Plants of the Week: Pink Jasmine and Clivia
Pink Jasmine -Jasminum polyanthum. Fast-growing evergreen vine prized for it's spectacular spring display of pink buds opening to intensely fragrant pinkish-white flowers. Use as a climber over trellis, arbor, ground cover
or in containers. Plant in Full sun. Strong-growing to 20 feet. Cut when the vine is grown and prune to control shape and size. Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system.
Feed with Gro Power Plus and provide support such as a trellis or arbor. Prune annually to control size.

Clivia -Clivia miniata. Showy seed grown perennial displays large, deep green, strap-like leaves and intense orange flower heads on tall stems. An absolutely gorgeous accent, border plant or container specimen that prefers dry partial to full shade. Moderate-growing to 1½ to 2½ feet tall with wide blooms. Brings color to a shady section of the garden and brightens up dark spots with its bright orange blooms. Yellow flowered Clivia hybrids are also in stock.
	Plant as a low border with taller plants for shade or as a cluster for an entire section. Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Watering can be reduced after establishment. Great plant
for dry shade. Divide clumps every 2 to 3 years after flowering in spring.

Instill the love of gardening in children!
There are so many miracles in the garden… bare winter limbs that burst into bloom, buds that erupt into magnificent blends of shapes, colors & fragrance and tiny seeds that produce juicy tomatoes, strawberries, sweet corn or giant sunflowers. Children are never too young to learn and soak in the wonder of these miracles. Here is one simple idea to get you started. Kids of all ages from 2 to 92 can do this. Come into the nursery this week and pick up a black five-gallon container or use one from your garden.
	If it is not new, wipe it clean and let it dry. Next, get 3 or 4 colors of neon acrylic paint pens (available in craft stores) and let your children personalize their containers in creative and decorative fashion. Suggestion; “Michelle’s Personal Tomato”… ”John’s Prize-winning Sunflower”… ”Lisa’s Salad Garden”. Let their imaginations soar and their creativity run wild as they decorate these containers to be their very own. Now you’ll need a good outdoor potting mix.
We recommend Organic Potting soil by Gardner and Bloome. Then let your children choose either seeds or seedlings to plant in their containers. They can combine tomatoes with strawberries, sunflowers with lettuce and parsley or cucumbers with string beans. Find a nice sunny spot in the backyard, patio or balcony for the containers. Teach your children proper watering techniques (use a shower spray hose attachment) and how to feed their plants with organic fertilizers such as Dr. Earth for vegetables and herbs. Show them how to stake up their plants as they grow and to keep pests off with organic insecticides such as Ultra-Fine or Neem oil. We can answer any questions you have about growing their crops. In no time at all, they’ll be harvesting the fruit of their labor and you will have planted a seed in your children that will produce a lifetime of wonder and pleasure.

No longer fear Slug and Snail baits...SLUGGO is here
Now you can kill slimy slugs and snails that are eating your plants without fear of poisoning your pets! The active ingredient in SLUGGO® by Monterey is iron phosphate so it is an organic compound that breaks down into fertilizer in your yard.
SLUGGO® can also be used in vegetable and berry gardens up to the day of harvest. SLUGGO® is used the same as the other bait materials. Simply scatter in the evening where snails and slugs feed. Once they have eaten the bait they crawl back under the plants to die. It is slower acting than metaldehyde but is active on the soil surface longer that other baits. (Please Click for more info)

	The biggest advantage to SLUGGO® is that it provides an effective alternative to traditional snail and slug baits. Sluggo can be used around domestic animals and wildlife.
Be a Guest Gardener: Gardeners love to learn from other gardeners "over the fence". We would love to include a tour and or an article from one of our readers! Drop me an email phil@gardenpartners.com