The weather has been pleasant with lower humidity and temperatures making it easier to perform chores in the nursery like weeding. How many times a “weeding emergency” has occurred but only to be ”orrected” in hot, humid 90º F weather. Years ago in early July of 1980 as we constructed a new quonset type greenhouse for raising azaleas, temperatures rose to about 100º F as we worked in the hot sun and even burn up a small drill as it became too hot! Fast forward now to today, three over-wintering structures erected in 1994 must be replaced because of corrosion which has progressed enough to be in danger of collapse during heavy winds or snow loads.
Customers have been using their Dayton Dollars before they expire at the end of August and for the most part have been finding adequate inventory especially as more and more stock becomes available from the rear growing areas. Curious rabbits have been chewing some grasses that were recently potted in the movable roof structure so that now all perimeter walls and doors must be closed to prevent the grasses from becoming a “rabbit salad.”
About 1200 creeping phlox “plugs” are to arrive in two weeks to be planted and they too are attractive to rabbits and must be corralled to prevent them from disappearing!
This week though is “sticking cuttings week” of evergreen azaleas and various shrubs in order to take advantage of the summer heat to aid in their forming roots by September. So much to do, so little time!
Tom
Friday, July 28, 2017
Friday, July 21, 2017
Dayton "Dirt" - July 21, 2017
Last Saturday, the Blueberry Fest seemed quite the hit as evidenced by the full parking lot that remained full for hours as well as finding parking spots for the additional 25-30 vehicles that could not fit into the already full lined spots. Now the question is how to properly manage the fall festival that is set for the third weekend in September!
The hot, humid weather of July has returned although rainfall has been adequate unlike the dryness of last year. The potting of plants goes on beginning with the receipt of clematis varieties that will be available next spring. For some reason, the Queen of Vines sold better than ever this year probably having to do with the popularity of vertical gardening and the fact that clematis are available in a multitude of colors with an ever expanding pallet of new varieties from various breeders.
Next week, local sweet corn from the Seiberling Farms will flood the Owl Barn with the first sugar enhanced, synergistic variety called “Espresso” comes into ripeness. With refrigeration, these new varieties that are much different from those of yesteryear will remain sweet in the refrigerator for at least 3 days according to Chuck Seiberling although Chuck has stated that some of the customers had told him that they have held the sweet corn for a week after picking!
The nursery has been seasonally slow in these dog days of summer although folks in our garden club have enjoyed spending their Dayton Dollars coupons which spend like cash except on produce items.
At the Columbus trade show called Cultivate, many vendors showed off their new exciting wares for the spring 2018 season and beyond. The problem is that some of the older varieties must be eliminated to make room for the new but as always the question is which ones!
The hot, humid weather of July has returned although rainfall has been adequate unlike the dryness of last year. The potting of plants goes on beginning with the receipt of clematis varieties that will be available next spring. For some reason, the Queen of Vines sold better than ever this year probably having to do with the popularity of vertical gardening and the fact that clematis are available in a multitude of colors with an ever expanding pallet of new varieties from various breeders.
Next week, local sweet corn from the Seiberling Farms will flood the Owl Barn with the first sugar enhanced, synergistic variety called “Espresso” comes into ripeness. With refrigeration, these new varieties that are much different from those of yesteryear will remain sweet in the refrigerator for at least 3 days according to Chuck Seiberling although Chuck has stated that some of the customers had told him that they have held the sweet corn for a week after picking!
The nursery has been seasonally slow in these dog days of summer although folks in our garden club have enjoyed spending their Dayton Dollars coupons which spend like cash except on produce items.
At the Columbus trade show called Cultivate, many vendors showed off their new exciting wares for the spring 2018 season and beyond. The problem is that some of the older varieties must be eliminated to make room for the new but as always the question is which ones!
Tom
Saturday, July 15, 2017
Dayton "Dirt" - July 15, 2017
What a jackpot this week with the receipt of at least one inch of rain after previous heavy rains continued to go north and south of the nursery making it 16 days since the last “good rain”. Chuck at Seiberling Farms was a little anxious as the 60 acres of sweet corn were becoming thirsty so that the aluminum irrigation pipe filled with water from the always running Hudson Run would have to be put in place and then moved from field to field as it was last year in the hot and drought--filled summer of 2016.
Tomorrow is our 7th annual Blueberry Fest that is a treat for little kids and “big kids” alike with activities for small children including crafts, a bouncy house, petting zoo and so much more. For the “big kids”, hayrides, lots of blueberries with foods comprised of a blueberry component and a polka band from Cleveland are just some of the events. Admission and parking are free as well as all the events and to top things off, the weatherman is promising 80º f, sun and lower humidity making it perfect weather for mid-July! See below for details...
The long and sunny days of July get the solar panels at the nursery cranking their excess power to the grid. Most likely by 2020, no net power will be used from the grid creating an even “greener” environment at the nursery.
Tom
Friday, July 7, 2017
Dayton "Dirt" - July 7, 2017
This past week the heavy rains have been about one mile north and one mile south of the nursery with about no rain at the nursery! The nursery stock has been growing nicely as well as the weeds which makes for constant weed control in the outside sales yard as it is good fodder for weeds because of the everyday irrigation.
Constant repotting is the norm as some shrubs are “shifted up” which means they are transferred to a large pot to grow larger. Mostly all trees that were potted in late March and early April are now available and will be sold this summer, fall and next spring. Trimming is another matter. Most varieties of the newly potted hydrangeas have already been trimmed twice and will need at least 2 more trimmings.
Then there is always a “project”. Three overwintering structures constructed in 1994 must be razed and new ones constructed because of corrosion making the houses weak and in danger of collapsing under the weight of heavy snow.
With next week’s Blueberry Fest there’s even more work to do! Who said summer is slow compared to spring!
Tom
Constant repotting is the norm as some shrubs are “shifted up” which means they are transferred to a large pot to grow larger. Mostly all trees that were potted in late March and early April are now available and will be sold this summer, fall and next spring. Trimming is another matter. Most varieties of the newly potted hydrangeas have already been trimmed twice and will need at least 2 more trimmings.
Then there is always a “project”. Three overwintering structures constructed in 1994 must be razed and new ones constructed because of corrosion making the houses weak and in danger of collapsing under the weight of heavy snow.
With next week’s Blueberry Fest there’s even more work to do! Who said summer is slow compared to spring!
Tom
Friday, June 23, 2017
Dayton "Dirt" - June 23, 2017
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
Tom
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
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