Sun Scorch The recent, unprecedented heat wave here in the Pacific Northwest may have abated, but the damage to our landscapes remains: large brown or black areas on leaves, major leaf drop, and shriveled plants are the signs of sunscorch. One of our staff horticulturists sat down to talk about the damage with her former professor Don Marshall who recently retired from Lake Washington Institute of Technology after running the horticulture program there for 40 years. Susan: Don, have you ever seen this severe weather here before? The damage is so widespread. Don: Never in the Pacific Northwest ..read more

New! Super Dwarf Tomatoes You can grow delicious, full flavored tomatoes in containers or compact garden spaces when you discover our series of Super Dwarf tomatoes. Traditionally tomato varieties can be separated into categories of ‘determinate’ and ‘indeterminate’ types. A determinate or bush tomato stops growing when it delivers one large crop of fruit, typically at a compact height. Indeterminate plants continue to grow all summer long, resulting in tall plants and a long harvest season. Super Dwarfs bring the long-lasting harvest season of an indeterminate tomato, all on a conveniently co ..read more

New! Itsy Magenta Dazzling magenta blooms cover this compact trailing petunia all summer long. ‘Itsy Magenta’ is ideal for containers, baskets or landscape beds. Our new favorite petunia grows 18-24” long and loves lots of sun. The plant branches densely, and each tip seems to produce yet another vibrant, petite bloom. The result is a blanket of magenta that is dazzling to the eye. In our trials last year we found that ‘Itsy Magenta’ continued its powerful punch of color all summer without pausing. Come enjoy a walk through the growing greenhouses at Squak Mt. soon, to discover your favorite c ..read more

Fresh, local apples are one of the delights of autumn. Our family enjoys an occasional road trip east of the mountains, and if the opportunity arises, we always stop for a crate of fresh apples from an orchard’s road stand. Wouldn’t it be a joy to enjoy a bountiful harvest of apples from your own backyard? Honeycrisp has become the hottest new apple introduction in many years. The sweet flavor and crisp texture have made it a popular crop to grow in orchards in Eastern Washington. Fortunately, Honeycrisp also has good disease resistance, allowing us to successfully grow it in our wet Puget Sou ..read more

Kosmic Kale! Harvest delicious crops nearly year round when you plant ‘Kosmic Kale’ in your garden. An introduction from the Netherlands, ‘Kosmic Kale’ is a tender perennial in our area, surviving temperatures to 10°F. This unique variety grows in an upright shape to 18-24” tall and produces an ongoing harvest. Unlike other kale varieties that go to seed after the first season, ‘Kosmic Kale’ does not, and puts all its energy into forming new leaves. Simply snip off a few leaves at a time to add to your salads or garnishments and allow the remaining leaves to provide energy for further plant gr ..read more

Vegetable & Fruit Planting Calendar We have an excellent selection of veggies & fruits for your home garden. The following guide indicates the optimal time of the year to find these plants at Squak Mt. for the very best selection. Our helpful staff will assist you in the process. Enjoy! February & March Blueberries Elderberries Gooseberry Gojiberries Marionberries Mulberries Raspberries Strawberries Currant Figs Hops Grapes Olives Pomegranate Rhubarb Asparagus Onion Sets Seed Potatoes Fruit Trees: Apples, Apricots, Cherries, Nectarines, Peaches, Pears (Asian and European), Plums &a ..read more

Choosing The Right Container For Your Houseplants Houseplants have topped the list of hot interior design trends for the past few years, and that’s brought an explosion of styles and types of containers on to the market. So how to choose the perfect pot for your prized plant? Lets discuss the types of plant pots we offer at Squak Mt. and the plants best suited for them. The first thing to notice is that some planters have drain holes; others do not. Those without are called Cache Pots, and we think of them as a dress or suit for your nursery plant pot. Plants that like to be on the damp side a ..read more

“My poinsettia still looks fantastic!” Each spring we hear reports from our customers that their poinsettia purchased for Christmas, is still growing strong in April, May and beyond. Naturally a small tropical tree, poinsettias can make fun year round companions in your home. First, rest assured that poinsettias are NOT toxic. (If your child or pet were to consume a large amount of the plant you may have to deal with nausea or an upset stomach, but the fear of toxicity is completely without merit.) Poinsettias like bright light and do not like temperatures below 50 °F. During the holiday seaso ..read more

Bright multi petaled blooms and unique succulent foliage make Christmas cactus, or Zygocactus, a favorite each holiday season. Long-lasting blossoms are available in tones of pink, purple, white and red. While you can certainly treat this popular seasonal houseplant as an annual, it’s also possible to keep them alive and happy year-round, and have them re-bloom the next year. If you’re a houseplant nurturer, here are the steps to take for optimum holiday flowering: November – JanuaryEnjoy your beautiful blooming houseplant. Place in bright, indirect light and water deeply whenever the top inch ..read more

It’s summer in Washington and the sun is out, the birds are chirping and we all have excess time to do all those random gardening projects we’ve been wanting to do, like starting an herb garden! Squak Mt. Nursery has a superb herb selection to choose from so now is a great time to get that kitchen garden going just in time for Fall feasts. Chances are however, you may already have an herb garden going. In either case, we would love to give you some information about some of the herb powerhouses that grow well in our climate.   The spotlight herb of the week is Oregano!   Oregano may ..read more