Summer Has Arrived—Let's Garden!
One of the biggest misconceptions we hear this time of year is, "I guess I missed my chance to plant." The good news? You have not!
While spring may be the busiest planting season, summer is still a wonderful time to add beauty to your landscape. The key is choosing the right plants and giving them the care they need as they get established. With a little extra attention to watering, you'll be rewarded with months of color and enjoyment.
One of our favorite summer additions is coneflower (Echinacea). Not only are they incredibly hardy once established, but they're also loved by pollinators, tolerate summer heat, and bloom for weeks with color. Even better, many varieties continue to provide interest long after the flowers fade, as their seed heads become a favorite snack for birds in late summer and fall.
This year, we're excited to have more than 20 varieties of coneflowers in stock at the nursery! From classic purple blooms to bright oranges, sunny yellows, and rich reds, there's a coneflower to complement just about every garden style.
Coneflowers aren't the only stars of the season. Summer is also a great time to plant favorites like yarrow, salvia, coreopsis, sedum, lavender, black-eyed Susans, ornamental grasses, shrubs, and even trees. Whether you're filling in a new garden bed or simply looking to add a splash of color, there's still plenty of time to make your landscape shine.
If you're unsure what will perform best in your space, stop by and chat with us. We love helping gardeners find the right plants, answer watering questions, and troubleshoot any challenges that pop up during the warmer months. Your garden doesn't have to slow down just because summer is here. In many ways, it's just getting started.
Watering Plants During the Hot Season
As the temperatures start to rise, the art of watering plants becomes a crucial skill in nurturing a flourishing garden during this time of year. In this short video, New Leaf team member, Jen offers insights and expert tips on the subtle yet vital practice of watering with precision and care. With years of experience and a deep-rooted passion for horticulture, Jen explains how to water plants effectively to ensure optimal hydration for root development, especially during the challenging Summer months.
For even more watering tips and conservation best practices, visit North Kootenai Water District watering guide.
A Taste of The Farmstand —One Night Only!
A Taste of the Farmstand is one evening you do not want to miss! Join us this Tuesday, July 7 from 3:00-7:00 PM for the second event in our Four Summer Nights series as the Farmstand transforms into a celebration of local food, artisans, music, and community.
Shop all of your favorite weekly farmstand vendors alongside unique local makers, sip wine slushies from Rosemary Manor, and enjoy live music from Balboa Park, whose smooth jazz creates the perfect summer atmosphere.
Each of our food vendors will also be serving a complimentary sample featuring ingredients they’ve grown themselves—offering a true taste of the Farmstand in every bite.
The experience is truly one of a kind: a blend of farmers, pastry and bread makers, small-batch jam creators, fresh and dried flower growers, earth-inspired artisans, and local artists—all set in the stunning garden at New Leaf. Paired with incredible food and wine, fabulous music, and a lively summer atmosphere, it’s an evening that captures the very best of our community.
Whether you're here to shop, sip, sample, or simply soak it all in, this is more than a market night—it’s a celebration of everything local. One night only.
Employee Spotlight — Meet Maliena!
Say hello to Maliena, one of the newest members of the New Leaf plant care team! As a Certified Master Gardener with years of experience in the horticulture industry, she brings a wealth of knowledge and a true passion for plants. Whether she's caring for our nursery stock, sharing gardening advice, or helping keep our plants healthy and beautiful, Melina plays a big part in making New Leaf thrive. Be sure to say hello the next time you see her around the nursery!
