The Promise of Spring

After December thoroughly tested us with storm after storm, the Oregon coast is reveling in spring weather-- no matter that we haven't yet inaugurated our new president.   This unusual January is not common weather for perusing seed catalogs, but provides extra incentive to get planning!

We gardeners on the coast who desire to grow something beyond the standard primroses and pansies offered in local grocery stores can find the selection wanting, despite the best efforts of our few retail nurseries.   The answer for serious gardeners, especially those dreaming of Vegetables, is found in the wealth of seed catalogs arriving this month.   Some of my favorites follow:

Territorial Seed, located near Eugene OR.   Territorial is my "old reliable" for vegetable seed that will actually grow in our local climate of western Oregon.  So many of the big catalogs are based in areas like the Midwest, with radically different climate conditions-- their seeds make promises usually not kept here.    Other good ones for this area include Nichols (OR)  and West Coast Seeds (BC).

A climate as mild and wet as this one makes growing fruit a monumental challenge.  Raintree Nursery (WA) and One Green World (OR) provide fruiting plants and trees for the Northwest and great advice for growing them successfully.  Selecting these plants carefully for chilling requirements, disease resistance and harvest dates will provide a coastal gardener with the best shot at quality fruit. 

Other catalogs I regularly consult for specialty items include: the comprehensive Peaceful Valley Farm Supply (CA) for all things organic, Dripworks for waterwise gardening equipment, Ronniger's (ID) for seed potatoes and garlic, and Richters (Canada) for the largest selection of herb seeds and plants anywhere.

In general, search out sources that are as close to home as possible for the best-adapted seeds to your specific climate, and consult friends and neighbors for favorite varieties, especially those talented senior gardeners.  Chances are if you're thinking of growing it, they've already tried once and determined if it's a winner or not.  

Finally, look for companies that have pledged to avoid genetically-modified seed.  I could write a mind-numbing screed on WHY, just believe me, it's important to respect nature.   And try some heirloom seed if at all possible, then learn to save seed from your plants.  You will be a better gardener (and citizen) for the effort.

Next:  Winter Pruning

After the Storm

At long last, this morning brings blue sky and a sunny forecast for several days.  This after weeks of stormy weather raged throughout the northwest, including Oregon's central coast.

This time of year typically brings high winds and plenty of rain to our part of the Pacific coastline, but in the last few weeks we also witnessed extra-low temperatures and record rainfall.  Many gardeners will now be venturing out to inspect the damage.

Obvious victims include the broken branches of large trees, though after last December's "big" windstorm the trees had been somewhat thinned in advance.  On the coast we received a dose of snow and ice along with everyone else, but were spared the heavier coating of freezing rain that really did a number on Willamette Valley oaks and maples.

Another noticeable change here is the sudden loss of leaves on hydrangeas and hardy fuchsias, both common shrubs in our area.  It's a shocking sight at first, every leaf drooping after the sudden freeze, and some gardeners will be tempted to respond with a hard pruning.  However it will be wise to remember that in the Valley these shrubs would have already lost their leaves in late fall, and are generally able to recover just fine without our intervention.  Dormant buds will provide next year's leaves and flowers, and indeed pruning the hydrangeas hard will likely leave you with a green bush and no flowers come summertime.

Broken branches should be removed on trees and shrubs-- remember it's always OK to prune the three "D's" -- dead, diseased, defective branches.  Use good pruning techniques, with sharp clean shears or saw, sparing the branch collar but making sure not to leave a long stub.  It's still too early to prune roses, even here on the coast, as the hard pruning normally done in February will stimulate the plant to push new growth that will be vulnerable to more winter weather.  Best to lightly trim long branches -- or even tie them together-- to withstand winter winds, then do your rose pruning in mid- to late-February.  President's Day is a good way to remember.

Enjoy the fine weather we have coming this week, but remember to take it easy on your plants that have survived the first of winter's storms.  Inspect for damage, prune prudently, do what you can to prevent further wind/frost damage.   Next up:  seed catalogs and ordering for spring