Star Nursery's Winter Green Pages 2020

GREEN pages Winter 2020

New Year, New Garden

r Legge u o F d loyee Emp

Your #1 Source for

DECORATIVE ROCK & HARDSCAPES • Pavers • Flagstone • Wall Block • Stepping Stones • River Rock • Boulders • Bulk Soil • Bulk Sand

•Create a Maintainable and Drought Tolerant Landscape •Use Flagstone for a Beautiful and Unique Walkway

Decorative Rock Yards Nevada

Arizona

Utah

Las Vegas

Kingman

Dixie

2600 West Ann Rd. (702) 216-STAR (7827)

4140 Stockton Hill Road (928) 757-STAR (7827)

1335 South Dixie Dr. (435) 414-5893

5380 Blue Diamond Rd. (702) 382-ROCK (7625)

Fort Mohave

8725 South Eastern Ave. (702) 251-ROCK (7625)

6325 Hwy 95 (928) 788-STAR (7827)

Pahrump

Lake Havasu

911 Buol Rd. (775) 727-5300

1141 N. Lake Havasu Ave. (928) 505-ROCK (7625)

St. George 1145 West Sunset Blvd.

(435) 688-STAR (7827)

DELIVERY SERVICE AVAILABLE

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Our Staff Editor-in-Chief

Mackenzie Vesp

Art/Design

Doug Ryan Taylor White

Contributing Writers

Paul Noe (Dr. Q) Joey Lynn Watt Mackenzie Vesp Christine MacRae Judith Kafantaris Destiny Wise

Community Partners

Winter Garden Calendar

08

A Word for the New Year

10

Can you Plant Trees in the Winter

Winter Color

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11

A Message From Dr

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New Year New Garden

For a FREE copy of Green Pages subscribe @ starnursery.com Please help us set the record straight.

If you are receiving the GREEN PAGES under the wrong name, getting two copies, you’ve moved, or if you wish to be removed from our mailing list, please email: marketing@StarNursery.com and we will fix it.

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Chocolate Chip Pecan Chewy Bars

18

Winter Rose Care

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Four Legged Employee

Employee Spotlight

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1 application protects against insects for 1 year

Mix & Pour at base of tree/shrub

• • • •

TRUSTED SINCE 1926®

Ornamental trees Fruit trees Roses & flowers Shrubs

Garden Centers Las Vegas, NV Ann Road & Simmons 2600 W. Ann Rd. North Las Vegas, NV 89031 (702) 216-STAR (7827) West Cheyenne & Tenaya 7330 W. Cheyenne Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89129 (702) 253-STAR (7827) W. Charleston Blvd. & Cimarron 8170 W. Charleston Blvd.

Las Vegas, NV 89117 (702) 360-STAR (7827) W. Tropicana & Fort Apache 9480 W. Tropicana Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89147 (702) 278-STAR (7827) Boulder Hwy. & E. Tropicana 5340 Boulder Highway Las Vegas, NV 89122 (702) 435-STAR (7827) S. Eastern & Pebble 8725 S. Eastern Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89123 (702) 333-STAR (7827) Blue Diamond & Lindell 5380 Blue Diamond Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89139 (702) 444-STAR (7827)

Pahrump, NV Buol Rd. & Hwy. 372 911 Buol Rd. Pahrump, NV 89048 (775) 727-5300

Star Nursery has been privately owned and operated for 36 years. We are proud to be the premier garden center for all your landscaping needs. Currently, we operate in Southern Nevada, Southern Utah and Northern Arizona with a total of 16 Garden Centers and 9 Decorative Rock Yards. We cater to both residential and commercial clientele.

Star Nursery offers the best in garden supplies. From a large assortment of trees to shrubbery, drought tolerant plants, succulents and houseplants, we have landscape material to suit anyone’s lifestyle. We offer the largest and most complete line of products that include irrigation supplies, gardening accessories, yard tools, succulents, houseplants, pottery and our very own exclusive line of Dr. Q’s Garden Products. This line of products consists of soils and fertilizers that are specifically formulated to help you succeed with your gardening efforts in the Southwest Region. We also carry a selection of hardscape products ranging from flagstone and pavers to decorative rock and bulk soils.

Find everything you need to maintain a beautiful landscape or garden space. We pride ourselves in giving our customers the right price and best advice.

Star Nursery -Your Garden’s Partner for Every Bloomin’ Thing Since 1983.

Lake Havasu, AZ Lake Havasu Ave. & College Dr. 1141 N. Lake Havasu Ave. Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403 (928) 505-ROCK (7625)

Kingman, AZ Stockton Hill Rd. & Gordon Dr. 4140 Stockton Hill Rd. Kingman, AZ 86409 (928) 757-STAR (7827)

Fort Mohave, AZ Hwy. 95 & Boundary Cone Rd. 6325 Hwy. 95 Fort Mohave, AZ 86426 (928) 788-STAR (7827)

Mesquite, NV

Bullhead City, AZ

Commerce Cir. & Pioneer 549 Commerce Cir. Mesquite, NV 89027 (702) 613-4770

Mohave Dr. & Miracle Mile 1579 Mohave Dr. Bullhead City, AZ 86442 (928) 758-STAR (7827)

St. George, UT Sunset Blvd. & Bluff St. 1145 W. Sunset Blvd.

St. George, UT 84770 (435) 688-STAR (7827) Dixie Dr. & Gubler Ln. 1335 S. Dixie Dr. St. George, UT 84770 (435) 674-STAR (7827)

Washington, UT Telegraph Rd. & 500 W. 385 W. Telegraph Rd. Washington, UT 84780 (435) 986-0820

Winter Garden

Calendar December • Protect the PPP’s: Plants that are frost tender, still need to be protected by wrapping or covering with burlap, “N-Sulate” or “Plant Protector Bags” when frost is predicted. This includes sensitive palms, cactus, succulents, hibiscus, bougainvillea and citrus. Pipes and pool components should already be covered by wrapping with proper pipe insulation materials. Try the convenient “PVB Protectors” for above ground backflow prevention devices and “Faucet Protectors” for house faucets.

• Lawn: To maintain good green color on your lawn this winter, fertilize with Dr Q’s® Winter Gem Cool Season Lawn Fertilizer.

• House Plants: Snip off faded blooms and yellowing leaves. Check house plants often, as they tend to dry out sooner due to running heaters. Feed winter-flowering plants with Dr Q’s® Plant Tonic but don’t fertilize the others until early April.

• Edibles: Consider growing rosemary, thyme, oregano, savory and sage indoors, giving them as much light as possible.

• Trees: Deep root irrigate all trees once this month when the top 3 inches of the soil becomes dry.

January • Lawn: Maintain overall grass height to 2-3 inches to avoid mowing too low.

• Edibles: Feed Citrus trees. Applied now, fertilizer will be effective when citrus starts to bloom.

Water trees first, then a day later apply Dr Q’s® Citrus Food, 14-7-7, Dr Q’s® Organic Citrus Food 8-4-4. If freeze is predicted, cover trees at night and uncover them in the morning. If fruit is damaged, pick and juice within 24 hours. Water regularly as hydrated plants will better withstand freezing temperatures and icy winds.

• Fruit Trees: Protect deciduous fruit trees from disease and insects by using Monterey LiquiCop and Horticultural Oil sprays. This is also a good time to re-paint fruit tree trunks to protect them from sunburn or you can use a tree wrap by DEWITT. • Roses: If you’re pruning hybrid tea roses, cut plants back to the three to five strongest canes.

Cut top growth back by about a third for other varieties. Don’t forget the “Rose Potion,” Star Note #605, to wake your roses up two weeks after pruning.

• Color: There are plenty of choices for winter color; calendula, cyclamen, English daisy, pansy, primrose, snapdragon and sweet alyssum.

• Desert: Plant agave, yucca and cacti only after all chance of frost has past.

February • Lawn: Plant new lawns from seed, once daytime temperatures are consistently above 55°-60°.

• House Plants: Inspect leaves for aphids, telltale webs of spider mites and the sticky honeydew that can signal scale insects. Spray pests off leaves with lukewarm water. Scrape off any scale. Apply Bonide® Systemic Houseplant Insect Control, easy to use granules provides insect control for up to 8 weeks!

• Edibles: Fruit trees, including pecan trees and grape vines need extra zinc. To help them produce their best, use Dr Q’s® Fruit & Nut Tree Food 13-7-7 or Dr Q’s® Organic Fruit and Nut Tree Food 6-4-4.

• Trees: February is fertilizing time for deciduous fruit and shade trees.

Use Dr Q’s® Tree, Shrub & Vine Food 16-8-4 per bag instructions.

• Perennials: Powdery mildew may appear on new plant growth. Take a walk around your yard and look for it on your plants. You can prevent this by keeping sprinkler overspray off your shrubs. Treat infected plants with copperbased fungicide like Daconil.

• Prune: Prune wisteria & trumpet vines before they bud or send out foliage.

Consider a “hard pruning” to rejuvenate and retrain.

A Word for the New Year As the year is wrapping up and we look toward welcoming a new year, it’s expected we make some kind of commitment for the future. New Year’s resolutions tend to be something like the following: become healthier, save money, be more patient, organize one’s time, the list is endless. This year, what if the focus was on a word? A single word that could not only make a difference in your life but could make a difference in others.

Community

noun: a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.

Google Dictionary

What an appropriate word and meaning for the times we find ourselves in. Now more than ever, every one of us needs “community”. Some people and groups have been isolated, not just these last several months, but have been isolated for generations. The time has come for us to find new ways to become connected and learn how to get involved again.

Without exception, gardening is a great equalizer. No matter who you are or what your background is, each season brings new opportunities to learn from our previous experiences and the privilege to take the things that worked and eliminate the things that didn’t.

The gardening community is a great community to connect with, filled with individuals who have made a lifetime commitment to learning and love to share everything they have learned. This cycle is endless. Regardless if you are 8 or 80 and beyond, there is a place for you in the gardening community and you don’t have to look far. Every social media platform like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, Snapchat, you name it, has ways for likeminded people to connect. And let’s not forget about our very own neighborhood. Many people have started their own community gardens to serve the people in their immediate vicinity and many “Home Owner Associations” have gardening clubs for their members. All you need to do is inquire.

So, as we press on into another year, let’s find ways to connect and have fellowship with others, resulting in us sharing common attitudes, interests and goals with the people in our gardening community

Here are some Nevada resources:

For resources in other states, reach out to your local Cooperative Extension, or government website.

Community Gardens • Vegas Roots Community Garden - Website: http://VegasRoots.org - Email: contact@vegasroots.org *Rent a Plot *Become A Member *Volunteer *Purchase fresh Fruits and Vegetables • Provident Community Garden http://www.providentcommunitygarden.com - Email: judytobler@gmail.com *Purchase a Plot *Find UNCE Horticulture Publications for Southern Nevada *Attend Gardening Classes Non-Profits • Green Our Planet- Website: https://greenourplanet.org - Email: info@greenourplanet.org *Apply for a Garden *School Garden *Attend Virtual Academy for all ages *Hydroponics *Volunteer Opportunities • Las Vegas Community Healing Garden- Website: https://getoutdoorsnevada.org/lv-healing-garden • Get Outdoors Nevada – Website: https://getoutdoorsnevada.org - Email: info@getoutdoorsnevada.org *Education * Online Resources * Volunteer Opportunities *Community Engagement Community Kids Gardens • Lil’ Roots Garden Club - Website: http://vegasroots.org/lil-roots-garden-club - Email: contact@vegasroots.org *Gardening Classes *Kid-size plots *Introduce Healthy Eating Habits Garden Clubs Website: http://nevadagardenclubs.org Las Vegas Iris Society - Email: aletainlv@cox.net Las Vegas Rose Society – Email: roseinfo@lasvegasvalleyrosesociety.com an Affiliation of AMERICAN ROSE SOCIETY www.rose.org

Can You Plant Trees in the Winter?

Fall and winter months are some of the best times of the year to plant a tree.

The key to setting a new tree up for success in winter is planting when the ground is cool but not frozen.

Even though our winter air temperatures sometimes get to below freezing, our soil hardly ever does! Plants can grow roots when the soil temperature stays above 45 degrees. By applying a good layer of mulch, you will not only extend the time in which the soil maintains that temperature, you will also keep soil moisture at a constant level.

Planting in winter gives new trees the time they need to establish roots before hot, drought-like weather kicks in. Although deciduous trees (that lose their leaves in the winter), are mostly planted in winter, evergreen trees and shrubs can be planted as well.

1. Keep plants watered! If you do nothing else... make sure to keep the newly planted trees watered. The worst part of cold damage is caused by desiccation or drying out. Keep new shrubs watered every week or two, especially right before a heavy freeze.

2. Mulching is important when planting trees and shrubs in the cooler seasons. Mulch will help to maintain constant soil temperatures.

3. Avoid stimulating new growth. Don’t fertilize until late January or early February. You can add compost and bone meal to stimulate root growth, but tender new top growth can be damaged by freezes.

4. If you live in a windy area, you should consider staking the trees to prevent undue stress on the new roots. This is a good safety measure to protect your investment.

5. Don’t disturb the plant. Avoid pruning and be very gentle with the roots while planting. The plant won’t have time to recover from damage and it’s going to be stressed enough as it is. The exception would be if the tree is damaged in shipment, trim the broken branches.

6. Plants store energy during the growing season to provide energy during the fall and winter for them to grow roots. Plants do most of their root growing during the dormant season.

7. Stress levels are reduced due to the lack of foliage and soft new growth. This means that the amount of water you must provide to newly planted trees and shrubs is greatly reduced.

8. Evergreen trees such as pines, arborvitae and junipers have hardened off their soft growth from last year and again watering will be reduced.

So, the moral of the story is, go ahead and plant trees and shrubs in the fall and winter without hesitation. Even though it’s late in the season, your shrubs will be happier in the ground than in pots. Ideally, trees and shrubs need about a month to establish roots before a heavy freeze, but it’s actually OK to plant them anytime the ground is workable. Many professionals plant trees and shrubs in late fall, winter and into very early spring while they’re still dormant. This is going to save you lots of watering time the following summer when you should be simply enjoying the fruits of your labor. Planting trees and shrubs in the fall and winter is better than you thought! *For more detailed planting instructions, get a copy of our Planting Guide (StarNote #001) at starnursery.com or on our free app.

A Message from Dr. Q

Winter, a Time of Recovery~

Winter is such an amazing time of year, but it often gets overlooked as an “in the garden” season. All the glory goes to fall, which undoubtedly, was welcomed this year. The summer of 2020 tested everything’s ability to endure. Some say it was the hottest summer ever recorded, but everyone can agree, summer took its toll on us all. Hopefully fall gave you the ability to plant new items from an impulsive wish list or challenged you to try growing new vegetables from seeds. Possibly a new shade tree was planted with the hopes of one day becoming the envy of the neighborhood. Maybe the intent was for a wildlife habitat, regardless if the wildlife buzzes, flies, finds refuge, swings and climbs or unexpectedly has a picnic under its cool shadowing branches. Perhaps, it was a milestone planting to mark a new beginning, like celebrating the birth of a child or welcoming the new year with the hopes of a better tomorrow.

The next widely recognized gardening season is spring, since during the winter months we’re running around enjoying the hustle and bustle of the holidays. But we mustn’t neglect our gardens during winter, these next few months will be a critical time of recovery for plants. Winter is the time they store up energy, in the form of sugars and carbohydrates. Some plants need a little help to develop and perform to their fullest potential. One way for us to help is to amend the soil to ensure nutrients are available to the root system. In the lower elevations, we are fortunate our ground doesn’t freeze, leaving us the ability to work nutrients into the soil. An easy and effective method to accomplish this is to apply a Dr Q’s® fertilizer specially formulated for specific plants or WORMGOLD® Plus, which incorporates worm castings and kelp into the soil. Irrigation is still vital to many plants and trees during the winter months, and although frequency might change, deep root irrigation should still be accomplished. And finally pruning, especially for the deciduous varieties. Pruning isn’t just a haphazard buzz cut to create a geometrical eyesore or a test of our ability to wield the chainsaw Christmas gift one received. Pruning is a careful and precise practice, intended to remove dead and broken branches, stimulate new growth, increase harvest and bring balance to top heavy canopies, potentially reducing branch failure in the future.

As we welcome another season and a new year, consider this, we have been given the greatest honor and responsibility to help protect and care for the things that make this world beautiful, when they need it most.

For more information please visit www.starnursery.com and download the following information Star Note #105 – The Principles of Pruning Star Note #100 The Gardeners Calendar Star Note #820 Lawn Care and Maintenance Calendar And don’t forget, we make House Calls, email us at HouseCalls@StarNursery.com or visit any Star Nursery Location to make an appointment.

New Year,

New Opportunities to Garden

As we say goodbye to 2020 and look forward to welcoming 2021, we can all agree we have faced extreme challenges and continue to work hard to stay motivated in our “new norm.” Many people instinctively turned to their gardens to bring joy and focus to their daily lives. And while some may have had great success right out of the gate, others quickly learned gardening can be challenging and are feeling defeated.

Have no fear, this new year brings new opportunities for success. Spring will be here before you know it and now is the perfect time to plan and prepare for a successful garden. In the desert southwest, most any type of fruits, vegetables and herbs can be grown successfully. Knowing when, what and how is the key to having a bountiful harvest. Here are some handy tips to get you started growing warm season crops from seeds or starts.

Plant seeds indoors about 4 to 6 weeks before you plan to transfer plants to the garden. Starting them inside is the best way to monitor growth, control temperature, moisture and keep insects from foiling your efforts.

Use plantable peat pots or pellets, multi-celled mini greenhouses or cardboard egg cartons to start the seeds.

A complete planting medium like, Black Gold Seed Starting Mix has everything you need for healthy seedlings. Be sure the mix is pre-moistened before you plant. Add water at night, squeeze out the excess next morning and you’re ready to go!

Read the instructions. Plant the seeds according to package instructions, some seeds require soaking or scarifying. Place a few seeds in each cell or pot and watch planting depth carefully.

Too much mix on top may smother the seeds and prevent germination. Water the cells again. Put the clear top on the greenhouse or cover tops of pots or egg cartons with a layer of clear plastic wrap. This will keep your soil from drying out while seeds are germinating. Add water as necessary through the bottom of the greenhouse or pot and spray the top of the soil, making sure it never dries out. Place your containers in an area with stable temperatures and bright, indirect light. Save the seed packet instructions for when the seedlings are ready to plant outside.

When the seeds sprout and show 2 complete sets of leaves, remove the covering and place the containers near a south-facing window where they will get some sunlight. Rotate the containers every 2-3 days to prevent seedlings from bending to reach the light, or you may use a grow light. As the seedlings begin to crowd each other, snip off the weaker ones with scissors. Don’t pull them out or you may disturb the roots and cause them all to die. You should eventually have one strong plant per pot or cell. About 3 weeks after seeds have sprouted, fertilize them lightly with a liquid plant food like Dr Q’s® Liquid Plant Tonic.

Harden seedlings by exposing them to a few hours of direct sunlight and outdoor temperatures for a few days, before planting them outdoors. Keep out of the wind and don’t let them dry out. Those small pots don’t hold much moisture! When the roots begin to grow through the bottom of the pot or cell, it’s time to transplant your seedlings into the garden.

Sowing seeds in the garden means good soil preparation first. Add enough organic material to your beds to make a difference in soil texture. Usually 25% of the soil should consist of amendments like Dr. Q’s® Pay Dirt or Dr. Q’s® Vegetable & Herb Planting Mix™. Work these amendments into the top 6-8 inches of soil. Amendments improve the drainage in heavy clay soil and increase water- holding capacity in sandy soil. Plant seeds according to package directions, paying careful attention to planting depth. Too much soil coverage can result in seed germination failure. Sprinkle Dr. Q’s® Vegetable & Tomato Food, 6-10-6 or Dr. Q’s® Organic Tomato, Vegetable & Herb Food, 5-8-4 over the soil surface. Water thoroughly and keep soil moist. Seeds should sprout in 7-10 days.

Chocolate Chip Pecans Chewy Bars

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Prep time: 15 minutes

Ingredients q 4 eggs

q 1 cup packed brown sugar q 1 cup granulated sugar

q 1½ cups self-rising flour q 1 stick butter, melted q ½ cup vegetable oil q 1 tsp vanilla

cook time: ≤ 45 minutes

1

2 3

4 5

q 1 cup semi-sweet

6

q 1 cup Pecans (optional)

7

chocolate chips

z

Directions Preheat oven to 325° and grease 9x13 pan Mix together eggs and both sugars until smooth.

Add self-rising flour, melted butter, oil and vanilla until well incorporated.

Fold in chocolate chips and nuts (optional).

Pour mixture into prepared pan.

Baking time may vary, maximum baking time is 45 minutes, making sure center is cooked but still gooey.

Let cool, cut into bars while still warm, store in airtight container.

R

®

Professional Bird Control Products Since 1992

Inc.

Available at all Star Nursery locations!

BEFORE

AFTER

One stop shop for residential bird control!

Humane and effective products that work!

Protect your fruits and vegetables from pest birds!

Keep pest birds away and the diseases they carry!

R

Stainless Steel Spike

R

Hawk Decoy

Recycling is SMART! Do your part and be rewarded! Bring in your empty black plant pots and receive IN-STORE CREDIT toward future garden purchases.

We accept the following sizes: • 1 Gallon..........................5¢ per pot • 3 Gallon........................10¢ per pot • 5 Gallon........................25¢ per pot • 15 Gallon.......................60¢ per pot

WINTER ROSE CARE

Winter months in the rose garden are a time to revive both the rose and soil. Existing roses need time to rest and gain back their resources to flourish once again for the spring flush. Roses need a rest period or dormancy, which is started by removing all their leaves and discarding them in the trash, no composting. Next, prune back canes before they leaf out again and remember the 3Ds of Pruning: dead, diseased, damaged and add crisscrossing branches. How much is removed varies. Some gardeners prune them back 8 to 12 inches and others prune them higher. For the hybrid tea roses some say, the shorter the height the larger the flower while others say, the taller the height, the larger quantity of flowers. The decision is yours because the garden is yours. For other roses such as floribundas, shrubs and miniatures, they tend to bloom in clusters of multiple flowers. For them it is a matter of lowering their height, thinning out the middle of the bush and removing the crisscrossing branches as is done for all roses.

Roses planted in the fall and early winter do well, as the roots have time to become established before the summer heat sets in.

Bare root roses can be planted as well as potted roses. Plant the roses inground or in containers. When planting in ground, dig the hole 2 times the width of the container and the same depth as when in the pot. If planting in native soil, mix on a 1:1 basis, soil and a planting medium or compost. Fill the hole with water and check for drainage. Plant into the hole no deeper than when in the nursery pot and water well.

In mid-February, fertilize the roses with a granular fertilizer.

Follow the instructions on the label for the amount to add. The surrounding soil needs to be revived because its resources deplete over time and use. Native soil has a pH of 7 - 8, and roses do best with a pH of 6.0 - 6.5. Roses do best with both fertilizer and amended soil. Amending the soil helps in lowering the pH. The ingredients are often referred to as the “recipe”. They include 1 cup soil sulfur, ¼ cup Epsom salt, ½ cup super-phosphate or bone meal, and ¼ cup cottonseed meal, ½ cup blood meal (depends which recipe you follow) applied to each rose bush. Work into the soil 2 - 4 inches deep under the drip line. Water in well. Apply a 3-inch layer of wood mulch around each bush, keeping it a few inches away from the base.

We have been busy these last months, but you will be rewarded when the first buds burst open. You can sit back and say, “I did good”.

Judith Kafantaris, Master Gardener University of Nevada Cooperative Extension (702) 257-5555 American Rose Society Consulting Rosarian

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Not for sale in NY. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL INSTRUCTIONS. ©2018 SBM Life Science Corp. 1001 Winstead Drive, Suite 500, Cary, NC 27513. 1-877-229-3724.

BioAdvanced™ is a trademark of SBM Life Science Corp.

Four Legged

Employees

If you visit some of our stores, you may have noticed that we have a few employees that don’t wear our recognizable blue shirts and instead have various fur coats. These fluffy employees have very important roles at our stores like bringing smiles to the employees and customers. Their most important job is one that you might not think of at first. For instance, they help keep the plants looking beautiful. How, you ask? Rodents can be a big nuisance in nurseries because they use their tiny teeth to eat through the plants. Rodents are also known for carrying diseases that cannot only hurt the plants but potentially people too. The store cats keep these predators away and that job is extremely important.

One day, a feline named Oliver, came into the store and offered his services in rodent removal in exchange for some kitty food and a place to sleep. The success of the partnership with Oliver opened the doors at other locations for the position to be filled by other felines that were seeking employment. These special employees now have benefits, such as veterinary visits for shots and other required medical necessities. They are even offered bonus’ which include much needed treats and head scratches.

Some of our feline employees are a bit shyer and more work focused than others. If they wander off, we know they are hard at work on the job and dedicated to keeping our stores rodent free.

We would like to thank all our Star cats for giving us something to smile about and keeping our stores beautiful and safe.

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Jill Hansen is a Floor Supervisor at the Charleston store, located in Las Vegas. Originally from Copenhagen, Denmark, Jill moved to the United States in 1993 with hopes of living a better life. From the time she moved here, Jill has been working retail jobs and has loved every minute of being involved with helping customers. She is new to Star Nursery and was hired only a few weeks before the pandemic started. During the uncertain months of Covid-19 she was even more grateful for her life, the people in it and the opportunities that have been put in her path. She loves working at Star Nursery because of the family dynamic that is instilled in the Star Nursery culture. Jill is a positive person who is always looking for the silver lining. She always finds the positive in any situation which is why she has found so much happiness and success in her life. When Jill isn’t working, she is spending time with her husband, doing home and yard improvements.

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Paul Bradford is a Dry Product Sales Representative at the Charleston location, in Las Vegas.

Paul is the only original employee left at that store. He is a Nevada native, who sporadically lived in California. He has always been an athlete and a hard worker. Paul spent his younger years playing all kinds of sports like track, baseball, football and basketball. He moved to Las Vegas to pursue a construction career with his brother. Paul had no prior horticulture knowledge when he began his career at Star Nursery but was a quick learner and became an incredible sales representative for the company. His favorite part of working for Star Nursery is his ability to help customers and receive positive feedback that his advice has helped them accomplish their landscaping goals. He feels that customer interaction helps create a positive sense of community and belonging. When he is not working, Paul is playing his six string, golfing or hanging out with his beautiful grandchildren. As a family owned business, Star Nursery wants all of their employees to understand the importance of creating positive relationships with customers and putting family first.

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Marco Marrocco is the General Manager at our Tropicana location. He moved to the United States from England to pursue property investments and has loved living here ever since.

When first getting hired at Star, he had no horticulture experience but knew he wanted to work in a fast paced environment with people he could learn from. He has excelled in this industry and continues to mentor his employees while managing the Tropicana store. His favorite part about work is the hustle and bustle that is constantly going on in the stores and allowing the challenges of each day to teach him and his team something new. When Marco isn’t at work, you will find him in his kitchen cooking and coming up with new recipes. In the coming months, he is looking forward to his daughter visiting all the way from England. Marco’s leadership and continued desire for improvement makes him an exceptional addition to the Star Nursery team.

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Products that Work!

For Dormant Disease and Insect Control... ol....

Spray Trees Now!

with Liqui-Cop® & Monterey Horticultural Oil For healthy new leaves in spring and d summer, apply Liqui-Cop® three times a year: 1 New Year’s Day 2 Valentine’s Day (or at bud swell) 3 Arbor Day (March 7-14) • Combine with Monterey Horticultural Oil to kill insects wintering on the tree.

• Liqui-Cop® is the only copper treatment you can mix with oil.

• Liqui-Cop® will NOT wash off in rain like other copper treatments.

Mix Liqui-Cop® for dormant disease control (Peach leaf curl) at 4 to 6 tsp per gallon.

Mix Monterey Horticultural Oil with Liqui-Cop® or separately to kill wintering insects at 4 tbsp per gallon.

Always read and follow directions on label.

Reminder! Liqui-Cop® and Monterey Horticultural Oil can be used any season on ornamentals, citrus, vegetables, and flowers.

A great spray combo!

For more information call: 559.499.2100 • www.montereylawngarden.com

Dr. Q Does House Calls “Stop by your local Star Nursery Garden Center to schedule an appointment...

Or through our free app.”

As the year ends and we celebrate all the people and things we are thankful for, it is important to remember all that we have overcome this year. Our lives changed in March and thanks to all the front-line workers, we were able to stay safe and learn how to live a more simplistic life. We took a break from the normal hustle and bustle of life by staying home, spending time learning a new skill and becoming closer to our families. Although many people faced sickness, tragedy and loss, we hope that Star Nursery was able to provide a small outlet for people to spend time outside, enjoying the fresh air and accomplishing things they never had time for before. We are thankful for our customers who showed us so much support during the shut down and we are especially thankful for our employees who made sure our stores were safe and evolving with CDC guidelines. If nothing else, this year has shown us what is important, what we can live without and how much better we are when we work together. Enjoy this holiday season, be safe and stay healthy!