In the good ol' summertime

This fella seems to have the right idea!

But we gardeners know, that what we really need to do is water, water, water. But when? In the cool of the evening, or in the early morning hours is most water efficient. If you wait until the middle of the day, a lot of that precious water evaporates into the atmosphere instead of settling in the ground!

Check out Jen from our team to see her informational videos on watering! Great info Jen!

What’d I miss?

Hope those of you that attended had a great time at the Summer Festival at the nursery on July 9. Thanks to all of you for coming and enjoying a summer evening of fun, and thank you to all our vendors and suppliers for supporting us in our efforts!

If this looks like fun, mark your calendars! Friday, Oct. 7, Saturday Oct. 8, and Sunday Oct. 9, are the dates for our annual FALL FESTIVAL! More details to come, but it’s sure to be fun! The Petting Zoo is back!!!

What’s new at the Nursery?

Besides our new sign! She’s a great addition to your drive along HWY 95.

And…

Have you been in lately? We have an amazing selection of gorgeous plants. The hydrangea are stellar this year, and we have so many varieties. Come stroll in the shade and find the perfect variety for that blank spot in the garden.

We have hydrangea that love the sun, and some that love the shade AND we have tree hydrangea that are, well, frankly, stunning! Get in this weekend and find yours! Our greenhouses are full, and daily we have new things in the barn. Come on in!

Coming soon…

It’s getting close to the time that we are going to need to cut back perennials. Not quite yet, but it will be upon us soon. Are you not quite sure how or when to cut back your perennials?

We have a class next week, August 3 at 6 p.m. that will help you answer all your questions, taught by our resident plant brainiac Laurie. Sign up here.

Be sure to check out our other upcoming classes we all! The tomatoes are coming in really well this year! And if you’re like everyone else, you’re looking for the perfect way to use them. Chris from our team is teaching a class on Salsa making on Wednesday, August 17! Guarantee you this Salsa is the best!

Shoutout to the team!

If you have been into the nursery, you have met them! They are kind and most willing to help you find just the right shrub, or tree, or flowering perennial. This femme fatale is top notch. A big thanks to the ladies of New Leaf! Not only top notch in service and knowledge, also a fun group for sure!

Q & A

Every week, our customers ask us questions. Here are two of the most frequently asked questions this week:

Q: I’m a new gardener. What should I be doing right now in my garden?

A: As the summer goes along, we’d like to share a checklist of what tasks should be done in August:

  • Deadheading flowers which will allow plants to use energy reserves for a final flower display.

  • Some perennial flowers will start to go dormant this month. Marking their location with a painted popsicle stick or drawing out a map of your bed is helpful come spring so you don’t forget where things are.

  • Seeds can again be sown for a late crop of leaf lettuce, mustard greens, Swiss chard and spinach.

  • Remove old plants which have stopped producing to eliminate a shelter for insects and disease organisms.

  • Every weed that produces seed means more trouble next year. Control weeds before they go to seed.

  • Harvest onions and garlic as the tops dry and fall over. Braid garlic tops and hang in a cool, dry place. Cut onion tops back to 1" and dry thoroughly before storing. Use any damaged produce immediately.

  • And be sure to do your bug removal pest damage inspections! Remove and treat as needed.

Q: I need color in my garden. What are some suggestions for flowers to plant now?

A: Check out the many plants in bloom now. Here are a few you’ll find at New Leaf this week:

And so…In the good ol’ summer time, we gardeners have lots to do! We look forward to seeing you all at the nursery soon! Remember to sign up for Seeds Rewards and earn rewards on every purchase! Sign up information is at the bottom of the home page on our website.

And, if you like our newsletter, please share it with a friend!

Here's What's Blooming

Summer Blooms

Summer is here, and so are the blooms! It is a gardener’s delight to keep the blooms coming all summer long. Here is a peek at what perennials are blooming now at New Leaf Nursery to give your garden a variety of color throughout the summer.

Agastache comes in a variety of colors and blooms last a long time. It’s a great pollinator plant too, attracting hummingbirds, bees and butterflies.

Shasta Daisies just make you smile. You can pick from standard blooms, double blooms and even a Banana Daisy providing a lovely yellow bloom.

Daylilies are always a delight! With a wide variety of colors, there’s always something to please the eye.

Pink Paradise Potentilla is only one of the many colors this vibrant bush offers. You can also find it in white and yellow.

And a summer garden just wouldn’t be complete without a variety of roses. This beauty is called Kashmir.

This is only a small sample of what you will find when you stop by New Leaf Nursery. It is a veritable delight to see the many, many blooms of summer — Coreopsis, New Vintage Roses, Shrub Roses, Dianthus, Hydrangea, Spirea, Lavender and more. Come on by, we’d love to show you them all.

Be sure to become a Seeds Rewards Member and start earning points towards exclusive discounts with every purchase at New Leaf Nursery. You can sign up here.

Slugs and snails are everywhere—what’s a gardener to do?

Slugs and snails are on the prowl looking for those tender juicy leaves from the plants that you love, and can ravage new growth on a plant overnight! Make sure you prioritize the protection of the most vulnerable plants – seedlings, new growth on herbaceous plants, and the especially susceptible delphiniums, dahlias, and hostas. Even plants in pots can be attacked, especially if there are leaves joining the pots. Those little slimy guys will literally use the leaves as bridges to move from pot to pot. Clever guys, eh?

Here's a few tips on controlling slugs and snails:

1. Create a healthy ecosystem! Create lots of habitats for slug predators, such as hedges and shrubs (especially those with berries). Attract birds who will eat the slugs and snails!

2. Be at the ready with a bowl of salt water and a flashlight! Go into the garden and pull them off the plants. Oh, and bring a pair of gloves. Snails and slugs hate salt as it literally dissolves them.

3. Put out organic slug pellets. Be very careful to buy only organic based products. Any pellets that contain metaldehyde will certainly kill the slugs, but they will kill other animals that encounter them!

4. Water in a biological control. Many organic gardeners are turning to biological controls that contain microscopic nematodes. These infect the pests with bacteria, which will kill them. Water into the soil in the evenings when the soil is warm, and moist, from spring onwards. This should be repeated every 6 weeks.

5. Copper rings around a plant can be effective slug deterrents. If the slug comes in contact with the copper, it receives an ‘electric shock’ forcing them back. Be sure you dig the rings in deep into the soil, so the slugs don’t try to attack the plant from under the soil. Here’s a link to copper rings

6. Bran! Yes, slugs love it, but it bloats them, making them heavy and lethargic, leaving them exposed to birds.

7. Make the path prickly! Slugs don’t like to slither over rough surfaces, so add a layer of horticultural grit, sand, or even cat litter to the soil around your plants

For more information on controlling these nasty garden menaces, visit our friends at GardnersWorld.com

Have a favorite flower from your garden?

Be sure to tag us with your favorite New Leaf Nursery plants and flowers for a chance to win a gift card . We can be tagged at @NewLeafNurseryHayden on Instagram and #NewLeafNurseryHayden on Facebook.

Post a favorite photo from your garden, of a plant you love that you bought from New Leaf Nursery, and tag us in the post! You could win a $50 gift certificate to come buy another favorite plant! BUT REMEMBER, YOU HAVE TO TAG US, OR WE WON’T SEE YOUR PHOTOS! We can be tagged at @NewLeafNurseryHayden on Instagram and #NewLeafNurseryHayden on Facebook.

Hello Cheryl!

Have you met Cheryl? If you have come to the nursery in the past several years and had a question about, well, just about anything, you may have met Cheryl!

Cheryl is one of those ladies who knows just the right perennial to put in that one corner that just won’t grow a thing. She’s also ready to show you how to properly dead head that same plant and how to water it. And she has that water wand under control. Cheryl is one of our dedicated watering army in the summer that keeps the plants hydrated and happy. And on her days off? Cheryl is often back at the nursery shopping for some special plants for her own garden! Cheryl is a peach, and we’re so happy she is on the team!

Sign up for summer classes

Perennial Flower Care & Extend Life of Your Annuals

  • Wednesday, August 3, 2022

  • 6:00 PM 7:30 PM

  • New Leaf Nursery (map)

New Leaf Nursery plant expert Laurie Wilson teaches you how to prolong annuals throughout the season and how best to encourage growth of your perennial gardens. $30 registration fee.

Register for the Perennial Class here.

Let's Make Salsa!

  • Wednesday, August 17, 2022

  • 4:00 PM 6:00 PM

  • New Leaf Nursery (map)

HAVE TONS OF TOMATOES?

Come learn how to make fresh salsa using your tomatoes, garden herbs, and other veggies. Taught by Chris, a member of the New Leaf team. ALL materials will be provided. Please bring a sharp knife to cut the tomatoes and other vegetables. We will provide you with a jar to take your salsa home and enjoy! $40 registration fee.

Register for the Salsa Making Class here.

The summer festival was a big hit

Saturday, July 9, New Leaf Nursery turned into a party, with food vendors and a beer garden from Lone Mountain Farm, many craft and artisan vendors, including Crafts at Stake Shop, Twisted Booze, Northwest Spin Drift, The Sugaree Cotton Candy, Mountain Tidings, and Viviana Soap Company. Bouncy Houses and face painting kept the children busy, while everyone enjoyed the sounds of Lake Town Sound, a local high energy band playing classics from the 70s and 80s.

And if you love the Kootenai Humane Society, now called Companions Animal Center, you’re going to love this! A portion of our sales during the festival was donated to support the efforts of Companions Animal Center!

Many thanks to our vendors and to all of you who came out to enjoy a wonderful summer evening.

Are you ready for some summer sunshine?

Saturday, July 9

4:30 - 8:30pm

Kick off Garden Tour weekend with the Second Annual Summer Festival at New Leaf Nursery.

The Coeur d’ Alene Garden Club is hosting the 23rd Annual Garden Tour on Sunday, July 10 (we have Garden Tour tickets at the front desk in the garden center at the nursery!). To celebrate the event, and the summer season, we are inviting our community friends to the 2nd Annual Summer Festival at the nursery to kick off the weekends’ festivities!

Come enjoy a fun filled afternoon at the nursery on Saturday July 9, from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.! Whether you are 7 or 70, we promise you’ll find something to make you smile! Live music is provided by CDA’s greatest rock band, Lake Town Sound, and there will be lots of food and treats from local food vendors! The Beer Garden reopens with Lone Mountain Farms selling their signature brews. Giant bouncy houses and games, along with face painters and balloon artists will keep the kids happy, while you enjoy strolling in the nursery on a summer afternoon!

Tickets to the Festival are available on our web site ($12 each). Seeds Rewards Members can sign up for up to 4 tickets FREE! You will receive an email with a special promotional code to enter at the time of purchase. (Check your SPAM folder and then contact the nursery if If you don’t receive the email.)

If you would like to become a Seeds Reward Member, you can sign up on our web site.

Looking forward to seeing you, our friends and neighbors!

Proudly donating a portion of our sales during the Summer Festival to the Companions Animal Center (formerly known as Kootenai Humane Society)

Tomato Mania

If there ever was a good time to get those tomatoes going, it’s now! And we have them — lots of varieties and all you have to do is decide which ones you want to try this year!

One of our faves is the Black Brandywine…it is an heirloom variety, and an excellent choice!

It’s am amazing addition to your summer salad. The coloring is deep and rich and the taste is a sweet, smokey, and balanced flavor, making it the ideal compliment to many dishes. Some consider it to be the standard for heirloom-tomato flavor, making it a staple for many common tomato dishes.

We have more. Come choose your favorite today!

Perennial Gardens

This is the time of year that we appreciate our perennials the most! Whether you LOVE the look of the English garden, or you prefer a more manicured design, summer is the time that the perennials show off and give your garden that continued pop of color. Long after the bulbs have bloomed and faded, the perennial continues to bring joy to the gardener and all that see them!

Looking for something to change up your gardens! Here are a few inspirations of interesting and unique approaches to perennial gardening!

Green, green and more green. So many amazing shades of green can be accomplished with hostas. An area favorite you can count on returning every year to enhance the beauty of your outdoor spaces!

Don’t be afraid of adding a variety of textures to your plantings! Tall wispy grasses can create a tremendous focal point amidst the rounded leaves of hostas, and the globe shaped hydrangea blooms!

A pop of color. Add a contrasting color to the green and see the change it brings to the more sublime palette. Look to a color wheel to establish what colors are best! In the case below, bright vibrant red, accented with bolts of bright amber yellow in pots, add a huge boost of personality to the shades of green. Add an accent of a natural wood ‘bench,’ pour a nice cold drink, and sit down and enjoy the view!

Here’s a few ‘tried and true’ perennials that we love and think you will too!

Echinacea

Catmint

Phlox

Peony

The last word on your perennial gardens. When it is time, and the season comes to an end, if you need help and guidance with putting your perennials to bed for the winter, we are offering a class on pruning perennials! Taught by our resident pruning guru, Lori, the class will help you understand the ‘why’ and ‘how’ to pruning your perennials for another season of beauty ahead! You’ll find her class, as well as many others, on the events page of our web site!

News Flash—New Plant Alert

We have the BEST plant detective who is also our buyer! If you keep reading, you’ll find out who she is! She is in constant search of new and interesting varieties of plants for all our gardens! She outdid herself with these two!

The Siberian Brunnera is a solid green leaf variety of the common variegated leaf we all probably have in our gardens that are bursting with tiny blue blossoms this time of year! The Siberian variety blooms in a slightly different shade of blue than it’s variegated cousin! You will love it, and it’s a great addition to your shade garden!

The second great discovery is the Tatra Gold Deschampsia. Wow, that’s quite a name, and quite a plant. Simply stated, it’s an ornamental grass that likes the shade. It starts out the year a fabulous shade of apple green and then, as the year moves along, it almost reaches a shade of purple — and yes, in the shade! Come by the nursery soon if you’d like one of these, or two, or three.

Gold Deschampsia — Spring to Summer

Gold Deschampsia — Summer to Fall

All Start Team Member—the super plant detective and buyer!

Meet Elaine! She is the secret in the ‘secret sauce’ at New Leaf Nursery! This lady knows her plants — how to care for them, how to plant them, when and where to plant them, how to trim and prune them! She knows what this plant needs, and what that plant won’t tolerate. She knows what time to plant them, and she knows what time to cut them all back! In other words, she is the ‘google search’ of plants, trees and shrubs!

As well as being the Queen of Plant Knowledge, Elaine is a kind spirit, who cares about the Earth, and the Bees and her team members at New Leaf!

She is the cog that keeps the wheel turning, and we are so fortunate to have her with us.

Next time you are in the nursery, if you see Elaine, have her direct you to the newest, coolest plants in town!

Elaine Christen, New Leaf’s amazing buyer and plant guru.

Waterlogged Plants

It’s hard to complain when so much of the West is parched for water. But there is a point of maybe a little too much rain? Looking out the window, we see plants laying over heavy with water, standing water filling the flower beds and yards, iris blooms sagging in the downpour.

What’s the best way to remedy this amount of water in the garden? Here’s great info on what you can do to save your plants!

“While rain is as important to your plants as sun and nutrients, too much of a good thing can spell trouble. When rain is knocking down plants, gardeners often despair, worried that their precious petunias will never be the same. Although plants flattened by rain are a troubling sight, torrential rains and plants have been co-existing for thousands of years — healthy plants are perfectly capable of managing rain damage,” says Kristi Waterworth, writing for Gardening Know How.

Click the link below for more helpful information on how to help your plants recover!
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/rain-knocking-down-plants.htm

Hang in there gardeners!

Memorial Day weekend is here!

The first weekend of Summer 2022 is finally here! The weather has been cool and chilly, damp and rainy…but is the weatherman finally going to be our friend this upcoming weekend? Everyone in North Idaho is crossing their fingers that THIS is the weekend that kicks off a warming trend!

The nursery is buzzing this time of year. The annuals are still rolling in and our greenhouses are vibrant with color: pansies, petunias, gerbera, marigolds. Have you seen the French Marigolds? They boast huge blooms and are the most vibrant golden yellow and bright orange you’ve ever seen! Ironic that they are called ‘French Marigolds’ as they are native to Mexico and Guatemala (Apparently the conquistadors couldn’t help but steal themselves some seeds). The humble marigold is held in high esteem around the world.

The Ancient Aztecs considered the marigold a sacred flower and bred larger blooms for decorative and medicinal uses. At the Empire’s height, they used marigolds during a festival dedicated to the goddess Mictecaohuatl, who guarded the bones of the dead. This tradition continues today as Dia de los Muertos, a Latin-American festival where families decorate altars with marigolds and honor their dead loved ones.

Marigold flowers are very popular in Hindu weddings and festivals thanks to their association with the goddess Lakshmi. She is the goddess of fortune, luxury, wealth, power, and beauty. Hindu mythology portrays her as a whimsical maternal figure, whose fickleness reflects the nature of luck itself. Perhaps your marigolds will help our own Lady Luck smile on your garden!

In Theravedic Buddism (practiced mainly in Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Thailand), marigold garlands and arrangements are offered to Buddha statues.

Hanging Baskets

For us who love color in our gardens, these are always a winner!

Our supply of gorgeous hanging baskets has caused so many ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’…they are breathtaking, and if you’d like to try your hand at planting one on your own, come on down! We have baskets, liners, soil and flowers!

Here’s a list of some of our favorites for planting in a hanging basket!

Remember, your hanging baskets need a consistent watering program. We suggest a drip system. Another great way to water hanging baskets is to take them down and soak them from the bottom up. That ensures that the entire plant takes on water evenly! Because of this constant watering, hanging baskets need to be on a consistent feeding schedule. Liquid fertilizer or granular time release are both good options.

Tomato-mania has begun!

Tomatoes are in stock and fun to grow! We have frames, or you might decide to grown them on a trellis and a string. Whatever option you choose, come by and let our friendly staff direct you to the shelves we have in stock!

Just how many varieties of tomatoes are in stock in the nursery? At least fifteen according to Elaine! Have you ever grown an heirloom tomato? They are the gorgeous green, and yellow and orange varieties that you see frequently at specialty grocers. The flavor can’t be beat! Use them in cooking, or slice them up and enjoy them on a warm afternoon!

We love the look of tomatoes, or lots of other veg, growing on an arbor! A beautiful visual, and when it comes time to harvest, reach up, rather than bend over!

What’s new at the Nursery?

Garden Tools Galore

We'ge got pruners, clippers, saws, and everything in between! We even have Victornox floral knifes and scissos. Ask for them at the sales counter in the garden center!

TIP: Did you know that florists world wide love these knives? When you bring your blooms in from the garden, cut them with a slant cut, using a knife like this! The diagonal cut on the stem allows for more water to absorb into the stem, keeping your flowers fresher longer!

Kew Garden Hand Soaps and Lotions

A trip to London is not complete without visiting the amazing Kew Gardens. Located north of London, visiting Kew is a certainly a memorable experience. From the largest glass house in the world that features one of every species of plant on the globe, to the various gardens on the grounds, it inspires the inner gardener in all of us! 

Their lotions and soaps are divine! And we have them, right here in our garden center. They make wonderful gifts for all your gardening friends, and you’ll love them too!

The Temperate House, Kew Gardens

Pots, Pots, Pots!

Undoubtedly the widest selection of pots in the area, New Leaf has giant pots and small pots, medium pots, yellow pots, blue pots, turquoise pots, grey pots, black pots, brown pots, white pots, terra cotta pots, stone pots, heart shaped pots, funny pots, tall pots, short pots…well, let’s just say we have lots of pots! All the pots we carry at the nursery are frost proof, so they will be around for many years to come!

Save the Date!

New Leaf second annual Summer Festival
Saturday, June 9th, 4:30 PM- 8:20 PM

Live music from Lake Town Sound (check out their Facebook page here!)

  • Food, food, food…lots of good things from the garden, as well as pure sugar!

  • Lone Mountain Farms Brewery

  • Bounce houses

  • Face painters

  • Balloon hats and balloon art

Keep up with our website and social media for updates!

Garden Tour

We are honored to be a premier platinum sponsor to the CDA Garden Club’s 24th Annual Garden Tour. It’s the highlight of the gardening year…visit several local gardens and enjoy a summer afternoon of colors and fragrances! Sunday, July 10 is the date and we have tickets for sale on the Garden Center's sales counter.

Visit the Garden Club web site here for more information.

Spotlight Employee

Have you had a load of rocks, or mulch, or garden soil delivered to your house?  Most likely it was Dan who brought it to you!  Dan has been with New Leaf for several years, and if anyone can get that load in exactly the right place, it’s Dan!  That’s one big dump truck, Dan!  But you make it look easy. 

Keep your eye out for Dan at the nursery…right behind him is his best buddy with four legs!  Thanks Dan for doing a great job every day! 

New Crafting Classes

How would you like a couple of these on your porch! Too cute! Click here to check out our events page and sign up for a crafting class.

And most of all…

Whatever you do this weekend, enjoy the time with family and friends…and if you would like to come visit the nursery we would love to see you!

Happy Memorial Day!

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SEED REWARDS MEMBER

Become a Seeds Rewards Member and start earning points towards exclusive discounts with every purchase at New Leaf Nursery! For more information on our rewards program, please visit the front desk in our garden center.

Nursery HOURS

Monday-Saturday: 9:00AM-4:00PM