- FRIDAY, AUGUST 31ST IS THE LAST DAY OF THE 20% OFF TREE SALE!!!
- WE WILL BE CLOSED SEPTEMBER 1ST THROUGH THE 3RD FOR THE LABOR DAY WEEKEND.
- SEPTEMBER 4TH THROUGH THE 15TH ALL LAKE VALLEY AND PAGANO SEEDS ARE HALF PRICE!!!
THINGS TO DO:
Plant cool season veggies and annuals. Last month I talked about planting vegetables that like to mature when it is cool from seed but this month you can plant a lot of these same vegetables by plant. We will have Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce, Spinach, Brussels Sprouts and more in six-packs soon. It is also time to plant Pansies, Violas, Snapdragons, Stock, Dianthus and Mums. These are plants that like cool weather. Chrysanthemums are perennials that will bloom this fall and next fall if you keep the buds pinched off until July 4th. The Pansies and Violas will flower through the winter and the Snaps and Dianthus will reward you with early spring blooms when planted now. If you still don't believe Pansies and Violas go through the winter, keep an eye on the pots outside Aunt Judy's Attic. You will be amazed! As always, amend your soil with Back to Earth Compost when planting in the ground and use Uni-Gro Potting Soil for your pots. Watch for our sign on Hwy 180 announcing the arrival of our Pansies and Veggies or subscribe to our blog and be the first to know.
Apply a winterizer fertilizer. (This is a copy of last September's blog) You will want to use Gro-Power 3-12-12. This fertilizer is low in
nitrogen but high in phosphorus and potash. Nitrogen promotes green
growth which can be damaged by freezing temperatures. Phosphorus
increases winter hardiness and stimulates healthy root growth. Since
this is the time of year that plants naturally do the majority of their
root growth, using this fertilizer will get them off to a good start
next spring. Potash or potassium produces strong, hardy stems and
trunks, promotes disease resistance and also increases winter hardiness.
The Gro-Power 3-12 12 contains 7% humic acid which encourages
beneficial microorganisms in your soil. It also includes sulphur to help
bring the alkalinity of our soil down and several micronutrients that
act as catalysts for the primary chemicals. Use this fertilizer at a
rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet of lawn or bed area and 2
tablespoons per foot of height or width for trees and shrubs. One cup
will fertilize an 8 foot tree. Lightly work the fertilizer into the soil
around the root area and water thoroughly.
PLANT OF THE MONTH:
Caryopteris x clandonensis 'White Surprise'. Bluebeard or Blue Mist Spiraea as this woody shrub is sometimes called is fast growing, a low water user and deer resistant. It grows 2-3' tall and wide, has 2" long white edged green leaves and whorls of lavender-blue flowers mid-summer through fall. It is small enough for a large pot but could also be used in a perennial bed, as a border or in mass in front of evergreens to bring out the white surprise.
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| Caryopteris x clandonensis 'White Surprise' |
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| Can you find the praying mantis? |
