Hamilton Nursery & Landscape Co.

Happy Mardi Gras!

2012-02-17T10:35:00.002-08:00

Fat Tuesday is nearing and one cannot resist thinking about the delicious Cajun food that goes along with it. If you are a fan of Cajun food and love to grow your own herbs we can help you get started on your own Cajun spice garden.

Popular Cajun herbs that are easy to grow are oregano, basil, thyme, cayenne pepper, and paprika.

We will be getting our herb plants in around the end of April, but if you want to get a head start come in and check out our seed selection. Seeds should be started indoors about 6 to 10 weeks before the last frost date which in Clovis is about April 20.

Starting your seeds in the next week or two will ensure your homegrown Cajun spice will be ready to use by barbeque season.

February

2012-02-01T13:27:00.000-08:00

This Valentine’s Day give your sweetheart a unique gift that will last a hundred years, a tree.

We currently have a variety of trees in stock perfect for planting in February:

Red Oak – the perfect shade tree
Burr Oak - a tall tree with large leaves
Aspen – bring a touch of the mountains to your home
Flowering Cleveland Pear – dress up your yard this spring with snow white blooms
Chinese Pistache - great fall color
Fruit Trees – fresh picked fruit from your own garden, yum

Be sure to stop in soon and pick out a tree for your sweetheart!

Winter in the Garden

2012-01-11T09:46:00.000-08:00

A new year has arrived, the days are slowly getting longer and we will soon be out in the gardens and yards. The month of January may find the garden asleep to the world, but there is always something to do especially when we have some warmer days throughout the month.

Take a walk through your yard and garden and pay attention to those flower beds and pots you may have sitting around the yard. Now is a good time to clean up those leaves left over from the fall and add them to a compost pile.
Cut back the perennials and pull out any annuals you may have left in your beds. Be sure to gather up any pesky annual or perennial weeds in your yard and try to get as much of the root as possible.
If you have pots and containers that are not being used during the winter, be sure to empty them or turn them over to keep the from collecting water that could freeze and crack the container.
Lawns will also benefit from some attention even though it is the middle of winter. Since we are in such a dry climate and have had very little moisture, it may be helpful to water the lawn on a warm day. If we have no snow or rain, it is a good idea to water your lawn once a week during the winter. Work done this time of year will reap good dividends for a healthier lawn in the summer.
If you have a water feature, check the pumps to be sure they are working properly. Larger pumps that move a lot of water typically will keep running throughout the winter without any problem. Small pumps, however, could freeze and should be turned off for the winter.
This is also a good month to catch up with repairs to fences, trellises and other clean-up jobs, which may not be exciting but will make all the difference to the appearance of the lawn and garden in the spring and summer.
Check back next month for tips on adding pre-emergents to your lawn in February to control those pesky weeds that tend to pop up in the early spring.

Remember to enjoy the winter beauty of your lawn and garden. It may look brown and drab but you will soon be seeing pops of green throughout your yard. Stop by our nursery and pick up some pansies and johnny-jump-ups to add some early color to your garden.

Pumpkins are here!

2011-10-05T08:02:00.000-07:00

Our annual fall pumpkin sale has begun.

Pumpkins start at $1.50 each. We have new batches arriving weekly. Also, during your visit checkout our cool season flowers - mums, pansies, and kale.
A great way to add color to your fall landscape!

Celebrate Summer

2011-06-21T08:56:00.000-07:00

A new season begins today, June 21, which also marks the summer solstice - the longest day of the year. Today is a great time to enjoy your garden with all the colors and smells of summer.

You're invited stop by our Nursery and browse through the greenhouse and display gardens for many colorful ideas for your own garden. We have a great selection of pots and a vast array of bedding plants to choose from. Our staff is available to help you plan and design a colorful pot or flowerbed.

Celebrate summer and enjoy the plants and flowers in the garden.

Get Creative with Growing Herbs

2011-05-16T07:03:00.000-07:00

There's nothing like a home-cooked meal flavored with fresh cut herbs from your garden. The best part is that you don't have to designate part of your vegetable garden to grow herbs. Even if you have only a small space on your patio, your porch, or even a windowsill, you can successfully grow great herbs in a container.

A large terra cotta pot, a window box, or even small individual pots for individual plants will work for a herb garden. Get creative with your selections. See the photo above. This small but delightful herb garden created by my daughter is planted in a 12" diameter bowl container and is designed to resemble a small English garden with a small picket fence, a cobblestone path, and a miniature bench. It is planted with basil, thyme, oregano, and a mini rosebush to carry out the English Garden theme.

Materials needed and steps for planting an herb garden.

Container - Choose a container with drainage holes. The size of the container will depend on the number of herbs you decide to plant. For instance, an 18 inch diameter pot provides enough space to grow a variety of herbs. You may also select a number of smaller pots and plant a single herb in each one.

Potting soil - Fill the container with a good bagged potting soil.

Choose Herbs - Select a few of your favorite herbs that you commonly use in cooking, but don't forget to try a few new ones. Adding a few ornamental versions of culinary herbs will add visual appeal to your herb planter. Purchasing plants from the nursery will give you instant results rather than starting the plants from seeds.

Plant your herb garden! - Moisten the soil thoroughly. Arrange the plants so the taller growing plants such as basil and lemongrass are in the center and the cascading variety of herbs, such as thyme and oregano, are along the edge. The herbs can easily be planted close together.

Water and Fertilizer - Water frequently to keep soil evenly moist, but not sopping wet. Use a fertilizer as needed.

Harvest Regularly - Once the plants show new growth, you can begin harvesting. Snip off whole stems rather than individual leaves to encourage bushy new growth. Never take more than one-third of a single plant at a time. By following this pattern, your plants should supply you with seasonings through the entiree growing season.

Pots and Planters with Style

2011-05-02T09:21:00.000-07:00

Looking for a stunning focal point for your patio or garden? We have them! Our new pots and planters have just arrived. Whether you are looking for traditional terracotta or stylish contemporary planter, you can give your garden a stunning focal point. Choose a planter from our collection and we will plant it for you. We have a wide verity of plants, grasses, and flowers from which you can choose.

Arbor Day - Friday, April 29

2011-04-27T06:34:00.000-07:00

Celebrate Arbor Day by planting a tree in our community!

Arbor Day is a nationally celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and care and is celebrated on the last Friday in April. By planting more trees in your yard or neighborhood, you will improve the environment as well. As trees grow, they help stop global warming by removing carbon dioxide, storing carbon, and releasing oxygen back into the air.

We have a large variety of tress that grow well in our climate and area. Stop by our nursery and we will assist you with your planting ideas.

Earth Day

2011-04-22T08:18:00.000-07:00

Today is a great opportunity to show our appreciation for the earth's natural environment. Stop by our nursery and pick out some beautiful plants for your garden. We have a new shipment of flowers arriving today!

Annuals and Perennials - What's the Difference?

2011-04-18T09:24:00.000-07:00

Comparing annuals and perennials is like comparing apples and oranges. Each type of plant has their own characteristics and advantages.

Annual flowers are those who complete their life cycle in just one growing season. They tend to bloom from spring until the first autumn frost. Although they must be replanted each year, annuals are hard to beat in terms of showy, season-long color. Some popular annuals are geraniums, petunias, marigolds, impatience, and many more.

Perennial flowers, on the other hand, are those that will come back year after year. Although some perennials tend to have a relatively short season of bloom, they do have a wide variety of textures, color, and size. Some popular perennials are daylilies, peonies, hostas, coreopsis, and mums. Combining perennials that bloom at different times throughout the season will provide season-long color.

When designing your flower beds, we recommend a combination of both annuals and perennials. Use the perennials for the back drop and then add annuals for color and show. One thing to remember is that a hard freeze as we had in January can damage established perennials.

Don't Smother Your Plants

2011-04-10T19:23:00.000-07:00

Earlier we discussed some plants that are drought tolerant and work well in this area. But if you are using these plants in a rock bed, here is an important tip. When laying rock beds or installing rock in place of grass, we use a weed mat as a base for the rock. This mat allows water or rain (if we get some) to seep through the weed mat and nourish any plants or trees. If a plastic mat is used, neither water or air can penetrate the plastic and the plants and trees will suffer. The weed mat will provide a healthier environment and allow the plant roots to breathe. Remember, if you do have a rock lawn, your plants and trees still need sufficient water and fertilizer.

Home and Garden Weekend

2011-04-08T10:02:00.000-07:00

Planning to visit the annual Home and Garden show this weekend?

You won’t see us there this year, but we encourage you to stop by our nursery after your visit and turn your new ideas into reality.

We have a wide variety of landscaping material and our greenhouse is filling up with flowers, vegetables, and shrubs to help you kick start your spring garden. Mike will be on hand to answer questions about your ideas on landscaping, planting, ponds, and well, just about anything that pertains to your yard or garden.

Show us your Home and Garden ticket stub and receive 5% off your Saturday purchase! Some restrictions may apply.

Water? Not here!

2011-04-04T15:13:00.000-07:00

Last week the US Drought Monitor confirmed that the Clovis area is in a severe drought. Check out the map here: http://www.drought.unl.edu/dm/DM_state.htm?NM

Looks like this summer will be a good time to check out Xeriscaping plants. Xeriscape is no longer just a cactus… ouch!!!

There are many varieties of drought tolerant plants that can add interest and beauty to your garden. Salvia Gregii, for example, is a great shrub that can thrive on less water and also produces red or pink blooms all season long. A Desert Willow tree looks like deciduous tree that blooms throughout the summer. Indian Blanket Flowers or Black-eyed Daisies are some of the flowers that can add color to your drought-tolerant garden. Here are a few zeriscaping plants that we carry:

Apache Plume
Black-foot Daisy
Blanket Flower
Chinese Pistashe *
Cotoneaster
Daylily *
Desert Willow
Fountain Grass
Honeysuckle
Indian Blanket Flower
Mexican Evening Primrose
Mexican Heather *
Pampas Grass
Penstemon
Purple Iceplant *
Rosemary
Salvia
Sedum
Snow-in-summer
Spanish Broom *
Yuccas *

*our personal favorites

Stop by the nursery for more information about drought-tolerant plants for our area.

Look What We've Been Up To

2011-04-01T13:47:00.000-07:00

We survived the tornado of 2007, but the winds of 2010 gave us a beating. We lost our greenhouse and our sign. No worries. We looked at the loss as a chance to renew. The first part of this year we have been busy rebuilding our greenhouse and revamping our grounds.