In northern New Mexico, where the landscape ranges from high desert valleys to cooler mountain elevations, Daylight Saving Time subtly shapes the rhythm of gardening by shifting when daylight is available.
When clocks spring forward, the extra evening light gives gardeners more usable time after work to care for their plants. Tasks like watering, weeding, and harvesting can happen during the cooler evening hours rather than the intense midday heat. During the region’s hot summer months, this later light makes gardening more comfortable for people and less stressful for plants.
We can’t wait to welcome the new growing season — and we’ve stocked up with everything you need to get started.
Stop by Payne’s North and explore the fresh shipment of hard goods that just arrived. You’ll find seed-starting supplies, brand-new hoses, sprinklers, planting tools, and garden accessories — all selected to help you prepare for a productive and successful planting season.
Whether you’re starting seeds indoors, refreshing your irrigation setup, or gearing up for your first planting of the year, you’ll find the essentials (and a little inspiration) waiting for you.
In Santa Fe, New Mexico, native juniper trees, such as the Rocky Mountain Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) and one-seed Juniper (Juniperus monosperma), are dioecious, meaning they have separate male and female trees. Juniper trees purchased at most nurseries are female junipers which produce small, bluish berries, which are actually modified cones that provide food for wildlife.
In contrast, the male trees release fine, yellow pollen into the air, which is a major trigger for seasonal allergies in the region. While the female trees contribute to the ecosystem by supporting birds and other animals, the pollen from male trees can cause widespread allergic reactions, especially during peak pollination season in late winter and early spring.
Juniper pollen is a prevalent allergen in New Mexico, affecting 20% to 30% of the population. As mentioned above, only male juniper plants produce allergenic pollen.
The pollination period for junipers in Santa Fe typically begins in February and can extend through March and into April, causing symptoms such as sneezing, runny or blocked nose, and itchy eyes among allergy sufferers.
LISTEN TO THE GARDEN GURU BELOW AND HAPPY SNEEZING!
In this week’s archived show from previous years, the Garden Guru explains the “birds and bee’s” of the life of a Juniper tree and which Juniper trees actually make us suffer from allergies.
Each week we feature the “Garden Guru” himself. Providing information on different topics including gardening tips, fun facts about plants, how to plant and prepare your garden for each season and special announcements.
Early spring is the perfect time in Santa Fe to give your trees and shrubs a healthy head start. As plants begin to wake up from winter dormancy, applying fertilizer now helps support strong roots, new growth, and vibrant foliage before the growing season really takes off.
This is also the ideal window to apply dormant oil. Spraying before buds fully open helps control overwintering pests like aphids, mites, and scale that hide on bark and branches during the winter months. Treating them now can prevent bigger pest problems later in the season.
A little early-season care goes a long way. Stop by Payne’s North and we’ll help you choose the right dormant oil and fertilizer to keep your Santa Fe landscape healthy, strong, and ready for spring.
Bring bold flavor to your garden with our Peppers of the World seed collection, now available at Payne’s. Discover an exciting range of non-GMO varieties from across the globe, from crisp and sweet peppers to rich, smoky types and fiery hot favorites.
These specialty and heirloom peppers are perfect for home gardeners who love growing their own ingredients for fresh cooking, homemade salsas, sauces, and grilling. Whether you’re planting your first pepper bed or expanding your chile collection, you’ll find unique varieties that thrive in Northern New Mexico gardens.
Not sure which peppers to grow? Our gardening experts are happy to help you choose the right seeds and share tips for a successful harvest.
STOP BY PAYNE’S NORTH TODAY AND START YOUR HOT PEPPER GARDEN!
This week’s Heirloom features: NUMEX BIG JIM GUAJILLO
There are several reasons why one might choose to apply mulch in March:
Temperature regulation: Mulch helps regulate soil temperature by keeping it cool in the summer and warm in the winter. In March, applying mulch can help protect plants from sudden temperature changes, especially as winter transitions to spring.
Moisture retention: Mulch helps retain soil moisture by reducing evaporation, which can be particularly helpful in the early spring when the weather is often unpredictable and there may be periods of drought.
Weed suppression: Mulch can help suppress weed growth by blocking out sunlight and preventing weed seeds from germinating. By applying mulch in March, you can get a head start on preventing weeds from taking root in your garden.
Soil health: As organic mulch breaks down over time, it adds nutrients to the soil and improves soil structure, which can benefit plant growth. Applying mulch in March allows for the organic matter to begin breaking down and enriching the soil before the growing season starts.
Overall, applying mulch in March can help prepare your garden for the growing season by regulating temperature and moisture, suppressing weeds, and improving soil health.
For more information or call SAM “the WORM MAN” if you have any questions regarding BULK soil, mulch, pumice or compost at505-424-0336.
In the spirit of keeping things low maintenance, adding plants that have more to offer than just good looks has become more common. Here are some ideas of what to look for when shopping for plants.
Scent. There’s nothing quite like walking through a beautiful garden and encountering plants with delightful fragrance-it’s a treat for the senses. Here are a few of our favorites: Roses and Lilacs. Payne’s sells many varieties and colors of Roses and they are perfect for the Santa Fe climate! We also have very fragrant Lilacs. They come in many colors and heights and these also do very well in Northern New Mexico. Here’s a tip: place plants with scents you love near spaces you hang out most in your garden, along pathways, or in spots where you get a light breeze-that way the wonderful smells can be enjoyed.
Food. Barbara Katz tells us that many of her clients are asking for blueberries, yezberries, thornless blackberries, and raspberries. We like the sound of that-easy access to delicious fruit! “These shrubs are fairly carefree and great fun to grow,” says Katz.
Cooling effects. Do you have a south-facing room in your house that gets unbearably hot? Plants can help! By installing a trellis on the wall directly outside of the room and planting a quick-growing vine such as passionflower at its base, the plant will eventually block the sun from heating the wall.
Mosquito repellent. If you have an issue with mosquitoes disturbing your time outdoors, take a look at these 12 mosquito-repellent plants. Plant them in or near the places where you spend the most time:
Lavender
Marigolds
Citronella plant
Catnip
Rosemary
Basil
Scented Geraniums
Bee Balm
Mint
Floss Flower
Sage
Allium
Check out Payne’s variety of Mosquito repelling plants at Payne’s North!
DIEFFENBACHIA (Dumb Cane or Leopard Lily) FROM PAYNES!
—————————————————- SHARE YOUR PHOTOS! Please keep sending in your photos. You Could WIN a $25 Gift Card! If you have a photo taken in one of our greenhouses or of your own garden orlandscape that contains products from Payne’s, please send it to info@paynes.com!
If your photo is chosen, and used in our e-newsletter website or other marketingmaterials, then you will receive a Gift Certificate from Payne’s for $25!Please make sure to give us your contact information in your email.
Here’s THIS MONTHS ZODIAC SIGN PROFILE AND HOW IT CAN HELP YOU GARDEN:
PICES (FEBRUARY 20 – March 20) Pisces completes the winter. Spring is just around the corner, so a sense of change is inherent in this sign. Pisceans generally possess a sense of creativity, so look for graceful plants such as lupines and poppies to be scattered around your yard. A rainbow of colors splashes brilliantly in front of your doors and alongside your walkways. Cucumbers, melons, and summer squashes appeal to your watery natures. Many Pisces love to cook, and hearty chicken or fish soups are always simmering on your stove and in your slow cooker. Gazpacho and vichyssoise are also perennial favorites.
