I’ve already had several questions about how to avoid problems in vegetable gardens, so thought it seemed timely to repost this blog on preventing and/or treating problems. Our garden vegetables are prone to certain diseases. Our best defense is knowledge and good cultural practices. Diseases are opportunistic—tending to attack stressed plants. Starting with healthy organic-rich … Read more
WITH WARMER DAYS COMES THE CROP OF BUGGY PESTS Here we are the end of May after Memorial Day weekend and the “unofficial” start of summer. And, hotter days. Unfortunately, it is also the beginning of bugs on our plants and flowers. It is frustrating to watch plants we’ve struggled so hard to get going … Read more
I’ve enjoyed writing blogs for The Great Big Greenhouse for the past few years. One of the things I’ve enjoyed most is learning new and interesting facts. I thought I’d share with you 12 of the most fun and interesting things I’ve learned so far: There are several species of fireflies native to Virginia. Most … Read more
ABSENCE MAKES THE HEART GROW FONDER FOR OUR BELOVED HYDRANGEAS Many customers have recently come into the garden center so excited that their blue hydrangeas are in bud and bloom for the first time in two or three years. This past couple of years so many customers were wondering why and if they did something … Read more
We got in some beautiful Dragon Wing begonia hanging baskets and I bought one and hung it by the front door last week. Two days later, as I was walking in the door from work. I saw a few bits of debris on the ground. I sighed, knowing what I was going to find—the beginnings … Read more
STACHYS ‘HUMMELO’ IS THE CHOSEN ONE. SOME GARDENERS MAY CALL IT BETONY. Many of you may not know that every year the Perennial Plant Association selects a perennial to highlight. The chosen perennial is voted on by hundreds of growers, designers, and perennial plant geeks. The winner is a good plant that is hardy in … Read more
Okay, so I’ve got all my veggies planted. I can put up my feet and relax now, right? Not exactly. Here’s what I need to do now: Stay on top of weeds Right now, weed seedlings are already popping up in my freshly planted raised beds. If I slack off, they can quickly get out … Read more
HANGING BASKETS ARE A STAPLE WHEN DECORATING PORCHES, PATIOS, DECKS. Now that it is May, blooming and foliage hanging baskets are very popular with most all homeowners and with people living in apartment complexes. And, for good reason: Hanging baskets are an instant way to add color and pizzazz to your outdoor spaces. There are … Read more
Considering the number of customers I’ve had looking for plants to repel mosquitoes, I thought I’d repost this blog from a couple of years ago… Swirling cloaks, spooky music, and a voice with a Hungarian accent saying “Good E-e-e-vening.” Or incredibly annoying little insects buzzing around your face and feasting on every square inch of … Read more
Wow!! Thank you, April!!! Now on to May with needed gardening chores. Let me take a minute to re-cap April. I have been in this business for a “few” years and I do not recall ever having an April where we did not experience a frost. We went the entire month of April without any … Read more
