Where Have We Been?
We’re hiring a Store Manager. Houseplants and gnomes. Tips on keeping your houseplants alive Seed starting and veggies.
You may have noticed it’s been a few weeks since we’ve sent out a newsletter. I think it’s been over a month! I’m sorry about that, but we’ve been working on some things in the background that have disrupted our normal schedule. That work is now completed and we’re back into production.
Specifically, we’ve been working on our website. I won’t go into everything that had to be done, but it was a lot as far as I’m concerned. Then again, building websites is not my area of expertise. I’m better off staying in the garden. Fortunately, we work with an amazing individual that really knows her way around this stuff. The rebuild is now done, everything seems to be working again, and the new website looks great. I hope you like it!
One thing you may notice right away - in the little pop up toward the bottom - is that we’re searching for a new person to add to our team. We’re looking for a new Store Manager. Just follow the links to get more info about what we’re looking for and what the position includes. If it sounds like something you might interested in, please apply! I’d love to hear from you.
Now, if being a Store Manager is a little more than you’re looking for, but working at a garden center is still something you think sounds interesting, stay tuned. With the promise of spring not too far off, it will soon be time to start staffing back up for the upcoming gardening season. We’ll be looking for folks that love to work with people and love to work with plants, and if that’s you, please let us know! We’re always looking for a friendly smile and a green thumb to add to the team. Watch the website over the new few weeks for more details.
In the meantime, as always, if you need anything keep us in mind! Our current hours are Monday through Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
-Cameron Rees
What’s New? Houseplants and Gnomes!
Tips on Keeping Your Houseplants Alive
Becoming a houseplant owner can be a little daunting to some people but don’t fret, we are here to help.
Watering! – Water on an as-needed basis, schedules just don’t always work for houseplants. On average, when the top 1” is dry, give it some water. Make sure to let the soil dry between waterings. Cacti and succulents will need less water and prefer an even dryer soil where flowering plants may need a little more. Underwatering is better than over watering, it’s harder for your plant to come back from too much water!
Fertilizing! – The best time to fertilize your houseplant is when they are putting on the most growth which is Spring and Summer. And like watering, don’t over fertilize your houseplant. Read your label for recommendations.
Repotting! – If the roots of your houseplant are going around in circles in the pot it may be time to move it to a slightly larger (1-2” larger) pot. At this time, you can also divide it down if you wish. The best time to repot is Spring and summer.
Pests! - Houseplants are susceptible to many insects including mealy bugs, spider mites and fungus gnats. A weekly inspection and treatment is best to keep populations down. Insecticidal soap will work on a good majority of pests. Fungus gnats start to appear when plants are overwatered. Larvae live in the soil. Let the soil dry out, repot with fresh soil. Insect granules placed on top of the soil and watered in will help also.
Disease! – Some disease can be caused by insects. Also look out for powdery mildew, fungal leaf spot (caused by overwatering and poor air movement) and root rot (caused by over watering). Keep houseplants clean of diseased, dying and aging leaves, avoid getting the foliage wet, apply frequent treatments of Neem Oil to help with the fungus.
We are always here to help with your houseplant needs!
Seed Starting / Veggies
We all know winter is not a busy time outdoors and in the garden. Cold weather and the addition of ice and snow can make it all but impossible to get outside and do things. But that doesn’t mean we can’t still garden. We’ve just got to shift our focus inside.
Houseplants are an obvious one. Tending to the plants in our home give me a much needed “green” boost this time of year. I think a lot of folks feel the same.
But I’m also thinking about more significant indoor projects that revolve around the vegetable garden.
While it’s too early to start planting things outdoors, it’s never too early to start planning for this next season. This is especially true if you’ll be growing things from seed. What seeds to plant, when to plant them, and where to plant them in the garden are all important decisions.
Many of the vegetables, herbs and flowers we enjoy in our gardens can easily be grown from seed. Many grow so quickly, they can easily be directly sowed into the garden when the time is right. (That means when it’s warmer!)
Some plants, however, benefit from being started indoors, when it’s still cold; then, transplanted outside later when conditions are right. The planting time for some of those crops is rapidly approaching.
The crops you want to be thinking about now are the ones that will go out into the garden first. Things like onions, broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage are good examples. There are certainly more and this K-State publication does a good job of highlighting many of them, as well as providing some good information on timing for other common garden crops.
Click on the images above to view larger or print.
And, if you really want to dig deep into it, this is a pretty good presentation from Kansas State Extension Horticulture on starting your first garden. After watching it, I was ready to start my own plans!
Check those out, and if you need any other help, come see us. We’ve got lots of seed to choose from as well as all the seed starting supplies you’ll need to get the job done… And, of course, we love to talk gardening!
Spring is coming. Be ready!
-Cameron Rees
I didn’t mean to scare you!
I might owe you an apology.
In our last newsletter, I shared a story about our dog and his broken heart when our kids come for a visit and then leave. But at first glance – with the headline and the picture – I heard from several folks that they thought the broken heart was mine, and that something had happened to our dog.
Rest assured, Potter’s fine. Sorry for if I scared you!
Cooler temperatures have finally arrived! (Thank goodness! I’m not a big fan of Indian summer.) Now it really feels like fall. That’s what I’ve been waiting for… bring on the sweatshirt weather!
October starts this weekend. That means our Fall Skinner Buck redemption period starts this weekend, too. For the entire month of October, you’ve got a chance to bring all those Bucks back in and spend them just like actual money, using them to pay for up to half your purchase… that’s up to 50% off your purchase! So, dig them out and bring them in.
Skinner Bucks are just one way we say thanks. Without you, we wouldn’t be here. We appreciate your business and hope you always know, we’re here to help. All you’ve got to do is ask.
I can see hints of the front end of fall color out there. Fall’s happening, so get out there and take it in!
Cameron Rees
General Manager
Plant Some Color This Fall
The easy decision is to plant a magnolia. The tough decision is… which one!
Decorate for Fall
It’s that time of year again!
Cool mornings, the scent of pumpkin spice EVERYWHERE YOU GO!! I will say, the only time of year I burn candles is fall. The smells of fall are so rich and decadent!
And with fall comes fall decorating, and who doesn’t love that!
We got our first shipment of pumpkins, gourds and squash in along with lots of mums and pansies. If your ready to get rid of summer and transition into fall we have what you need!
Misty Brown
Lath House Manager
Don’t Forget to Fertilize
Fall is the most important time to fertilize your lawn.
Lawns beaten up by summer are trying to recover, repair and regrow; and fertilizer helps that process.
We use a product from Fertilome called Lawn Food Plus Iron and it comes in a bright orange bag. We just call it the Orange Bag.
It’s time.
If you haven’t gotten yours yet, come on by and we’ll fix you up!