Planting tips for Flowers

Select The Location
The first step in planting a flower garden or bed is to determine the amount of sunlight that your flower will get.  It is very helpful for us to know this so we can ensure that you will get the right plant for the right location. Keep in mind that as the spring turns into summer leaves on the trees in the area you select will change.  Whether you have a lot of sun or a lot of shade we have a plant that is perfect for you.

Decide What To Grow
Now it’s time to come to the greenhouse and let our experienced staff show you different flowers that we feel would be a perfect fit for your specific location.  You could choose all annuals, all perennials or a combination of both.

Preparing The Soil
Cut off any sod or grass from the area you want to plant. This will prevent grass problems later. Loosen the top several inches of soil with a tiller or by hand. This would be a good time to incorperate a comercial fertilizer or soil amendment such as compost, manure, or peat.  Mulch may be added to the top of your bed to help control the weeds.  Flower beds with mulch  will require less water as the soil will not dry out as quickly. Remember before waterting to check beneath the mulch for dampness because the mulch may look dry but the soil underneith might still be moist enough.

How to take Care of Your Plants That are Planted in the Ground
After planting your flowers in your flower bed, water throughly. For the first few weeks until the plants are established you will need to water more often. If the ground is damp or wet, DO NOT WATER.  You can kill your flower  just as quick from overwatering as underwatering. Once establised, timley rains or once or twice a week waterings should be enough. Most plants will require you to deadhead or pick off the dead flowers so they will continue to blossom all season. You should also fertilize with a foliar feed throught the season.

How to take Care of Your Plants That are Planted in Planters
It is best to start with fresh soil in your planters each year. If your planters are very large and you don’t want to remove all the soil, at least take the top 6-8 inches off and add some new soil. Do not use heavy TOP SOIL use a potting mix. After planting your flowers, water throughly. For the first few weeks until the plants are established you will need to water more often. Pay attention to the soil in your planter, if the soil is damp or wet, DO NOT WATER. You can kill the plants quicker from overwatering than underwatering. Most plants benefit from deadheading, or removing the dead flowers. This will prolong the flowering. Feed your flowers well throughout the season. We have a nice selection of granulars and foliar fertilizers in the market.

Please ask for our help when purchasing your flowers and we will be happy to give you extra care tips. Follow these planting tips and your flowers planters and beds will be the envy of your neighbors.

Planting tips for vegetable gardens

Planting your own vegetable garden is an extremely satisfying experience. From tilling, to planting, to tending, to harvest, to the moment you savor that first bite of your home grown veggie in your mouth, every step is it’s own reward. Here are a few tips to help you get started

Select The Location
The location for your vegetable garden should have plenty of sun; have access to a good watering system, and decent soil. Select a location in your yard where you will have some flexibility on size because in future years you may feel the need to expand your garden.  Start small then increase the size of your garden the next year if you need to. It’s easy to get carried away and plant a huge garden to accommodate everything that you want to grow. The danger is that you will take on more than you can handle, let the garden become overgrown with weeds and give up. Start small and as you learn you can increase your efforts. A little success can be very encouraging however a big failure may lead to gardening disaster.

Decide What To Grow
It might be tempting to grow lots of different vegetables but stick with what you actually eat and enjoy. Make a list of all your favorite vegetables and then pick from that list. Vegetables like radishes, lettuce, beans, squash, carrots, and tomatoes are easier to grow than others. Keep in mind that squash is quite prolific, so one plant will generally do. You can buy seeds for vegetables like radishes, lettuce, carrots and beans. Read the directions on the seed package to find out how deep the seedlings need to be placed. Cover the seedlings and then water. It’s better to come to our market and buy the tomatoes and peppers plants. Starting them from seed it a bit tricky so it’s best to buy them as well established plants. We also have the cole crops plants like cabbage, cauliflower, kohlrabi, broccoli. This will give you a head start in the spring.

Preparing The Soil
The top 2-4 inches of the soil will need to be tilled to loosen up the soil. A rototiller is the best tool for doing this. Preparing the soil is the most important step for a successful vegetable garden. This step also requires the most work, but if you concentrate on doing it correctly, you will have the foundation that you want to grow a nice healthy yield. If you can cut the sod off the top, this will prevent grass problems later. Use garden fertilizer, compose or manure to provide nutrients. A foliar fertilizer later in the season will help your garden to continue producing up to the first frost.

Dealing With Pests
It’s best to fence in your vegetable garden and include wire netting to keep rabbits, etc. out of your garden. It’s no fun to have them eat your vegetables before you get a chance to enjoy them. Insecticide sprays can be purchased to combat certain insects that can be destructive to your vegetable garden. Be sure to read the directions before using these insecticides. If possible water your vegetable garden at the ground. Using overhead sprinkler can cause disease problems. Make your life easier, look for seeds and plants that are disease resistant. There are many out there that have been bred to resist disease. No use asking for problems when maybe they could be avoided with the right seed or plants.

Take Care of Your Garden
If you think that a few weeds can’t hurt your wrong. Weeds pull nutrients away from the plants.  Weeding often will make life so much easier. Pick weeds every few days or face the dreded task of digging out an overgrown weedy garden.

Harvest
Many vegetables can be harvested at different stages and will continue to produce. If it looks like it’s ready to eat, it probably is. If you have more than you can use during the harvest months, freeze or can them for use during the winter months.

Gardening will provide a healthy bounty of great tasting vegetables. Enjoy the process of gardening and the bountiful harvest you will be rewarded you for your efforts. Always remember, Man plants but it’s God that grants. Without the sunshine, warm winds and rain your garden would not grow.