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September

9.25.09 - Get ready for the cold...
Soon temperatures will be dropping & the gardening season will come to a close. Many people have successfully nurtured tropical plants like hibiscus trees, mandevilla vines, boston ferns, gardenia trees or others over the summer & wish to bring them indoors. Here are a few tips to help make the transition smooth so you can be successful & enjoy them this winter & then in the garden next year.

A few weeks before you bring plants indoors spray them with a general purpose insecticide for houseplants or insecticidal soap. In addition it is best to treat them with Systemic Houseplant Granules by Bonide which are absorbed into the vascular system of the plant to prevent a repeat infestation of insects. This is important because insect populations are often controlled outside by predator insects, wind & rain however the indoor environment allows insect populations to thrive & quickly get out of hand. (If you have waited too long & it is getting cold so you do not have enough time to start early go ahead & move plants indoors, apply the systemic & then take it outside or to the garage on the first warm day that you can to spray it.) Plants should be brought inside before any danger of frost. It is best if you bring them in before temperatures dip below 40 degrees F.

If possible, condition plants for lower indoor lighting by first moving them to a shady area for a week & then moving them indoors. When you move them indoors provide as bright of light as possible. In front of a window is best however if you must move them to the basement or another lower light area you can provide artificial light with grow light bulbs on a timer. Try to provide at least 6 hours of light a day.

Once indoors, water plants when the soil is dry to the touch & be sure to drain the saucer so plants are not sitting in water. Continue fertilizing with a houseplant fertilizer regularly however when the day length is short in Dec. & January either apply less frequently or ½ strength. You can cut plants back when you bring them in or leave them if they look nice & then cut them back in early February just before they begin to get new growth for spring. Unless they are extremely pot bound it is best if you wait until next spring when they are actively growing to repot them.

Stop in this weekend to stock up on all the supplies you need to bring your plants indoors successfully. We’ll be glad to answer your questions & guide you through the process.

9.17.09 - Mum's the word...
Mum’s the word…Garden Mums are a beautiful addition to the fall landscape. Here are some helpful hints to keep them looking their best now & then to improve your chances of them coming back next spring.
Plant them in a sunny location or in containers with fresh potting soil. Fertilize with Plant tone or another fertilizer for annuals & perennials. Water them regularly when the soil is dry so the blooms will last a long time. Mums love cooler temperatures & they will survive frost as long as they are well watered.

If you want them to come back next year it is best if you plant them in beds in September so the roots have a chance to get established. After they are done blooming, you can remove the dead flowers however you will have a better chance of them surviving the winter if you leave the foliage in tact. You can also mulch them with straw in early November to provide extra protection.

Winter Survivor Pansies, Flowering Kale, & Fall blooming Asters as well as many perennials including heuchera & ornamental grasses are great companions for mums. They will provide contrast & interest in the landscape.

Last week I was in Atlantic City for a trade show to purchase products for next spring. Every imaginable gardening gadget was featured including, fertilizers, pest controls, gardening gloves & so much more. It was fascinating to see so many new products that were featured related to vegetable gardening. I am excited about new plant props for perennials, gardening gloves by Women’s Work, & organic weed killers for lawns. I will be telling you all about them next spring.

9.3.09 - What's it worth?
What is the value of an established landscape? I recently read information provided by the folks at “Project Evergreen” that really made me think. Everyone looks at the value of their landscape a little differently based on personal experiences. I tend to think of the value in terms of the beauty & atmosphere it provides for outdoor living. In addition, digging in the dirt & watching things grow is very therapeutic for me. I am sharing a few other benefits of an established landscape from a “Project Evergreen” brochure that I thought you might find interesting.
•Mature landscaping (lawn, shrubs, & trees) can add up to 20% to the value of your home.
•Having just 3 trees shading your home can save $100 - $250 in energy costs each year.  
•A single tree can remove 26 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually, which equals 11,000 miles of car emissions.
•Tall hedges, shrubs, & trees block out noisy streets & glaring headlights.
•A tranquil backyard can benefit adults & children reducing stress & muscle tension. Additionally, green spaces will help to improve attention & removes feelings of fear, anger & aggression.
If you are thinking about planting a new tree or updating your landscape with fresh plants this fall ask yourself “what is the real value of your landscape?”  I think you’ll agree that there are many benefits & that landscaping is a great value when you think about it.

One more thing…Did you know that next to spring, fall is the best time for planting? It is less stressful for the plants to get established with cooler nights, warm sunny days & usually more frequent rainfall. The other benefit is that you get a head start on next spring. Take advantage of the fall planting sale & the extended holiday weekend to get started improving your landscape. It's fun to watch the transformation & the added benefits are incredible.

9.26.08 - It is now officially fall!!!
The weather has been glorious so it is hard to imagine that cooler temperatures & falling leaves will be here soon. I have compiled a list of hints to help you put your garden to rest for the winter.

• Bringing Houseplants Indoors

      If you have tropical plants in your garden like hibiscus trees, gardenia trees, palms & others you will want to bring them indoors before the first killing frost. I suggest you treat them for insects before you bring them in with a general purpose houseplant spray as well as treat them with systemic houseplant granules which work through the roots to provide long lasting protection. It takes a few weeks for the systemic to travel through the plant, but it will last about 4 weeks & you can reapply again indoors. The reason it is important to treat plants before you bring them in is because in the outdoors the wind &   rain as well as predator insects help to reduce infestations however indoors in a controlled environment populations of insects can quickly get out of hand & be damaging to the plant. As they say… “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

• Perennial Clean-up

      It is important to clean up dead & decaying matter from perennials & annuals after the first frost however if perennials are no longer attractive you do not need to wait to cut them back. Some perennials like hosta & daylilies will die back to the soil with a killing frost while others it is best if you leave stems & only cut them back ½ way so they can collect natures mulch & gather leaves around them for greater winter protection. There are a few perennials like lavender which should not be cut back because the new growth emerges on the old stems. If you have a perennial you are not sure about please call or email to check with us. You may choose to leave the seed pods from cone flowers & others for the birds. You can leave ornamental grasses until mid February or early March if you like the winter interest or you can cut them back at the end of fall.

• Hydrangea Highlights

      Hydrangeas are always confusing but the best rule of thumb is if you do not know, then it is best to leave them alone. Endless Summer Hydrangeas can be left as is because they bloom on the old & new   stems however you can remove dead flowers after they are done blooming. Annabelle Hydrangeas can be cut back as low as you would like down to about 15” however they can be left as is if you enjoy the dried flowers that remain. From personal experience I find that they old stems provide great structure for the plant the following year so it is best to leave them about 30” high. Other varieties of hydrangeas each have their own unique needs for fall clean-up so just check with us or leave them be. One last tip: hydrangeas bloom better with regular fertilization so it is recommended that you fertilize them with Espoma Plant-tone now & then again in early November.

• Rose Care

      Roses are still blooming & will continue to bloom until later in the fall so you can delay putting them to rest until early November however you do not want to fertilize them anymore this year. In late fall cut them back lightly so snow load & ice will not break the branches however it is best to wait until spring to cut them way back. If they are a grafted rose you can put cypress mulch or top soil around the base up to about 10” to protect the graft from sudden freezing & thawing. Climbing rose canes can be wrapped in burlap & stuffed with straw. Next spring when new growth emerges you can remove the protection    you provided & trim off dead stems.  Knock-out roses can be protected but generally do not need additional protection. Last, if roses have black spot or powdery mildew rake up & dispose of all plant debris           so prevent the disease from over-wintering.

• Late season fertilization & soil ammendment

      While plants are dormant & not actively growing the roots are still active & viable therefore it is very beneficial for plants to receive a late season fertilization in late October or early November with Holly-tone for Evergreens & acid loving plants & Plant-tone for perennials & other shrubs. If you have poor soil that needs improvement you can add compost or Sweet Peet (no it is not spelled wrong) which is a composted material available in bags. Apply as a winter mulch & allow the rain & snow to carry it into the soil to improve it. If you plan ahead & do this now you can avoid back-breaking tilling in the spring.

• Protecting Rhododedrons & Other Shrubs

      If rhododendrons & azaleas in your landscape are exposed to a lot of wind & often suffer winter damage it is a good idea to apply “Wiltpruf” which is a spray that helps to keep the leaves from dehydrating & provides winter protection. This product also works well on Christmas greens to keep them fresh longer indoors. You can also use burlap to provide wind protection for arborvitae & other evergreens that are exposed to a lot of wind.

This might seem like a long list of chores but it is really a chance for you to get outdoors to enjoy the crisp autumn air while giving your garden a head start for next spring. Most of them only take a little bit of time & you’ll be glad you did when you gardens flourish next spring.  

9.19.08 - Fall is a fabulous season in the landscape...
with all the rich hues of the changing leaves, the rich colors of fall blooming perennials & mums & showy bright orange pumpkins. I thought I would offer a few suggestions to help you transform your garden from summer to fall. One of the spots where you can make a quick change is with container gardens. It’s easy to add mums or flowering cabbage for a quick change then tuck in a few pansies around the edge. Why not tuck in a few mini pumpkins & gourds around the edges to add a burst of color. Additionally, I often leave whatever I had for height in my containers as well as ivy or vinca vine around the edge, removing the others then filling in with pumpkins & gourds in the open space. If you need a little height in your landscape consider adding corn stalks tied to a fence post or even arranged in an urn or tall pot for a dramatic effect.

At risk of sounding like a broken record I will mention again that fall is a wonderful season for planting. The warm days & cool nights are perfect for helping landscape plants get established and generally speaking they will require less watering. Whether you have a few bare spots in your lawn that need reseeding, or you a want to update your landscape I would encourage you to get started this weekend as the forecast is perfect for landscape projects. If you need help making selections bring a picture of the landscape area & we’ll help. Ohio Certified Nursery Technicians Jacci Klein & Laura Kaufman will be here in the nursery this weekend to help.  

Last but not least…after the storm…
I was out of town when the storm hit but everywhere I look there are reminders of the storm. Hopefully, electric power has been restored at your home & you can spend time cleaning up the landscape. If perennials were flattened & look unsightly you can cut them back a little early without harming them or stake them up if the damage is not as severe.  Remove sticks & debris from landscape beds & clean up fallen leaves. Add the debris to the compost pile if you wish. Later this fall, fertilize plants to insure they come back stronger next season. If you have specific questions about plants in your landscape stop in or email us at grafgrowers@grafgrowers.com & we’ll be glad to help.

9.5.08 - Add Fall Blooming Perennials to your Landscape for Beautiful Color Late into the Season!
This morning I took a walk around my garden & as always made a few mental notes. I was reminded of the beauty of roses in the early fall. They love the cool nights & sunny days which promotes beautiful blooms. My garden, as with many, is designed primarily with summer blooming perennials & lots of annuals which still look great. However, I noticed the need for fall blooming perennials & a few pansies & mums to extend the season. There are so many choices that we often do not think about. Anemones are great for the shade garden with their white & pink flowers standing up above the foliage, Sedum & Black – Eyed Susans’ are perfect for sunny spots. I especially like Caryoptoris, (a sun lover) which has a beautiful blue flowers & a shrubby appearance. Last but not least, ornamental grasses provide great movement & texture in the fall with their billowing plumes. I encourage you to take a walk around your landscape & make a few mental notes of your own. We’ll help you make good selections for fall blooms, if needed.

9.28.07 - Cool temperatures are coming, it's time to bring your potted plants inside...
This past week I noticed that leaves are beginning to change & drop which reminded me of the importance of considering fall color & winter interest in the landscape. One plant you might consider is Coral Tower Japanese Maple (Acer ‘palmatum’ Sango Kaku) which is a tree that provides wonderful fall & winter interest growing 25’ tall & 22’ wide when fully developed. The bright green foliage with red stems turn a beautiful shade of gold & then the bark is coral red in the winter providing a striking contrast at a time when the landscape is quiet & dull.

As cooler temperatures approach, it is time to think about bringing houseplants & patio plants like hibiscus & gardenia trees indoors before it is too cold for their survival. With a little bit of planning this can be a smooth transition & your plants will thrive. First, spray plants with an all purpose insect spray that is labeled for houseplants & move plants from full sun areas to a shady area so they can become accustomed to lower light before they go inside. Trim them if needed, but not a lot because plants will be going into a semi-dormant state & will not be growing due to shorter daylight hours in winter. Wait about a 7-10 days if temperatures allow & then spray them one more time then move plants indoors after they dry. It is best to keep plants in bright light indoors in front of a window when possible. If your home is dark or you do not have a location near a window you can use an artificial grow light bulb to supplement. When indoors use houseplant fertilizer at half strength according to directions to keep them green & healthy. It is normal for plants to shed a few leaves as they adapt to their new environment. Unless plants are extremely root bound it is better to transplant them in the early spring when the days are getting longer & plants are growing at a more rapid rate so they settle in & get new roots quicker.

9.21.07 - Keep watering...keep watering...keep watering!
Keep watering…Keep watering…keep watering! That is my main message for the week. We have been experiencing a beautiful fall with many warm sunny days so we need to keep watering annuals, mums & new plantings to keep them thriving. It may seem like the end of the season to you but it is important because plants will be stronger & healthier as they head into the winter months.

If you are thinking of planting a new landscape or just replacing a few perennials & shrubs I thought I would tell you about a few new arrivals you might want to consider. Pyramidal Boxwood – this beautiful evergreen is conical shaped & bright green & will provide structure for the landscape. Honey Maid Holly is an evergreen with variegated leaves that provides contrast & has dark red berries. Sedum ‘Likadense’ has beautiful grayish green foliage with bright pink flowers. They bloom in fall & grow in full sun and they are especially beautiful planted with Gaura ‘Siskiyou Pink’ otherwise known as whirling butterflies.

9.14.07 - Preparing for crisp cool mornings & glorious fall colors!
This week we experienced the first cool day of fall which reminds us of the upcoming season including crisp cool mornings & glorious fall colors. Garden Mums are always a fall favorite with their rich hued blooms & they thrive in cooler temperatures. We are often asked if they are hardy & how to keep them from year to year so I am offering you a few tips. First, I might mention that Mums are usually hardy in this area but not always. Their hardiness can vary quite a bit from year to year depending on care & temperature fluctuations. Mums are beautiful in container plantings especially when combined with flowering Kale, Icicle pansies, & other perennials like Heuchera & Ajuga. However, they will not over-winter in a container. Be sure to keep mums well watered throughout the fall. Because the temperatures are cooler we often do not realize when mums need watering but be sure to check them several times per week. Regular watering will help them generate roots quicker which makes them hardier. In addition, when they have finished blooming you may cut the dead flowers off but leave the foliage even after the leaves are withered. Yoder Bros. the largest mum breeder in the world has studied this & have found them to be hardier & more likely to come back when the foliage was left on. The last tip is to cover the root area with straw or mulch in late fall (November) to insulate the roots & prevent excessive freezing & thawing during times of great temperature fluctuations.

If your lawn suffered during the dry heat of summer or you have a few bare spots that need to be filled, this is a good time for seeding your lawn or over-seeding bare spots so you can get it established while the weather is good. Observe the area you will be planting for sun or shade so you can be sure to choose the right grass seed for the area. Rake up dead grass & loosen the surface of the soil. Spread the seed & cover with straw or Grass Seed Accelerator. Grass Seed Accerator is small pellets made from recycled newspaper that expand to protect the seed when moistened & it includes a small charge of fertilizer. It is a great product for protecting the seed & aiding in germination & best of all it decomposes so you do not have to rake it up like straw. We have everything you need, so stop by & we’ll help you get started & answer any other questions you might have.

9.7.07 - Refresh your landscape with some new plants for the fall season!
Wow! We have had a beautiful week for gardening! I hope you have been able to get outside & enjoy it. Although summer is transitioning to fall I think it is a great time of year for picnics & gardening because temperatures usually moderate & the colors of fall are so beautiful! If your landscape is looking a little tired you can spruce them up by adding mums, asters & icicle pansies. I like to remove a few of the less desirable plants in my container gardens & then add a few new plants to freshen them up. Consider mixing a few perennials & an ornamental grass for interest along with mums, pansies & others! A few of my favorite perennials for this are Caryoptoris with beautiful blue spiky flowers, Autumn Joy Sedum adds interest with heavy leaves & robust flowers ,Cerotostigma ‘Plumbago’ with brilliant blue flowers & reddish foliage, Heuchera  adds nice texture with your choice of lime green, gold or red foliage just to mention a few!

The magic of Icicle Pansies…it’s not really magic but they are a very resilient & giving plant that enjoys cooler temperatures & blooms like crazy! Plant them in full to part sun in beds & watch them grow. They will bloom through the fall until the snow flies & then again next spring. We plant them in our beds by the store every fall along with tulip & daffodil bulbs. They look great even after the other flowers grown from bulbs are spent!!  It’s best to plant them as early as possible this fall to get their root system established before winter. You’ll be glad you did!!!

Speaking of tulips & daffodils…they have just arrived. You can get the best selection now; however it is best if you wait until after we have a killing frost to plant them. More on bulbs in the future…