COOLER WEATHER

FALL IS FOR PLANTING

Ahhh!  Finally a little relief from the stifling days.  Not that it's all over but cooler nights and less humidity makes it much more pleasant.

The garden center is beautiful now...full of perennials of all kinds and in full bloom.  Come out and see some of the new varieties of coneflower, coreopsis and anemones we have in.  We have a new perennial called "Prunella" that is short, in bloom and is labeled as an old-fashioned "heals all".  Apparently it's medicinal attributes go way back to olden times. 

Somehow over the years people have gotten away from planting in the fall.  However, it really is the best time to do it.  The stress is far less on trees and shrubs and the maintenance for the homeowner is less, too. This time of year we still have a great selection of trees, shrubs and perennials.  Come on out and take a look!

If you need to do a little lawn repair next month is the time to do that.  Any time is September would be fine.  We have everything you'll need from the seed to the starter fertilizer to the straw.  We also recommend an application of lime in the fall so you can do that, too.

Get busy in your gardens and prepare everything for winter.  Whether it's trimming, mulching or just general clean-up you'll be glad come next spring!

HOT, HOT, HOT ..

What a change in the weather !!! After  3 months of dark , dreary , rainy weather  it  has now turned into August. It's hard for people and olants to adapt to a change this quickly.  I've seen a lot of plants wilting even though they are wet enough.  During the monsoons  some hair roots were killed and so now they will have  grow  more to support the lush top growth.  We have been recommending applying a root stimulator to help with this.

 Have not seen much insect or disease problems. Saw the first spider mites  of the year on some Arborvitae.  After years of not having anything to control these pests  Bayer has  on that does a pretty good job. But, it's easier to  control them early in the season  before they get a good start..   Slugs are here and eating. Watch those  hostas and annuals.   No, don't use beer.  I've never  had very good kuck with that.     Red thread  is really showing up in lawns.  Looked at  a lawn yesterday that was covered but with this hot , dry weather  it should begin clearing up. The brown will still be there but that  should start to green up soon.

 July  4th is coming and that is the arrival date for Jap. Beetle. and bagworms.  Just be on the lookout for them.

 2  loads of plants came in yesterday. Some really nice perennials  on one load.  4 or 5  varieties  of coneflower,   salvia   and astilbe  really caught my eye.    The other load  was mostly  knock out roses and the new drift rose.   Lotsa low maintainance  summer blooming plants.

 It's time to trim those spring blooming shrubs. Don't wait too long or else you will cut next years blooms off.  Spruce and pine  are also ready to trim. Do it just after the new growth hardens off. ( normally mid- june to early July ) Other evergreens such as yews, boxwood and juniper can be be trimmed anytime.

 Well. I have to go to work.  I'm working on designing   a patio with and outdoor  fireplace.  It will really give the people  a place to entertain. 

 I'll write more later.

Memorial day weekend.

 Hope all had a great weekend.  Finally the weather was cooperative.   I planted all my annuals on sat. and sun. It seems late for here but I grew up in Buffalo and Memorial Day was the  time to do it.  Semms like a lot of other people were doing the same because  the garden center was busy.  Annuals and hanging baskets seemed to be the most popular but Knock out  roses were in full bloom so  people were picking up those.    At the store we planted the Arbor with petunias and sweet potato vine.  We also were  able to plant the Gazebos roof with Sedum, liriope and   strawberries and catmint.  These were beautiful on the old gazebo but we rebuilt it this winter and had to  ruin the plantings.   

 I haven't seen many insects yet. Some customers have said that they have  spider mites  and one person brought samples of sawfly on a mugho pine.  Actually it's pretty quiet on the bug front.   Red thread in lawns , on the other hand is everywhere.   Hopefully this hot dry weather will fix that.

 I am just in the process of  placing a shrub order.  This new shipment will probably be here early next week.      I know KO roses, boxwood , butterfly bush, burning bush and hydrangeas will be coming. I'm also looking for perennials. Last year we were able to find a great supplier of all kinds of perennials especially  the new cone flowers. With the cooler weather they have not been ready but maybe soon.

 Well I better get that order in. I'll talk next week.

ON TO FATHER'S DAY

Now that Mother's Day is over and the threat of frost has passed it's time to plant.

We've received new shipments of annuals and shrubs this week.  Now if it will just stop raining!

If you want to give Dad a break on his big day be sure to call for a free estimate.  Let him relax in the hammock while we do the work for him.