One Season Ends and Another Begins!

Another amazing growing season comes to a close in North Idaho, and with anticipation, we planted our bulbs, and we are working on winterizing the last shrubs and perennials in all our gardens, knowing that Spring will come again soon, and our gardens will erupt with color once again!

Don’t be fooled by our minimalist aesthetic! While we are clearing out the nursery in preparation for Christmas trees, please know that we are still open Monday-Saturday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM. We are accepting bulk orders and offering deliveries, and you can still find some awesome trees and shrubs on sale! While you’re in the nursery, take a look at the mums, kale and pansies to add some color to your front steps—it’s all on sale and going quick! All the fall goodies are on sale in the nursery and in the barn too. Look at these beautiful wreaths, just waiting to be hung on your door, gate, or over the fireplace! This is just a small sampling of what we have. Come find the one that has your name on it!


What Causes a Tree to Enter Dormancy?

Have you ever stopped to wonder what makes a tree lose its leaves in the fall and flower in the spring? Here in the Inland Northwest, a lot of trees and shrubs experience a process called dormancy. When a tree goes dormant, it’s the time in which the tree is alive, but not actively growing. It is during this time that the inner workings of a tree slow down and pause until conditions change to allow for productive growth.

Unlike evergreen tree species which can retain their foliage on account of adaptations, deciduous trees enter into dormancy to prevent the loss of water and nutrients, and to avoid the damage cold temperatures can produce. It’s important to note that dormancy helps trees—it ultimately keeps the tree alive, both in the short- and long-term. The lifespan of a tree or plant is dramatically decreased if the tree isn't allowed to go dormant for a few months. Just as bears use hibernation to survive without their usual resources in warmer months, trees use dormancy to protect themselves so they can grow again in the warmer months.

If you’re curious about the science behind the beginning stages of dormancy, you can watch this video from New Leaf Nursery Plant Specialist Jen, where she explains why leaves change color in the fall—a common side effect of the tree entering dormancy.


CALLING ALL SEED REWARDS MEMBERS!

Mark your calendars for Friday, November 10th from 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM as we celebrate you, our most loyal customers, and invite you to attend a “sneak peek” event on our First Winter Night Celebration at the nursery! Come say hello, enjoy some delicious eats and holiday cheer, and shop our exclusive holiday collection! Earn DOUBLE POINTS ON ALL YOUR PURCHASES, including live trees, ornaments, wreaths, garlands and poinsettias. Our garden center barn will be fully decorated for Christmas, and Seed Rewards Members will get 25% off one Christmas décor item.

This is an opportunity for you and a friend to come visit the garden center that has been transformed into a Winter dream! Dazzling trees laden with beautiful holiday ornaments, enticing fragrances of the season and unique home decor elements curated by our team of in house designers and nursery owners.

This exclusive event is for Seed Reward Members and their guest only. Sign up today and watch those rewards grow from holiday gifts into free merchandise from New Leaf Nursery in the Spring of 2024! Special door prizes, gifts and rewards to members will be given at the Sneak Peek Event.

If you would like to be a part of this intimate event and you are not yet a Seed Rewards Member, you can sign up to be one on the bottom of our homepage. It’s free and easy, and the benefits keep coming!


Get Spruced Up — Christmas Trees Are Coming!

What's Christmas without a Christmas tree? Our tree lot at the Nursery will be open for the season on November 24th. We will offer fresh cut trees from the Pacific Northwest in various heights and shapes on our tree lot at the Nursery. Flocking services will again be available on any fresh cut tree, along with living trees that can later become part of your landscape! It’s never too early to dream of Christmas! And yes, we really do have spinning Christmas trees on display! Come see for yourself!

As with everything else, fresh cut trees are in great demand, so be sure you come in early to get that perfect family tree!

The Perfect Tree for

the Perfect Holiday

Are you wanting a tree between 10-20 feet tall? We can help! You can pre-order one by filling out a custom order form on our website, or you can come into the Nursery to pick the perfect one! Make sure to keep an eye on our website and social media outlets for more information on our fresh cut trees!

Cue the Twinkly Lights!

Once again, we are providing all the live holiday trees to the Davenport Hotel in downtown Spokane. If you’re looking for an afternoon of fun this holiday season, plan a trip to the hotel where you can see our 17’ tree in their lobby!


Loaded Mashed Potatoes—The Perfect Holiday Dish!

The holidays are a wonderful time of the year when we gather with friends and family over delicious home cooked meals. Some things are just meant to be together—peanut butter and jelly, surf and turf, salt and pepper, and…Loaded Mashed Potatoes! Good mashed potatoes really are one of the great luxuries of life. This Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole by Chef Savvy is to die for and is sure to be a hit with friends and family this Holiday season!


The Magic Behind New Leaf Nursery

Behind every great business is a strong leadership team. New Leaf Nursery Owners Eric and Elaine Christen, and General Manager Ben Christen are a key piece of the puzzle that make New Leaf Nursery such an amazing place to work and shop! If you’ve ever visited New Leaf, you can find all three of them walking the nursery grounds frequently, authentically inspiring customers through their gardening journey. They take great pride in their business and it reflects throughout the community. Next time you’re at the Nursery, make sure to say hello! And don’t forget to snag up a copy of the ‘Hayden Lake Neighbors’ November issue where you can learn all about the Christens!


UPCOMING CLASSES AT NEW LEAF NURSERY

Preparing Your Gardens for Winter

and Planning for Spring with Cassie Hardy

  • Tuesday, November 7, 2023

  • 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

  • New Leaf Nursery (map)

Cassie Hardy, landscape designer at New Leaf Nursery, will share with you what it takes to prepare your garden beds for the winter months ahead, and the things you should, and should not do to prepare them for Spring. Cassie will also discuss planning for designs for Spring. 

All of the class participants will receive a 10% discount certificate on a single bag of composting material in the outdoor Nursery! This class will be held in the white building by the south entry to the Nursery. You can find parking on the west side of the building.

Holiday Wreath with Kathy Wright

  • Wednesday, November 15, 2023

  • 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM

  • New Leaf Nursery (map)

Resident designer Kathy Wright will show you how to create a vine wreath adorned with twigs, branches and clusters of vibrant red berries. Enhanced with fresh pine and magnolia, pine cones and lichen mosses, this wreath is the perfect addition to your holiday decor. Store this wreath outdoors, in a covered space, or add it to your holiday decorations inside or out!

Don’t forget to check out our events page to learn more about other classes coming in November, and make sure to register early!

Fall Planting

Rain, Rain Go Away…We really want to plant today!

Fall has arrived in the Inland Northwest! Once the rain goes away, it’s time to get outside and plant! Trees, perennials and bulbs are ready to go into the ground, and local favorites such as Potentilla, Beardtongue, Day Lilies and Ornamental Grasses can still be planted and would make a wonderful addition to your fall garden. With the proper care, they will continue to flower well into the season.

If you’re already planning ahead for next year, you can give yourself a “jumpstart” by planting spring-blooming bulbs. All of our bulbs have arrived at the Nursery and are available in the barn. With over 50 different bulb varieties to choose from, you can select colors, heights, and bloom times for what to plant in fall that will work best in your garden. 

Popular varieties, such as Tulips and Hyacinths need a period of cold to bloom, which is why they need to be planted in fall. Aah..we can smell the Hyacinths now! Now that the soil is cooling, it will allow the bulbs time to establish enough roots to solidly grow, but not enough to sprout before Spring. You can plant your bulbs now to ensure a colorful spring garden.

Before you grab your garden tools and gloves, make sure to swing by the Nursery to stock up on that tree or shrub you’ve been eyeing all year. Our fall sale is still happening with amazing deals up to 60% OFF!


Let’s Give ‘em Pumpkin to Talk About!

Ah, pumpkins! Nothing says fall more than a carved pumpkin on your front porch. Pumpkins are one of our favorite things about fall, and they are now being delivered regularly here at the Nursery! From Fairytale and traditional orange carvers, to warty green specialities, there are so many to choose from that you won’t be left out of the pumpkin party! Pair them with our colorful Asters and Mums, or with kale and peppers—the perfect addition to brighten your doorstep this fall season!


Fabulous Fall Recipe — Pumpkin Mac & Cheese

There are so many great things to love about the fall—gorgeous colors, sweater weather, pumpkin spiced lattes, and of course, comfort food! Fall comfort food just tastes better when the weather starts to cool off. This Pumpkin Mac and Cheese from Spoon Fork Bacon is not only to die for, but provides just the right amount comfort for those cooler nights!


IT’S OFFICIALLY FALL FESTIVAL SEASON!

Our Annual Fall Festival is just over a week away. Come enjoy a weekend of music, great food, FREE kids activities and fun!

Friday, October 6th: 12:00-5:00 PM

Saturday, October 7th:  9:00 AM-5:00 PM

Sunday, October 8th: 10:00 AM-4:00 PM

Our three day event encompasses the entire Nursery grounds and admission is always FREE! In addition to FREE admission, there will be Face Painters, Bouncy Houses, Arts & Crafts projects, a Petting Zoo and a daily Scavenger hunt for kids, ages 3-10.  

Did we mention that’s ALL FREE?!

We will have a special guest this year—meet Belle, the Clydesdale! All rides will be hand led by her owner, Dana. A truly unique experience! If you’re interested in meeting Belle, she will be available for specific riding times, so make sure to stop by during those hours!

Friday: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Saturday: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Sunday: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

We will still have the Kids’ Pony Rides (these are paid attractions, and weight limits will apply to the horse and pony rides). Come find your perfect Halloween Pumpkins; we’ve got a selection of truly unusual pumpkins and gourds! Make sure to come early for the best selection.

And come hungry! Your favorites plus some newcomers will provide great fall eats, along with so many unique local artisans and food vendors. It’s the perfect place to start your Holiday shopping!

If that’s not enough, there will be amazing deals on trees, plants and shrubs, as well as garden art to finish off your dream garden! Our barn is loaded with beautiful fall blooms and branches, along with fragrant candles and unique home décor for the fall. Plus, with Christmas right around the corner, you’ll be able to see a sample of our holiday collection!

We can’t wait to see you there!

You can visit our Events Page for even more details on the Fall Festival!


Employee Spotlight — Meet Tyler!

This month, our employee spotlight shines on another ‘star’ in our galaxy. Tyler lights up our nursery with his awesome smile and infectious personality! He is a delight to work with and loves to talk about gardening with all of our customers. He is always willing to go above and beyond for our customers and employees, and there is no question he can’t answer! Next time you’re at the Nursery, make sure to say hello!


  • Wednesday, October 4, 2023

  • 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

  • New Leaf Nursery 

Pruning can be a challenging proposition at best. Where do I cut on the branch? What is the best time to prune? In this class, plant expert Laurie Wilson will explain it all and show you just how to do it!

Laurie studied Horticulture at The Lake Washington Institute of Technology, as well as studying Environmental Horticulture and Master Pruners Classes at the University of Washington. Laurie has worked with trees, plants and shrubs for over 20 years, and she is a respected member of the gardening community in North Idaho.

Weather permitting, the class will be held in our nursery center. You can park on the west side of the building and meet in the white building. Make sure to dress appropriately for walking through the nursery.

Garlic Tasting with Nina Messner

  • Thursday, October 12, 2023

  • 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

  • New Leaf Nursery

Snow Valley’s garlic queen, Nina Messner, is hosting a garlic tasting at New Leaf Nursery! She will lead the class in tasting different types of garlic, explain their culinary uses, and show how to grow your own bulbs at home! Garlic and gardening supplies will be available after the class concludes. 

Check out our events page to learn more about other classes coming in October, and make sure to register early!

Starting a Fall Vegetable Garden

Growing Late Season Crops

Were you unable to plant a spring garden this year? Don’t fret! There is still time to get in a fall crop! In this short video, New Leaf Plant Specialist Jen, explains how planting a late summer garden can still provide you with harvest fresh produce well into fall and sometimes into early winter.


How To Use Your Late Season Veggies

Making the Most of What You’ve Grown!

Late-Summer planting may yield an abundance of fall vegetables. While this is a wonderful problem to have, figuring out ways to utilize your vegetables so they don’t spoil can be challenging. In this article from Eatingwell.com, you can find some tips and tricks on making the most of your summer garden haul, as well as preserving it for months to come!


Employee Spotlight

Customer Service Superstars

One of the things New Leaf Nursery prides itself on is Customer Service. We can always count on our New Leaf Plant Experts Jen, Patrick and Brianna to enhance the customer experience day in and day out. Between the three of them, there is no question left unanswered, and their knowledge leaves the customer feeling more confident and skilled as they enter their gardening journey!

Whatever it is you decide to do with your garden this fall, we have lots of staff on hand to answer all your questions and to help you make great choices!


SAVE THE DATES!

Our Annual Fall Festival is Back!

Come one, come all…to the event that offers something for everyone! Our Annual Fall Festival is less than a month away. Come enjoy a weekend of music, great food, FREE kids activities and fun!

Friday, October 6th: 12:00-5:00 PM

Saturday, October 7th:  9:00 AM-5:00 PM

Sunday, October 8th: 10:00 AM-4:00 PM

If you were at last years’ festival, you know that New Leaf Nursery loves to throw a great ‘Welcome Fall’ party! Our three day event encompasses the entire Nursery grounds and admission is always FREE!  In addition to FREE admission, there will be Face Painters, Bouncy Houses, Arts & Crafts projects and a daily Scavenger hunt for kids, ages 3-10. 

Did we mention that’s ALL FREE?!

 The Petting Zoo is back, as well as the Kids’ Pony Rides (these are paid attractions, and weight limits will apply to the pony rides). Come find your perfect Halloween Pumpkins…from traditional orange carvers to warty green specialities. Make sure to come early for the best selection!

 And come hungry! Your favorites plus some newcomers will provide great fall eats, along with over 35 local artisans. It’s the perfect place to start your Holiday shopping!

If that’s not enough, there will be amazing deals on trees, plants and shrubs, as well as garden art to finish off your dream garden! Our barn is loaded with beautiful fall blooms and branches, along with fragrant candles and unique home décor for the fall. Plus, with Christmas right around the corner, you’ll be able to see a sample of our holiday collection!

We can’t wait to see you there!

You can visit our Events Page for even more details on the Fall Festival!


As summer comes to an end, we’ve got a lineup of classes we’re certain will put you in the fall mood. Just click on the class name to learn more and sign up!

Make sure to check out our Events Page to learn more about our upcoming classes this month and in October. Don’t forget to register early.


Looking for Low-Maintenance Landscaping?

Are you a ‘Snow Bird’ or someone who likes to spend your weekends on the lake?

We’ve got you covered!  Low maintenance landscaping is for you!  ii

No matter the situation, if your passion is something other than gardening every weekend, look for easy to grow, low maintenance plants. Here are a few versatile suggestions.

Spirea, Smoke Bush, Barberry and Potentilla are your ‘go to’ plants and great news, generally speaking, the deer will leave them alone!  We have a nursery filled with several varieties of these that wil lset your yard apart in the neighborhood!  Dwarf pine, such as ‘Slowmound’ mugo, many varieties of dwarf spruce and boxwood are evergreen choices for year-round interest.

If you’re looking to add more color, try some of the suggestions listed below.


Best Loved Flowers in America
Are Your Favorites on the List?

The online gardening site Gardening Chores looked at top Google searches to determine the flowers Americans love best. The top ten are flowers we often find in our gardens here in North Idaho.  Did your favorites make the list?

It’s no surprise Lavender is the #1 flower. It’s pretty easy to grown, and its unique fragrance is said to promote relaxation.


Watering, Watering, Watering

It’s a topic we’re covering regularly as we enter into the hottest time of our summer. Sometimes it seems our yards just can’t get enough water, yet we feel like we are watering all the time. Remember that the best time to water is in the evening or early morning hours. 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’s tips on watering! It’s great information and will help you water your gardens in the most efficient manner possible. Great info Jen!


Employee Spotlight: New Leaf’s Watering Warriors

The nursery staff is a team, no member more or less important than the other, but during the hottest time of the year, the watering team stands heads above!  Sometimes watering the entire nursery, not once, but twice in a day, in a heat wave, they manage to keep the plants alive and fresh! 

Here’s a few of our watering warriors:  Lauren, Tina, Maddy, Lisa and Cindy. Still attached to hoses are: Cheryl, Kelly, Reese, Sarah, Vicky, Andrew, Evan, and James S.