male sharpening garden pruners

Winter To-do list

Anyone who thinks that gardening begins in the spring and ends in the fall is missing the best part of the whole year; for gardening begins in January with a dream – Josephine Neuse

How to Cover Plants for Frost Protection

QUESTION: What is the best cover to use to protect outdoor plants from the cold air — fabric or plastic? Threat of frost usually occurs overnight when the temperature drops low enough to freeze the moisture on plant leaves and buds. To protect plants from frost, you will need to cover them to keep the moisture from freezing. While an unexpected frost can leave many gardeners scrambling to find anything to cover their tender plants; it is important to use the …

Fall is a GREAT time to plant

So, why is fall the best time to plant trees and shrubs? Not as much watering is needed Young plants need plenty of water. It is best to give good, long soakings rather than frequent, light watering. A typical rule of thumb is to provide at least 1 inch of irrigation per week. Summertime planting requires close attention to moisture levels and much of it can evaporate with the heat of the day. Autumn’s cooler temperatures and shorter days may …

Fall is a Great Time to Plant and Pick Fast-Growing Veggies and Herbs

While the season transitions, take in all it has to offer — football games, pumpkin spice lattes, cozy sweaters, and best of all, fresh-picked produce. Picking fresh produce in the fall always feels like such a treat. Even though leaves are starting to change, your veggie garden still has plenty of time left to produce delicious tomatoes, peppers, greens and more. Help your organic garden produce more than ever this fall with these four tips from The Espoma Organic Company: Ready, …

Advantages of Fall Planting

Additional Color for Your Gardens and Great Root Growth We are often asked “What are the advantages of planting perennials and shrubs in the fall?” Fall is a great time to plant perennials and shrubs due to cooler temperatures which put less stress on the plant and enable root systems to grow faster and larger. When we plant in the spring, all plants, perennials, annuals, shrubs, etc. are pushed to get a healthy mass of roots established so they can …

Are Garden Mums Annual or Perennial?

No doubt about it! Mums are the divas of the autumn garden. Mums can quickly and easily add beautiful fall colors to your home. Because of their tight, mounding habit and stunning bloom colors, garden mums are perfect for mass plantings. Although technically considered perennials, the garden mums that brighten up our landscapes in the fall are commonly treated as annuals. Because of the way they are bred, the likelihood of them surviving the winter and blooming within your desired …

It’s Time to Plant Pansies and Violas!

Want beautiful color that will survive the cool temperatures of late-fall and early-spring? Look no further than the tough, cold-tolerant, and colorful pansy. Available in many beautiful shades of white, blue, yellow, purple, red-solid blooms and blooms with “blotches” of contrasting color in the center, pansies and violas will brighten any fall through spring landscape. Our pansies are all fresh and especially healthy as they are grown locally at our own growing division right here in Kalamazoo, MI. Pansies are …

Granvia Gold

Bring sunshine to your garden with Granvia Gold! Bracteantha bracteatum ‘Granvia Gold’ Much bigger than regular strawflowers, these SUPERSIZED flowers have an intensely bright yellow color with paper like petals that will amaze you with their unique papery texture. These stunners are easy to grow, bloom early and are long lasting. Impressive in landscapes and large patio planters. This employee favorite is a full sun annual. Bonus : These flowers are a favorite for bouquets and can be harvested to …

Try our Treasure Island Tahiti Sweet Potatoes!

Edible produce and foliage in 3 different varieties. The Treasure Island series delivers months of color ground above as well as below. Leaves comes in unique shapes and colors, and the foliage tastes great in salads and smoothies. The edible roots also come in a variety of colors, are highly nutritious and are a great source of dietary fiber. Full Sun They do best in evenly moist, well drained soil. Sandy soil is ideal for cultivating large tubers that will …

Poinsettias

Poinsettias have long been associated with Christmas and add beauty and warmth to any home during the holiday season. Poinsettias are a tropical plant with long-lived bracts (vivid color leaves) and golden yellow flowers. To ensure that your poinsettia retains its beauty, keep these tips in mind. Place in a room with bright, indirect light. Avoid temperature extremes. This includes heat from registers as well as cold drafts below 50° F. Water plant thoroughly when soil surface is dry to …