December Happenings

Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to each of our wonderful customers.

Whatever your gift & decorating needs are, the Elves at Commonwealth are ready to help.

Good News: Bruce is now on his way to get some more Living Christmas trees for remembering this special Christmas.

Commonwealth Garden Shoppe is the perfect place for Christmas Trees - Wreaths - Potted Paperwhites & Amaryllis - Poinsettias, Garden themed T-Shirts & Sweatshirts and a variety of whimsical & practical gift or stocking stuffers for everyone on your list. Grandmas truly love the bendy frogs & preying mantis for their grandchildren.

Naturally we have a good supply of fairy accessories - coffee mugs - garden statues – angels – flags - windchimes in several styles & beautiful birdbath/serving platters.

Find the most beautiful & unusual (Have you ever seen a blue poinsettia?) along with Traditional Red. 3 sizes to choose from at $5.99 to $28.99 Churches get a 10% discount.

Workshops: The final wreath making workshop was rescheduled to this Saturday, Dec. 14, and there is room for 2 more students.

Reminder to all who signed up, Christmas Centerpiece Workshop is Saturday, Dec. 21. Hooray! That’s also Winter Solstice & We’ll be glad the days start getting longer. This workshop is full. 

Anyone who wants a centerpiece can order one from Granny Organic. 541-839-6067

Save yourself some time and come in for a bundle of fresh boughs – only $5.00. Includes noble fir & cedar w/bloom. These are excellent for any quick decorating or just hanging on your door to welcome guests.

One more reminder: We are open Monday thru Saturday from 9:30 to 5:30 and Sunday from 10:00 to 4:00 for the holidays.

 We all hope you have made it through this cold without too much hassle. Tire chains, broken/frozen water pipes & keeping the house warm. Come have a cup of hot apple cider with Granny today. See you by the woodstove. Commonwealth Garden Shoppe, 452 N. Main St., Canyonville 541-839-6067

 

Since it has cooled off Bulb Planting time is definitely here.  The Spring blooming bulbs need about 10 weeks of chilling to prepare their blooms.  The bulbs can be refrigerated, planted in pots or the ground now. 

• We have some good selections for forcing in pots, naturalizing tulips, unusual daffodils, hyacinths and mixes for easy decisions.  Granny chose the best for her customers.
• Have you ever used SAFFRON?  This expensive spice can be grown and it is beautiful too. Fall blooming crocus produces saffron!  It must be planted soon so it will bloom in about 2 weeks.  It will naturalize and produce more & more each year.  Tedious to harvest but well worth it and provides beauty too.
• Want to plant your own container full of bulbs?  Come in Wednesday or Friday between 10 a.m & 1 p.m., use our potting shed and we will help you choose a pot and the bulbs and share our tips.

Fairy Talk – Our fairies are very happy because now they can have scarecrows, pumpkins & ghosts in their gardens.  Come in soon while supplies of Fall themed accessories last.

 

Come have fun in our garden.

Granny Organic

Commonwealth Garden Shoppe

It's Not Too Early for Fall and Winter planting!

It may seem like Summer just got started, but it's time to start thinking about what to plant for your Fall and Winter Garden!! Come into the shop, and 'lettuce' help you choose what will be going in your garden this season!!

Mid-summer garden observation: Blooming buckwheat covercrop is attracting honey bees & surfid flies.  The surfid (hover) fly larvae are beneficial to the garden & eat a lot of destructive insects like aphids.
Granny doesn't need to tell you about honey bees.

Be sure and note this in your garden journal and if you haven't planted buckwheat before, plant some the beginning of June between your squashes or in unplanted areas to be mowed down for mulch later.  It will keep down the weeds & provide food for beneficial insects. 

Tuesday TIP

Fertilize hanging baskets with a liquid all purpose organic fertilizer or Miracle Grow every week to keep them blooming and lush.

Tuesday TIP

 Here's a handy tip for you this Tuesday!  A super way to stop Tomato blossom end rot, is spray on calcium.  Prevent with a good all purpose, organic fertilizer like NUTR RICH (pelletized or granular chicken manure manufactured by Stutzman’s) that contains calcium and do consistent deep soaking.  Plants in containers will probably need water every day.

Potting Soil SALE!

Blue Ribbon Sale – 25% Savings on Blue Ribbon Potting soil.  Our favorite for containers.  Recipe includes “Coir”, coconut fiber for moisture retention, beneficial mycorrhizae for improved fertilizer uptake and organic fertilizers. Come get your soil today!

Summer 2013 Workshop Schedule

We add extra help during workshops so, please pre register.
If there are not at least 3 students, the class will be cancelled.

June 29 – Saturday 1:00 p.m. - $5.00 + cost of materials
Create a Mixed Container
Bring a container (at least 12” iameter) or choose one of ours.  Design & plant a container  for your patio, porch or deck.

July 3 – Wednesday 1:00 p.m. (before Farmer’s Market) - $5.00 + cost of materials
Create a Mixed Container 
Same as above

July 10 – Wednesday 1:00 p.m. (Before Farmer’s Market)
Children’s Project Day – Simple Mixed Container
We will choose easy to care for sedums & “Hen’s & Chicks”  for children to create a medium size container and help them learn how to plant.  Rocks will be provided for accents or bring some of your favorites.
Ages 6 & up  Cost of Materials

July 13 – Saturday  10:30 a.m. - $5.00
Fall/Winter Gardening & Fertilizing Organically
Yes, it is time to plan & plant for Fall & Winter harvest.

July 20 – Saturday 1:00 p.m. - $5.00 + cost of materials
Fairies in the Garden
Similar to Mixed containers with a focus on plants & accessories for fairies.

Find a class you like? Bring a friend or family member and create some memories. We welcome children also! To Register, call the number below!

click the image above to view it larger.

Hidden Treasure Tuesdays

Tired of plain solar lights in your garden, or along your walk way? Need some light outdoors, and want something different from your neighbors? Don't want to hassle with putting electric lines out to your flower beds?

Commonwealth Garden Shoppe has you lit! We have solar lights in all shapes and sizes, ready to brighten your yard. They are ready to light your garden the moment you put them in! No electrical needs, and not the same old thing as the guy next door! Come on in, and check them out. Remember to mention Facebook or the blog when you come into the shoppe, and we'll give you 20% off of the purchase on the treasure item of this week!

Hidden Treasure Tuesdays

For a lot of people, when we say Japanese Maple, one beautiful, burgundy tree comes to mind. Yet the tree that most people think of, is just one of a wide variety of Japanese Maple trees!

 Here at the shoppe, we have them! There are maples with the same, feathery leaves, that are green in color.

Those with a deep, nearly black shade, and a more traditional maple shaped leaf.

There are some with colors practically changing before your eyes.

Some with slightly curled leaves

Some with extremely curly leaves. Whatever your preference, we have so many maples to choose from, there is most definitely a variety to suit you.

Come on in, and choose your favorite! Remember to mention Facebook or the blog when you come into the shoppe, and we'll give you 20% off of the purchase on the treasure item of this week!

If you planted garlic last Fall, now is the time to check them for harvest.  And stop! watering.
Look for 5 levels of bottom leaves to be dried up & brown.  The bottom level may have already fallen off. 
Not all varieties mature at the same time but we were able to harvest one variety last week.  The other 4 varieties will be ready in a week or two. 
We can start pulling onions, too. Yipee!

Hidden Treasure Tuesdays

Today is DAD'S Day!! Hop on into the shop, and pick up something for Pop!
We have the right Father's Day gift for all dads! T Shirts, Gnomes & Tools and more! This is one of our favorites. A motorcycling frog with a solar powered headlight on his hog.

 

Maybe Dad needs to mark his garden territory? Help him out with one of our garden stones saying the garden is his. 

Come on in, and choose a gift for your favorite Dad!! Remember to mention Facebook or the blog when you come into the shoppe, and we'll give you 20% off of the purchase on the treasure item of this week!

Hidden Treasure Tuesdays

This Hidden Treasure is KIWI!! We have kiwi for everyone! Did you know that kiwi will fruit in Oregon? Come in, and tells us about the space you would like to plant yours, and we'll match you up with the right kiwi vine.

Most kiwi require a male and female plant, so when you're purchasing, check to see if the one that tickles your fancy needs a mate!

Each of our vines are beautiful even without flowers or fruit, and the species each have a different look to them.

Come on in, and choose your favorite vine!! Remember to mention Facebook or the blog when you come into the shoppe, and we'll give you 20% off of the purchase on the treasure item of this week!

Hidden Treasure Tuesday

This week, our hidden treasures are hanging all around the shop! Bruce has been busy making more hanging baskets! Our wave petunias are spilling out of their baskets, and waving to passers by along the front gate! There are so many colors and flower varieties to choose from. We have a hard time choosing our favorites here.

Parrot's Beak is starting to bloom!

We even have some fuchsias left!

Come on in, and choose your basket! Remember to mention Facebook or the blog when you come into the shoppe, and we'll give you 20% off of the purchase on the treasure item of this week!

Hidden Treasure Tuesday

 The vegetables are here!! All of our vegetable starts are in the shop! Growing your own food is a great hobby. With Granny Organic and her helpers to guide you, it doesn't matter if you are a beginner or a pro. We can help you with your gardening adventures!

Remember to mention Facebook or the blog when you come in to purchase, and we'll give you 20% off of the purchase on the treasure item of this week!

Hidden Treasure Tuesday

HUGE SALE! 

For the entire month of May, Harvest Supreme & Planting Mix are on sale!
Buy 3 @ $8.99 and get one free
That means you get 4 for the price of !! Harvest Supreme is a vegetable's best friend. 

Remember to mention Facebook or the blog when you come in to purchase, and we'll give you 20% off of the purchase on the treasure item of this week!

Hidden Treasure Tuesday for Mom

Mother's Day is just around the corner! Less than a week away, in fact. No need to worry! We've got you covered.
If your mother lives in Canyonville, Days Creek or Tiller, Oregon and you do not, we will deliver for free. Outside of those areas, we'll deliver for $10. You can also have us select a gift or gift certificate & have Mom pick it up at the shoppe. Mail us a check or call with credit card information! 

Looking for an activity to share your Mother? Maybe you'd like do something with your Mother and Grandmother? Come and create a flowering fairy garden! Creating fairy gardens together is a delightful way to share time with your loved one. Come and spend an afternoon with family, and leave with blooms fit for the Fae.

 

Also perfect for your Mother's day gift: Fuchsia hanging baskets, Snowball Bushes, Incredible blooming Rhododendrons and more. (not included in this Hidden Treasure Tuesday's deal)
Our fuchsias do not disappoint! They also go quickly, so come in, and choose yours today! If you can't take your choice home right away, we will hold it for you!!

 If fuchsia aren't your cup of tea, we also have choices outside the fuchsia family!

Remember to mention Facebook or the blog when you come in to purchase, and we'll give you 20% off of the purchase on the treasure item of the week! Remember to mention Facebook or the blog when you come in to purchase your fairy gardens, and we'll give you 20% off of the purchase of five or more fairy garden items this week!

More Tomato Tips and Tricks

So you've got your tomatoes planted, and you're waiting for your harvest to come! Did you know, that you can pick your tomatoes at the end of the year, and save them? Pick any of the tomatoes that aren't ripe at the end of fall before frost and rain. Store them in a dry place, and they will ripen! Be sure to leave their tops on, and a stem too, if you can. Tomatoes don't need sun to ripen. They need warmth. Which means you can get them just the way you'd like them, with just a warm, dry place.

In the peak of the season, you might find you have more tomatoes than you can eat fresh! What are some of your favorite ways to eat your extras?
One of our favorite ways is DRIED! This is especially good with cherry tomatoes, but any kind will work. Cut cherry tomatoes in half, and sprinkle them with garlic, salt and basil. Put a little Slap Ya Mama salt on them to spice them up. There are also the traditional ways of preserving, like canning, and making tomato sauces. Another is to PICKLE them!

Hidden Treasure Tuesday

Our Hidden Treasure is blooming all around the Shoppe!We have Geraniums of all sorts! Come in and create a beautiful flowering pot for your porch or eve. They are flowering now, and will continue to do so as long as old blooms are cut!

Remember to mention Facebook or the blog when you come in to purchase, and we'll give you 20% off of the purchase on the treasure item of this week!

Hidden Treasure Tuesday

Did you know that there are evergreen and deciduous Clematis? Granny Organic suggests planting them together, so that the early blooming evergreen Clematis puts on a show while the later and larger blooms from the deciduous Clematis are growing. Enjoy blooms from early Spring into late Fall with this combination!

Evergreen Clematis

Remember to mention Facebook or the blog when you come in to purchase, and we'll give you 20% off of the purchase on the treasure item of this week!

Hidden Treasure Tuesday

It's time for a Hidden Treasure Tuesday find!! Perennials! Do you know the difference between Annuals and Perennials? Here's how I remember. Annuals need to be planted ANNUALLY. They do not come back on their own, unless you get an annual that will re seed itself. (like poppies)
Perennials you plant PERMANENTLY. Plant one and done, so to speak! Perennials come back every year, and some of them are evergreen, meaning they don't loose their foliage in Winter. One of our favorite perks to perennials is that they are BLOOMING!! Perennials are some of the first flowers of every Spring. Here are a few examples!

Bleeding Hearts enjoy shade and moist areas.

Rock Foil or Saxifraga

 The name Saxifrage means "rock breaker." Imagine these beauties breaking through the crevices of your rocky area...

Brunnera is another shade loving early Spring bloomer

 Want to add something unique and interesting? Try one of our ornamental grasses!! This one is a black Mondo grass. No need to adjust your screen!! It really is BLACK!!

Remember to mention Facebook or the blog when you come in to purchase, and we'll give you 20% off of the purchase on the treasure item of this week!

Tomato Variety at Commonwealth!

TOMATOES 2013 

COMMONWEALTH GARDEN SHOPPE 

452 N. Main St., Canyonville, OR 97417 

 ph. 541-839-6067 

Check out the choices you have when you buy Tomatoes at Commonwealth!

EARLY
EARLY GIRL - 5 oz. fruit – Indeterminate
 **STUPICE - 3" fruit, cold tolerant, great taste. Bred in Czechoslovakia. Indeterminate.
MID SEASON
BETTER BOY - One pound, extremely flavorful,. Indeterminate.
GOLIATH - 10 - 15 oz. picture-perfect fruit. Indeterminate.
BIG BEEF - 4" to 6" crack resistant, sweet, slightly acid flavor. Disease resistant. Indeterminate
**ACE - 10-12 oz. large, red, smooth skinned fruit. Low acid. Determinate.
FANTASTIC - 3"-5" solid fruit, low acid, crack resistant, vigorous. Determinate.
"OUR FAVORITE” 
INDIGO ROSE 2” fruit, high in anthocyanin, vigorous producer indeterminate

HEIRLOOM 
**MORTGAGE LIFTER - great taste, good yield slicer. Indeterminate
**BRANDYWINE -Up to 7". Indeterminate.
 ** STRIPED GERMAN - fruity flavor, med. to large, marbled fruit on medium tall plants.
**BLACK-,Russian heirloom, 3-4” fruit, , sweet taste, indeterminate
** GREEN ZEBRA- 11/2 to 2 ½ fruit, sweet and zesty fruit, Indeterminate
**CHEROKEE PURPLE - Med. Size pinkish, purple fruit, 8-12 oz., indeterminate
** PINEAPPLE- 1lb fruit, meaty, tasty, red and yellow streaked, Indeterminate

ITALIAN SAUCE 
**ROMA - Dozens of 2 to 3 oz., meaty w/ few seeds. Determinate.
SUPER MARZANO - High in pectin, good for sauces, 4 oz.,5" fruit, Indeterminate

YELLOW
 **YELLOW PEAR - 3/4 to 1 oz. lemon yellow pear-shaped, Indeterminate.
SUNNY BOY- Lemon colored, half pound fruit, sweet and juicy, indeterminate

CHERRY 
SWEET MILLION - disease and crack resistant 1 1/4" fruits. Indeterminate.
SWEET 100’s- 1oz fruit, very sweet flavor, yields over extended season, indeterminate SUNGOLD - Sweetest. Winner of all taste tests. Hold well on vine. Indeterminate BLACK CHERRY- almost black in color, sweet and robust, large cherry size, Indeterminate

GRAPE 
5 STAR GRAPE-excellent sweet flavor, firm meaty texture, crack resistant, indeterminate
PATIO TUMBLER- 1 oz. fruit, early to ripen, great taste, used in hanging baskets, Determinate
SUPER BUSH - 2"fruits on 2 1/2' to 3' plants, deep tomato flavor. Determinate.
WINDOW BOX ROMA- 3 oz. fruit, dwarf plants, red elongated, use in fruit, container gardens

TOMATILLOS
MEXICAN STRAIN 2” fruit, more savory flavor, preferred variety for Mexican dishes,

**Indicates open pollinated seed.
So what's exactly does 'determinate' and 'indeterminate' mean? Granny organic says, "Indeterminate means the plants keep growing and flowering throughout the season. Determinate plants grow to a point and flower and don’t get as tall. Either type in our climate will produce plenty of tomatoes." 

Tomato Tips and Tricks!

It's just about time to plant TOMATOES, and we'll have them this coming week!!

Even though our Spring appears to have come early, there is still a chance here in Oregon for frost. There is also a pretty high probability that we'll have some more rain before the weather dries up. Both of these things can be dangerous to new tomato plants, but we have a solution!

 Save up those plastic milk jugs, vinegar bottles and 2 liters! Cut the bottom of the jugs and bottles off, and place them over the tops of your young tomato plants! Leave the lids off. By recycling bottles as plant protectors LIKE THIS, you create protection from excess water, and provide shelter from frost! Get a head start on your tomato season with this simple trick.

A question that comes up often with our customers, is "What is the difference between Heirloom, Hybrid and GMO plants?" CLICK HERE for an excellent break down of what the differences are. In a very VERY simple nutshell, Heirloom and Hybrid plants can happen without human help. GMO cannot. What do we at Commonwealth recommend? Perhaps the better question would be which would we AVOID. That answer is GMO. If you are interested in avoiding GMO, we have the plants for you! If you would like to take that a step further, you can read THIS ARTICLE about seed names that have been sold to Monsanto and other biotech companies that invest in GMO science in our food and plants.

So what tomato varieties do you plant? One of our favorites is the ACE. It's a prolific, flavorful tomato that consistently out does it's competition in flavor AND production. It's a great all around tomato for fresh eating, canning and sauces. We've also found that for people with less sunny area for tomatoes, or those getting a late start on planting, planting smaller tomato varieties like cherries or Romas can make the difference in whether or not they get ripe tomatoes. Sun Gold tomatoes make a GREAT cherry addition to any garden. Come on in! Talk to Granny Organic and her helpers about what tomatoes will be the best fit for YOU!