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October

10.30.09 - Indoor Beauties
Houseplants are a natural air freshener & they add beauty in our homes. I was first introduced to the greenhouse business in the 70’s when houseplants were all the craze & it was not uncommon for homes to be overflowing with greenery everywhere…hanging from the ceiling, on the windowsills & groupings on the floor. I am sure we did not realize the benefits of all the plants in our home at that time. I still enjoy the natural beauty of a fresh green plant as an accent to my décor. I generally choose easy care plants that are forgiving if I forget to water them. As we tighten up our homes for the winter & with cold & flu season upon us consider adding a potted plant of fresh greenery to your home. It will look beautiful & freshen the air naturally. Here are a few easy care varieties that I enjoy:
Philodendron – this easy care plant will grow in low light or brighter areas.   There are many varieties available.
Spathiphyllum – the common name is peace lily & it is a great plant with beautiful white flowers sporadically though the year.
Hoya -  this thick leafed vining plant likes bright light however it is colorful with green & yellow striped leaves & it is very drought tolerant so it only requires occasional watering.
Draceana – this is another plant that comes in many varieties & is usually enjoyed as a floor plant.
Cyclamen – this is my favorite blooming houseplant because they bloom for many months if you keep them evenly moist. The secret to success with them is to keep them in a cooler room & provide regular watering.  

10.23.09 - Fall Road Trip
I just returned from a trip through parts of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, & West Virginia to visit the Shenendoah National Park & to drive along Skyline Drive. The sun was shining & the foliage color was fabulous along the interstate. We experienced snow in the higher elevations of the park. It was an incredible sight to see the snow on top of the colored leaves of the trees. All of the beauty reminded me of the importance of fall & winter color in the home landscape.

I would encourage you to take a walk through your landscape to see where fall color or winter interest is needed.  What colors are your trees in the fall? Do you need to shake it up with a variety of fall foliage colors? Do you have any blooming perennials or roses? The Knock-Out Roses in my garden are still blooming as well as perennial Geranium ‘Rozanne’.  Grasses provide texture even after the frost. Consider the interesting foliage colors of Huechera (commonly known as coral bells) which is beautiful from early spring until the snow flies. Arborvitae ‘Fire Chief’ is a conifer with interesting golden orange colored foliage all year long. Red Twig Dogwood (Cornus ‘Ivory Halo’) will provide brilliant red stems in the winter.  There are so many others to consider as well.

I would encourage you to plan ahead & add plants with fall & winter interest to extend the time you enjoy your landscape each year. With careful planning your landscape can be interesting & beautiful every month of the year.

10.16.09 - Don't Give Up!
Lately the cold rainy weather has kept even the most diehard gardeners inside however the weather forecast is for sunny days next week. This will be a perfect opportunity to get outside to work in your landscape & gardens. It is not too late to plant perennials, shrubs & trees so you can enjoy them next spring. It is an ideal time to plant them if you do not have access for watering because they will get established while the weather is cool & the soil is moist. We still have a good selection & they are on sale 50% off through the end of the month.

In addition, while you are cleaning up your gardens & pulling the annuals consider planting fall bulbs like tulips, daffodils, crocus, & others so that after the snow melts next spring you will be greeted by their cheerful blooms. Although tulips & daffodils are always a favorite there are many other bulbs to consider as well. Snowdrops & Crocus are always a welcome sight just after the snow. I especially like alliums mixed in the perennial garden with their tall spiky stems & dramatic ball shaped flowers on top. The best part is they multiply every year so after several years you will have a full clump of them blooming. If pesky animals are a problem you can spray the bulbs with “Repel’s All” by Bonide before you plant them or plant Frittilaria bulbs mixed with other bulbs. The Frittilaria bulbs act as a natural repellent because the bulb smells like a skunk. They will grow & bloom late next spring.  

Finally, one other tip for putting your gardens to rest, preventing weeds & building up the soil for next year. After you clean out your annual beds & vegetable garden cover the area with several layers of newspaper & then mulch with Sweet Peet. Over time the newspaper will break down & the Sweet Peet will help to nourish the soil when you turn it over next spring.

10.2.09 - Fall Clean Up Q&A:
This week many people have been asking questions concerning fall clean-up. Here are a few of their questions & the answers.
When should I cut back my perennials?
Most perennials can be cut back after frost has damaged the leaves & they are dormant for the winter. There are some perennials that are semi-evergreen that will look great until late fall & can be cut back later. Liriope & Heuchera are two examples. There are other perennials like lavender which should only be cut back slightly to shape it up because new growth next spring is generated off the old stems. If you’re not sure feel free to ask us & we’ll guide you.
My tomato plants were blighted so what can I do to prevent this problem next year?
The first step is proper fall clean-up. Remove all the diseased plants, place them in trash bags & put them on the curb. Do not compost them. Clean garden tools used for this process with Clorox & Water. Next year, begin treating them with Copper fungicide (organic) or Daconil (conventional) in early summer to prevent a reoccurrence.
My roses still look beautiful, when should I cut them back & how do I prepare them for winter?
Roses often bloom well when the days are warm & sunny & the nights are cool. There isn’t any reason to cut back your roses now if they still look beautiful. We recommend that you cut off any really long branches so they do not break from heavy snow load. This can be done anytime before Thanksgiving. Otherwise you do not need to cut them back until next spring after the new growth begins to emerge. Knock-out roses do not require any special care before winter. Other grafted rose buses like tea roses & floribundas require some protection before winter. This can be done in late October or early November. It is best to cover the base of the rose bush approximately 8” high in a mound with mujlch or topsoil. This prevents the graft (looks like a knot on the base of the plant near the soil) from freezing & thawing when winter temperatures fluctuate.
When do I cut my ornamental grasses back?
This is a matter of personal preference. I love the look of the grasses even after they have turned to a tan color in late autumn. I think they are beautiful with snow on them in the winter. If you appreciate them this way as well you can leave them until late March & then cut them back. If you like things taken care of & very neat & tidy you can cut them back in late October or November.

If you have other questions about fall clean-up feel free to stop in to discuss it with us or contact us by phone or email. 330 836 2727, grafgrowers@grafgrowers.com

10.31.08 - Plant bulbs this weekend for Spring beauty!
Take advantage of the beautiful weather this weekend to finish up late fall gardening chores & plant bulbs for spring. You’ll be glad you did!

If you enjoy gardening indoors consider potting an amaryllis bulb now so you can enjoy the blooms during the holidays or plant a few narcissus paper whites in a bowl with gravel or marbles. They grow quickly & add a little life to the home. These make great holiday gifts as well.

10.23.08 - The Great Fall Clean Up Begins!
Now that our gardens have been zapped by the frost, the great fall clean up begins as we remove annuals, empty pots, cut back perennials & tidy the garden. While you’re doing this our thoughts turn to next year & the things you can do now to improve your landscape. Do not forget to apply a late application of fertilizer (we suggest Holly-tone or Plant-tone by Espoma) to shrubs & perennials (not roses). Their roots are still active when they are dormant & this will make them stronger & keep them looking their best next season. If deer or rabbits are a problem in your neighborhood spray plants to prevent browsing & winter damage with Liquid Fence or Repels All by Bonide. We’ve had good reports on the effectiveness of both products & they both last about a month. Remove any diseased foliage from the landscape to help prevent a reoccurrence next year. Additionally, you can apply a light layer of Sweet Peet (a compost blend) or your own compost to areas that you want to improve the soil. If you do this now Mother Nature will do the work of blending it in the soil over time & you’ll have a lot less tilling in the spring. This is especially helpful to improve already established beds where you cannot get in to dig or till the soil. Finally, plant a few tulips, daffodils or other spring bulbs so that you can enjoy bright blooms as early as possible next spring.

10.17.08 - Fall color for your landscape.
We have enjoyed such a nice fall & in many places annual flowers still look great. I am never ready for the season to end. Last night I walked around my landscape & cut a beautiful bouquet of zinnias, hydrangeas, ageratum & apple mint. I was reminded that it might be my last bouquet of the season. Although the season is coming to an end for flowers with careful planning your landscape can still be colorful for a while longer. Consider planting burning bush or itea for fabulous fall foliage color. They both turn a brilliant red in the fall & the itea have a nice white pendulum type flower in the spring. Additionally, I have been very impressed with the knock-out roses especially the double knock-out varieties as they continue to bloom & flourish late into the fall & they are very hardy . Other suggestions for late fall color in your garden are Icicle pansies which continue to bloom until the snow flies & again next spring. Flowering kale & cabbage as well as perennial heuchera (coral bells) will provide colorful foliage until very late fall. For a finishing touch add garden mums, pumpkins & gourds tucked in between landscape plants for a burst of color. Your garden will look great through Thanksgiving!

10.10.08 - It's still safe to plant!
Many people have been asking if it is still safe to plant & the short answer is yes! You still have a number of weeks left for planting. You can plant trees, shrubs & perennials as long as the ground is not frozen. It is a great time to get plants established because the roots will continue to grow & establish even when the plant is dormant later in the fall. Although many areas experienced a killing frost this past week that should not be confused with a deep freeze when the soil is frozen. Take advantage of the great weather predicted for this weekend to accomplish unfinished landscape projects or to fill in bare spots. Your landscape will look great now and in spring.

Mums the word…Another question frequently asked is how to keep your mums looking their best & get them to grow, live & thrive again next year so I’ll offer a few hints. First, be sure to keep plants well watered so the roots grow & get established in your soil. Use plant tone or similar fertilizer when you plant them to encourage growth. Mums are cool weather plants & they will survive a frost if they are well watered. Frost damage usually happens when the flowers are completely open & almost spent otherwise frost is not a problem for the mums. Additionally, after they are done blooming cut the dead flowers off of them but leave the greenery. This provides additional protection. When I interviewed Ed Higgins, formerly from Yoder Bros., a number of years ago he mentioned that there had been a study done that indicated that leaving the greenery on mums for the winter increased the odds of survival significantly & I have found it to be true as well. Next spring when new growth emerges from the base cut off the old dead branches & let them grow until July 4th when you cut them back to about 3-4” high, which will insure a nicely shaped strong plant full of blooms for next fall.

10.3.08 - It's time to start considering your choice of bulbs for Sping beauty!
As you start fall clean-up in your garden consider planting fall bulbs for spring beauty. The bulbs we all know & recognize are tulips & daffodils however there are many other choices which provide color & interest. Bulbs are easy to plant but they must be planted in the fall because they require at least 10 weeks of colder temperatures to develop roots & buds in order for them to bloom in the spring. It is best to plant them in late fall. Pick them out soon so you’re ready to take advantage of Indian summer days in late October to get them planted. Use Espoma Bulb Tone to fertilize them when you plant them for stronger stems & bigger flowers. I know it is a little work now but they are a welcome sight in early spring. You’ll be so glad you took the time now!!! Learn more about various bulb choices:

Frittilaria – will provide drama with bright bursts of color in the landscape & they have the additional benefit of smelling like a skunk! I know what you are thinking…Why did I call that a benefit? The scent does not linger once planted in the ground however it works as a natural repellent for rodents & squirrels. If you have problems with squirrels digging up your bulbs plant them with Frittilaria to keep them away.

Allium – One of my favorites, Alliums provide drama & grace to the garden. The flowers are big balls of lavender blooms on long graceful stems & they multiply each year making them a good investment. They have an added benefit of being deer resistant.

Snow Drops - One of the first bulbs to bloom after the winter & like their name they often peek through the melting snow. Their delicate drop like blooms are a welcome sight in the spring. Plant these small flowers in close view because they are too small to be seen from afar.

Daffodils - Although more common, they are great for naturalizing which means they can be scattered in an open area & will come back year after year. Not all daffodils are yellow. Why not consider a mixture or white ones. Most importantly they are deer resistant & generally critter resistant because they have a very bitter taste to animals.

Hyacinths – add wonderful fragrance & unlike when you have a pot indoors they are very long lasting. Plant them near an entrance & their fragrance will greet you every time. They are available in beautiful blue flowers as well as other pastel colors.

Tulips – always a favorite with their bold beautiful blooms. Consider trying a double peony flowering type of tulip. I have found them to be longer lasting & they add nice texture to the garden with many petals that open & close with changing temperatures.

10.26.07 - Last Minute Preparations for Your Garden Before Winter!
It’s time to think about last minute preparations for your garden before winter. Since it has been so warm many annuals still look great & late season gardening chores have been delayed but are still important. I have created a list to get you started in the next few weeks.
*To avoid wind burn & winter injury on rhododendrens, azaleas & other delicate broadleaf evergreens apply Wilt Pruf Plant Protector. Easily applied by spraying the foliage, this product will help to seal in moisture & protect plants. It is best to apply it anytime between now & the first snowfall or anytime weather permits.
*As you pull out the final plants from your vegetable garden or annual beds it is a good time to amend the soil with Bumper Crop or your own compost in preparation for next year. Put a thin layer on top & the snow & rain will help to work it into the soil.
* Plant fall bulbs like tulips & daffodils so you can enjoy them next spring. By planting late in the fall you can avoid them emerging from the ground prematurely due to warm weather.
* Put Rose collars around rose bushes & fill with topsoil or mulch to protect the graft from freezing & thawing.
* Fertilize dormant plants with Hollytone or Plantone to help plantsa develop strong healthy root systems over the winter.
*Apply Scotts Turf Builder with Winterguard or Scotts Turf Builder plus 2 with Winterguard (if you have a weed issue) to your lawn to get a head start on a healthy green lawn next year. It’s the most important fertilization of the season.

10.19.07 - Still Safe to Plant? 
Recently, a number of people have asked me if it is still safe to plant & if perennials can be divided. Yes, it is still safe to plant or transplant perennials, shrubs & trees however I would offer a few points of caution. In the late fall we have a tendency to stop watering when temperatures are cooler however with newly transplanted plants it is important to keep the root ball moist during dry spells. Check the soil frequently & water deeply as needed. Secondly, when transplanting perennials be sure to get a good size clump, of soil with it (at least 6” in diameter). This will prevent plants from heaving with frequent freezing & thawing.  Cover the soil around newly transplanted plants with mulch to protect roots & hold moisture. Fertilize with Plantone by Espoma after plants are dormant to help build a strong root system during the winter & reapply in early spring to encourage new growth. If you have questions about dividing existing perennials stop in & talk with Laura Kaufman or other staff members & they’ll give you a few more tips.

If you have shifted your gardening interests indoors consider Blooming Cyclamen to brighten up your surroundings. They are one of my favorites because their lovely delicate blooms are long lasting & continue to bloom for several months. They are easy to grow however it is important to keep the soil evenly moist & they appreciate a cool location. We have a good selection of cyclamen in a small table top size or a larger size for more impact. Use them alone or place in a decorative container with ferns & ivy for a pretty table top garden arrangement.

10.12.07 - Hello from South Carolina, I am attending a gardening conference!
Hello from Columbia, South Carolina where I am attending a conference & tour with garden center owners & managers from accross the United States. One of the speakers today was Connie Goldman, co-author of the book Tending the Earth, Mending the Spirit . A former member of National Public Radio in Washington D.C., she is currently a writer & speaker sharing her experiences & insights from interviewing aging gardeners about why gardening is important to them. It was a great reminder of why digging in the dirt & the act of gardening helps many people to find comfort, peace, inspiration & solitude in a hectic world. Furthermore, she said she was facinated by the fact that every gardener enjoys gardening for different reasons however everyone that she interviewed took pleasure in seeing plants grow. Many people from the audience shared heart tugging stories on how gardening & gardeners touched their lives. I would like to thank each of you as you read this for touching our lives & sharing in the wonderful world of gardening!

As we head into the final weeks of October temperatures have begun dropping, leaves are falling, & there is still time to enjoy gardening so here are a few ideas for your gardening to-do list.
*Clean up & dispose of the remains of diseased perennials & roses after the leaves die. This will aid in preventing any disease issues next Spring.
*Plant spring bulbs(tulips, daffodils, hyacinth, & crocus) now for a beautiful display in the spring. They require cold temperatures to develop their buds so they must be planted in the fall. You'll be glad you did when that first sunny daffodil arrives on an early spring day!  We have a great selection so stop in & let us tellyou more!
*Late season fertilization of lawns, perennials, & shrubs to give plants a boost for next spring. Wait until late October or early November when plants are dormant & fertilize with Plantone for perennials & shrubs & Hollytone for acid loving evergreens & more.

10.5.07 - Here are some helpful tips for planting bulbs...
Have you been thinking about planting tulip & daffodil bulbs or possibly you would like to force bulbs for a holiday display. Either way, now is a great time to make selections. In our society of instant everything it is hard to get excited about planting something that you are not going to see until next spring however I am always so happy to see their bright blooms in spring after the long winter. I have listed a few tips to get you started:

Tulips, hyacinths & daffodils require 8-12 weeks of cold temperatures for bud development so if you wish to have pots of them for the holidays you will want to get started now. Pot them up in pots using potting soil, moisten soil & let them drain,  then place them in the refrigerator & cover to keep them in darkness. Ifspace in your refrigerator is a problem you can bring them out & keep them in an unheated garage after temperatures drop later this fall. Keep soil moist & water them as needed. A few weeks before you want to display them bring them out & place them in a bright window & continue watering them as needed. They will grow & bloom beautifully! (You can plant amaryllis & paperwhites a little later & still enjoy them as they do not need the cold treatment to bloom.)

If you are planting bulbs in beds outside it is best to plant them in mass or clumps of several bulbs rather then singly so they have more impact.

Consider bloom time (listed on label) to plan for continuous color in your garden. Many varieties of tulips bloom at different times so with careful planning you can extend the blooming season. For example you can plant Crocus which bloom very early, Daffodiuls which bloom early to mid season & late blooming tulips for an extended season of blooms.

Spray bulbs with Deer-Off or other repellant a few hours before planting to avoid squirrels or other animals from digging them. Allow them to dry before planting them. You might also consider planting frittilaria bulbs which bloom with orange or yellow flowers in late spring and they actually smell like a skunk. The odor is not noticeable to humans when planted however the odor deters other animals.

Stop in & our knowledgeable staff will answer your questions & guide you with all of your landscape & gardening projects!!!