Six Minutes Can Seem Like A Lifetime
Last week, some friends and I were reminiscing about an old movie from our high school days, Vision Quest. It’s a story about a high school wrestler caught in the middle of a Rocky-like battle for the state championship. The movie covers the season, and I won’t tell you if he made it... I don’t want to spoil it for you; but, what I will tell you is that it’s a great movie. If you have a chance, look it up!
It’s always been one of my favorite movies—because it’s great, but also because I was a wrestler in high school. Now, I never made it to state, and I definitely wasn’t as dedicated to the sport as the main character in this film... but I can still relate to the challenge. I made the varsity squad early in high school. That might make it sound like I was really good. I wasn’t. I was pretty average... I was just in the right place at the right time.
Our team had lots of guys in the lower weight classes, but we were short-handed in the upper ones... and I sat in between. Due to the shortage of bigger guys, our 155-pound weight class position sat vacant. I was the closest to the empty weight class... so I wrestled up. That meant I wrestled in the 155-pound weight class even though I only weighed about 135. Now, I didn’t have to worry about what I ate, which was nice; but, I was young and I was small and I was going up against guys that were generally older, and definitely bigger and stronger. That wasn’t a good combination.
That first varsity season, I got my butt kicked... a lot. But, I won some, too, and I learned. By the next year, I was a little big bigger, a little bit stronger and I had a lot more experience. Things got better. Like I said, I never made it to state, but I finished my wrestling career with a few medals to my name... and I built a lot of character!
Cameron Rees, General Manager
Here in the present, the weather’s finally cooled off... thank goodness! We are in full fall-mode out here at the garden center. Pumpkins, trees, shrubs, ornamental grasses, mums… If you need something, I bet we have it.
And put this on your calendar... We’re going to have the guys from Norsemen Brewing Company out next Saturday, October 14 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. serving some of their finest. We’ll have hotdogs and a few other snacks as well. Come on out enjoy a cold one on us.
Hope to see there!
-Cameron Rees
The Smartest Time to Plant Trees
You can plant a tree anytime of the year, as long as the ground isn’t frozen, you can find the trees, and you’re able to care for it when you’re done. But sometimes there’s just a smarter time... and that time is now.
Warm soils and cooler temperatures are the perfect combination for transplanting success. Warm soils help speed along root development and cooler temperatures help reduce weather related stresses on the tree. Fall is the only time of the year we have both those conditions.
We practice what we preach. We’ll be planting hot and heavy through October and November, and hopefully deep into December. It all depends on when the real cold stuff decides to show up.
If you have a tree planting project in mind, take advantage of the season. Come on out and ask us questions and let us help you with your options. We can walk you through the selection process and explain to you what you need to know to get it planted successfully.
And if you need help getting it planted, we can help with that, too!
What’s New?!
Bareroot Iris and Peonies are here—with many varieties to choose from!
It’s redemption Time!
October 1-31
“Thymely” Advice
Wrap Up Seeding
Fall is the best time to plant grass seed, but this fall has been difficult. Hot and dry weather through September has made seeding projects challenging.It looks like cooler weather is finally here!
If you’ve been putting your project off—don’t worry, there’s still time. We can safely plant grass seed up to about mid-October, and often all the way to the end of the month, but sooner is better.
We’re still well-stocked with our Gard’n-Wise Premium Tall Fescue Blend and Fertilome New Lawn Starter, and can help you figure out how much of each you’ll need.