Thoughts of Maui in a Snow Storm

Ok, seems as winter doesn't want to let go. Ok, I can deal with that. It looks like a giant snow globe outside the window, with 3" of new snow in last hour or so. But fear not, let's think summer. Let's think Tropical.

Welcome, Maui Sunshine. One of Terra Nova new Coneflower (Echinacea) additions, this bright gold/yellow flowering plant has some size to it. The plant tends to be more upright, up to 3'+ tall and close in width. Good flower size and quantity. And thoughts of the sweet fragrance take me away from the winter blues.

Like all coneflowers, too much water will rot the roots, but otherwise, this seems to be a good one.

Something Fresh

Alas, more snow fell over past day or so after the wonderful warm up last week. Winter cold in swing this morning, even a great lake effect windchill. But spring is coming.

As I worked on some signage for products we will carry this spring, I became intrigued by a new Rose variety I ordered. The picture and quick description looked nice...and it is a new (2009 bred, 2010 release) plant. Love new plants!!

The Rose? "Purple Splash". It is a climbing variety, with a rich purple and white speckled flower. Truly striking. The flower is described to have a sweet apple fragrance. Its only a single petal style flower, but the coloring more then makes up for it. Also noted that the thorns are minimal. Awesome if true! Disease resistant noted to be minimal.

I will find a place for this gem somewhere in a garden and give it a review. One more tidbit, those seeds started last week are growing wonderfully and many trays of plants were transplanted last week and yesterday. YES!!!! Spring on is coming!

Seed Starting

Welcome, to a new season and a new set of blogs. We are revamping the blog so that you can be brought all sorts of fun, relevant and/or important garden, plant, and landscape information.

Well, it is that time. Many annuals, vegetables, and herbs need to be seeded this early just to have them ready for May. We seeded the first crop of Marigolds on Monday and they have already started to show sprouts. Other plants seeded this week include Peppers, a few Herbs, and Snapdragons.

For starting your own seeds, soil media, heat and water are all critical elements in germination. A good seed starting mix is essential. it needs to be light in weight, as to not 'bury and drown' the seed. Heat needs to be fairly consistent in the early stages of seed germination. You need to avoid large temperature fluctuations. A stunted seed produces a stunted plant. With water, its critical to know what the plant really prefers. not all seeds and plants like to be real wet. Soggy soil rots many seeds.

Depending on what you are growing, you have the next 3 months or so to start.

Happy Growing.

To Tree or not to Tree

What?

Well the question really usually asked is real or artificial. Although Christmas is a Christian based holiday, people from many cultures that live here in the US have a tree, which actually was originally a German tradition.

If you are picking an artificial tree for your season, this author is no help...they are all plastic and .. well .. artificial.

A real tree gives you the beauty of the great outdoors indoors. Even if you are allergic to most evergreens, the Concolor Fir, with its long silvery blue needles and citrus fragrance, is safe and hypoallergenic.

Other fantastic options are Grand Fir (rich green foliage), Fraser Fir (awesome needle retention and fragrance), Balsam Fir (great fragrance), and Douglas Fir (good fragrance and 'fluffy').

So come out and visit us on Saturday and Sunday Dec 4th & 5th for our annual open house. Cool poinsettias, great trees, wonderful wreaths, and even Santa are her you YOU!

Ready for those Spring Flowers?

So are we!

And the first step is to get your bulbs and get them planted NOW. You see, those beautiful Tulips and Daffodils you admire each Spring are sold in bulb form and they need to planted in the prior fall for blooms in the next spring. So all the work is done now on a nice fall day and then you get the rewards of gorgeous colors in April and May...and you didn't even have to work in the cold weather to do it.

Tulips and Daffodils come in many different shades and colors and the Tulips even have various flower shapes!

But Tulips and Daffodils aren't the only flowers. You have Hyacinths, Crocus, Squills, Alliums, and Fritillarias are other great choices.

Planting a bulb is simple. Plant the bulb to the proper depth, usually 3-8" depending on the flower type (read the package), add Bulb-Tone and cover with soil and a little mulch.

Our Green Thumb Experts can guide you towards the hottest early spring flower display in your neighborhood. Stop by and get excited for Spring.

Flea Market for Charity

Van Putte Gardens has once again opened up a Flea Market here at the Garden Center. All sorts of neat bargains from garden supplies, holiday decor, tables, garden flags, housewares, toys and many other assorted items are on display and ready to go home with you.

The best part is that part of the proceeds are being donated to ARC of Monroe County. As with any charity organization, funding has become harder and harder to secure and Van Putte Gardens is thrilled to be working with this organization again this year.

So stop in for for all your normal garden needs and then stop by the Flea Market and help out the ARC.

Emerald Ash Borer

This wonderful creature, Emerald Ash Borer (or referred to as EAB), has now been found up in the Western NY area. This finding has created a lot of panic and concern, some of it justifiably so.

Understanding what EAB does and how it moves is crucial. The insect is originally from Asia and came into the US through Ship Deliveries in the Detroit area. It has moved while 'sitting' or 'hiding' in wood material, namely Ash. It has moved through out the USA through movement of Ash Trees and Wood. Timber and Firewood are currently the main carriers as many growers no longer grow or ship Ash Trees to nurseries. The beetle can only fly 3km a year naturally, but through timber and firewood, it can go long distances quickly.

Western NY is widely populated with Ash trees. There are currently no natural predators, but it is being studied. There are some preventive treatments that have been fairly effective. Sometimes these measures can be applied by the homeowner, but for big trees you need to get a professional tree service, with knowledge of EAB, involved.

We have an actual sample of damage to a tree (in Michigan) and the actual insect, both larvae and adult form, on display at Van Putte Gardens. Come see the display and we can answer your questions.

This website is also helpful: http://www.emeraldashborer.info