Bulbs: A Parade of Color

SPRING BULBS HAVE ARRIVED!

Plan now for a succession of blooms next spring by purchasing a great selection of bulbs. If planted correctly, a bountiful display of spring color is assured. Take advantage of the huge selection we now have available. Now is the time to plant: · Allium · Amaryllis · Anemones · Calla Lily · Chionodoxa · Crocus · Daffodil · Freesia · Grape Hyacinth · Dutch Hyacinth · Bearded Iris · Dutch Iris · Lycoris (Spider Lily) · Narcissus · Snow Flake · Sparaxis · Star of Bethlehem · Ranunculus · Tulips Select enough of your favorites to plant some every couple of weeks. By doing this, and choosing varieties that flower at different times, you can enjoy blossoms for many months. When planting bulbs, think of placing them in masses and groups rather than sparse rows. Remember that bigger really is better when it comes to bulb size because their flowers draw heavily from the stored food in the bulb. When planting, be sure to amend the soil with a good compost such as Red Star Humus Gro or Gardener Bloom Harvest Supreme. Take note, the planting instructions for this area are different from other areas of the country. With our heavy soils and mild winters, we do not plant as deep as the bulb planting charts show. If you do, the result will be a weak bloom or no bloom at all. A good rule of thumb is to cover the bulb about as deep as the bulb is tall. For example, Daffodil bulbs are usually about 4” tall. A good planting depth for Daffodils is to cover the bulb with 4” of soil. There are some exceptions to this rule. Anemones and Ranunculus (bulbs about 1” tall) should only be planted about ½” deep. Gladiolas have bulbs about 1” tall but should be planted at least 4” deep. Consider replacing fading summer annuals in pots with clusters of bulbs. Top these with pansies or primroses for continuing color throughout winter. Bulbs Want their Blankie Every ‘little one’ wants to have their blanket, and young bulbs are no exception. After planting your spring flowering bulbs, why not add a bulb blanket. This is a select mixture of quick establishing annual flowers that compliment flowering bulbs. Sow this seed to provide a green cover then watch it enhance your bulb display with low growing garden and wildflowers. Also use this blanket anywhere in the garden to give a colorful ground cover display.

HELP ELIMINATE WEST NILE

Please Click to Print and Post in Your Home/Work

Why do we farm all of this grass?
History Americans love lawns - it's in our blood/genes. Lawn care is the most popular gardening activity in the country, outpacing vegetables, flowers, fruit and houseplants. More people tend lawns than read books, go to movies, or watch sporting events on TV.
There are 5 million acres of  home lawns in the USA (150 trillion grass plants under cultivation). Americans spend $6 BILLION a year to keep them looking good. A well maintained yard (including lawns) can add 15% to your home's value. Lawns help muffle noise, moderate temperatures, reduce dust and pollen, control erosion, improve soil, improve air quality by reducing CO2 levels, cushion the legs, and, though some may disagree, help keep dirt out of the home. In medieval times, lawns were called “flowery medes,” because short- stemmed plants were used more than grasses (chamomile). One can actually find references to “grassy garden carpets” back in the Persian Empire, but lawn as we know it is a more “recent” invention. In Europe, the lawn was born due to pasturing animals that grazed too close to the home (safety area). Then the medieval lawns took on a new form; sod was dug from pastures, planted on estates, and “mowed” by hand with scythes. Only the rich could afford this lawn. It wasn't until the 19th century that lawns came to most homes. Edward Budding made it possible with his invention, the lawn mower. He worked in a textile factory, and in 1830, he watched the blades of the textile machines cut fabric, and figured the same action could be used to cut grass. When his 19” wide lawnmower (reel mower) went on the market, he described mowing as “amusing, useful and healthful for everyone”, but today, that is not the case. Honk and wave as you pass me on Saturday morning, won't you?