It’s been a rollercoaster ride… again!
Well, it’s the last issue of the year and it’s hard to believe another season has passed. I hope you’ve had a good one. This past growing season came with a lot of the usual challenges: excessive wind, early cold snaps, prolonged heat, late cold snaps, and periods of drought. Welcome to gardening in Kansas!
I’ve been at this for quite a while and have learned a couple of things: 1.) Every year is a little different, and 2.) Each comes with its unique challenges. It makes gardening here like trying to learn a new game, while somebody keeps changing the rules! I guess that’s part of what keeps it interesting.
Yes, we all have to deal with our fair share of weather-related “opportunities,” but despite those obstacles, there are still lots of wins… Most things still emerge from their winter rest in the spring. There are still flowers to enjoy throughout the season. Vegetable gardens still offer up their produce. And the garden marches on.
But for now, our gardens rest… and so do we.
Cameron Rees, General Manager
We’ve got a couple of months of winter ahead of us before it all starts over again. Spring will be here before we know it. So now is the time to reflect, replenish, and plan, until the early sunsets give way to more daylight.
As we bring this season, and this year, to an end, I want to take a moment to say thanks. We do what we do because we are passionate about it, but that passion would be wasted if we didn’t have someone to share it with. And that’s where you come in.
You are the reason why we are here, doing what we do. Thanks to all of you for your business this past year, and through all the years before that. It’s your support that allows us to continue on this path. Thank you.
Enjoy your downtime this winter, and we hope to see you back here in the spring. Things should look a little different by then... but we’ll talk about that later. In the meantime, if you need anything we can help with, come see us. We’ll be here!
Happy New Year!
— Cameron Rees
“thymely” advice: Christmas Trees repurposed
As the holiday decorations start to come down, Christmas tree disposal becomes a checklist item. Christmas tree recycling is the answer for most. In Topeka, trees can be taken to a drop-off site located in Gage Park. The Topeka Zoo will utilize as many of those trees as possible for their animals, and the remaining trees will be recycled into mulch. Just remember to make sure everything has been removed from the tree.
If you live in other communities, look for your recycling drop-off site. They’ll be out there.
If you are thinking about recycling your tree into your home landscape, here are a few suggestions...
Run it through a chipper and turn it into mulch.
Prop your tree up in your landscape as a temporary winter habitat for birds.
Sink your tree in your pond to create fish habitat.
Cut the branches off your tree and use them to cover tender perennials for the remainder of the winter.
Use your tree’s trunk as firewood for your outdoor fire pit.
Cut it up into smaller pieces and scatter it around, leaving it to slowly decompose as natural garden debris.
find hidden treasures with our year-end savings
Check out all the terrific discounts available right now at our store! *While supplies last!
