Well the Christmas season is in full swing here at Van Putte Gardens. The Garland is hung, the tree is trimed, and the poinsettas are lighting up the house. Santa’s helpers have been hard at work at Van Putte Gardens. Our Elves have everything you need to create your own holiday magic. Our Holiday shoppe is ready to explore for great gift giving and unique decorating ideas for your holiday home.

Our Holiday Open House is this weekend the 6th and 7th so stop on in and enjoy cocoa, cookies; Santa will even be here from 12-3 for the little ones and you are welcome to bring a camera.

Steaming hot chocolate, gourmet coffee, holiday cookies, Poinsettias, Christmas Trees, Wreaths and Greens.

A Christmas “trim-a-tree” shop and SANTA CLAUS are all waiting for you.

Come home for the holidays to VanPutte Gardens Home Decorating ideas, Wreath Design, Kissing balls, Gift baskets and more…come and enjoy!

Timely Tips: November

Take a moment to check out these timely tips for November.

While we can still get out into the garden, why not do some things now to make life easier in the spring? Remove all dead vegetable and annual plants and trim back perennials (wait until early spring to cut back butterfly bush and ornamental grasses). Prepare soil for early spring planting of crops such as peas, carrots, broccoli, etc. by incorporating organic material. Have the pH of the soil tested and add lime or sulfur accordingly. VanPutte’s will do a free pH test for you: just bring in a soil sample (a 1 lb. coffee can filled to the top is ideal) and the results will be ready within just a few minutes. Take care not to touch the soil with your bare hands – this can alter the results – use a garden tool.
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OTHER ESSENTIAL INFO:

* Apply winterizer to your turf. VanPutte’s has it with or without weed killer.
* If you still have flowering bulbs hanging around plant them now!
* Apply Wilt–Proof to broadleaf evergreens such as rhododendrons, azaleas, boxwood, laurel, holly, etc. while temperatures are above freezing. Make sure to cover both upper and lower surfaces of the foliage.
* Continue to water fall plantings, however less often at this time of year.
* Store pesticides properly – where they will not freeze.
* Drain sprinkler systems and put away hoses for the winter.
* Increase humidity for houseplants now that we are into the heating season.
* DON’T FORGET OUR FEATHERED FRIENDS. VANPUTTE’S HAS ALL OF YOUR BIRDFEEDING NEEDS .

Christmas Season

The Christmas Season is upon us. Please take some time to enjoy our Christmas newsletter, we have several upcoming events. Wreaths are already on display, and Santas elves are hard at work creating a winter wonderland at Van Putte Gardens

Celebrate the Season Newsletter

Fall

Well our Fall Nursery and Perennial Sale was an overwhelming success. 25-70% all items in our nursery, and 25% off perennials. There are still some great deals to be had and although the sale shrub and trees do not carry a guarantee, we can still arrange planting or delivery for an additional fee.

So far we have had half of our garden lectures. Hopes helpful perennial suggestions were warmly received. And Scotts lecture made everybody want to bring nature inside to enjoy year round.



We just received our first shipment of pumpkins and cornstalks, along with straw bales and Indian Corn. The smell of fall is in the air.

As the nights get colder, remember to bring tender plants indoors, or protect them with our Harvest Guard Blankets.

September Timely Tips

Spring may be considered the season of renewal but did you know just how much you can do now to renew your lawn & landscape? September is an excellent time to aerate, de-thatch, fertilize and seed or sod your lawn. VanPutte’s Countryside grass seed mixture is the best! Weather conditions are also ideal for applying broadleaf weed control (do not seed and use weed control at the same time, however). Container gardens can also be refreshed. Replaced leggy or spent annuals with beautiful choices from VanPutte’s, such as winter pansies, ornamental kale & cabbage, fall asters, sedums and mums.
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OTHER ESSENTIAL INFO:

* Houseplants should all be inside for the winter at this time.
* Incorporate organic matter, such as manure and compost, into garden areas now as the warm temperatures will allow it to begin breaking down, ensuring that nutrients will be available for plant growth next year.
* Now is a great time to plant trees, shrubs, perennials and spring flowering bulbs.
* Transplant strawberries, raspberries and other berry bushes at this time.
SPRING FLOWERING BULBS ARE IN STOCK NOW AT VANPUTTE’S AND READY FOR PLANTING!

Garden Lectures

Garden Lectures
2008

September 6th 10 a.m.
Season Long Color: Hope Fox
Use perennials, ornamentals and bulbs in ways you never thought for season long color

September 13th 10 a.m.
Bringing Nature Indoors: Scott Galens
Our resident interior designer and creative consultant shows you how to bring nature indoors to create a relaxing atmosphere in your home

September 20th 10 a.m.
Fun with Water: Chris DeRose
Interesting water features you can build, also winter pond care facts and information.

September 27th 10 a.m.
Fall Landscape Care: Carl McMahon
Be ready for winter and save some time next spring with Carl’s helpful tips.

Please Call to register
(585)225-7770

August Timely Tips

While you should continue fertilizing vegetable and annual plants to encourage maximum production, make the beginning of August the last you fertilize trees and shrubs: they will soon be hardening-off in preparation for winter and you don’t want to encourage any new, tender growth that could be damaged by cold weather. If you wish, trees and shrubs can be fertilized again once they have gone dormant, towards the end of October into November.
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OTHER ESSENTIAL INFO:

* Pull out and dispose of dead or dying plants from the garden. Sanitation will help stop the spread of insects and diseases.

* Gather cut flowers and wildflowers at their peek bloom for drying.

* August is the time to start applying grub control. Timing can vary slightly depending upon weather conditions. Consult with a VanPutte professional.

* Start grooming houseplants for their trip back indoors. Check for potbound plants and transplant as needed. Examine closely for insect pests and take action before bringing plants inside.

* FALL IS A GREAT TIME TO PLANT TREES, SHRUBS AND GRASS SEED!

Fall Plants and Rust

Welcome Gardeners,

In an effort to better serve you with timely info on gardening in the Greater Rochester Area. We at Van Putte Gardens decided it was time to get on the cutting edge of garden information by entering the blogging world.

Here at Van Putte's we have several new additions to the garden center; including Hardy Garden Mums, and winter pansies. These are both great choices for fall planters and enjoying color into the colder months.

Several customers have come to the store in the past few weeks, with problems of rust on their grass.

Rust Symptoms include:
-Lawn turns a yellowish/orange, while becoming thin
-Rusty Color will rub off on hands, feet, and clothing

Our suggestion is to apply a good quality fertilizer (Van Putte’s 15+), remove grass clippings, and wash mower blades with a hose to avoid the spread of fungus.

This year we have seen a lot more of this problem due to temperature variations and the moisture. Just stick by your lawn and the fungus should leave shortly (usually within a couple of weeks) As always stop by the store if you have more concerns about this problem.