TALKING GARDENING with DOUG – Gardening Safely in the Heat

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Thermometer recording the heat

AVOIDING HEAT STRESS INJURIES IN JULY The dog days of summer have arrived.  As gardeners, we need to spend time outside tending to our landscape needs.  But, this past week was brutally hot and humid.  Thank goodness for this past weekend with us having much-needed rainfall and lower temperatures but more heat is on the … Read more

BONNIE’S GARDEN – Repelling Mosquitoes

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I’m getting so many people these days looking for plants that repel mosquitoes, that I thought it was time to repeat this blog. 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 exposed flesh. … Read more

TALKING GARDENING with DOUG – JUNE IS PERENNIAL GARDENING MONTH

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THE 2018 PERENNIAL PLANT OF THE YEAR. Each year the PPA (Perennial Plant Association) selects a perennial to highlight for the year.  This year the Association chose ALLIUM ‘MILLENIUM’ Allium ‘Millenium’ is referred to as the “butterfly magnet” perennial.  Other pollinators will flock to this plant.  Butterflies and bees will thank you for adding ‘Millenium’ … Read more

BONNIE’S GARDEN – Outside for the Summer

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My houseplants are all outside for the summer. Does this mean I can forget about them? Well—no! Here are somethings you should be doing for your houseplants now—either inside or out.  The days are longer and the sunlight stronger so our plants are actually growing—not just “maintaining” like they do all winter. A little fertilizer would … Read more

TALKING GARDENING with DOUG – NATIONAL POLLINATOR WEEK

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JUNE 18 – 24 HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS THE WEEK TO CELEBRATE OUR POLLINATORS. In my blog last week I mentioned that June is PERENNIAL PLANTING MONTH.  Now, let’s take June to a higher level and think about what perennials are blooming right now, what perennials are considered native plants, and what perennials are considered … Read more

TALKING GARDENING with DOUG – JUNE IS PERENNIAL GARDENING MONTH

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PPA (PERENNIAL PLANT ASSOCIATION) HAS DESIGNATED JUNE AS PERENNIAL GARDENING MONTH AND FOR GOOD REASONS.

June has been tagged as Perennial Gardening Month by PPA.  The main reason behind selecting June is that June is a great month for seeing so many beautiful perennials in bloom.  Secondly, June is a great month for planting perennials.

Planting perennials this year, in June, couldn’t be better.  We have had plenty of rainfall this year that is helping to encourage vigorous growth on perennial plants.  Also, there is more publicity about planting native plants and planting pollinator plants than ever before.  Matter of fact, Virginia has designated the week of June 24 as POLLINATOR WEEK.

Mark your calendar for Sunday, June 24.  The Great Big Greenhouse and VDACS (Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services) have come together to host a pollinator event here on the 24th from noon to 4:00.  Local beekeepers will have observation hives.  There will be honey tasting.  You can learn how to become a beekeeper, and how to plant a pollinator’s garden using specific blooming shrubs and perennials, and more.

          We have made shopping for native perennials and pollinator plants easy for you this year.  We have a designated table that we keep full with beautiful perennials.  It has been very popular, which puts a smile on my face seeing how many customers are becoming more supportive of gardening with native plants and being so consciences of supporting our pollinators.

Here is just a quick, short list of assorted perennials that you can plant this month and help support our pollinators:

Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed)

Baptisia

Eupatorium

Coreopsis

Eutrochium (Joe-pye-weed)

Monarda (Beebalm)

Lobellia (Cardinal flower)

Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan)

Sisyrinchium (Blue-eyed Grass)

We bring in new stock of perennials weekly.  You need to come see our selection.  It is a beautiful sight seeing all the color this time of year.

Happy Gardening!!!!

BONNIE’S GARDEN–National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month

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June—fresh local strawberries are here—in your own backyard—or at a local Farmers Market.  Fresh peas, spring onions, fresh beets, the first of the summer’s cucumbers and squash—they’re all in season!  Perfect timing for National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month, isn’t it? I’m a huge fan of eating fresh—whether it’s from my garden, a generous neighbor … Read more

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