February
2.25.10 - It all starts from a seed...
It is hard to believe that spring is coming soon while we are surrounded by mounds of snow. Last week I was in Columbus when the sun came out & temperatures were in the mid 40’s. It seemed like everyone was going outside to experience it & instantly people were smiling & giddy. Interestingly enough it even felt like spring. After a long stretch of winter weather we are all anxious to get outside in our gardens.
If you are starting to get a bit of cabin fever & just want to get started with gardening why not try your hand at growing a few seeds. Many varieties are easy to grow & it is especially rewarding to share the growing experience with a child. You can purchase a small tray lined with peat pots that comes complete with a clear plastic domed lid or you can use recycled egg cartons or other containers & a clear plastic bag. It is best if you fill the container with pre-moistened soil for seeding then plant the seed according to directions on the package. Some seed germinates best when covered & others like to be left exposed. A few varieties have even more specific needs like pre-chilling or that they germinate best in the dark. The package should indicate this. Finally cover the seeds you just planted with the plastic dome or clear plastic bag & place them in a warm sunny environment. Condensation will create a natural greenhouse environment which will keep the seeds moist naturally. This is important because seeds are easily washed away with watering. Check them every day by lifting the lid so they get a little air. Once the seeds have sprouted you will remove the plastic & water them first with a spray bottle & then with a watering can. Remember when seeds first sprout they only have a tiny root system so it is best to water them more frequently but very lightly. As they grow their root system will develop & they can handle more water at a time. When the plants are several inches high you will need to space them & provide plenty of light so they do not get too leggy. You can use a light solution of a water soluable fertilizer to keep them strong & healthy as well.
It is so inspiring to watch the seeds sprout & experience the miracle of a new plant. Additionally, you we’ll be so excited to taste the first tomato when it ripens or pick the first bloom next summer after they are growing in your garden. Stop in for a great selection of seeds & seed starting supplies & we’ll help you get started.
2.3.10 - Inspiration abounds...
Last week, we attended the Ohio Nursery Association conference in Columbus, Ohio which included educational programs along with a trade show showcasing new plants & equipment. It is always fun to experience a little bit of springtime while walking through to see what is new or different as well as connect with old friends. A few of the seminars that I attended were very applicable to home gardening. Today I thought I would share a little bit about what I learned.
One of the educational seminars I attended was on Container Gardening. The speaker Bobbie Schwartz focused on mixing annuals, perennials & shrubs in container gardening. She refers to it as using a full palette of plants. I thought her concept was interesting as she said she always plants perennials thinking of them as annuals in pots but if they survive over the winter it is a wonderful bonus. The other thing that caught my attention in her photos was how beautiful the plant structure of dormant perennials & shrubs looked in the winter. In my opinion, the containers looked best if they were a mix of annuals with perennials or shrubs mostly because they were more colorful all season long. In addition, she suggested a spring container garden with red leaf lettuce, curly parsley, & nasturtium. This concept could be modified with Swiss Chard & other leafy greens as well as violas which are tasty & colorful in a salad. It certainly gave me a lot of food for thought as I plan my container gardens for next spring. I think I will add a few perennials with annuals so I can experiment with how they’ll look next winter.
Below I have listed a few plants that she suggested. I would definitely like to try them in a container & I thought you might be interested in them as well.
Heuchera ‘Georgia Peach’ & other varieties of Heuchera – They offer such beautiful leaf texture & color. ‘Georgia Peach’ is a beautiful copper color. Many other varieties vary from lime green to deep burgandy.
Hakonechloa ‘Aureola’ - This is commonly known as Japanese Forest Grass. This plant is a clump of long narrow leaves that are variegated green & gold in color. This plant offers a very Asian feel with soft draping texture in containers. Best of all it is shade tolerant.
Sedum – This succulent type perennial is available in so many varieties from ‘Purple Emperor’ which has an upright form & thick burgundy leaves to ‘Vera Jamison’ which has a trailing blue-ish gray foliage & everything in between. They are sun loving, drought tolerant, & late season bloomers. They add interesting color & texture & can be combined nicely with hens & chicks or other annuals & perennials
Geranium Rozanne - is a strong perennial with violet flowers that bloom from June through late fall.
One word of caution: be sure to use pots that will not crack from freezing if you plan to leave them out all winter.
One other thing … If you are enjoying a little arm chair gardening this winter there is a web site you might want to explore. http://www.instructables.com Staff member, Jim Matalik sent this link to me for the email. It is an incredible tool for do it yourself gardening projects & more! I hope I have inspired you to start thinking about your garden & landscape plans for the coming spring!
2.20.09 - Ever thought about seeding indoors??
 Have you thought about starting seeds indoors for your garden this year? It is a fun, educational & relatively inexpensive activity to do with children. They’ll enjoy waiting in anticipation as the first seeds sprout & the excitement as you see the first emerging green leaves peak through the surface. Although some folks that regularly start their own seeds have very elaborate systems with lighting etc. you can get started with very few supplies if you just want to try it. I thought I would offer a few tips to get you started.
Selecting what seeds you will grow – Start with a favorite variety or an idea of something you would enjoy to grow. Every seed variety is a different size & has its own germination period. For example green beans are very large seeds & they germinate in just a few days & tomato seeds are significantly smaller & can take up to a week to germinate. Some flowers have even smaller seeds & take even longer for germination. Most seeds are very easy to germinate however some varieties have special requirements such as they might require chilling before planting or they need to germinate in the dark. It is best to read the directions on the package to determine the timing & requirements for starting the seeds. One other thought to consider when making selections is that some seeds like carrots, onions, lettuce, spinach, etc. can be started directly outdoors once the soil temperature warms up.
 What do you need to get started – You will want to choose a container to grow them in and a loose potting mix for seeding. You can use small peat pots that can be transplanted later into the garden, plastic cell packs that annuals come in or an egg carton as long as you make a small drainage hole in the bottom. Regardless of what you choose it is best if you put them in a plastic flat or shallow baking tray to collect the water run-off & keep your home cleaner. We offer a jiffy tray with a peat pot liner & plastic dome cover which is very self contained & can be used for many years with replacement peat pots. It is best to use a light soil mix for seeding. I like the Premier Pro-Mix Potting & Seeding Mix that we carry. You’ll want to choose a spot in your home that is warm & offers bright light. In front of a window is usually best.
Planting the seeds & helping them grow – Generally, the key to successful germination is to keep the seeds warm & moist until they sprout without drowning them. I think it is best to pre-moisten the soil by putting it in a bucket then add water a little at a time to moisten it while mixing it together. (If you get it too wet & soggy just wait an extra day before you plant) Then fill your containers with the pre-moistened soil Reserve a little soil that is dry to cover the seeds if needed. (Refer to the package to determine if covering is needed) Make a shallow depression in the soil with a pencil eraser & plant the seeds according to the directions on the package. Then cover them with plastic. The plastic dome is that comes with the jiffy tray is best but if you do not want to invest in it use a dry cleaning bag. It is important that the plastic is not laying on the soil. The plastic will create condensation which will keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate. Place in a warm bright spot. It is okay if you lift the plastic every day to check them. When you see the leaves begin to sprout lift the plastic. After you remove the plastic you will need to water them when they are dry; first with a mister bottle for a few days & then with a fine watering can. Keep in mind that they will require more water as they mature & the root system develops. Depending on when you start & how fast they grow you may need to transplant them into larger containers.
If this is your first time planting seeds we’ll be glad to answer your questions & guide you through the process.
2.12.09 - "Why Trees Matter"
As we think ahead & plan for our spring landscapes we often think about it from the perspective of how we will enjoy it. Perhaps we consider the beauty we will enjoy, the entertaining we will do, or the privacy a hedge will provide or even tasty vegetables that we will grow in our home gardens. Last night, at a meeting I attended I was reminded of the importance of trees in our neighborhoods. This is another very important benefit of landscaping & tree planting that I thought you might enjoy hearing about. Jim Chatfield, OSU Extension specialist & others have been working on a study entitled “Why Trees Matter”. One component of this study relates to street tree plantings in a greater Cleveland neighborhood that were planted 40 years ago. Two streets located less than 1 mile apart were studied. One street had flourishing sunburst locust trees & the other street had smaller hawthorn trees which had a more limited survival rate. The study measured & documented the benefits the trees provided & the exponentially greater benefit of the larger flourishing trees compared to the neighborhood with fewer trees that were also smaller. The first most notable difference was the quality of life they noticed. On the street with flourinshing trees residents were outside on a mid July day walking, interacting with each other, doing things in their own yards. In addition, homes were well kept & very attractive. The same day on the street where the trees were not thriving as well there was a notable difference in the outward appearance of the homes & activity as there weren’t any people outdoors enjoying the neighborhood. In addition, they measured the energy savings provided by the trees as well as the benefits of natural cooling. Trees also provide incredible storm water management & help clean pollution from the air which is also documented in the study. This is an ongoing study, much greater than the part I shared with you & I think it will be fascinating to learn more as it progresses. Right now, the key things I thought about after reading this are: all trees are beneficial but larger healthier trees provide greater benefits & your landscape & especially trees are providing beauty as well as environmental benefits not only for you but for the community.
2.6.09 - Bring Spring indoors with a few new blooming plants!
I am encouraged by the forecast for warmer temperatures this weekend after a long stretch of cold snowy gray days. After a period of hibernation we are encouraged to start thinking about the upcoming spring & spending time outdoors in our gardens. Since we have about 6 more weeks until we can start planting pansies & peas perhaps you would like to consider a few new plants in your home. I always enjoy pots of primrose because they bloom for about 3 weeks indoors & they are bright & showy. Cyclamen have a long blooming period (often several months) & are beautiful with their bold yet delicate flowers. Furthermore, you might add a new foliage plant or succulent for interest. Adding a new houseplant or blooming plant is a simple way to bring spring indoors & provide hope for the coming months.
2.22.08 - Graf Grower's staff is keeping busy this winter...
I am looking out my window at the nursery, barren & beautifully blanketed with snow. It is hard to imagine that in 6 weeks the nursery will be filled with plants & people. That’s what I love about the changing seasons; there is always a fresh start & something to look forward to. We are asked many times what we do in the winter. It is our time for planning & planting for the spring & summer seasons. Laura has been busy ordering perennials & shrubs for the nursery including many new varieties that we think you’ll love for your landscape. The greenhouse staff is in full production planting hanging baskets & other annuals. The landscape staff has been attending educational programs as well as designing landscapes & preparing equipment. As you might imagine just like the roots that are growing & developing all winter under the ground we are busy preparing for spring behind the scenes! I think you will enjoy many of the new plants & products we’ll be featuring this spring.
If you are sick of snow & anxious for spring just remember that the snow is providing wonderful insulation for landscape plants & protects them from freezing during times of very low temperatures.
2.15.08 - Dreaming of Spring? There's is still some work to be done before Winter's end!
As I walked through the greenhouse this morning looking at the pansies & other spring plants that are newly planted & growing vigorously I am reminded that spring is near. It is at this point in the winter season that I begin what I call arm chair gardening (dreaming). Searching through books & magazines thinking about changes I wish to make to my landscape & new plants I want to try. I also find myself filling my home with new houseplants & potted flowers.
If you do not mind bundling up there are a few landscape chores that can be done in the winter. It is a good time to get outside for a few minutes & evaluate the structure of your landscape & think about changes you want to make. If you left ornamental grasses or perennials standing last fall you’ll want to cut them back anytime between now & mid March. In addition, late winter is a great time to prune deciduous shrubs except for spring blooming varieties such as forsythia, & lilacs. If you’re not sure give us a call.
2.8.08- Houseplants may need a little fertilizer as the days start to get longer...
It is so good to see the sunshine today…it gives us hope for spring! This past week I had several calls about houseplant care which prompted me to talk about them today. One question was about fertilization & whether or not they should be fertilizing houseplants in the winter. The short answer is yes, you can fertilize houseplants in the winter however in early winter when the days are very short plants will grow more slowly. Although they will sustain life they will be slow to produce new stems or leaves therefore they only require minimal fertilization. In mid February to early March as the days get longer & the sun is brighter you will see new growth & vigor. At this time plants will benefit most from regular fertilization to encourage stronger stems & healthy new growth. Choose a fertilizer that is labeled for houseplants & use it according to the directions. We like Schultz’s Houseplant Food however Miracle Gro & others will work. In addition, it is a good time to prune houseplants which will allow for more branching and repot root bound houseplants anytime between mid February & Spring. The reason it is best to transplant houseplants this time of year is because when they are actively growing they will grow new roots to fill the pot faster therefore you have less risk of over watering. Give your houseplants a boost with GreenGlo plant shine which is an oil spray that will brighten up dull leaves. You’ll be amazed how good they will look with a little attention & it will feel good to get your hands in the dirt again!!!
Today the landscape team is attending a seminar on installing rooftop gardens which provide greater insulation for buildings & absorbs rainwater run-off. This is an exciting new concept that we look forward to sharing with you in the future.
2.1.08- Get a head start on Spring by starting seeds indoors!
Are you anxious for spring? As the calendar flips to February I find myself ready for spring & eager to see things growing! You will find as days lengthen that your houseplants will begin to grow more so it is a good time to encourage new growth with houseplant fertilizer. Additionally, if you want to get a head start on spring you may consider starting a few seeds indoors. It is a fun & easy project to do with children. You can use recycled egg cartons or other containers or you can buy a tray filled with peat pots with a greenhouse type dome lid to get started. Moisten soil for seeding in a bucket & mix it to distribute the moisture evenly through the soil. Fill containers with soil, and then plant the seeds according to the directions. (Various seeds have different requirements for light & depth which will be on the packet.) Cover the container with the domed lid or a plastic bag to create its own greenhouse like environment where condensation will provide the needed moisture. Place in a sunny window & check daily allowing a little air into the covered container. When seedlings appear & have two leaves remove the plastic dome or bag & begin watering the soil surface. Remember that when seedlings are very small they have very small roots so keep soil moist with a spray bottle at first then use more water as they begin to grow & have a more developed root system. One other hint: seeds have various germination times so some seeds will pop up in a few days others take a few weeks (this information is also on the packet) so do not be discouraged if some germinate faster than others. As always, we are willing to help you learn more & answer your questions so feel free to stop in or call us if you have questions.
I would like to personally invite you to attend the Landscape Seminar this Saturday Feb. 2nd at 10:00 AM presented by Tom Kriska & I. You’ll enjoy the visual tour of area landscapes as well as design ideas. The seminar will be helpful whether you enjoy doing it yourself or if you are planning to have work done. There are plenty of seats available so just stop in. The coffee is ready at 9:30AM.
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