Who we are and what we do
Shades of Green Horticulture strives to provide education and guidance, and to create optimal, sustainable plant health in your garden, woodland, orchard, or landscape. Based on firm tenets of organic gardening practice, using absolutely no toxic chemicals or inorganic fertilizers, we will assist all those desiring our expertise to become better stewards of their own piece of Mother Earth. Our professional staff is passionate about creating healthy, vibrant ecolandscapes by offering, and openly sharing, the best 100% organic management practices for trees and shrubs, food gardens, or open spaces. Whether your green space is large or small, the principles are the same--a healthy soil food web means healthy plants. We are here to answer your questions and solve the problems you have in your garden naturally. It is as simple as that.
Nest in azalea standard girdled with green tape-ironic, huh??
There is a myth that green plastic nursery tape cannot hurt a plant as it “just stretches as the plant grows”. It has its limits, believe me . Let’s focus on trees as defenseless victims of ”forgotten” green tape. Most are grown by being tied to stakes, very tightly, as if they were going to try to escape. They go from being tied to little stakes to being tied to bigger stakes and often times, by the time the stakes are to be changed or removed, the green tape has reached its limits and has ‘grown’ into the bark of the tree. This is called “included bark”. Sometimes it ‘grows’ into the crotches of the branches, essentially separating the branch from its parent branch (the trunk or the nearest bigger branch.) And, although it looks like you can just pull the tape out, (or clip off the ends so no one else sees it), the damage has already been done. The slightest pressure on the branch separated from its parent by hidden tape (or old labels, or wire from some kinds of tags, or string) and off it comes, taking another part of the tree with it, many times with fatal damage. It has no choice but to die–in agony. OK, maybe that sounds a bit extreme, but do you know for sure that they don’t die in agony? Read the rest of this entry »
A couple years ago we lost a twenty year old, 50 ft cedar–it just tipped over softly, landing in the arms of a redwood neighbor. Sad. Standing by the root ball was humbling–about 12 feet across but shallow as a saucer and that is why it went down–no root establishment to speak of –even at 60 feet–and planted for all those years! Plants are so adaptable but they will only take abusive treatment for so long. They can grow with a little more (water,sun,nutrients,etc.) than they need and often much less than they need, but sooner or later they tell you that their tolerance for the situation has reached an end. Read the rest of this entry »
Japanese maples always come into the limelight at this time of year. Magazines overflow with Photo-shop perfect pictures, showing brilliant fall foliage and leaf shapes as unique as snow flakes. Every tree looks as if it came from the quintessential Japanese garden. Read the rest of this entry »
Talking about trees is one of the most joyful things I do and helping people learn more about how to care for them is my passion. There are many misperceptions about what an arborist does or does not do, and Tree Clinics can help. This time I will be discussing general tree care using organic methods and will include watering, fertilizers, pests, pruning, planting, tree selection, mulching, staking and more. You can bring your questions and any concerns you may have about your trees and join us for a casual but informative session in the historic persimmon orchard at Cold Spring Ranch in Newcastle.
The 100 year old trees offer cool shade and respite from the summer heat and they are managed without chemicals pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. There is a large population of bluebirds hanging around right now as well as many other delightful birds. You can also see the organic vegetable garden plots, all in raised beds. Please bring drinking water with you and wear a hat! There will be many helpful (free) handouts available and you may register for a free 1 hour Arborist consultation at your home or business. I hope to see you there and I know you will enjoy this friendly gathering of tree lovers, tree huggers and those wanting to learn more about our leafy friends. The class will be held across the street from A&A Stepping Stone at 10240 Ophir Road, Newcastle on Saturday, July 18, 9am-11am. Look for the big blue house!
Please contact me at (916-663-2872) or email me at vickypepper@att.net for further information.