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December

12.21.11 - A Rainy Year Goes Bye...
As 2011 draws to a close we look back on the year through the eyes of a gardener. As I listen to the rain beating against my office window I am reminded that we will most likely remember this year as the rainiest in recent history. While the rain made it challenging for us to enjoy the outdoors & get things planted it did help existing landscape plants flourish. Hydrangeas were absolutely stunning with abundant blooms, lawns were green all summer & many vegetable gardens produced abundantly. In addition, weeds were growing faster than usual which led us to offer a new “Weeders to the Rescue” service this year. It was a challenging summer for Graf Growers as our crops were destroyed by flooding leaving us with a very limited supply of sweet corn. As guests arrived the day of the big flood & saw the devastating view of the fields under water we were touched by their kindness. There were many people that offered help in one way or another which we greatly appreciated. A few of those offers stick out in my mind … There were two college age gals that drove by & turned around & came back to offer to help in any way they could. They had never shopped here & did not know us. There was a guest that said she went home & looked for spaces in her garden to fill & bought a cart load of perennials & there was a local farm family that offered to come & help even when they had a lot of their own work. We are grateful to be part of a caring community. We appreciate all of your loyal patronage & support though the year.

The one thing that I love about gardening in Ohio is that you can always start over again next year.  As we look ahead to 2012 we look forward to a New Year filled with gardening possibilities. On behalf of the Graf Grower Family we wish you & yours a delightful holiday season & a wonderful new year.

12.14.11 - Healthy Poinsettias
Poinsettias are the traditional Christmas flower and the most popular potted plant in the world. Their large showy flowers are colorful & festive. Here are a few tips to keep your poinsettia healthy through the holidays.

Place your plant in a location where there is bright light 2 – 3 hours per day or more. Regular room temperature is best however they can tolerate cooler temperatures to 58°F. It is very important to keep the soil moist at all times. Check the soil several times per week & water when the soil is slightly dry. Water thoroughly then drain the saucer so it is not sitting in water. You can check to see if the plant was watered thoroughly by picking it up. Whe the soil is moist the plant will be heavy & when it is dry it will be very light. Avoid placing plants near fireplaces & ventilation ducts.

12.2.11 - Cooks & Gardeners?
Is there a plant lover or someone that loves to cook on your gift list? If so, consider a living gift so they can enjoy watching it grow this winter. For the plant lover consider making a living centerpiece with an assortment of blooming holiday plants & green foliage. Make your own or choose one we have ready to go. In addition, inexpensive paperwhite gardens in decorative holiday bowls & amaryllis bulb kits are great for a hostess gift.  For the cook … make up an herb basket with an assortment of fresh herbs or a Rosemary tree that they can grow & snip all winter. For the summer gardener or new homeowner consider a Graf Growers Gift Card … one size fits all.

12.22.10 - Year in Review
As 2010 comes to a close and we make final preparations for Christmas & New Years celebrations, one must pause to reflect on the past year. We look back with gratitude. Spring sunshine brought forth healthy & abundant plants in the greenhouse for spring planting as we reacquainted with gardeners after a long winter. In the summer, despite a challenging growing season we harvested delicious sweet corn & other vegetables from our fields that were enjoyed by families near & far. In the fall, garden mums & pumpkins, along with visiting school children made our days a little brighter. Finally, at this holiday season we enjoyed many families visiting Santa & enjoying hot cocoa as part of their holiday traditions. We are thankful for dedicated staff members that work so hard, often in adverse conditions & for our vendors that supply so many of the products that we offer. Most of all, we appreciate your business & friendship.  May you & yours enjoy the blessings of the season. Best wishes for a Happy, Healthy & Prosperous New Year!

12.10.10 - Gifts Through the New Year
Consider giving a holiday gift that grows. Amaryllis & paper white bulbs are a wonderful gift for all ages. Your friends, neighbors & loved ones will be excited as they watch them grow & bloom. They are available in kits with everything needed to plant & grow, or you can buy a few bulbs as a stocking stuffer. They are easy to grow as well. Your gift will be long remembered as the recipient enjoys it during the dreary winter days of January.

12.2.10 - Holiday Blooms
Are you looking for ways to simplify or change your holiday decorations this year? I think Christmas plants are such a great way to decorate naturally. (no pun intended) They are easy to display and with a little care they will last a long time too. They have the added benefit of being a natural air freshener as well. Use them as a focal point or tuck them in with other plants & decorations for a quick accent or centerpiece. They make great gifts too.

Poinsettias are one of the most popular Christmas plants & often given as gifts. While red is always popular there are many colors to choose from. Their bright colors are gorgeous & long lasting. They come in many sizes from small pots - that will make a nice centerpiece - to very large pots - that make a statement. Place them in bright light & keep the soil moist by watering regularly to keep them looking their best. They do not need fertilizer during the holiday season. Be sure to slit the foil wrapping & place on a saucer so they can drain properly. Do not leave them sitting in water. One other thing to note … poinsettias are NOT poisonous. This has been documented & proven through extensive research by Ohio State University.

Christmas Cactus are often thought of as a plant your grandmother loved, however they can look very stylish & beautiful today. They are very easy & rewarding to grow making them a wonderful houseplant all through the year even when they are not blooming. Place them in a bright spot near a window. Keep the soil moist while they are in bloom & then let the soil dry between waterings when they are done blooming.

Cyclamen are a wonderful blooming houseplant that is often used at Christmas time but is not specifically thought of as a Christmas plant which makes it a great gift for friends of other faiths. Their blooms are very dramatic rising above a mound of silver foliage. They will bloom for many months if kept consistently moist & they appreciate a cooler room or drafty spot if you have it.

Amaryllis are dramatic & beautiful. Grown from a bulb you can purchase them ready to bloom for decoration or as a kit for gifts that your loved ones can watch grow & bloom later this winter. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings then water thoroughly. You can keep them as a houseplant & then rest the bulb in late summer so they will bloom again next year.

Paper Whites are also grown from bulbs. Allow 4 – 5 weeks for them to bloom after they are planted in soil or gravel. Their stunning white blooms are fragrant which is appealing to some & not to others. They are beautiful when decorated with a few sprigs of winterberry. After they finish blooming, the bulbs have ended their lifecycle so just dispose of them. We have them ready to grow in pretty bowls & other containers which make gift giving easy.

I encourage you to stop in for inspiring ideas on ways you can use holiday plants in your home. Then be creative & have fun decorating with them.

12.18.09 - Reflections
As the 2009 gardening season comes to a close I look back & reflect. After a long snowy winter we were blessed with a beautiful spring planting season. Our guests were so excited to enjoy the nice weather & spend time in their gardens. This year many people planted vegetable & herb gardens for the first time & it was fun to share in their enthusiasm. The summer was cooler than usual which made it more comfortable to spend time in the garden but it delayed the ripening of the vegetables. We were fortunate to have beautiful fields of our delicious sweet corn, tomatoes & cut flowers which everyone enjoyed picking up in the farm market.  September was a beautiful month for planting new landscapes & harvesting our gardens. The gardening season was cut short by a cold & rainy October where we all hibernated indoors. It is hard to believe that winter is here again & after the holidays we’ll begin to plan our gardens for next year.

It is a special privilege to share my love of gardening with you each week.  I hope that I have inspired you to try a new plant or combination of plants in your landscape as well as helped you solve growing problems or concerns.  As 2009 comes to a close we are already working on plans for 2010. I look forward to the opportunity for sharing new plants & gardening techniques with you in the coming year. I think you’ll be excited to get started by attending the Winter Gardening Seminars which are held on Saturday mornings in January & February. I will be sending more information in an email soon.

On behalf of the Graf family & staff I would like to express our appreciation for your friendship & your business. Best Wishes to you and yours for a wonderful holiday of peace, joy & love.

12.4.09 - Plethora of Holiday Plants
Holiday plants are naturally beautiful. They add so much to our homes during the holidays as well as they are always a welcomed gift. I love to decorate with them at the holidays because they are fresh & simply lovely. They look great when I place them in pretty containers for quick & instant decorating in every room.

Poinsettias are the most well known & popular holiday plant. They’re easy to care for & they last a very long time. They can be used to add a little touch of holiday color in a center piece, as an accent on a hall table or to make a statement with a large showy plant in a featured spot in your home or business.  In addition, there are a few other holiday plants I especially enjoy. Amaryllis are so dramatically beautiful with their log stems & showy flowers. Christmas cactus are easy to care for & they have such a fun look. Most people are successful with them for many years to come. English ivy growing in the shape of a wreath is another favorite. They look so pretty when they are embellished with a bird in a nest or a small ribbon running through it. Cyclamen are great because they are colorful & they keep blooming for many months. If you keep them watered regularly it will still look nice on Valentine’s Day.  There are so many choices. I am sure you will find the perfect holiday plant for your home.

12.19.08 - Reflecting on another gardening year!
It is hard to believe that we are approaching the close of another year. As we reflect back over the past year we are reminded of both great successes in our landscapes & gardens as well as a few trials. A rainy cool spring made it difficult to get everything planted however the plants flourished with the extra moisture. Many people planted vegetable gardens for the first time in many years & experienced the joy of producing great tasting vegetables. We were fortunate to have wonderful crops this year as well. Many of you enjoyed the sweet corn, tomatoes, eggplant & others from the Farm Market. I learned that hydrangeas need a lot of fertilizer for them to bloom & then I enjoyed extra blooms in my garden for the rest of the season. Fall is another great time for planting & is always colorful with mums & pumpkins however in an unusual turn of events the snow fell before many of the leaves which made leaf pick up & final garden clean-up a challenge. Every season is different & offers another chance for a beautiful garden or crop. My father, my grandfather, & Great Uncles were vegetable farmers & as soon as they finished the harvest in the fall they looked forward to the first day of plowing & planting the next spring. I didn’t understand this when I was younger but now realize that the opportunity to start over in a new season, to work the soil & to continuously learn new things is what I love most about gardening.

We appreciate your business & your friendship & look forward to another year of gardening with you. My family & the Graf Growers staff join me in wishing you a very Happy Holiday & prosperous New Year!

12.12.08 - Gift Ideas for Gardeners
Although our gardens are hibernating a gardener is passionate about their garden & always appreciates gifts for next season so I thought I would offer a few gift ideas. Often gardeners have the basic tools needed for gardening but would appreciate a good pair of pruners or a special pair of gardening gloves that they might not splurge for. Additionally, a beautiful pot or urn will bring joy for many seasons when they plant it every spring. For a great stocking stuffer consider metal plant labels to identify unusual species. Of course, a gift card from Graf’s can be enjoyed in the spring or any time of year. Every spring many guests bring their gift cards in & always mention how much they enjoy shopping for extra plants or special accessories for their garden.

A little different idea to consider for a new homeowner is to purchase a landscape consultation with Graf’s landscape designer Tom Kriska. Tom will meet with them for 1 hour to walk around the landscape, make suggestions, answer questions, & help them get started on a new landscape or revitalizing an existing landscape. The cost is $75 & it is always appreciated.

Gardeners love plants so why not bring gardening indoors with a tabletop garden of assorted blooming & green plants or a new houseplant. Additionally, consider an Amaryllis kit or paperwhite garden that they can watch grow & bloom. We have kits & gardens made up & ready to go or you can select plants & we’ll help put them together according to your wishes.

The last few years I have received various tools & accessories for my garden for Christmas & have enjoyed using them & thinking of my sister who gave them to me. Stop in & let us help you find the perfect gift for the gardeners & new homeowners on your list.

12.14.07- Joy & Peace to you & yours this holiday season!
On behalf of the Graf Family & staff of Graf Growers I extend our heartfelt appreciation for your business & your friendship during the past year!

I started writing this blog about 6 months ago offering gardening tips, introducing new plant varieties & sharing a little bit about my garden. It has been fun to share each week & I hope you have enjoyed it as well. As we look ahead to 2008 I would encourage you to consider attending one of our upcoming winter seminars. It is a great way to kick off the gardening season, meet other gardeners, & learn more! (It’s even more fun when you bring a friend!) Click for more information & a printable registration form.

12.14.07 - Here are a few of my favorite gardening gift ideas...
Finding a gift for a gardener is often difficult because they usually have the usual tools & supplies. I have listed a few gift ideas for gardeners or new homeowners that you might consider:
*Consider giving them a beautiful pot or urn & a gift card for plants to fill it in the spring or a bag of potting soil!
*Perhaps they would enjoy an indoor garden to brighten up the winter with an assortment of blooming & green plants arranged in a basket like a miniature garden.
*Statues of dogs & cats, birdbaths, & other decorative accessories are a favorite of many to add a decorative touch to the garden.
*Registration to attend Graf’s Winter Gardening Seminars on Saturday mornings is a great way for a new homeowner to get started or a seasoned gardener to learn more & meet other gardeners!
* Mud gloves, pruners & other handy gadgets make great stocking stuffers!
Graf’s Gift Cards - so the gardeners on your list can go crazy in the spring buying all their favorite plants & fun accessories! This is always a gift worth waiting for!

12.7.07 - Keep your poinsettias beautiful with these helpful tips...
I’m sure you’ll want to keep your Poinsettia plants looking their best so here is a few tips to help guide you. Poinsettias like bright to moderate light however, it is best if they have 2-3 hours of bright light per day. Avoid draft spots or heat sources like a fireplace or registers & most importantly keep the soil moist evenly moist with regular watering when the soil feels dry to the touch. Be sure to drain the saucer which may require you to cut a slit in the foil so that it will drain well. It is best to water the plant 2 – 3 times slowly in a 5 minute period so the soil can absorb the water instead of flushing through it.

12.1.07 - Watch out for Wintry Weather...
The weather forecast is for wintry weather to arrive in the next few days so today is your last chance for awhile to rake up any remaining leaves & finish up gardening chores. If you live near a wooded area or have problems with deer grazing you may want to treat with a repellant to keep them from destroying ornamentals. Spray susceptible plants with “Liquid Fence” or if you prefer not to spray you can use “Plant Protec” which is a plastic tube filled with a highly concentrated form of garlic oil that you hang on desirable plants to repel deer & rabbits. We have received good feedback on both products.

Add a little drama to your holiday decorations with an easy to grow Phalaenopsis Orchid. They are easy to grow in bright to moderate light, with regular watering blooms will last a long time. Blend them with cyclamen & ivy or use them separately in a festive pot.  They look especially pretty on a silver tray with a few glass ornaments or other trinkets.