Lawn & Garden Blog

Dianthus are Dandy Perennials for Your Garden!

Dianthus, also known as Pinks, Carnations, and Sweet Williams, encompass over 300 species and are native to Europe and Asia. They prefer full sun (at least 6 hours), well-drained loamy soils, and weekly watering if needed.

Pansies & Violas for Cold Weather Color!

Pansies as we know them were developed in the late 1700 – early 1800’s. By 1833 there were over 400 varieties in cultivation. Pansies are vibrant annual flowers that can handle a frost, lay dormant throughout winter and bloom again in the spring.

Spring Bulbs

There are several spring or summer flowers that are best planted as tubers, bulbs, pips, corms, or rhizomes. These are the Dahlias, Gladiolas, Canna, Lily of the Valley, Lilies, Caladium, Colocasia, and Alocasia.

Fertilizing for the Best Benefit

Shrubs and trees should be fertilized in late winter. Trees do best if fertilized in early March and shrubs should be done by the end of March. The reason for this is that roots are waking up, and water is readily available to the root system making fertilizer absorption at its best.

Composting

Composting is a terrific way to make soil amendments for your garden. Composting is a controlled aerobic action that converts organic materials into a rich soil amendment. The end- product should smell like fresh earth, be dark and crumble easily. The two most composted materials are food scraps and yard waste. There also needs to be moisture and good air circulation.

Fruit Trees

Fruit trees are best planted in early spring so that they develop a good root to shoot ratio prior to hot weather. Many in the trade try to get their fruit trees stocked by mid- February so they do not break bud if coming from a nursery in a different zone.

Hellebores

Hellebores are winter hardy evergreen shade perennials that bloom late winter in colors ranging from pure white to pastel green to deep purple.

Fruit Trees, Bulbs, and Vernalization

Fruit trees require vernalization which is a period of cold exposure needed to set buds and produce fruit. Trees harden off by relocating soluble water into their tissue and mobilizing proteins and plant alcohols to the leaf surface that will form a natural anti-freeze.