GET READY FOR A SEASON OF BLOOMS!

Summer Garden Prep—

Getting Ready for a Season of Blooms

As the warmth of Summer approaches, it's time to roll up your sleeves and prepare your garden for a season of abundant blooms, lush foliage, and vibrant colors. Summer garden prep is a crucial phase that sets the stage for a successful and thriving garden throughout the coming months, ensuring that your outdoor space becomes a haven of beauty and tranquility.

As you embark on your summer garden prep journey, here are some insights, tips, and inspiration to help you create a lush and thriving garden oasis that is ready to bloom in all its Summer glory!

1. Start with Soil Health: Ensure your soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and at the right pH level for optimal plant growth. Consider testing your soil and amending it as needed with organic matter like compost.

2. Choose Summer-Blooming Plants: Select a variety of flowers and plants that thrive in the summer heat and provide a spectrum of colors to create visual interest in your garden. Our plant specialists would be happy to assist you in choosing the right plants and flowers for your area!

3. Strategic Plant Placement: Place sun and shade-loving plants where they'll receive adequate amounts of required light, and consider the mature size of your plants to prevent overcrowding.

4. Mulching Matters: Apply a layer of mulch around your plants to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature during hot summer days.

5. Proper Watering Techniques: Water deeply to encourage deep root growth. Consider using soaker hoses or drip irrigation systems to water plants at the root zone.

6. Deadheading and Pruning: Regularly deadhead spent flowers and prune overgrown branches to promote continuous blooming and maintain plant health.

7. Attract Pollinators: Plant pollinator-friendly flowers to attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects that aid in pollination and contribute to a healthy ecosystem.

8. Pest and Disease Monitoring: Keep an eye out for common garden pests and diseases, and address issues promptly to prevent damage to your plants.

9. Fertilization Schedule: Follow a fertilization schedule tailored to the needs of your plants, ensuring they receive the necessary nutrients for vigorous growth and abundant flowering.

10. Consider Edible Plants: Integrate edible plants like herbs, vegetables, or fruiting trees into your garden space for a functional and delightful addition to your landscape.

11. Garden Maintenance Routine: Establish a regular maintenance routine that includes weeding, feeding, watering, and monitoring plant health to keep your garden thriving throughout the summer season.

It is now prime planting time! The fear of the last frost has passed, and it’s time to get outside and plant. Zinnias, Cosmos, Dahlias, Peonies, Hollyhock, Yarrow, Asters, Echinacea, Iris, and Salvia are all great choices for flowers that can now be planted in your garden. We have all of these in stock here at the nursery, ready to be purchased and taken to their forever homes!

Pave it Forward—

Creating Your Own Paradise

We’ve got exciting news! We now offer premium pavers, steps and retaining wall systems. In partnership with Castohn and Western Interlock, we now bring you a selection of top-of-the-line products designed to elevate your home and landscape projects. Whether you're looking to create stunning outdoor living spaces or enhance the functionality and aesthetic appeal of your yard, our new range of products promises durability, quality, and style.

This is just a small sample of what is available. For a full list of available products, please visit the Castohn and Western Interlock websites. If you would like to know more about pricing, sizing and color, and you’re interested in ordering any of these products, please send us an email and we’ll be happy to help!

THE FARMSTAND—

Hayden’s Hub for Locally Grown & Sourced Fresh Goods, Weekly.

We are thrilled to announce The Farmstand at New Leaf—a new endeavor for the nursery. Our objective is to provide locally sourced food options for our neighbors to provide a healthier lifestyle. We want to be your ‘go to’ weekly source for fresh produce, locally grown meats, fresh eggs, bakery goods, and cold pressed juice, along with fresh cut flowers, and, as we grow, local honey, spices and jams.

Many factors can influence the growing of produce, and most of us, as gardeners, know that 2024 has been an unusually cold spring. Due to this, local produce growers have experienced the same challenges as flower growers and have limited crops at this time.  

Our first market will feature varieties of available fresh produce, but will also feature baked goods from Amber Waves Bakery, fresh pressed juices from PNW Juice Junkie, cut flowers from Sowing Joy Flower Farm, and local, non-gmo beef and chicken from Triple Five Farm. Along with those products, Koryn with PNW Juice Junkie, who is a regular food vendor at the nursery, will have fresh salad bowls of various vegetables and choices of her home made dressings, available to take with you for a quick and healthy dinner!  

The Farmstand will run during the growing season from June to September. We aim to provide an opportunity for our community to not only shop local, but also meet our local farmers, learn about their growing practices, get fresh products, and support small farms. This is truly the “small-town” market experience we all enjoy, set in the wonderful atmosphere of our beautiful nursery!

The Farmstand will start Tuesday, June 4, from 2:00 PM-6:00 PM in front of Greenhouse 5, and every following Tuesday through September (dates are fluid, based on weather). We hope you will join us, and look forward to connecting with you, our friends and community at New Leaf Nursery!

Vendor Sneak Peek!

SAVE THE DATE—

Our Summer Festival is Almost Here!

Our Annual Summer Festival is around the corner! June 22, from 12:00-6:00PM, New Leaf’s Summer Festival comes roaring back into town. This year, we have assembled great vendors with beautiful jewelry, honey products, sweets and goodies, along with great home products.

We’ll have activities for the kids and of course, door prizes throughout the day. You’ll see some of our favorites like Uncorked with Friends, who will be serving up beer and wine, and returning vendors Carpe Diem Crepes, Gonzo Panini, and Hey Bear Dogs and Pretzels will be here, along with 7b Bistro, PNW Juice Junkie, and Good N’ Baked. And of course, you can indulge in the high-energy music from LakeTown Sound—they have a new set list that will blow your mind! Plan to come enjoy a delightful afternoon and early evening of fun, food, music, shopping and community at the Nursery.

Please keep an eye on our website, more detailed information will be added soon!

Employee Spotlight—Meet Makaylah!

If you’ve visited the nursery lately, then you’re aware of how busy we’ve been! You might have even seen a delivery truck or two…or three. Within the racks of items being unloaded you will find Makaylah, meticulously counting the new items, making sure everything is accounted for and signed. Makaylah's dedication and efforts reflect her commitment to the finer details, and we are so lucky to have her as part of our New Leaf team!

BLOOMING INTO MAY!

Elevate Your Outdoors—

Hanging Flower Baskets Now Available!

Elevate your outdoor space this Spring with a hanging flower basket! Did you know that many of our annuals in our baskets are planted and grown in our greenhouse? The plants and flowers cascading from our hanging baskets is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team—you can see the difference in our custom designed baskets, with various color palettes to enhance your own style!

Bloomin’ Beauties!

As our gardens return to beauty, it’s the perfect time to enhance your space with resilient perennials—from Lavender and Coneflower, to the vibrant blooms of Lupines, to the graceful elegance of Bleeding Hearts. We also have a great selection of new varieties that are available now. With their ability to withstand the rugged conditions of North Idaho, these perennials promise to flourish and bloom, bringing long-lasting beauty to your outdoor space!

LUPINE

Known for their vibrant spikes of colorful blooms, Lupines thrive in the diverse landscapes of North Idaho. With their characteristic palmate leaves and tall flower spikes in shades of purple, blue, pink, and white, Lupines create a stunning visual display against any backdrop. These hardy wildflower cousins are well-suited to the cool nights of North Idaho, offering nectar for bees and other pollinators. Whether dotting the roadside or accentuating garden borders, Lupines are a beloved sight for both residents and visitors alike.

CONEFLOWER

Coneflowers, also known as Echinacea, are a beloved perennial that thrives in our area. With their striking, daisy-like blooms and prominent cone-shaped centers, coneflowers add a burst of color and texture to garden beds and borders. These hardy perennials are well-suited to the region's changing seasons, offering a reliable and long-lasting display of blooms throughout the summer months. Their resilience, vibrant hues, and pollinator-friendly nature make them a popular choice for North Idaho gardens!

LAVENDER

Lavender, with its fragrant blooms and silvery-green foliage, adds a touch of aromatic elegance to gardens and landscapes. Known for its calming scent and versatile uses, lavender is a popular herb that delights the senses and attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies. With proper care and well-drained soil, lavender can thrive in the region's conditions, making it a beloved choice for gardeners seeking beauty, fragrance, and practicality in their outdoor spaces.

BLEEDING HEARTS

Bleeding Hearts, known for their captivating heart-shaped flowers dangling gracefully from arching stems, are a charming addition to any garden. These elegant perennials, with their unique and romantic blooms in shades of pink and white, bring a touch of whimsy and nostalgia to the landscape. Bleeding Hearts prefer partial shade and moist, well-drained soil, making them a perfect choice for woodland gardens or shaded borders.

Exciting Events at New Leaf Nursery

Join us for our annual TOMATO CRAZE weekend where we will dive into all things TOMATOES! On Saturday, May 4th, New Leaf plant expert, Brianna, will be available from 11:30 AM-1:30 PM to answer your questions about growing tomatoes, and offer assistance in selecting the correct varieties for your garden! Get all your tomato-growing questions answered and gain valuable insights into nurturing these vibrant fruits to perfection.

But the tomato celebration doesn't end there! Join us on Sunday, May 5th, for a salsa tasting experience with our salsa queen, Christianna, where you can try her salsa made with fresh, homegrown tomatoes. Treat your taste buds to a burst of flavors as you sample delicious salsa creations crafted from the very tomatoes you can grow in your garden!

Make this Mother's Day one to remember by giving the gift of a personalized garden basket that Mom, Grandma, your best friend, or neighbor has always dreamt of. Come in during the week of Mother’s Day (5/8-5/11) for our annual Garden Basket Planting and select a basket, container, or pot (or bring your own), fill it with plants from our nursery, and we’ll supply the garden soil!

On Saturday, May 11th, from 10:30 to 11:30 AM, New Leaf plant expert, Brianna, will be on hand to offer her guidance and expertise in selecting the ideal plants for your container garden.

Looking for the perfect Mother’s Day gift for your mom? Stop by the garden center barn while you’re here—it’s fully stocked with gardening gifts that Mom would love! How about gifting your Mom a gift card for a great shopping experience at New Leaf? What better place to spend your Mother’s Day weekend than at the beautiful nursery grounds of New Leaf!

Whether it's a potted plant, a gardening accessory, or a unique décor piece, we’re positive you'll find the perfect gift to show your love and appreciation!

Planting Potatoes—

Tips & Tricks from the Experts!

Join New Leaf Nursery's garden expert, Jen, as she shares her knowledge on cultivating a bountiful potato harvest this summer. From selecting the right seed potatoes to the intricacies of planting techniques, Jen provides insight to ensure a successful growing season. Discover the art of seeding, spacing, and caring for your potatoes as Jen unravels the secrets to a thriving potato crop. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a novice enthusiast, Jen's guidance will equip you with the skills and confidence needed to cultivate your own homegrown potatoes and enjoy a fruitful harvest when summer arrives!

Employee Spotlight—Meet Elsa!

Elsa is a familiar face around the nursery, whose dedication and hard work play a key role in our operations. From tagging trees to assisting landscape contractors, loading deliveries, and providing great customer service, Elsa is someone that you've likely encountered during your visits. Her versatility, work ethic, and commitment to hard work ensure that every task is handled with precision and care. Next time you’re here, make sure to give her a friendly hello!

A Celebration of Spring

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

The countdown has officially begun as we gear up to host our spectacular Spring Festival & Easter Egg Hunt happening this very Saturday! We can’t think of a better way to get the kids outside for some fun, where they can enjoy bouncing in the bouncy houses, go on an egg hunt with the Easter bunny himself, and even get their faces painted. The kids can also ride a pony while giving Mom and Dad a chance to relax. Don't forget to grab a delicious hot dog, poutine, cinnamon roll, waffle, or savory crepes along with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. With Easter decor at 30% off in the barn and beautiful plants throughout the nursery, it will be a great day for everyone to enjoy!

So dust off your baskets, put on your bunny ears, and join us in welcoming the arrival of Spring in the most joyful way possible here at New Leaf Nursery!

Eggventure Awaits!

As we gear up for our Easter egg hunt, we ask that you take a few minutes and read our egg hunt details below to ensure everyone has a crackin' good time this weekend. Be sure to grab a ticket, available for pick-up at Greenhouse 5 located in front of our main walk up entry.

EGG HUNT DETAILS: Our annual Easter Egg Hunt is intended for kids 3-12 years old. A special area for little kids 5 years and under will be designated, along with an area for 6-12 years old. We will have five Easter egg hunt times, all held every 45 minutes, and there will be a time limit; a maximum of 10 eggs is allowed per child. At the end of the egg hunt, kids will be able to turn in their eggs and receive a bag of treats! We will allow 100 kids at a time per egg hunt. If there’s a specific hunt time you want, we encourage you to arrive early. There is no guarantee that you will get that time, but the hunts are scheduled 45 minutes apart.

EGG HUNT TIMES

  • 10:00 AM

  • 10:45 AM

  • 11:30 AM

  • 12:15 PM

  • 1:00 PM

You will need to bring your own basket to participate in the egg hunt. Parents are encouraged to spend time with their kids during the hunting!

Crafting Colorful Containers for Spring

Container gardening offers a world of creative possibilities to adorn your outdoor living spaces with bursts of vibrant color and lush greenery. With the arrival of Spring, we anxiously long for the days where the canvas for container gardens can come alive with a kaleidoscope of blossoms and foliage once again. Imagine a balcony brimming with cascading petunias, a window box overflowing with fragrant herbs, or a patio adorned with potted tulips and daffodils. From vibrant annuals to delicate perennials, the options for creating stunning container gardens are endless.

Not sure where to start? This Comprehensive Container Guide by Proven Winners will show you just how easy it is to create beautiful garden containers, no matter your level of experience!

If you’re eager to get started, we invite you to join us this Thursday-Saturday for our annual Spring Basket Planting at the Nursery! Come create a beautiful garden basket that you can create for yourself or as a gift for a special friend or family member. Our potting station will be set up in greenhouse 2, along with a great selection of colorful spring flowers that you can choose from, and we will have baskets, containers and pots available. Or you can bring one of your own! On Saturday between the hours of 12:00-1:30 PM, New Leaf Plant Specialist, Brianna will be on hand to discuss the best way to maintain the baskets, and keep them blooming long past Easter!

Prune for Perfection—

Expert Tips for Spring Growth

Before the buds begin to burst and new growth emerges, it's crucial to give your plants the attention they need through proper pruning practices. When pruning, it is important to have the right tools and know what techniques to use in order to make clean cuts that promote healthy growth and prevent disease. In our step-by-step guide, we will take you through the process of assessing your plants' needs, identifying dead or damaged branches, and sculpting your plants to encourage proper structure and abundant blooms. With expert tips on timing, methods, and aftercare, you'll be equipped to tackle spring pruning with confidence and precision!

Step-by-Step Guide for Spring Pruning

  • Assess Your Plants: Begin by evaluating your trees, shrubs, and roses to identify any dead, damaged, or diseased branches that need to be pruned. Look for crossing branches that may rub against each other and weak growth that needs to be removed.

  • Gather the Right Tools: Make sure you have sharp, clean pruning tools such as hand pruners, loppers, or a pruning saw. Disinfect your tools with rubbing alcohol to prevent the spread of diseases between plants.

  • Timing: For most plants, early spring before the new growth emerges is an ideal time for pruning. Avoid pruning too late in the season as it can impact the plant's ability to flower or fruit.

  • Start with Deadwood: Begin by cutting out any dead, broken, or diseased branches. These branches can be pruned back to healthy wood, following the branch back to where it connects to a larger stem.

  • Shape and Structure: Next, focus on shaping the plant by removing any crossing or rubbing branches. Prune to improve the plant's structure and allow for better air circulation and light penetration.

  • Thinning: Thin out crowded branches to allow for increased air circulation and sunlight penetration. When thinning, cut back to a lateral branch or bud to encourage new growth in the desired direction.

  • Prune Flowering Shrubs: For shrubs that bloom in Spring, such as forsythia, viburnum and lilac, wait until the flowers have faded, then prune for shape. Then they have all summer to form next year’s flowers! 

  • Clean Up: As you prune, collect and remove all pruned branches and debris from around the plants to prevent the spread of diseases and pests.

  • Aftercare: After pruning, consider applying a light fertilizer to support new growth. Water the plants well to help them recover from the pruning process.

  • Monitor and Maintain: Keep an eye on your plants in the following weeks to ensure they are responding well to the pruning. Continue to monitor for any signs of disease, pests, or additional pruning needs as the season progresses.

Seeds of Knowledge—

Understanding Seed Packets

Navigating the world of seed starting can sometimes feel like deciphering a secret code – but fear not, our seasoned gardening expert, Jen, is here to shed some light on the topic! When it comes to planting your seed starts, timing is key, and understanding the information on seed packets is crucial for a successful garden. In this short video, Jen breaks down the information found on seed packets, from sowing dates to planting depth, to help you make informed decisions about when and where to plant your seeds.

Employee Spotlight

We’d like to introduce two new additions to the New Leaf decor team. Meet Nicole and Michelle, who help with aesthetic enhancements throughout the nursery and the garden center barn. From enchanting garden displays to captivating barn decor, they both help create an inviting atmosphere that delights and inspires all who visit. Next time you’re at New Leaf, make sure to give them a welcoming hello!

Opening Day 2024!

Welcome to Opening Day at New Leaf Nursery!

Join us as we kick off the 2024 Gardening Season at New Leaf Nursery, tomorrow March 1st! Rain, snow, grey skies, or blue, our gates are open for bulk material purchases, seeds and seed starting kits, grow lamps, and all you need to get that beautiful garden going! Come see the inspiring new displays in our garden center, loaded with spring and everyday décor—baskets, plant hangers, macrame wall art, beautiful artisan jewelry, hand crafted wood pieces, one of a kind stained glass art, and so much more!

Seed Reward Members will earn DOUBLE POINTS on all purchases made on March 1st and 2nd. If you aren’t already a member of our Seeds Rewards Program, sign up in our garden center. It’s fun and easy, and the rewards keep growing!

We have been hard at work preparing for a Spring that every year takes her time to arrive. The behind the scenes is more than just the plants themselves—from smoothing out the nursery grounds to refreshing our pottery, to topping off bulk material and unloading trucks full of new product.

Our dedicated crew has been preparing for opening day, working non stop to create a welcoming space for everyone! With the arrival of daily deliveries, everything has been unloaded into its rightful place, bringing a breath of new life into the nursery, once again!

With a blend of passion, expertise, and elbow grease, we are transforming the nursery grounds, ready to welcome a new season of growth and beauty!

This year, we plan to introduce more native plants to our inventory, along with the much coveted, David Austin Roses. They have been pruned with care, and are tucked into the rose greenhouse, where they will burst into leaf and blossom.

We are so excited to spend another amazing season with all of you! 2024 will be a time of connection, inspiration, and growth. With open arms and grateful hearts, we welcome you to Opening Day at New Leaf Nursery!

LEAFY LINEUP—

Exciting Happenings This Month!

Hold onto your gardening gloves because we have a jam-packed month ahead filled with an array of thrilling events to start the Spring season! From lectures and workshops, to hands-on planting sessions at our first ever Houseplant Hoopla!, to the annual Home & Garden Show and our much anticipated Spring Festival & Easter Egg Hunt, our calendar is overflowing with experiences that promise to ignite your love for all things community, green, and growing!

Home & Garden Show

Once again, New Leaf Nursery will be front and center at the NIBCA Home & Garden Show at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds, and we’d love to have you drop by and say hello! The show starts on Friday, March 1 at noon. Stroll the show and then head down Government Way to come see us on our opening weekend! Pick up a hand out at the show for a great discount coupon for your first purchase of the season at the nursery!

The show continues through the weekend so come on in out of the cold and get some great ideas for not only your gardens, but lots of other great vendors in the home improvement market!

Friday, March 1: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Saturday, March 2: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday, March 3: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Houseplant Hoopla!

THIS FIRST ANNUAL EVENT WILL HOLD A SPOT ON YOUR CALENDAR FOR EVERY YEAR TO COME!

Step into a world of leafy luxury at our Houseplant Hoopla event! Bring in your root-bound houseplants and watch as our plant experts work their magic, repotting them with care for FREE! Your beloved green babies will thrive once more, their roots set free to spread and grow in fresh, spacious pots. Bring your own pot or purchase one from our unique selection. While you wait, explore the beauty of our lush green houseplants in our garden center solarium. It's a day where houseplants take center stage and we celebrate the joy of indoor gardening. Don't miss this chance to pamper your plants and nourish your passion for all things leafy!

You bring the plants, we provide the soil and know how!

PLEASE NOTE: A limit of 6 plants per person is allowed and the maximum pot size available is 16”.

Spring Festival & Easter Egg Hunt

Delight in a day filled with fun, laughter, and the spirit of renewal as we kick off the season with an array of festive activities for the whole family. From blooming flower displays and charming garden art, to FREE photos with the Easter Bunny and the thrill of our Easter Egg Hunt, where little ones can embark on an adventure to find colorful treasures hidden throughout the nursery grounds

Discover one of a kind, hand crafted items from local artisans, and indulge in delectable treats and delicious eats from local food vendors—from irresistible waffles and delicate crepes to comforting cinnamon rolls, and that perfectly brewed cup of coffee, there will be an array of breakfast options to kick start your day, and an exciting lineup of lunch options for you to indulge in. But that’s not all!  We will have children's crafts and bounce houses, face painting, and $5 pony rides, plus a fresh variety of spring plants and gorgeous spring and early summer home and garden decorations—offerings to keep the entire family entertained!

Please visit our website for more details on the festival and egg hunt!

Spring Basket Planting at the Nursery!

Spring is here! What better way to welcome the Easter holiday than with a beautiful garden basket that you can create for yourself or as a gift for a special friend or family member. Our potting station will be set up in greenhouse 2, with a selection of baskets, containers or pots available to you. Or you can bring one of your own! A potting station will be available, along with a great selection of colorful spring flowers that you can choose from! On Saturday between the hours of 12:00-1:30 PM, New Leaf plant expert, Brianna, will be on hand to discuss the best way to maintain the baskets, and keep them blooming long past Easter!

Thursday, March 28: 10:30 AM-5:00 PM

Friday, March 29: 10:30 AM-5:00 PM

Saturday, March 30: 10:30 AM-5:00 PM

From Seed to Bloom-

Meet One of Our Growers!

Every month, we like to shine the spot light on one of our amazing team members—we truly are a family, and everyone has a huge roll to play in the success of the nursery! Brianna is a standout! She’s leading the team this year in our endeavors to grow our own beautiful annuals. Look at this shot of our greenhouse filled with new life! Brianna, we thank you for countless hours spent with us. You make us look great and your dedication is truly appreciated!

Next time you’re in the nursery, keep an eye out for Brianna and make sure to say hello!

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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:

FRIDAY: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

SATURDAY: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM