Cultural Information: Grapes thrive in deep, fertile, well-drained sandy loam soils. With several vineyards and wineries in the Treasure Valley, it’s clear that certain areas of the valley provide the ideal conditions for producing high-quality grapes. Once established, grapevines grow vigorously. Fruit is produced on stems that develop from one-year-old wood, these are stems formed during the previous season. One-year-old stems have smooth bark, while older wood develops rou

Cultural Information: Figs are hardy down to about -20°F and can grow to approximately 10+ feet tall. They are often trained in espalier form along fences or on trellises. When grown in containers, be sure to protect the pots from freezing during winter. Fertility: While figs grow well in most soils in the Treasure Valley, they flourish with organic fertilizers such as Natural Guard’s “All Purpose Plant Food ” and/or “IFA Bountiful Earth Humates which helps in loosing our hea

Cultural Information: Currants and gooseberries belong to the same plant family and typically grow 3 to 5 feet tall and wide. Some varieties are nearly spineless, while others have thorns. In fall, currant leaves display vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows, whereas gooseberries turn bright yellow. Gooseberry fruit is often decorative, marked with longitudinal stripes, and ripens from late spring through summer. Black currants have a strong, distinctive flavor and are ideal for

Cultural Information: Cherry trees require well-drained soil and consistent deep watering. Birds are particularly attracted to cherries, so protect your trees with “Bird X” netting, available in various widths and lengths in our garden center. To manage diseases such as brown rot and blossom blight, spray with Ferti-lome copper spray after leaves fall in the autumn, followed by a fungicide application at first bloom and weekly during the bloom period. For mite control, apply

Cultural Requirements Blueberries thrive in acidic, well-drained soil. Their shallow, compact roots require regular watering, and mulching is beneficial, especially in less-than-ideal soils which we often find tin the Boise area. These plants prefer partial protection from our intense afternoon sun and dry cold winters. Most varieties reach 4–6 feet in height and 4–5 feet in width. Planting at least two varieties that bloom simultaneously improves fruit production, resulting

CULTURAL  REQUIREMENTS :  Blackberries will thrive on most soil types, but good drainage is desirable with most varieties.  Soils that are naturally fertile, easily worked and of good moisture holding capacity are the most suitable.  While not as cold hardy as the raspberries, many varieties of blackberries do well in large areas of Southwestern Idaho. We have listed below the varieties we feel do well in the Boise area. There are other varieties that perform well in the val

Apricot Growing Tips: Apricots can be trained as espaliers, making them ideal for small spaces or decorative garden designs. They produce most of their fruit on short spurs that develop on last year’s growth, and these spurs remain productive for about four years. If late frosts are expected, consider using a frost protectant like Frost Guard  to safeguard the blossoms. In mid-spring, thin excess fruit from branches to ensure better fruit size and quality. Most of what we sel

Gardening is a rewarding hobby, but it comes with its challenges. One of the biggest obstacles gardeners face is dealing with pests that can damage plants and reduce yields. Knowing how to spot these unwelcome visitors early and manage them properly is key to maintaining a healthy garden. This guide will walk you through the most common garden pests found in the Treasure Valley, how to identify them, and practical ways to control their impact. Understanding Common Garden Pest

Proper nutrition is the foundation of healthy plant growth. Without the right balance of nutrients, plants can become weak, susceptible to disease, and produce poor yields. Understanding how to manage nutrition for plants effectively can transform your garden or farm into a thriving, productive space. This guide will walk you through the key elements of plant nutrition, how to identify deficiencies, and practical steps to optimize growth. Understanding Nutrition for Plants: T

Field bindweed is a persistent and invasive weed that can quickly take over your garden if left unchecked. Its deep roots and rapid growth make it a formidable opponent for gardeners seeking to maintain healthy plants and a beautiful landscape. This article explores practical and effective bindweed control methods to help you reclaim your garden and keep it thriving. Understanding Bindweed and Its Impact on Gardens Bindweed, often mistaken for morning glory due to its similar

How to plant a lawn from seed in Boise, Idaho

The design experience is simple, enjoyable, and tailored to your yard.

Fall is here and it’s time to think about pumpkins and spice along with fall cleanup of your annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees.  We are asked nearly every day if fall is a good time to plant. Actually, fall is the best time to plant.  Planting now gives plants the opportunity to establish a good root system for the upcoming year.  And your plants will benefit from our cool fall days with warm soil conditions.  Of course you still need to follow our 2 pages of planting ins

In our area of the country, it’s extremely important to use Medicap FE systemic iron implants on trees such as pin oak, sweetgum, pine, silver maple and other trees that struggle with iron deficiency.   The Treasure Valley can range from moderately alkaline to extremely alkaline in parts of the valley.  Medicap FE is a systemic iron supplement that is great at providing the iron needed in many of the trees that grow here and you only need to treat a tree once each year. Once

There are two primary reasons people lose trees in the winter. The most important thing anyone can do is deep water in the fall! (also applies to shrubs, perennials, and most woody stemmed plants). The second reason we see folks come in each spring with tree problems are those caused by not wrapping the tree through the winter. The first question we typically ask folks is "what condition is the bark and which side of the bark is damaged". Bark that is damaged on the Sout

INSECTS TO CONTROL THROUGHOUT THE YEAR... Hi-Yield Bug Blaster 'Above/Below'. Many folks call us with problems in their lawn during the spring and summer months. Most often our calls are related to patches of the lawn that is dying and they have increased the watering, but the lawn continues dying. More likely than not you are experiencing billbug/chinch infestations. Both these little critters eat and destroy sod roots or destroy the plant just above ground level. Both

The best time to prune trees varies based on tree species and the specific goal of pruning.

So, how large will my plant grow? Pruning nursery plants to maintain size So, a couple of days ago, someone asked me how large a Bruns Spruce typically grows. We provided them with the size range that's indicated on the sales tag, which stated that the Bruns Spruce can reach heights between 7 to 9 feet. This is a common size range that many nurseries use to give potential buyers a general idea of what to expect when they purchase this particular species of spruce. However, th

We have a great selection of Wrendale gift items for you to choose from and we just received a new shipment of garden decor. Stop by our gift shop today and see all the new products we have for you to browse through. The staff of The Home & Garden Store Boise, Idaho Ph: 208.917.4820

Lean how to maintain and manage plant nutrition.