I'm often challenged when I try to explain to customers how to care for newly planted landscape materials.

Today I had a lady that was under the impression that the larger a plant that she purchased, the less care it would need. The other day we had someone who thought, because the plant was "drought tolerant" that it would need no water. So let me put a few myths to rest right now.

Just because a plant is larger, it doesn't mean it needs less water. In fact, generally the larger a plant is, the more water it MAY take, depending on the plant. If a plant is xeric or drought tolerant, it does not mean that no water is needed. Every plant will have some water requirements until it is established.

Think of it this way. A new plant in your yard is similar to you moving into a new neighborhood. Until you get yourself established and put down some roots, you'll need the extra support of your friends and family. The same is true for a new plant. Until it spreads its roots and becomes established, it will need some extra TLC.

So the next time you visit your local nursery, be sure to ask for their planting and watering instructions - then follow them! If the plant is unusual or slightly different from the run of the mill nursery stock, or you think it may need special care, be sure to ask the nursery professionals there for their advice. This will ensure that your plants will thrive!

The weather in some parts of the country continues to be brutal. If frost and freeze warnings are continuing in your area, and you've already got plants in the garden, here are some tips to protect them.

First, just as a blanket will keep you warm, it will also keep your plants warm. Cover plants with a sheet, newspaper, or bucket. Make a tent using poles or some other kind of support and drape a blanket, sheet or even newspaper over it to keep the frost off of tender plants. Think about what you would use to keep warm... and use that.

Avoid using plastic coverings. Just like you wouldn't use plastic to keep you warm, plastic does little to protect plants against cold temperatures. Plastic can attract cold and may harm plants. Use Walls o' Water and hot caps to provide protection.

Water is something else to try. If you have access to irrigation water, set it to come on between 3-4am. This is the coldest time of the night. Let it run until the sun is up. If plants do show some signs of frost, wait a few days in order to give them time to recover before pulling them up.

Try FreezePruf, a new product that protects foliage and blossoms. FreezePruf is a topical spray that works both topically and systemically to improve a plants cold tolerance up to 9.4 degrees. It may be enough to get your garden through a cold snap. FreezePruf lasts up to 6 weeks, so one application should be all you need for the start of the season. Be aware, however, that you cannot apply FreezePruf right before the freeze and have it work well. In order for it to truly be effective, you need to apply it well in advance so that it has time to work through the system of the plant, as well as topically to protect it. In our experience, those who have done this have had the best results.

It's been a while since I've posted anything, but that's because we've been so busy getting ready for spring! The greenhouse is fairly bursting with color, all wrapped up and ready for Mother's Day. Even though it was snowing last Sunday and 38 degrees, we knew where Spring was!

Moms are special and sometimes there are many "moms" along the way. My own mom passed away when I was twelve and I had a lot of "other mothers" throughout my growing up years. Each year I spend Mother's Day morning watering among 700 roses in the garden center and call each of them to thank them for being such a big part of my life. They've all helped make me into who I am today.

Thank all of the Moms in your life this Sunday. Whether you give them flowers, take them to dinner, or just call or send a card, remember all they've done for you.

If you're looking for great gift ideas, we have them. Come into the garden center and personally look me up. I'll be happy to help you select the perfect gift for your special mom!

Springtime seems to finally be arriving with the first of our warm sunny days. It's a great time to get out in the garden and plant some spring color!

Start with pansies or violas. These hardy little plants will take some frost and bloom well into the summer until temperatures begin to get truly hot. Pansies and violas do well in beds, in pots or even hanging baskets. Available in a multitude of colors, these cheerful little plants practically shout "spring" with their happy faces.

Be careful where you plant them however, if you are using them in beds. Even though pansies and violas are not considered true perennials, because they don't come back from the same root stock, they do freely re-seed. Be sure to put them in an area where you won't mind a few more relatives if they come back next year!

If you are a perennial lover, the fragrant perennial violas are blooming and beautiful right now. Iberis (Candytuft) is especially pretty right now as well. Ours at Four Seasons are blooming with stark white blossoms. "Purity" is an especially nice variety for our area.

No matter what you plant out, a few new colors in your yard or in a patio pot, will help remind you that winter is truly, thankfully, a thing of the past!

It's one of my pet peeves. Many times people will come into the garden center and say that they are going to plant their cole crops, then ask for peas. While I understand that some people use the terms interchangeably, it isn't exactly correct. And since it's the time of the year to plant both, here's the definition in a nutshell.

The term "cole" crops are technically those plants that belong to the Cruciferae or mustard family. This includes plants such as kale, cauliflower, collards, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, turnips, and others. All of these vegetables can trace their origins back to a common ancestry of wild cabbage. Many of these vegetables are super powerhouses of nutrition. In fact, Brussels sprouts, collards, and kale contain more protein than milk does.

The term "cold" in reference to plants, refers to temperatures and those plants that can withstand cold nighttime and cool daytime temperatures. In fact, they not only tolerate them, but some plants thrive in them. Plants such as lettuce, radishes, peas, carrots, potatoes, and onions are cold crops. There are many more cold crops than cole crops. And these vegetables are not only good to plant in the spring, but will return an abundant crop in the cooler fall temperatures as well.

Depending on the weather, the amount of sunshine, and the temperatures, some of the cold and cole crops that are planted now, could be harvested as early as late-April to early May. What better way to truly catch spring fever than with vegetables harvested fresh from the garden?

The geese are in the backyard, I saw a robin today, and the crocus at Four Seasons in the front flowerbed are beginning to bloom. Spring can't be far away, despite the abundance of snow still on the ground! Maybe it froze along the way somewhere?

In any case, the pansies and violas in the garden center are beginning to bloom and you can tell that the days are lengthening. If you're anxious to begin your spring and summer gardening plans, start by attending a class or reading up on some of the new varieties. It's been a long time since I've seen people so excited about gardening- especially with vegetables. I think the high cost of groceries has driven even the most die hard non-gardener to reconsider this spring. I know that I'm feeding a teenager and my grocery bills are through the roof. My family had better like squash this summer!

If you are a small space gardener, consider gardening vertically, rather than horizontally. Use the Topsy Turvy planters. Use containers. Use whatever space you have that can easily be turned into a spot for food production. You'd be amazed and surprised at the amount of fresh food that can be produced in a small area. Tomatoes can go in a planter. Peppers can go in a pot. Radishes and lettuce can go into window boxed. Take a lesson from the Europeans who have always been short on space, but long on thrifty ways to invent places to garden. Then try it for yourself this summer!

A friend sent me this link tonight and I want to share it with you. http://www.ezfromseed.org/easyseeds.php

It's a good place for the beginning gardener to go to get information about the easiest plants to grow from seed.

I saw the geese in our yard today which means that spring is indeed on it's way and it's time to begin thinking about starting your seeds. Visit us at the garden center and we'll be happy to choose the seeds that are right for your zone. We'll help you get started with planting instructions, seed starting supplies and our personal tips and tricks to help you be successful!