SANDPOINT IDAHO
All Seasons can deliver bouquets, live plants and flower
baskets across town or around the world. We are your 1-800 FLOWERS local fulfilling florist. Click here for selection.
For direct orders, call (208) 265-2944
IF ROMANCE IS IN THE AIR LET US HELP.
We are a full service floral design center and can help with just the right bouquet to make her heart flutter. Congratulations to all newly engaged couples! If you've 
set a 2012 wedding date, let us dream with you and create the most beautiful floral pieces for your special day.We have experienced florists available to guide you in planning the perfect wedding flowers that are uniquely yours. Make an appointment to meet with one of our floral designers at (208)2652944 or drop by the shop.
ALL SEASONS GARDEN AND FLORAL
OPEN MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY FROM 9AM TO 5 PM. WE ARE LOCATED JUST AROUND THE CORNER IN KOOTENAI ON HIGHWAY 200 EAST.
THE GARDENER'S CORNER
North Idaho Gardening 101
We have many microclimates in this area form the banana belts in Hope and Bonners to the coldest zones above 2,500 feet in the surrounding hills. But they are all short season growing conditions. If you are new to the area ask gardeners near you how long the frost free seasons is. Keep in mind this can vary from year to year as much as 20%. It is a good idea to use a high low thermometer to chart your temperatures thru the season. A good soil thermometer is essential to determine when the soil is ready for seeds.
Choose the warmest possible spot on your property for the garden. Sunlight and warmth are essential for growth. South or south west facing is best. Try and find a space that is protected from wind. Wind can rob moisture and heat from plants. Pick a flat or gently sloping area with good drainage; avoid low lying areas as these can trap the cold. Plant rows north to south to maximize the sun.
Make sure to let the soil dry out in the spring. Tilling while too wet will compact the soil and destroy the soil structure. You might think about doing the tilling in the fall for earlier planting. Raised beds work well in North Idaho because they allow the soil to warm sooner. The beds should be at least 10 inches high and can be 3 to 4 foot wide to allow you to work from both sides. Covering them with clear plastic in early spring will warm the beds faster.
Testing your soil will help you to decide what amendment to use. Remember that organic fertilizers will need warmth to release nitrogen. It’s best to use a fertilizer high in phosphorous at the beginning of the growing seasons or when transplanting, to promote root growth. Use a complete fertilizer during the growing season, applying at several intervals.
Choose cool season crops. At 35 degrees lettuce, onions, parsnips and spinach will germinate and grow. At 40 degrees fava beans, beets, broccoli, chinese cabbage, cabbage, carrots, kale, rutabaga, cauliflower, kale, leeks parsley, peas, radish, Swiss chard, celery, and turnips will germinate and grow.
Warm season crops should either be started early indoors or purchased as starts. Some warm seasons crops are tomatoes, peppers, squashes, cucumbers, and eggplant they will be available at All Seasons later in the season once the ground has warmed enough for them. If you do plan to start your own seeds pick the ones with the shortest interval to maturity. If you purchase starts they require hardening off. Slowly expose them to colder temps and higher light. Use a transplant fertilizer or B1 when planting them in the garden and try to do it on a cloudy day to reduce transplant shock.
Some seeds will do better if you either soak them overnight or pre-germinate them by placing them in wet paper towel or cloth and putting them in a warm place until they are about ¼ inch long then plants them. Make sure not to let them dry out.
Using season extenders can really be of help in North Idaho. Here are some great ideas to help do that. Permanente mulches between the rows, either organic or Plastic will help warm the soil, the down side of these is that they will stop the soil from radiating heat at night and reduce the effectiveness of row cover. Covering the crop in early spring and late fall can extend your growing season about 2 weeks on both sides. Covers include Remay , a cover that can be placed directly on the plant and left mostly the whole season to also protect from insect damage, plastic row covers draped over a wire structures or hot caps.
Some other heat generating ideas are to place water containers half in the soil near the vegetables. The “Olla” jug can also slowly water the plants. Heavy solid materials like bricks, concrete blocks and rocks can also help as they absorb heat during the day and release it at night. Wind screens and reflectors can protect and focus heat and sunlight on the garden. Hoop houses constructed of greenhouse plastic and pvc can be very helpful especially for tomatoes, squash and peppers.
HAPPY PLANTING!
Our Gardeners at All Seasons will gladly answer any of your gardening questions.
Come see us at:
31831 Highway 200 East, Sandpoint Idaho,
or call(208)265-2944
