PLANT A LITTLE HAPPINESS September is the starting month for the FALL IS FOR PLANTING campaign. This is especially true this year because of all the rain that we received in August. The record rainfall has put lots of moisture in our soil and this makes planting now the better than ever. Here are four … Read more
Yesterday was Labor Day. Do you know how Labor Day came to be? The first Labor Day was celebrated in New York City in 1882. A proposal by the Central Labor Union suggested that a parade take place to show “the strength and spirit de corps of the trade and labor organizations.” This was to … Read more
SEPTEMBER OFFICIALLY KICKS OFF THE “FALL IS FOR PLANTING” SEASON I think we can safely refer to August as the PETRICHOR MONTH. Petrichor is defined as the unique, earthy smell associated with rain. We had a record rainfall amount in August. But, on the positive side, our plants have been well watered by Mother Nature. … Read more
Organic Insect Solution From Mother Nature Today, August 31, is National Diatomaceous Earth Day. So what is diatomaceous earth? Diatomaceous earth is the fossilized remains of a diatom—single-celled algae. Diatoms are estimated to be responsible for up to 50% of the world’s oxygen. Diatoms surround themselves with a shell made primarily of silica. The fossilized … Read more
AUGUST IS THE GATEWAY TO THE FALL PLANTING SEASON & THE GATES ARE OPENING Here we are in the last full week of August. What a month August has been, especially when it comes to rainfall. It has been a record month. And, most of our plants are very grateful for all this water, especially … Read more
In Greek mythology, Iris was a messenger from the gods who traveled to earth on a rainbow. Wherever she stepped, flowers sprang up. Iris means ‘rainbow’—appropriate when bearded iris comes in a vast array of colors from pure white to purple/black—and nearly every color in between. The three upright petals on an iris flower stand … Read more
SOME THOUGHTS AS TO WHY WE GARDEN, ESPECIALLY THIS YEAR Here we are in mid-August and we are all struggling to understand and accept what has happened to our daily lives these past six months. One thing that is very evident to me is that more people and families have turned to the garden as … Read more
I’ve had so many customers looking for late summer color—some because they just decided they want to accent that deck, patio or porch, and others because their summer annuals are starting to look a little “tired.” They want pretty fall colors. Pansies and mums are reliable favorites for fall color. There are other plants that … Read more
NORMAL. SUCH A SIMPLE WORD BUT WHAT DOES THIS MEAN ANYMORE WHEN IT COMES TO PLANTS AND GARDENING? As I write this blog, Virginia and the entire U.S. is in the process of trying to re-open from the Great Shutdown brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. It seems that our local, state and national news … Read more
Did you know August is National Happiness Happens Month? I didn’t either until a customer told me and I looked it up. There it is—in black and white—“August is National Happiness Happens Month.” It did start me thinking about what makes me happy in my garden—the first bloom on my rose; every single solitary fragrant … Read more
