March
3.31.11 - Nurturing adds to beauty!
Soon we will be out shopping for plants for our garden & landscape and frequently the best looking blooms of the day will fill our carts. It is not nearly as exciting to load bags of soil amendments into our cars rather than beautiful pots of colorful flowers. However, I urge you to save part of your gardening budget for nurturing your soil. Experienced gardeners understand the importance of soil amendments which enhance their garden soil so that their plants will be easily established & grow better. Think of it as protecting your investment of plants because you are creating a nurturing place for the roots to develop. To illustrate this concept … think of the root system as a mirror image of the plant above the soil. It has been my experience, that when a plant is growing & thriving, the roots are too. If a plant is struggling, usually upon inspection you will find that roots have not established. Whether you are growing vegetables, flowers, or ornamental shrubs & trees you’re sure to be more successful when you prepare the soil properly. You can get started in early spring or you can wait until you start planting. A few tips to guide you …
First, it is best to determine what type of soil that you have. Hold a clump of soil that is moist but not saturated in your fist. Squeeze it & then open your hand. Sandy soil will stay loose & crumbly in your hand, while clay soil will form a clump, a loam soil is most ideal & it will break apart with small clumps & some course loose soil.
If you have a loam type soil it is ideal because it is easy to work, drains well & has nice structure for root development, however adding regular soil amendments will keep the soil more viable. I am fortunate to have this type of soil for my garden. I have been adding Swet Peet® which is a composted product made from animal & vegetative waste along with very finely ground bark. It provides great texture as well as nutrient value & the results have been amazing. If you make your own compost that can be an excellent soil amendment as well.
If you have clay soil it tends to compact making it more difficult for roots to develop. It is very heavy & hard to dig. To help loosen the soil & break up the clay, add a combination of bark soil conditioner & peat moss. It is best to till this in...however, if you already have established plants you can mulch with these products & allow them to infiltrate the soil slowly over time. This may take several years before the soil is easier to work with so be persistent.
If you have sandy soil it will drain well however plants will require more frequent watering & nutrients because water runs right through. Adding soil amendments will provide more substance to the soil which will help to retain water & nutrients making it more available to the plants. We recommend adding Sweet Peet® to the soil because it will add great texture & nutrients.
To add to this discussion, some plants prefer certain soil amendments. For example, Rhododendrons benefit from the acidic conditions as well as the texture of peat moss or bark soil conditioner. Roses respond well to composted cow manure. We’ll be glad to guide you in choosing soil amendments that compliment your plant selections.
Frequently, people tell us that they have just added fresh topsoil to a garden bed. While this is a good thing to do, most often top soil does not take the place of soil amendments - unless the topsoil has been fortified with compost. Ideally, you will want to add amendments to topsoil as well.
A few final comments …
If you are starting a new bed or if you have a bed that has not been doing well consider doing a soil test to check the Ph before you start the gardening season this year.
While you are adding soil amendments consider adding Preen garden weed preventer to the soil to prevent weeds from germinating.
Adding soil amendments does not take the place of fertilizer. Apply fertilizer at the time of planting.
 
3.24.11 - Spring: It's happening, now what can I plant?
The beginning of spring is an exciting time. As we watch the emerging buds of crocus & snowdrops, we are filled with the anticipation of more flowers to come and the realization that spring is here. Early spring weather is often unpredictable with a warm sunny day that makes us hopeful followed by a cool dreary day that sends us running back inside. Frequently, we are asked “what I can plant now?” If you’re anxious to get started in your garden here are a few ideas to get you started.
Start with planting pansies in containers & beds for bright spring color. They are cold tolerant & resilient so they’ll survive the ups & downs of early spring weather.
If you are ready to get started in your vegetable garden, planting seeds for garden peas as well as seed potatoes and onion sets is a good place to start. They can soon be followed by planting seeds for early season lettuce, spinach, collards, turnips & other greens. All of these vegetables are cold tolerant, and in the case of peas & spinach they prefer to grow in cool conditions.
If you're not ready to plant your garden, but want to get outside consider amending the garden soil by applying Sweet Peet® about 1” thick over the area & then tilling it in when you’re ready.
As perennials emerge, it is a good time to split them if they have grown too large for their spot. This is especially true for hosta & daylilies.
Begin early spring fertilization of your shrubs with Holly-tone & perennials with Plant-tone organic fertilizer to encourage strong healthy roots & bigger blooms.
If you can’t get outdoors, start germinating garden seeds inside to prepare for planting them later outdoors. This is a good time to start pepper & tomato plants.
3.25.10 - My Rite of Spring
Planting pansies is like a rite of passage for me each spring. I welcome their happy colors in the landscape as well as the opportunity to get started planting since they are cold tolerant. The bright yellow buds of Forsythia shrubs that are just peeking out now make them a beautiful compliment to pansies. Forsythia is easy to grow in sun or partial shade however you need to leave plenty of space for growth to enjoy its natural beauty. If you wish to expand your early spring gardening efforts, consider planting lettuce seeds in containers. Leaf lettuce is very decorative as well as edible. You may need to protect tender baby lettuce plants from frost but otherwise lettuce is fairly cold tolerant. I hope that I have inspired you to get started planting & enjoying the colors of early spring!
 
3.18.10 - Sunny Days
Love the sunshine … it smells like spring & it feels like it too! It is so exciting to see the changes to our landscapes everyday. Snowdrops & crocus are blooming & daffodils are swelling so they will soon be blooming too. Although it is a little early for spring planting outdoors we are all anxious for spring blooms. You can fill your home with the fragrance & beauty of spring with potted spring flowers. The good news is many of the potted flowers can be planted outside later. Tulips, hyacinths, & daffodils can be planted after they’re finished blooming & they’ll come up & bloom again next spring. Easter lilies will bloom again in late summer when planted as well as they often come up again next spring. Reiger begonias are beautiful in summer container gardens & can be planted outdoors after the danger of frost. So go ahead & fill your home with spring!
3.12.10 - Spring? Could it really be?
The birds are chirping & there are signs of spring are everywhere. The warmer temperatures encourage us to get outside & enjoy the fresh air. It was great to see landscapes everywhere emerge from the heavy layer of snow. Although it is a little early for many gardening tasks it is a great time to take a walk around your yard to make plans for spring planting as well as assess any immediate needs. In my landscape ornamental grasses left for winter interest are lying over & ready to be cut back. A few Arborvitaes have droopy tips from the weight of the snow which can be tied up inconspicuously near the main trunk with a strip of panty hose which will allow for flexibility. A few patches of grass were gouged by the snow plow need to be repaired & reseeded which can be done now. A few remaining perennials need to be cut back & of course there are sticks to pick up everywhere. I encourage you to get outside, take a walk through your landscape. It is time for spring planning & clean-up. It will feel good to get started by tackling a few yard clean-up tasks. Of course, we can help with gardening supplies & we can’t wait to see you again in the store.
3.20.09 - Are you thinking about planting a vegetable garden this year?
If so, there are a few things to consider. Do you want to grow a large garden with many items or just a few plants so you can enjoy fresh picked produce? Then, you need to choose a spot that is sunny. If you have limited sunshine or limited space you might consider gardening in pots on a sunny deck or planting a few plants in with flowers for the first year. Be sure it is close enough that you can reach the garden with a hose to water it. Next you will need to decide which vegetables you would enjoy eating or growing. This may depend on how much space you have but tomato plants are often a favorite. Some vegetables like beans & lettuce can be planted in several batches a few weeks apart for a continuous supply. This seems to be preferable unless you are doing a lot of canning & freezing so you do not have an over supply. If you have limited space choose space saver bush growing varieties of squash & cucumber plants (this means they grow on a compact bush rather than a sprawling vine.) Then plot out your garden to maximize space. We have a sheet that lists many vegetables & their requirements for spacing, planting depth, etc. that you can pick up in the store. In addition, I have made a list of a few tips to help you get started.
If you are planning to dig & till a new area in your lawn to create a garden you can remove all of the grass & then turn over the soil with soil amendments such as Sweet Peet (this is the correct brand spelling) an organic composted material that will enrich the soil. Another way you can accomplish this with out digging is with a method called “Lasagna Gardening”. I know several people that have used this method with great success. Just do an internet search for lasagna gardening to get the specifics.
Some vegetable plants prefer the cool temperatures of early spring & should be started within the next few weeks. If you are ready to get started you can begin by planting peas, potatoes & onion sets for green onions. You can even plant spinach or lettuce in pots. I saw this at a furniture store last year & the lettuce with red tipped leaves looked very ornamental.
Fertilize your garden with all organic Garden-tone fertilizer by Espoma. This fertilizer provides a balanced mix of nutrients for optimum growth. In addition, Espoma Tomato tone is formulated specifically for growing tomatoes.
If you choose to do container gardening be sure to use potting soil (not top soil) because it is loose & does not compact which allows for better root growth.
If you have rabbits in your yard you may need to put up a low wire fence around the perimeter to keep them from enjoying the fruits of your labor.
Vegetable gardening is fun & rewarding & occasionally frustrating. Involve family & friends in this great learning experience. If you have extra space consider “Planting a Row for the Hungry” & donate the extra vegetables that you grow to the Akron-Canton Food Bank. They always have local drop off spots in the summer.
3.6.09 - A Few Quick Early Spring Cleaning Tips!
Wow, it feels great outside & I am sure you’re anxious to get out & started with early spring clean-up work. Last winter came early so many of us have some remaining leaves on the ground & late season perennials that need to be cut back. It is a good time to get started with these tasks as well as cutting back ornamental grasses if you left them for winter interest & pruning deciduous shrubs. It is important to get the leaves up now so when your grass starts to grow it will recover & not leave bare spots. If your lawn was damaged by snow plows you can fill in with top soil & grass seed. Perennials & Shrubs can be fertilized with Espoma Holly-Tone for acid loving plants & Plant-Tone for all others. These are nutrient rich, all organic fertilizers which will get your plants off to a great start this year. It will feel good to get outside & you’ll love the way it looks when you’re done. If you would rather not do yourself, give us a call & we’ll provide a quote to take care of it for you.
3.28.08 - Get Ready to Play in the Dirt!!!
One of the most important but often overlooked aspects of planting landscape beds & gardens is soil preparation & soil amendments. We can’t see below the soil surface when a plant is growing but if we could the root system is almost always a mirror image of the health of the plant. Thriving & vigorous plants will have large & thriving root systems which enable plants to survive drought or other extreme conditions as well as disease & insect problems. With proper soil amendments landscape & garden plants will grow more vigorously, with bigger blooms & stronger stems. This is a great time to get started adding soil amendments before it is time to plant.
First, you need to determine the type of soil that you are working with so that you can amend it properly. Is it heavy clay (most of Akron is), sandy or a good loam mix? If you are not sure you can test this by taking a clump of soil that is not saturated & squeeze it in your fist. If the soil holds together in a clump it is clay, if it falls apart loosely it is sandy & if it kind of crumbles it is loamy soil.
If you have heavy clay soil you can amend it by adding bark soil conditioner which is a finely ground bark mix. Sandy soil will benefit from the water holding properties of peat moss or Bumper Crop compost mix which will allow the soil to retain nutrients for the plant. Loose loamy soil is the best however you can add a light mix of Bumper Crop or Sweet Peet (this is not a spelling error) or homemade compost to increase the organic content of the soil. Incorporate the amendments into the existing soil of a new bed as deep as you can (up to 12”) before you plant. If possible, use a tiller to do this. If not, mix it in with a shovel. When amending an existing bed put a light layer of the amendments on the soil surface & let the rain & snow etc. work it in over time. Although this method is slower it will work well.
Additionally, soil amendments do not take the place of fertilizer but rather help the fertilizer to work more efficiently. If you have a bed that is struggling or you’re starting in a new area it is always advisable to do a soil test to chech the ph of the soil. We carry free test kits from Calmar laboratories which you mail in with a sample for a fee or ph meters to test it yourself. The mail in test is more complete however either will work.
I look forward to seeing you in the store soon.
3.21.08 - Welcome Spring!
Everything holds its breath except spring. She bursts through as strong as ever. Emily Carr (1871 – 1945) artist & writer
Despite the lingering winter weather the sun is brighter, the days are longer & we’re all anxiously awaiting spring like weather & the opportunity to get outside & play in the dirt! As gardeners, we can celebrate the first days of spring & Easter with traditional flowers that are fragrant as well as beautiful & bring a fresh touch to our homes. Additionally, most Easter plants will continue to grow so that you can enjoy them for a long time or again next spring. Let me explain:
*Lilies - can be planted in a lightly shaded location outdoors after they are done blooming & they will die back (leaves & stems will turn brown & then you can remove them) & then they will grow & bloom again in August. In addition, they are most often perennial & will return each year.
*Hyacinths, Tulips & Daffodils – can be planted outdoors when they are done blooming. Leave the foliage & let them turn completely brown before you remove them. They will reemerge & bloom next spring.
*Orchids – their blooms are long lasting & can be enjoyed indoors for a very long time. Grow on as a houseplant & they will rebloom periodically.
*Hydrangeas – forced florist type hydrangeas have very long lasting blooms (several months) as long as you keep them watered regularly. If you plant them outdoors they will most often come back & grow as a shrub but will not bloom in our zone so it is advisable to enjoy them indoors.
3.14.08 - Here are some helpful tips to get your landscape ready for Spring...
It is hard to believe 1 week ago today we were experiencing a major snowstorm & yesterday I saw a few perennials in my yard with new green growth peaking through the snow. This is really a great illustration of the insulating qualities of snow which aids in the protection of plants from extreme freezing & thawing. Now that the snow is starting to melt & we can feel spring in the air I thought I would provide you with a few tips for your landscape.
*If arborvitae or other evergreen plants split at the top with the weight of the snow you can use panty hose to tie them together if they do not stand up on their own. The nylon is easy to hide toward the center of the plant & offers elasticity so the plant can grow & mature.
*If you left ornamental grasses for winter interest you should cut them back now before the new growth appears. This is true of most perennials as well.
*After the snow melts you can start to fertilize evergreens, azaleas, rhododendron, & other acid loving plants to get a head start on the season. This really helps to promote root growth, stronger stems, more blooms & healthier plants overall.
*It is a great time to prune deciduous shrubs (ones that loose their leaves in the winter) like burning bush, itea & others! Avoid pruning spring blooming shrubs until after they have bloomed & most hydrangeas do not require pruning however if you have questions about them please give us a call.
* Keep feeding the birds! They’re still hungry!
Think Spring…it is coming soon!
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