Sadly in the afternoon on Sunday, June 18th, our nursery cat L.B. died after having a seizure and then lying down with heavy labored breathing. The past year he had trouble from an animal bite from which he recovered but then in March slowed down from eating which caused him to lose weight and become lethargic. A visit to the vet last week revealed he had bad teeth and an overactive thyroid which caused weight loss. After a shot of antibiotics and a topical treatment for the over active thyroid, L.B. seemed to eat more and maybe was on his way to better health. This spring, some customer’s were concerned that he was being starved or mistreated because of his appearance. One suggestion was offered that he should be euthanized. I was offended by that comment as L.B. sill came out to eat something and would purr when I picked him up and stroked and petted him as he looked excitedly out the window. L.B. came to the nursery by accident in December of 1997 and decided to adopt us as his family. After almost 20 years, he survived the busy road, prowling coyotes, other wild animals, fertilizer and insecticide bags that he used as a bed sometimes and a wolf that a customer brought into the store. He could not survive his old worn out body of almost 20 years. I buried him on a well-drained site on a hill in the shade garden where sometimes he would roam. This gentle, loving cat will be missed for years by all at the nursery.
Tom
Friday, June 23, 2017
Friday, June 16, 2017
Dayton "Dirt" - June 16, 2017
As the summer solstice approaches with the long days of summer , growth of the vegetable garden and the weeds is prolific. Besides hoeing and pulling weeds, newspaper used as a mulch as well as corn gluten will inhibit the weed growth that will easily take over a garden quickly.
In Avon, Ohio the large wholesale nursery called ‘Willoway Nurseries’
uses rice hulls as a mulch on top of their container-grown plants which does an excellent job of inhibiting weeds. A few years ago, Willoway had significant problems with production as many plants were stunted and yellow from a chemical herbicide toxicity which effected their switch to the non-chemical rice hulls.
At the nursery here, coco weed discs are employed that eliminate the use of chemicals for weed control. These discs fit right into our program of sustainable, environmentally friendly growing practices and prevents a buildup of herbicide residue in our recycled irrigation water.
Soon it will be time to pot the small azaleas into 1½ gallon pots for next spring’s sales and future larger plants. These plants too would be treated with coco discs preventing any toxicity from herbicide use that sometimes would occur.
Hopefully the ideal wish of one inch of rain per week will occur over the summer instead of the hot, dry summer of last year. How sad it will be for some of the television weather folks if needed rain fails on a weekend to spoil someone’s barbecue! They will have to learn to live with the consequences.
Tom
In Avon, Ohio the large wholesale nursery called ‘Willoway Nurseries’
uses rice hulls as a mulch on top of their container-grown plants which does an excellent job of inhibiting weeds. A few years ago, Willoway had significant problems with production as many plants were stunted and yellow from a chemical herbicide toxicity which effected their switch to the non-chemical rice hulls.
At the nursery here, coco weed discs are employed that eliminate the use of chemicals for weed control. These discs fit right into our program of sustainable, environmentally friendly growing practices and prevents a buildup of herbicide residue in our recycled irrigation water.
Soon it will be time to pot the small azaleas into 1½ gallon pots for next spring’s sales and future larger plants. These plants too would be treated with coco discs preventing any toxicity from herbicide use that sometimes would occur.
Hopefully the ideal wish of one inch of rain per week will occur over the summer instead of the hot, dry summer of last year. How sad it will be for some of the television weather folks if needed rain fails on a weekend to spoil someone’s barbecue! They will have to learn to live with the consequences.
Tom
Friday, June 9, 2017
Dayton "Dirt" - June 9, 2017
The heat of summer has finally arrived even though according to the calendar it is late spring until the summer solstice. What good fortune in that the irrigation pond is brimming with rain water of such good quality that the plants will definitely show it. For the hot days, potting up new arrivals of perennial plants and shrubs in the afternoon is a welcome chore as it keeps us largely out of the hot sun.
Long overdue maintenance has been in full swing this past week including but not limited to pulling weeds, spraying weeds, mowing, trimming and cutting back shrubs and trees in the landscape. Persistent rain and wind has delayed this overdue chore so that it now is only being performed.
The greenhouse flower house really have run low now although many flowers are used to brighten up the landscape for the summer. Many trees and shrubs will be shifted to larger containers while new product constantly becomes available beginning in late June. One such plant is the creeping phlox which has been sold out since late last May. Another group of purple and pink will be available about July 1st as we actually rooted the plants from cuttings in mid-March. The large pots of flowers along the driveway are growing profusely with the warm weather and the warmer nights which definitely will aid in the growth of heat loving vegetables.
Timely to-dos are:
1. Apply bicarb to ornamental and vegetable plants prone to powdery mildew.
2. Apply a product now containing acephate to azaleas to kill lacebug which are very active and will require a follow up spray in about 10 days. A trade name of the product is called Bonide Systemic Insect Spray that can be applied with a hand sprayer or hose-end sprayer.
Happy gardening!
Tom
Long overdue maintenance has been in full swing this past week including but not limited to pulling weeds, spraying weeds, mowing, trimming and cutting back shrubs and trees in the landscape. Persistent rain and wind has delayed this overdue chore so that it now is only being performed.
The greenhouse flower house really have run low now although many flowers are used to brighten up the landscape for the summer. Many trees and shrubs will be shifted to larger containers while new product constantly becomes available beginning in late June. One such plant is the creeping phlox which has been sold out since late last May. Another group of purple and pink will be available about July 1st as we actually rooted the plants from cuttings in mid-March. The large pots of flowers along the driveway are growing profusely with the warm weather and the warmer nights which definitely will aid in the growth of heat loving vegetables.
Timely to-dos are:
1. Apply bicarb to ornamental and vegetable plants prone to powdery mildew.
2. Apply a product now containing acephate to azaleas to kill lacebug which are very active and will require a follow up spray in about 10 days. A trade name of the product is called Bonide Systemic Insect Spray that can be applied with a hand sprayer or hose-end sprayer.
Happy gardening!
Tom
Friday, June 2, 2017
Dayton "Dirt" - June 2, 2017
With June already here the rain department is still producing an excess of water. Reports have been coming into the nursery of garden seeds failing to sprout and garden plants somewhat at a standstill. While temperatures have warmed to a more normal range, soils are devoid of much needed oxygen that roots must employ for respiration and growth.
Root diseases such a Phytophthora and Pythium just love to grow and infest plant roots as the saturated soil provides a pathway for infection of the stressed plant roots and a favorable environment as well.
Flowers too have suffered with the wet weather as growth is slow due to cool nights and constant rain. Constant rain will leach nutrients out of the soil for flower and vegetable plants so that additional fertilizer will be needed for pots or plants in the ground to supplement the leached away fertilizer.
Better weather is sure to come. Let’s hope the rain subsides but does not shut off completely!
Tom
Root diseases such a Phytophthora and Pythium just love to grow and infest plant roots as the saturated soil provides a pathway for infection of the stressed plant roots and a favorable environment as well.
Flowers too have suffered with the wet weather as growth is slow due to cool nights and constant rain. Constant rain will leach nutrients out of the soil for flower and vegetable plants so that additional fertilizer will be needed for pots or plants in the ground to supplement the leached away fertilizer.
Better weather is sure to come. Let’s hope the rain subsides but does not shut off completely!
Tom
Friday, May 26, 2017
Dayton "Dirt" - May 26, 2017
Contrary to last year, there is certainly no shortage of rain this spring. Many customers coming into the nursery have been more aware of wet areas in the yard and are wanting ideas for plantings which might include the Buttonbush (Cephalanthus), Calycanthus (Carolina Allspice), Winterberry (Ilex verticilata), Variegated Dogwood (Cornus elegantisima or stolonifera), Variegated Willow (Salix integra ‘Nashiki’) or even elderberries (Sambucus canadensis). For trees in wet areas River Birch (Betula nigra), Silver Maple (Acer saccharum) or Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) would work well.
Finally, many of the roses are coming into bud and bloom which will create a spectacular show especially for the final week of May! Tea roses and floribundas must be sprayed weekly with a fungicide such as Bi-Carb to keep mildew and black spot at bay as soon after inoculation by these fungus organisms, the leaves will yellow and drop off which then will slow down growth and the resulting bloom.
With Memorial Day approaching, many folks will decorate the graves of loved ones in cemeteries as a sign of respect and memory of those who have passed before us. The traditional Memorial Day was called Decoration Day and designated to be May 30th by the federal government to consolidate the date into one celebration after the multiple celebrations on different dates throughout the various regions of the country. With so many war dead from most families resulting from the Civil War it was only natural that families would want to decorate the graves of those lost.
At the nursery, plantings of flowers will not go on until after the holiday weekend due to the busy time. The greenhouse is at its peak with masses of color everywhere. The mixed confetti hanging baskets that were a little small are now particularly beautiful as at least 25 different combinations are available. Confetti is a trademark name of the Dummen Orange Company that produces the “plugs” for the combination.
A little more sun and warmth now would be good for the garden but now we’ll have to wait and see. Que sera sera.
Tom
Finally, many of the roses are coming into bud and bloom which will create a spectacular show especially for the final week of May! Tea roses and floribundas must be sprayed weekly with a fungicide such as Bi-Carb to keep mildew and black spot at bay as soon after inoculation by these fungus organisms, the leaves will yellow and drop off which then will slow down growth and the resulting bloom.
With Memorial Day approaching, many folks will decorate the graves of loved ones in cemeteries as a sign of respect and memory of those who have passed before us. The traditional Memorial Day was called Decoration Day and designated to be May 30th by the federal government to consolidate the date into one celebration after the multiple celebrations on different dates throughout the various regions of the country. With so many war dead from most families resulting from the Civil War it was only natural that families would want to decorate the graves of those lost.
At the nursery, plantings of flowers will not go on until after the holiday weekend due to the busy time. The greenhouse is at its peak with masses of color everywhere. The mixed confetti hanging baskets that were a little small are now particularly beautiful as at least 25 different combinations are available. Confetti is a trademark name of the Dummen Orange Company that produces the “plugs” for the combination.
A little more sun and warmth now would be good for the garden but now we’ll have to wait and see. Que sera sera.
Tom
Friday, May 19, 2017
Dayton "Dirt" - May 19, 2017
With the onset of warm days and more importantly warm nights, the planting of vegetable and flowers seems to be in full swing. Even tropical plants that like plenty of sun and hot days will be planted outdoors in the ground and in pots for outdoors. This weekend will finish up the late blooming lilac call Miss Kim while just the beginning is near for the Mountain Laurels that will “repair” the loss bloom from the lilacs and the already out-of-bloom evergreen azaleas.
In the perennial department, scads of late spring perennials are ready to bloom as well as hundreds of the Tiny lilies bred in Holland. The bulbs were planted three to a pot in late February and early March and now are coming into a May bloom although the true bloom time would be mid-June to early July.
The growing houses in the rear of the property are finally clearing out as more and more of the product becomes ready to sell. As always, the Calliope geranium hanging baskets have been a big hit as they do well in part shade or full sun. The breeding of the plants is called interspecific since they are a cross between the vining geranium and what is known as the zonal geranium.
Wolf Creek Garden to the north is a riot of bloom with rhododendrons in varieties such as ‘Boule de Neige’, ‘Boursault’, English Roseum’, Yaku ‘Prince’, ‘catawbiense Alba’, ‘Scintillation’, ‘Nova Zembla’ and then some. Next will come the bloom of the Maximum types along with delicate blossoms of Mountain laurel and Kousa Dogwoods.
It would be nice to get some weeding done but for now, it will have to wait.
Tom
In the perennial department, scads of late spring perennials are ready to bloom as well as hundreds of the Tiny lilies bred in Holland. The bulbs were planted three to a pot in late February and early March and now are coming into a May bloom although the true bloom time would be mid-June to early July.
The growing houses in the rear of the property are finally clearing out as more and more of the product becomes ready to sell. As always, the Calliope geranium hanging baskets have been a big hit as they do well in part shade or full sun. The breeding of the plants is called interspecific since they are a cross between the vining geranium and what is known as the zonal geranium.
Wolf Creek Garden to the north is a riot of bloom with rhododendrons in varieties such as ‘Boule de Neige’, ‘Boursault’, English Roseum’, Yaku ‘Prince’, ‘catawbiense Alba’, ‘Scintillation’, ‘Nova Zembla’ and then some. Next will come the bloom of the Maximum types along with delicate blossoms of Mountain laurel and Kousa Dogwoods.
It would be nice to get some weeding done but for now, it will have to wait.
Tom
Friday, May 12, 2017
Dayton "Dirt" - May 12, 2017
After the cold rain last Saturday and then the very cool, sunny, windy day on Sundayfollowed by two freezes at the nursery, the question really is “what’s next?” As always, weather patterns vary widely from year to year mainly due to the winds of the jet stream. Needless to say, there is no shortage of water here in Ohio and record snows and rains in California have ended the drought and alleviated the pressure from wild fires that have ravaged that state and the entire western part of the country.
In the greenhouse, the beneficial nematodes have kept the mostly destructive thrip insect in check while cutting down on spraying chemicals for insect control by almost one half. It is difficult to manage insect control with all beneficial insects as many do not eat pollen from flowers to survive and then are left with nothing to eat.
Unfortunately, wind and rain have made weed control in Wolf Creek garden lack luster to say the least as the few sunny, less windy days customer service must take priority over weed control.
Things are looking up though as the forecast for next week appears to be for more “normal” weather for the latter half of May whatever “normal” is.
In a way it is strange that there is only one day to honor mothers as everyone knows that a mother is actually a keystone in a family raising children, preparing family meals, shopping, cleaning, tending the garden, canning and freezing food...as the saying goes, “ a mother’s work is never done.” It reminds me of my own mother and her mother which did so much and basically how much mothers are under appreciated.
Happy Mother’s Day.
In the greenhouse, the beneficial nematodes have kept the mostly destructive thrip insect in check while cutting down on spraying chemicals for insect control by almost one half. It is difficult to manage insect control with all beneficial insects as many do not eat pollen from flowers to survive and then are left with nothing to eat.
Unfortunately, wind and rain have made weed control in Wolf Creek garden lack luster to say the least as the few sunny, less windy days customer service must take priority over weed control.
Things are looking up though as the forecast for next week appears to be for more “normal” weather for the latter half of May whatever “normal” is.
In a way it is strange that there is only one day to honor mothers as everyone knows that a mother is actually a keystone in a family raising children, preparing family meals, shopping, cleaning, tending the garden, canning and freezing food...as the saying goes, “ a mother’s work is never done.” It reminds me of my own mother and her mother which did so much and basically how much mothers are under appreciated.
Happy Mother’s Day.
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