This weekend, Memorial Weekend, is the traditional weekend to decorate the graves of our departed loved ones although for years the date was May 30th and known as Decoration Day. Another tradition is that it’s the weekend to plant the garden and then it’s done. I find this tradition a little strange as planting has gone on or should have gone on in the garden at least since mid-April. The other side of the coin is that planting can go on long after this weekend with succession crops of sweet corn, beans, potatoes, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, beets, squash . . . I think you get the picture.
The succession crops can be planted up until about July 4th in most cases although turnips, parsnips, carrots and kale can be planted in mid to late August so that they can be harvested in late fall and even stored in the ground as long as they have their crowns covered with straw to prevent damage from a hard freeze.
By planting succession crops you’ll have more fresh produce to supplement your diet as well as your family and be less dependant on food frequently shipped from sources far away with a taste that might as well be like chewing on cardboard in many instances.
Stop in and see what we have as we are still stocked fairly well although I’m sure there may be some items out of stock until the next year.
Next month is perennial gardening month so be sure to take a look at our perennial house when you stop by. Hopefully all or at least some of you (garden club members) have received our late spring-summer newsletter, if not, you should be getting it shortly.
Get Gardening!
Tom
Friday, May 28, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
Dayton "Dirt" - May 21, 2010
This week for some is a good planting week for your vegetable garden and annual flowers but still the watch word is just that "watch" as frost still could occur. With the soil much warmer, seeds and plants should do just fine unless we get an extended cold, wet period.
In 1972, Hurricane Agnes came up the east coast and was absorbed by a low pressure cell centered over Pennsylvania. Wiles-Barre and Scranton, Pennsylvania flooded severely and even here in Akron, Ohio it was very cold, wet and rainey June 11th through June 15th. I remember well the weather as I had 600 medium hot pepper plants on a somewhat sandy ground which seemed to drain well. Nevertheless the plants were stunted and never did grow well after things warmed back up to normal!
Our hanging baskets should be in their prime now as we time them to look their best between Mother’s Day and last until Memorial Day. It seems the 12" hanging baskets do well with the large soil volume to keep the roots cool and of course allow room for roots to grow. Our larger hanging baskets still have a charge of Osmocote slow release fertilizer to carry them into summer; however, it’s a good idea to supplement this slow release feed once weekly with a liquid fertilizer like Miracle Gro or 20-20-20.
Back to vegetable plants. Remember to not only depend on heirloom varieties of plants as most are not disease resistant like the hybrids are. Also, check into growing plants in an earthbox as this system of growing vegetables is very productive and does not take up a lot of room.
Happy Planting!
Tom
In 1972, Hurricane Agnes came up the east coast and was absorbed by a low pressure cell centered over Pennsylvania. Wiles-Barre and Scranton, Pennsylvania flooded severely and even here in Akron, Ohio it was very cold, wet and rainey June 11th through June 15th. I remember well the weather as I had 600 medium hot pepper plants on a somewhat sandy ground which seemed to drain well. Nevertheless the plants were stunted and never did grow well after things warmed back up to normal!
Our hanging baskets should be in their prime now as we time them to look their best between Mother’s Day and last until Memorial Day. It seems the 12" hanging baskets do well with the large soil volume to keep the roots cool and of course allow room for roots to grow. Our larger hanging baskets still have a charge of Osmocote slow release fertilizer to carry them into summer; however, it’s a good idea to supplement this slow release feed once weekly with a liquid fertilizer like Miracle Gro or 20-20-20.
Back to vegetable plants. Remember to not only depend on heirloom varieties of plants as most are not disease resistant like the hybrids are. Also, check into growing plants in an earthbox as this system of growing vegetables is very productive and does not take up a lot of room.
Happy Planting!
Tom
Friday, May 14, 2010
Dayton "Dirt" - May 14, 2010
It’s about time to start putting out more tender plants but most of you know that the weather is unpredictable and you still have to be careful. From experience you may have noticed over the years what kind of micro climate you have. In the city or an allotment, it will generally act like a zone 6 climatic zone which enables you in most years to plant now. I know in my own case that the nursery seems much colder than the surrounding area and is truly a climatic zone 5. My mother only lives two miles from the nursery and a frost after mid May in most years is rare. When I see a prediction for an overnight low of 40ยบ F or lower, I know that in almost every case it will frost at the nursery if the sky is clear and the air is still.
Be sure to come in to take a look at all our new varieties of heirloom vegetable plants, strawberry plants, raspberry plants, horseradish, fruit trees, elderberries and blueberry plants.
We’re in a high mode of production now with our blueberry plants so we think you’ll be able to find about anything you want.
Say hello if you see me as I may not readily acknowledge you because of my limited sleep!
Tom
Be sure to come in to take a look at all our new varieties of heirloom vegetable plants, strawberry plants, raspberry plants, horseradish, fruit trees, elderberries and blueberry plants.
We’re in a high mode of production now with our blueberry plants so we think you’ll be able to find about anything you want.
Say hello if you see me as I may not readily acknowledge you because of my limited sleep!
Tom
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Dayton "Dirt" - May 7, 2010
May 9th is Mother’s Day and is nearing its 100th year anniversary since it officially began with President Wilson’s blessing in 1917. Almost all moms love flowers and I’m sure you’ll find something she’s sure to like.
When you come in the front gate, you won’t be able to not notice the 2300 red tulips that I planted last November called Ile de France. These are a triumph tulip which is a group that blooms after the late April Darwin types. The brilliant red I thought would contrast nicely with the white post and rail fence. Even Claude Monet was inspired by the tulip fields in Holland as he painted them with one of the classic Dutch windmills in the background.
This week in May is our very peak of inventory and spring bloom so that I’m sure the nursery will be to your liking. Remember, the old fashioned lilac is on sale this week as an unadvertised special along with the Miss Kim lilac. An advertised special for Azalea ‘Mandarin Lights’ I told you about in my last blog is now available as its getting ready to burst forth with its flowers that will cover the plant in shades of brilliant orange before the leaves fully come out.
Be sure to take a peak at the creeping phlox bed below and to the north of the Owl Barn. Creeping Phlox is a perfect choice for sloping (but also level) beds in full sun or part shade. Then between the boulders, sedums have been coming to life that will eventually fill the cracks and crevices of the extensive boulder wall.
Come take a look!
~Tom
When you come in the front gate, you won’t be able to not notice the 2300 red tulips that I planted last November called Ile de France. These are a triumph tulip which is a group that blooms after the late April Darwin types. The brilliant red I thought would contrast nicely with the white post and rail fence. Even Claude Monet was inspired by the tulip fields in Holland as he painted them with one of the classic Dutch windmills in the background.
This week in May is our very peak of inventory and spring bloom so that I’m sure the nursery will be to your liking. Remember, the old fashioned lilac is on sale this week as an unadvertised special along with the Miss Kim lilac. An advertised special for Azalea ‘Mandarin Lights’ I told you about in my last blog is now available as its getting ready to burst forth with its flowers that will cover the plant in shades of brilliant orange before the leaves fully come out.
Be sure to take a peak at the creeping phlox bed below and to the north of the Owl Barn. Creeping Phlox is a perfect choice for sloping (but also level) beds in full sun or part shade. Then between the boulders, sedums have been coming to life that will eventually fill the cracks and crevices of the extensive boulder wall.
Come take a look!
~Tom
Friday, April 30, 2010
Dayton "Dirt" - April 30, 2010
Its time to plant your favorite tree whether for shade or ornamental value and we’ve got just the trees to get you started from a small Weeping Pea Tree for your patio or a towering giant like the Eastern White Pine in which the tallest one ever recorded was 227 feet in the state of Maine!
Planting a tree now is perfect while the soil and weather is still cool and moist so that the root system can become well established before the warm weather arrives.
Our flowering trees consist of Flowering Plums, “non-messy” Flowering Crabapples, Golden Chain Tree, Japanese Lilac Tree, Flowering Cherry and White Fringe Trees among many others.
Trees give height and a majestic quality to what would be an otherwise boring landscape.
Could you imagine a street or your yard without trees or flowers? Well, try this. The People’s Republic of China during Chairman Mao’s tenure in 1966 actually banned the people from having flowers as they considered them bourgeois!
With Earth Day just passed on April 22nd, how fitting to plant your favorite tree that will grow and develop year after year long after your new car is in the junk pile!
Plant a tree so that one day as your grandchildren picnic under the shade of its branches that they could say “our grandparents planted this tree for us.” It’s a tree that remembers our grandparents names!
Happy Planting,
Tom Dayton
Planting a tree now is perfect while the soil and weather is still cool and moist so that the root system can become well established before the warm weather arrives.
Our flowering trees consist of Flowering Plums, “non-messy” Flowering Crabapples, Golden Chain Tree, Japanese Lilac Tree, Flowering Cherry and White Fringe Trees among many others.
Trees give height and a majestic quality to what would be an otherwise boring landscape.
Could you imagine a street or your yard without trees or flowers? Well, try this. The People’s Republic of China during Chairman Mao’s tenure in 1966 actually banned the people from having flowers as they considered them bourgeois!
With Earth Day just passed on April 22nd, how fitting to plant your favorite tree that will grow and develop year after year long after your new car is in the junk pile!
Plant a tree so that one day as your grandchildren picnic under the shade of its branches that they could say “our grandparents planted this tree for us.” It’s a tree that remembers our grandparents names!
Happy Planting,
Tom Dayton
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Dayton "Dirt" - April 23, 2010
April 24th at noon, you’ll be getting an earful on growing ericaceous plants (acid loving) in particular, rhododendron and azaleas. I’ve been fascinated with these plants for over forty years because of their bright flower colors, interesting and varied foliage patterns and just their sheer beauty and majesty. I remember visiting David Leach of Madison, Ohio in May of 1976 so that I could see some of his breeding programs first hand and first and foremost to pick his brain.
I’ve learned a lot since then and will share as much of my knowledge as I can with all of you at the seminar tomorrow. Remember when I told you in my April 9th blog that shade from a tree as compared to that of a building acts differently on turf grass? Well, it works differently too on plants and I’ll be discussing that as well.
At the nursery we have a wide swath of varieties all suited for Northeast Ohio as long as they get a few things they must have.
Soon the nursery will be ablaze with the plants in our sales area and in our natural woodland setting in our Wolf Creek Gardens. I like the deciduous azaleas too as colors of bright yellows and oranges that are not available in evergreen types, are plentiful in the deciduous types. In fact, watch for our ads in the Trading Post, Westside Leader and the Akron Beacon Journal later on as there will be a good sale on the brilliant orange deciduous azalea aptly named, Mandarin Lights.
See you tomorrow,
Tom
I’ve learned a lot since then and will share as much of my knowledge as I can with all of you at the seminar tomorrow. Remember when I told you in my April 9th blog that shade from a tree as compared to that of a building acts differently on turf grass? Well, it works differently too on plants and I’ll be discussing that as well.
At the nursery we have a wide swath of varieties all suited for Northeast Ohio as long as they get a few things they must have.
Soon the nursery will be ablaze with the plants in our sales area and in our natural woodland setting in our Wolf Creek Gardens. I like the deciduous azaleas too as colors of bright yellows and oranges that are not available in evergreen types, are plentiful in the deciduous types. In fact, watch for our ads in the Trading Post, Westside Leader and the Akron Beacon Journal later on as there will be a good sale on the brilliant orange deciduous azalea aptly named, Mandarin Lights.
See you tomorrow,
Tom
Friday, April 16, 2010
Dayton "Dirt" - April 16, 2010
Clematis is called the Queen of all flowering vines and for good reason. The colors and patterns of these colors are so wide and varied due to the constant on-going breeding programs from several breeders all around the world..
Recently, the new Evison cultivars have been introduced with beautiful new bicolor and enlarged stamens of the flower that add even more beauty to this marvelous species.
On Saturday, Deborah Hardwick, a customer and Clematis lover, will be telling us all about Clematis as far as the selection and care so that you can learn to get the most enjoyment out of these vines. Two of the new varieties we will be offering this year are Rosemoor with its wine red flowers that appear on old and new wood and Avant-Garde with its reddish petals and large pink contrasting stamens.
In her presentation you’ll learn to take complete advantage of these beautiful vines to add yet another dimension to your garden. See you at the seminar.
Tom
P.S. On Saturday, April 24th at 12 noon, I will be hosting a seminar on the selection, cultivars and care on my long time favorite plants - Rhododendrons and Azaleas. Hope to see you there.
Recently, the new Evison cultivars have been introduced with beautiful new bicolor and enlarged stamens of the flower that add even more beauty to this marvelous species.
On Saturday, Deborah Hardwick, a customer and Clematis lover, will be telling us all about Clematis as far as the selection and care so that you can learn to get the most enjoyment out of these vines. Two of the new varieties we will be offering this year are Rosemoor with its wine red flowers that appear on old and new wood and Avant-Garde with its reddish petals and large pink contrasting stamens.
In her presentation you’ll learn to take complete advantage of these beautiful vines to add yet another dimension to your garden. See you at the seminar.
Tom
P.S. On Saturday, April 24th at 12 noon, I will be hosting a seminar on the selection, cultivars and care on my long time favorite plants - Rhododendrons and Azaleas. Hope to see you there.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
