credence to what we've always been told about apples: eating them is good for our health. Luckily, apple trees are probably the easiest fruit tree to grow here in the high desert and the most productive. It's important that the variety match the climate, which means finding trees with a high chill requirement. It is also imperative that the trees be planted in a good location, in full sun, protected from fierce winds. And, because of the tendency for late springtime frost, a protected eastern or northeastern location can help postpone springtime budding by several weeks. For example, the tree pictured here lives in an eastern facing back yard in the old southwest section of Reno and is protected by homes on the south and west and is only just now beginning to bud. Certainly, finding the best microclimate for your fruit trees can make all the difference with production.

Other fruit trees that do well in our climate are apricots, cherries, nectarines, peaches and plums. Again, it's important to choose varieties that are compatible with our region. Talk to the experts at Drycreek. The nursery specializes in plants that thrive in our crazy climate.

The Hostas Are Coming!

2011-04-26T10:58:00-04:00

Several varieties of green, gold, blue and variegated hostas do very well in shade to partial shade here in the high desert. Our bright skies offer more light than other locations, so hostas will tolerate more shade here. They do enjoy some morning sun, but their foliage can burn from the typical desert summer afternoon scorch. Properly placed, hostas offer a lush sense of coolness. Their wide leaves help produce that hideaway feeling of a retreat or desert oasis. There are some dwarf varieties you can place in areas where there is little space and the larger varieties work well as border plants, or as weed controlling ground covers. They also do well in containers.

This time of year, it's always exciting to discover your hosta's leaves beginning to emerge from the soil. The foliage is usually more interesting and eye catching than the flowers, although some of the flowers, too, are worthy of attention. In early spring, keep an eye on their emerging stems. If a late frost is predicted, you might want to cover their eyes with mulch.

Spring is a good time to divide and plant your hostas. They need regular watering, especially as they become established, but a moist medium is their preference, although they don't like to sit in soggy soil. Once established, hostas take very little care, except that they need regular water. A good organic fertilizer applied a few times during the growing season will make them happy and keep them healthy. Mulching the ground around their stems and under their leaves will help keep them cool and comfortable during the hottest part of the year. They usually flower in mid-summer. Once the flowers fade, you can cut the stem so the plant can dedicate its energy and nutrients to its leaves rather than to the production of seeds.

Hostas are a great addition to shady areas of the garden. Easy to grow, wonderful to behold, hostas are such a beloved garden plant that there is even an International Hosta Society dedicated to them.

For The Love Of The Primula

2011-04-25T13:41:00-04:00

Gardeners new to the area are often surprised to find primroses flourishing in the hot and dry conditions of the high desert. Many Primula enthusiasts believe that our summers are simply too hot and too dry, but there are varieties that grow well here. The trick is to find the plants most suited to the region and then to find or create a microclimate that satisfies their needs. It's not a difficult task. The primula pictured here grows well with several other types in a loamy, meadow-like bed that receives mid-morning sunlight, and regular water. The bed happens to be just under the hanger for the garden hose which inevitably drips after each use. The daily moisture coupled with the afternoon shade helps maintain the proper level of moisture for the roots of these little wonders.

Definitely, Primroses enjoy a moist environment. Some do particularly well in bog-like areas near ponds and streams. Others do well in afternoon shaded rock gardens rich in loamy soil that stays moist but not soggy. In areas that become consistently and naturally dry, drip lines can be added that water generously on a regular basis. Prepare the soil with ample amounts of compost. Use material that will soak up and retain the much needed water. Add organic chicken manure each year. You can also grow Primula in containers. We recommend glazed containers because they help retain moisture better than unglazed terra cotta.

Be wary of transplanting the grocery store varieties of Primula. They are almost always green house hybrids and usually take quite a shock when transplanted to the outdoors. If you are interested in growing Primula in the high desert, talk to John and Nancy at Drycreek.

Springtime Is Rose Pruning Time

2011-04-15T15:26:00-04:00

Each week, Nancy Strickland, co-owner of Drycreek, has been chatting briefly about gardening with DJ Dead Air Dave on the local radio station, The X (100.1 on your FM dial). You can listen to her gardening tips from the home page of this Web site. This week Nancy tells how local gardeners can be sure it's the right time to prune their rose bushes.

To condense Nancy's advice on pruning:

"A lot of people say tax day, but we say it's time to prune your roses when the forsythia bloom. Because we have so many climates up and down the mountain here, if your forsythias are blooming in your neighborhood, it's time to prune your roses. But if the forsythias are not blooming, then wait."

If you grow roses, what better excuse is there for finding a nice sunny spot for a forsythia bush? Not only will it add springtime color to your yard; it will also alert you and all the rose lovers in your neighborhood it's time to prune the roses. This is an example of Green Philosophy. As Nancy said, "Plants give us lots of things, they feed us, they give us piece of mind and shade...plants will tell you things...you need to listen!"

There's a pretty good article about how to prune roses at the University of Illinois Extension Web site called Our Rose Garden. As you will see, the horticulturists at the University of Illinois agree with Nancy about the forsythia.

Jacob's Ladder A Good Choice For Shade

2011-04-13T13:44:00-04:00

If you have areas in your garden that stay somewhat damp from shade, consider the area a prime location for this fancy perennial. In the high desert, Jacob's Ladder, also called Greek valerian and apparently named after the ancient Greek philosopher, Polemon (Polemonium caeruleum), does very well in partial to full shade. Their tall stems of blue, lavender or white flowers will bloom and brighten spaces that would otherwise remain without color. It enjoys a dose of cool morning sun, but definitely prefers to escape a south facing, afternoon bake. The foliage will scorch if it gets too much sun.

Depending upon its particular microclimate, flowers may appear in late spring, but usually early to mid-summer. The plant pictured here gets very little direct sun. Year after year it returns in the spring, first with its ladder-like leaves (as shown in this recent photograph), later in mid-summer sending up its two foot tall stems of colorful showy flowers. The flowers attract butterflies and honeybees. Some gardeners claim it to be deer-proof.

The trick to helping this plant flourish in high desert shade is not to let its roots dry out. The soil needs to be well drained, but consistently moist.

Jacob's Ladder was once considered to be a powerful medicinal companion. According to Wikipedia, in the past, from as far back as the ancient Greeks, the plant was used as a pain killer and was thought to be a potent healer. In more recent times, it was even used to treat syphilis and rabies, but such prescriptions probably didn't work out too well.

Yesterday Not As Today. What Tomorrow?

2011-03-23T11:53:00-04:00

Wake to heavy snow in the morning. The Nectarine Tree is covered with melting snow, its opening buds peeking out like tiny pink lights.

If the air doesn't freeze with a hard snap, all this good moisture makes the humans happy. But not just us. The fruit trees in town also look happy and full of life; ready to flower with a tree's promise to produce an abundant crop this time around. Surely, no doubt the trees are eager to make up for last year when a late hard freeze crippled the prospects for banner production of local tree fruit. But now again, the buds are coming. The Mojo is back, seen taking the form of flowers already opening. Is it too early? We always wonder as the days are not quite warm enough and the nights are still down right shivering. But what is right in a land where nectarine trees would not normally grow? Hope to have, perhaps the lucky dynamic of a close southern wall of light and mid-day warmth -- just enough of a heat collecting microclimate to keep the buds safe from some short lived, lingering bud killer. But is that warm wall confusing the tree into budding too early? Is the microclimate a good match? Perhaps the March snow convinces the buds to slow down somewhat. Once the cold has passed, and if events unfold well without damage, the tree can produce enough for summer, canning in the fall, leaving tales to tell of a banner year. If there's room and the conditions are right, fruit trees are definitely worth a try. Certainly, in this place, there are chances of failure as the transition from winter to spring is erratic, always exciting, unpredictable, challenging.

Nature's Rock Gardens

2010-07-14T15:18:00-04:00

If you want to create a rock garden on your property, you need look no further for inspiration than the very terrain that surrounds us. The Sierra and the Great Basin Desert offer endless examples to emulate.

If your yard is sloped with rocks already in place, you're lucky, especially if the rocks are beautiful and well placed. If your yard is flat and rockless, you'll have to collect some rocks. Remember though, rocks are heavy and lifting them can hurt your back! If you want big rocks, you're best bet is to purchase them and have them delivered. (We have some beautiful large rocks on hand this season for this very purpose.)

Rock gardens can be, but they don't have to be sprawling. Even a small space in your garden can serve as an interest point for plants that drain well and do well against rocks that heat up from the summer sun. Place the stones in a pattern or design layout you like, using larger stones as a wall to hold the soil in place. Fill the space between and around the rocks with soil. Add smaller rocks on top of the soil, but reserve some really nice larger ones, too, to make the design look naturally erratic. You might also want to install a drip system.

For the plants, you can pick and choose which ones you want according to color and texture, but also according to what enjoys living in your new rocky microclimate. Choose plants that will grow so as to show off your rock garden, rather than hide it. We carry many plants, including miniture, low-growing ground covers, cacti, sedum and other hardy perennials in small containers that are perfect for rock gardens. We can also help with designs and installations.

Progress on the Raised Bed Continues...

2010-03-22T12:05:00-04:00

It's just not true what some local gardeners will tell you about not planting anything until Peavine Peak is free of snow. It's a confused notion because while it might be true that tomatoes and eggplant and peppers should wait, nevertheless, there are lots of plants and starts that can go into the ground right now.

It all depends upon where you plant and the degree of protection you provide. Some plants will need to harden a bit before spending a chilly night out. With these starts, we hardened them by first letting them feel the cool evening air until bedtime, then we brought them in. Then we let them spend a few nights on an open air, though covered porch. Then we planted them in the raised bed, covering them at night with a clear plastic frame.

Lettuces, beets, cabbage, kale, collards, Brussels sprouts, brocolli spinach, onions, leeks, chives, parsley and other hardy herbs and vegetables can take some cold at night. We cover the box as a precaution until the roots have settled in and the leaves get used to the microclimate of the backyard. During the day we remove the plastic cover to let the sun shine in and to make sure they new plants don't overheat.

It's all fun. And in the high desert, each season is different; each planting is experimental. It gives for good writing in the garden journal.

Right now we have in stock all the vegetable and herb starts mentioned above. This week, too, we've received shipments of hardy perennials that can also be planted before the snow leaves Peavine Peak. Some are early flowering natives. This is also a great time to plant shade trees like the Norway maple and the honey locust. Certainly, if you're itching to start work on the garden, turn your back on Peavine Peak and drive down to the Reno nursery. We're in the gardening mode already; we'll show you what can be planted today.

Bigger Picture, Better Focus

2010-03-01T00:00:00-04:00

In our ever expanding, personal universes it becomes easy to overlook the small galaxies that are all around us. Take, for example, the ground we stand, and walk about on. Put a shovel into it. Remove a perfect clod. (Not to be confused with the clod racing his super loud, super Hemi up the street, spewing foul crap in the atmosphere to rendezvous with other clods in his very small, hopefully shrinking galaxy.)...

I digress. Anywho, Sit your bad ass down on the ground and check out this small galaxy, mostly unaware that it is split from its larger part.

The organisms you're likely to see are classified as macro fauna: Earthworms, slugs, Snails, ants, beetles to name the most obvious. The ones your unlikely to see are meso fauna: Mites, springtails to name a couple. Then we have the micro fauna and micro flora. These include bacteria, fungi, protozoa, roundworms, mycorhiza and more.

All these alien life forms rendezvous in a healthy soil to break down organic matter and create soil structure and maintain their small galaxy.

We humans can disrupt this process by adding too much fertilizer, pesticides and other detritus effectively killing these organisms, essentially killing our soil.

Each of these clods is interconnected with everything else. Each dependent on the other, more or less. Even if we don't quite understand how. Creating an ever-expanding universe reaching infinitely beyond our earth.

The Winter Garden

2009-12-14T16:45:00-04:00

In designing your landscape don't forget to think about a winter sunbathing spot. You will probably need more than one so you can move from your morning recliner to your afternoon recliner as the sun moves. Your spot needs to be against a south wall or fence for good heat radiation. Get your down jacket and your baseball cap or visor to keep the sun out of your eyes. Settle in to your recliner, wooden bench or even a dry patch of decomposed granite and enjoy a good nap. Importantly, make these places private. This is a peaceful refuge, a holy place for religious experiences, a place for soothing hangovers and hiding from family responsibilities. Also if your neighbor sees you stretched out on the ground they may think you are dead or injured and you don't want to wake up to some dude administering CPR on you.