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Edible Gardening Q & A

Mar 21, 2024

Many people are planting edibles for the “Farm-to-Table” healthy life-style, or just for a fun activity with the kids! However, we are asked lots of questions from those who are experiencing trial and error as well as those who are ready to “DIG” it, but have some initial questions. Below are several questions and answer examples to help get growing! You can always send us your direct question here or come in to visit with an associate!

Growing Herbs for a Cook's Garden

What’s the best way to start a cook’s herb garden? Wondering about pots versus in-ground, seeds versus plants, etc.

We could go into a lot of detail about growing each herb, but here are a couple general things to consider. Herbs are perennials, meaning they come back every year, and some are annuals or grown as annuals, meaning they need to be planted every year. Some perennial herbs are rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage, mint and lavender; We usually recommend planting these as transplants. Some that are annuals or grown as annuals are basil, cilantro, parsley and dill; We usually say it’s fine to plant these from seeds. Also, many of the culinary herbs we use often are originally from the Mediterranean and they prefer drier soil like you’d find in that part of the world. That’s why growing in containers is often a good option, because soil usually dries out more quickly in containers.

If you’re growing in the ground, it’s important to make sure the soil won’t hold water. You can do that by mounding the soil or planting at the top of a slope rather than in a low spot. We especially recommend growing perennial herbs like rosemary and thyme in the ground because they can become part of your landscaping, but they grow well in containers too.

Fertilizing Herbs Indoors

I can’t grow outside anymore because of my HOA so I’m growing mint indoors. I accidentally fed it the other day with houseplant fertilizer. Is it still okay to eat it?

Houseplant fertilizer is typically a 10-10-10 fertilizer, meaning it has equal amounts nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium — that makes it a balanced fertilizer and typically, vegetable and herb fertilizer is balanced, too, though with smaller numbers, like a 5-5-5. The danger of the houseplant fertilizer is that it contains more nutrients and you could’ve overfertilized the mint. But it should be OK to eat — just keep watering and back off the fertilizer a little.

Why Can't I Grow Herbs From Seed?

I keep buying seeds for herbs but the only ones that grow are parsley, basil and dill.

It may seem cheaper to plant herbs from seed, but many herbs don’t really grow that easily from seed. Transplants are usually a better option. Some of the herbs mentioned — parsley, basil and dill — are exceptions, but we still recommend buying parsley and basil as transplants, as well as rosemary, thyme, lavender, oregano and sage. Herb seeds to easily plant from seed are dill and cilantro.

Growing Cilantro in our Warm Climates

 I am usually lucky and have a green thumb except for cilantro. Any suggestions?

Cilantro can be tricky! Even though it seems like it would be a summer plant, it actually grows best in cooler weather, so in spring and fall. It can also grow in a little shade. In warmer climates like us, you can actually plant it in the fall and grow it through winter into spring.

Can I Keep Cilantro and Basil From Bolting?

 How do you keep herbs like cilantro and basil from going to seed quickly?

This is a great question, but let’s start with timing first. Cilantro seems like it would be a summer crop, but it actually prefers cooler weather, so be sure to grow it in spring and fall instead of the heat of summer. Basil likes warmer weather. Most herbs will flower as the weather warms. With basil, you can pinch the blooms off to keep the plant producing more leaves. With cilantro, when it starts bolting (going to seed by blooming) as it gets warm, just let it go, but leave it in the garden to attract pollinators and then to dry and harvest the seed, which is the spice called coriander

When Can You Start Cutting Herbs?

How soon can you start harvesting herbs from new plants?

For most herbs, harvest from the outer part of the plant and leave the center alone — that’s where new growth comes from. That’s also true for harvesting lettuce and other greens.

Shade-Tolerant Herbs

Are there any herbs that don’t require full sun?

Yes — cilantro, parsley, thyme, mint, chives and tarragon are a few herbs that can grow in part sun.

What's Wrong With My Basil?

My basil is planted in a self-watering container with oregano and parsley. The oregano and parsley are doing well, but the basil is looking very light in color, not the normal bright green I usually see. What am I doing wrong?

It sounds like your basil is getting too much water and could have root rot. Parsley and oregano aren’t quite as susceptible though they can get rot too. You might cut back some of the affected basil leaves and then reduce watering a bit to see if that helps.

Am I Planting Lavender Wrong?

What is the easiest and fastest way to grow lavender? I keep buying lavender plants and they keep dying. Please help.

It’s really important that lavender is in well-draining soil, meaning it doesn’t hold water. If you’re growing in a pot, use a clay pot that dries out quickly. If you’re growing in the ground, be sure the lavender is at the top of a slope where the soil will drain well. You can also add rock mulch or a little sand in your soil to help with drainage. Lavender can have problems with fungus, especially in our humid environment, so when you have larger plants, you want to trim them for better airflow. For large plants, just prune back where you can tell there’s not good air flow. Only harvest about one-third of the blooms at a time.

How Do I Make Compost at Home?

Several have asked about making compost at home, so we’ll start with some basics. Generally, you make compost by mixing organic materials from around your home like grass clippings, kitchen scraps and leaves to decompose into compost, which is full of nutrients that benefit your soil.

You need a 3:1 ratio of what we call brown materials, which are slow to decompose, and green materials, which are quicker. Browns are carbon-rich and include leaves and bark; greens are nitrogen-rich like grass and vegetable scraps. You need more browns — 3 parts to every 1 green — to slow down the decomposition process. You also need water to make compost; a lot of problems come with compost being too dry, because it needs water and nitrogen, or to wet, probably because there’s not enough brown material.

You can make compost just in a pile in your yard, or you can use a bin made of wood, plastic, or metal. Either way, your bin needs to provide easy access and good airflow.

What About Ants in a Compost Bin?

How do I get rid of ants in a container composter?

Ants are not necessarily a bad thing in compost, and they may be helping break things down, but if you have a lot of them, it could also be a sign that your compost mix is too dry. To help, turn it with a shovel or pitchfork, sprinkle in some water, and add some nitrogen, like with a little bagged manure compost.

 How Do I Fill My Raised Bed?

I have raised beds that had vegetable plants in them last year. What should I do to prepare the beds for a new growing season?

We typically recommend a mix of roughly 1/3 topsoil, 1/3 peat or other lightweight amendment and 1/3 compost, mixed together well in your bed. Peat is lightweight and fluffy, so it works great, but it’s not very sustainable; some alternatives are coconut coir, which may be hard to find or expensive, or shredded leaves or bark, which you may already have around. You can also add a little perlite, a soil amendment that promotes good drainage and air flow in your soil. If you already have soil in your bed, but just need to refresh it for this year, you probably just need to add a few bags of compost to get some nutrients back in there. But if your soil feels really hard and dense, you can add some perlite and peat or shredded leaves, too.

Raised Bed Soil pH and Vegetables

 How do you accommodate different soil pH preferences amongst plants that share a raised bed?

Most vegetables like a pH of 6 to 7, so you shouldn’t have a big discrepancy in the soil pH needs of vegetables in a raised bed. One vegetable that likes more alkaline soil is asparagus, and an edible plant that likes more acidic soil is blueberries — for each of those, we’d recommend growing in their own beds.

What Not to Grow in a Raised Bed

Are there any vegetables that do not do well in a raised garden?

If a raised bed is deep enough, most anything can grow well. We recommend it be at least 12 inches deep.

Should I Use Flowers in My Vegetable Garden?

Would you recommend flowers around your garden to attract pollinators?

Yes, we do! We also recommend planting a lot of herbs around your veggies to help with pests and to attract pollinators.

What Combos to Grow in Containers

I have a small space that gets full sun. Can you recommend some pairings that will do well together in containers? I am all over basil, parsley, tomatoes … any other combos?

Tomatoes with basil and parsley sounds great. We also love growing peppers in containers, and you could grow them with oregano and onions. Lettuce and greens do really well in containers; so do most herbs. We also recommend including some flowers like marigolds — they add color and can help with insect pests.

Growing Cucumbers in Containers

What are your thoughts on growing cucumbers in a container?

You can definitely grow cucumbers in containers! Choose a bush or compact variety, which just means it’s a shorter vine. You’ll need to give it a trellis that it can grow up. You also want to be sure to get a container large enough — it should hold roughly 5 gallons of soil, which is about a 14-inch wide pot.

Can I Plant Last Year's Seeds?

I have some seed packets I got a year ago. Will they grow?

Our answer is: Probably. Most seeds will keep for a couple years so give it a try.

Why Do You Mulch Your Vegetable Garden?

Mulching plants is important for many reasons: It prevents weeds, helps the soil retain moisture and breaks down to improve your soil over time. Good options include shredded cedar, cypress or redwood mulch, straw, ground pine bark and shredded leaves. Overall, you want something lightweight that will break down quickly to help improve the soil, so larger chip or bark mulches aren’t the best.

Should I Use a Trellis?

Can or should you trellis veggies like cucumbers, squash and zucchini? I have a 4’x4’ bed and it’s looking like my eyes were bigger than my garden 😍. And if so, what kind of trellis system is best?

We definitely recommend trellising. It maximizes space and also keeps plants off the ground, where they’re more likely pick up diseases or rot. And it makes produce easier to pick. There are a lot of trellising systems out there. Go with something sturdy, which means probably metal. Also consider where you’re going to store them when the season is over. If you have limited space, look for ones that will fold up or flatten for easy storage.

Garden Placement in Hot, Sunny Climates

My veggies seem to wilt even when watering. Should I consider putting some of them where they get morning sun but afternoon shade?

The rule of thumb is that vegetables need six hours of sun a day, but if it’s really hot, a lot more than that could be too much. Afternoon sun is hotter; that’s also the time of day when more water has evaporated, so plants just get dehydrated. So in our really hot area, morning sun is better.

If you’re not sure whether an area gets morning sun or afternoon sun, or how much sun, just take some time to watch it.

Tips for Growing Watermelon

Any advice would be greatly appreciated on growing watermelon.

Watermelons like hot weather so wait until the weather warms to plant. They grow on really long, vigorous vines so you need plenty of space — plant them 3 to 5 feet apart. You’ll want to keep weeds down in the area; mulch after planting rather than waiting until the vines get going. Watermelons take a long time to grow — usually around 3 months until harvest — so keep them watered and fed and be patient. They’ll be worth the wait.

How Many Tomato Plants Do I Need?

Will you get tomatoes if you plant only one plant?

Yes, tomato plants are self-pollinating, which means you only need one plant to get fruit. That being said, if you have the space, plant more!

Any Favorite Determinate Tomatoes?

What are determinate tomatoes?

Determinate tomatoes are also called bush tomatoes. They grow to roughly a certain height and then stop, and they usually produce their fruit in the same time frame. Determinates are good for smaller spaces. Indeterminate tomatoes, on the other hand, are also called vining tomatoes and they keep growing taller and making tomatoes until they’re killed by frost or something else. Both types need to be trellised or staked. A couple of popular determinate tomatoes are: Roma, a paste tomato, which are the best for canning and making tomato sauce; and Celebrity, a good all-around, award-winning red tomato.

Why Are My Tomato Leaves Yellow?

Our tomato plants don’t look well. They have lots of yellow leaves and the leaves have holes. What should we do?

It’s hard to say what’s causing holes in the leaves without seeing them, but the yellowing may be a nitrogen deficiency that affects the plant’s overall health, making it more susceptible to pests. Try fertilizing your plant with a nitrogen-rich organic fertilizer. You can also add a little compost around your plants and water it in well.

What Causes Blossom End Rot on Tomatoes?

I have horrible luck growing Roma tomatoes in containers. It looks like it’s growing great then the bottom turns brown then black. I try to consistently water, so what am I doing wrong?

You're experiencing blossom end rot, which is very common. It’s actually caused by a calcium deficiency, but the mechanics are really about fluctuations of water. Plants need consistent watering, so sometimes you’ll see end rot after a heavy rain followed by a period of drought. Consistent watering is key, but it can be harder when you’re growing in containers. To help with this, choose containers that don’t dry out quickly — look for plastic or glazed clay instead of plain terra cotta. Also, if you have a tomato with end rot, it’s still fine to harvest and eat the good portion, and you can let the plant keep growing. Just because one or two fruit have blossom end rot doesn’t mean they all will.

What Veggies Regrow From Scraps?

We’ve had a lot of questions about re-growing vegetables from scratch. It's definitely doable with a few vegetables, including potatoes and celery as well as some types of lettuce and cabbage.

Should I Start Root Crops Inside or Outside?

Is it advisable to start root vegetables (specifically carrots and potatoes) from seed indoors? I feel like transplanting them will disturb the root.

While you can start root veggies indoors, we find it’s really best to start them outdoors where you’re planning on growing them. You may need to “thin” your seedlings a little as they come up to get them spaced out correctly for growing. This basically just means picking out some to allow others to grow.

When Are Root Crops Ready to Harvest?

How do you know when root vegetables are ready to harvest?

There are a few vegetables where the part you eat grows under the soil: carrots, beets, radishes and turnips among them. For much of the time these plants are growing, all you’ll see is the tops, the greens. These are important for taking in sunlight and directing that energy to help the root grow below the soil. When the roots start getting larger, you’ll start to see the tops popping up out of the soil a little. When those tops of the roots really start pushing up out of the soil, that’s when you know they’re ready to harvest..

Planting Onions

Onions can be planted from seed or sets, which are small bulbs, but you can also plant from bare-root bundles. They’re just small onions and they’re very easy to plant. You can plant them in spring starting a little before the last frost date. Just separate out the individual onions and plant them about an inch down so the bulb portion is below the soil. Plant them about 6 inches apart for mature onions or 3 inches apart for scallions. You can hill up the soil a little to help give them good drainage. For full-size onions these will take a couple months to grow.

 When Will My Garlic Be Ready?

I planted garlic in early spring and I see shoots. Can I expect fully developed garlic this summer?

Fall is usually the best time to plant garlic — it overwinters and then starts really growing in spring — but you can also try planting in early spring. If you planted in spring, you should be able to harvest in mid to late summer. If you see shoots coming up, that’s a good sign. Just keep them watered and mulched and you should be good to go. You'll know bulbs are ready to harvest when the tops start turning yellow and falling over. Save some of your largest bulbs and plant those this fall.

How to Know When to Harvest Potatoes

Potato plants will start to turn yellow and die back when the roots are ready to harvest. It usually takes a few months after planting. You’ll dig around in the soil to find the potatoes, which is pretty fun. You can harvest “new” potatoes sooner, if you want — they are just young potatoes.

Why Aren't My Pepper Plants Flowering Yet?

People ask about green pepper plants that are all leaves and no flowers or fruit …

Peppers like hot weather and plants don’t really start producing flowers and fruit until the temperatures get warmer. It’s a good sign if your plants look healthy otherwise.

Can I Grow Lettuce on a Balcony?

Can you grow lettuce in flower boxes on a balcony?

Yes, you can, as long as you have at least part sun, which means about four hours a day. Lettuce would also be great for window boxes.

How Do I Harvest Lettuce?

How do you harvest lettuce? Can you use a little at a time or is it a one and done thing?

Lettuce comes in a couple types: either heading lettuce varieties or leaf lettuce varieties. Heading varieties like iceberg and Romaine are typically harvested as the whole plant — as you say, one and done — but leaf lettuce varieties can be harvested often while growing, picking from the outside of the plant while more leaves grow from the inside of the plant. These are sometimes called “cut and come again” varieties and you’ll see that term used for flowers and other vegetables, too. We recommend both types but if you’re looking to use a little at a time, leaf varieties are best.

What is the Fungus on My Cucumber and Squash Leaves?

Why do my cucumbers and squash get a kind of fungus on the leaves and quit producing?

What you’re seeing is called powdery mildew — it looks like baby powder on your leaves. It’s a very common fungus that you’ll see particularly on cucumbers, squash and melons. As the mildew spreads, it damages your plant.

You can prevent powdery mildew by planting resistant varieties, by not crowding your plants, and especially by not watering from above — you want to water at the base of your plants, not on the leaves, which can promote fungal growth on leaves.

You can also try to treat it with an organic fungicide, like neem oil. But if your plants look pretty infected, you should pull them out and get rid of them to avoid spreading it through your garden.


How Do I Get Rid of Squash Bugs?

I have never had squash bugs before last year. How do you get rid of them and will I have them again this year?

With squash bugs, too, you want to attract their natural predators, which include spiders and a particular fly that loves plants in the dill family: cilantro, dill, and parsley. Plant these alongside your squash, cucumbers and melons. Remove the little red eggs as soon as you see them on leaves. You can also try an organic treatment like neem oil.

How to Prevent Tomato Hornworms

How do you keep tomato worms off your tomato plants?

Pick off the little green worms as soon as you see them on your plants. The best way to prevent them from taking over is to attract their natural predator, specifically parasitic wasps. Parasitic wasps love many of the herbs and flowers that we love, including dill, cosmos, fennel, thyme, yarrow, zinnia and borage; plant these alongside your tomatoes, peppers and eggplants to keep hornworms in check.

What to Do About Roly Poly Bugs

How do I get rid of roly poly bugs? They are eating my strawberries right now but always seem to get to my veggies and fruit. I don’t want to use sprays as I’m trying to keep my garden organic.

Roly poly bugs are also called pill bugs, and there are a lot of organic remedies for them from chili pepper spray to garlic spray. We would recommend diatomaceous earth. You’ll sprinkle it in the soil around your strawberry plants. Just like any other organic product, you’ll want to use it as directed on the packaging.

How to Get Rid of Slugs on Lettuce

I am growing romaine, but notice little slug looking bugs on my lettuce. What to do?

Slugs definitely go after lettuce, and they can damage your plants. What you can do is just pick them off by hand. Drop them in soapy water if you don’t want to smush them yourself. If you handpick often for a week or so, you won’t need to pick them off as often going forward. There are also a few simple things you can add around your plants that may help too — like coffee grounds and eggshells. Both are rough surfaces that may prevent slugs from getting to your plants.

 

Mailbox Plants and flowers

Mailbox Garden Plants + Flowers

26 Apr, 2024
These annuals, perennials, vines and other hardy growers make great companions for a mailbox garden design. We have HUNDREDS of choices for your mailbox garden, both in perennials and annuals. If short evergreen shrubs, like the shi shi camellia, or vining climbers, like the Peggy Martin rose, or a jasmine are your style, we have many selections for you as well. Stroll and shop our now expanded garden center to plant the perfect plants(s). Coreopsis auriculata 'Nana' Also known as tickseed, Coreopsis auriculata is a North America native perennial that grows easily in conditions of full sun and soil with medium moisture. Yellow blooms appear from May to June that attract butterflies and the seeds that are produced resemble ticks, hence the common name tickseed. Purple Homestead Verbena Verbena Canadensis ‘Homestead Purple’ requires full sun for the best results and produces a vivid purple flower. A slender-stemmed perennial verbena in a deep, royal purple bloom cluster typical of verbenas, it can grow to heights of 12 inches and widths of 3 feet and can bloom from late summer to the first frost Rosemary Winter hardy, Rosmarinus officinalis is a herbaceous perennial that grows best in full sun and produces pale blue and white flowers during the bloom season. Fragrant and easy to prune and shape, rosemary is an easy maintenance choice for mailbox areas, herb gardens or patio containers. The best part is being able to cut some off for your favorite recipes while you are checking the mail. Cora Cascade Vinca Vinca is one of the toughest, heat-loving annuals for our climate, and the Cora series has a hearty helping of disease resistance, as well. Nothing will flower as much in full sun and hot conditions as the annual vinca. This flower requires no deadheading, little fertilizer, and should only be watered during drought when well-established. Clematis Clematis is a genus within the buttercup family Ranunculaceae with more than 300 species. Clematis is popular with gardeners for its lovely blooms and ability to grow on walls, fences, mailboxes and other areas to highlight its foliage to best advantage. Yarrow A perennial that thrives in full sun and well drained, low moisture soil, produces sweet & small flowers and fern-like, silvery foliage with a bloom period of June to September. Maiden Grass Miscanthus sinensis is a perennial ornamental grass which can grow from 3 to 6 feet in height and spread as wide, depending on variety. With its graceful plumes, which can range in color from sand-pink to silvery-white, maiden grass makes an appealing living hedge or border. They tolerate tough conditions associated with a roadside planting. Pink muhly grass stays around 3’x3’ and blooms a soft pink cotton-candy-like foliage for interest in fall. For best results, plan on cutting them back to the ground in early spring. Summer Phlox Native to North America, Phlox paniculata is a summer flowering perennial whose mid-summer to mid-fall blooms may vary in color from white to purple. It requires sandy, loamy soil and can take partial shade and partial to full sun. Butterfly Iris Best grown in full sun to part shade, Butterfly Iris is a perennial that can tolerate poor, dry soil due to its thick root system. The blooms are creamy white and yellow flowers on 28 inch stalks and attracts hummingbirds. Please note- All Seasons may or may not have these plants in stock available to purchase at the time you come to purchase these. If you're ever looking for something specific, please call the garden center at 337.264.1418 or send an email question via this link prior to your shopping visit!
May gardening to do list

May Gardening To Do List

23 Apr, 2024
Shop for the one you love at the place she loves! We are your Mother's Day Headquarters! From plants to accessories, we have everything your Mom will sure to love! We also offer gift cards in any mount so Mom can pick out her own presents or plants! Mother's Day is May 12. Click here to read Mom Must Haves It's time to change out tired, cool-season annuals with heat-loving summer annuals such as: Angelonia, pentas, portulaca, vinca & much more. Planting tropical sun lovers like hibiscus is ideal now, too. To encourage more rapid re-blooming, pinch off old flowers on bedding plants after their first flower cycle is complete. MAY TO DO LIST: -Plant warm-season bedding plants. Vinca can now be planted for best results! Don’t know which warm-season bedding plants will be best for your area? Come visit us for a wide selection and knowledge to be successful! -To encourage more rapid re-blooming, pinch off old flowers on bedding plants. -It’s a great time to plant a crape myrtle tree for great summer flowering. -Prune & feed azaleas & camellias once their blooming has finished. -Sow seeds for heat-loving annuals and watch them begin to grow! This is a fun kid project, too, once school is out. -Now is the time to plant all kinds of summer-loving vegetables. -Prune & shape all winter-flowering shrubs and vines. -Mulch all garden beds well to help regulate soil temperature, retain moisture, and keep weeds at bay. An excellent mulch to try, in addition to Grade ‘A’ Cypress or Cedar, is pine straw. To effectively suppress weeds, apply mulch 2 inches thick. -When in the garden, wear a wide brim hat and apply sunscreen. -Plants you had indoors for cool weather can now reside outside. -Place houseplant containers in an area that receives bright shade- not direct sun. -Don't forget to fill bird feeders with seed! -Watch for insect problems on roses. Aphids may develop on tender new growth, thrips on flowers and cucumber beetles on foliage. Let us know and we'll set you up with the proper treatment. -After spring bulbs finish flowering, wait until the foliage turns yellow before cutting it off. This is because food is being manufactured and stored for next year’s blooms.

Mother's Day Must Haves

23 Apr, 2024
Shop for the one you love at the place she loves! We have HUNDREDS of gift ideas for your Mom, a special Mom in your life or even for you to put on your kids’ list! With the recent expansion, our footprint has gotten larger with more plants she will love, a large pavilion full of gift ideas for her home + garden, pottery in all sizes and colors, furniture and much more. Gift cards serve as a quick and easy gift, giving Mom the joy of shopping in any and all seasons for her favorites. Buy Mom an EGift Card online here! If you would like to purchase Mom a special plant, we have come up with a list of blooming beauties she would likely enjoy that we have now! Pick from pretty blooms like Mom, or plants in her favorite color family! The gift ideas are upon every turn; we invite you to stroll and shop! Plant Mom a Container Garden: We have SO MANY plants and pots, so dig Mom by planting her a custom container garden! We can help you mix the right plants for full sun or shade. Mix colors and textures, or stay with the same color- the possibilities are ready for you to DIG! Great full sun plants that do well in containers are pentas, vinca, salvias, angelonias, zinnas and many more. Great plants for Mom’s more shaded area are caladiums, begonias, torenias, impatiens and many more. We even offer a potting service, so we can create it all for your Mom- even if you give us a call for a phone order, and even if you don’t live in town. We offer delivery services right to Mom’s door. Clematis: Clematis are gorgeous blooming vines with flowers often as large as your hand. These are tough perennials that like to keep their roots shaded, but otherwise can take the sun/partial sun. Several varieties are available in colors from white to bright purple. Since they like to climb, they are great on a trellis in a large pot or on a wall, on an arbor, a mailbox, etc! Mandevillea/Bougainvillea/Hibiscus: Bring Mom a slice of the tropics with these bright bloomers that put on a show from Spring all the way through summer (and since we *typically* have mild winters, through the winter season as well.) Mandevilleas can climb a trellis, mailbox, arbor, etc, or add beauty to a container or landscape in the bush-form variety. With their trumpet-shaped flowers, hummingbirds enjoy them-especially the red ones! Bougainvillea “blooms” are paper-thin, but their bright presence brings us straight to a tropical paradise. They are often in hanging baskets which brings a pop to a porch. Hibiscus plants bloom in the brightest shades of red, orange, yellow, pink and even a mix of some! Blooms can even be double- you should see the peach color one we have now! Cajun Hibiscus have our local Cajun personality with larger blooms, typically “loud” with ruffles, crazy colors and simply show-stopping. Cajun Hibiscus: We love our loud and proud Cajun Moms! Mimic her personality with a Cajun Hibiscus- the leaves and blooms are larger and showier than the traditional Hibiscus. A bonus to this gift is to select Mom a variety like “Cajun Maiden,” “Grand Mere” or “Love Song!” The names, and blooms, are beautiful and memorable- just like Mom! Shasta Daisy: Many Moms love the look of sweet, delicate daisies. The Shasta doesn’t disappoint. It mixes well with others in a full-sun container, or can be planted in mom’s garden. A fun thing for Mom to do with these is to cut the blooms, place them in a vase and use as a tabletop reminder of your Mother’s Day gift. This form of “cut flowers” lasts much longer than a store-bought bouquet. Sunflower: Few perennials embody the sun’s sunshine like a sunflower! The recognizable blooms are as radiant as Mom, and some varieties can grow as tall as her, too! Herbs and Vegetables: Does Mom love to cook? Give the gift of her ingredients! With fresh herbs, she can easily flavor your family’s favorites- like a pasta or a gumbo! Another herb gift idea we love is lavender! Lavender has stress-relieving benefits that Mom surly needs. Add to her vegetable garden or get her started. We can help pair you with everything she needs- like an easy raised bed (check out our Big Bag Bed product), organic soil amendments, vegetables from tomatoes to squash to melons to peppers of every spice level. Some can even be planted in a container for easy access! Citrus, Fruit Trees, Berries: Give Mom the gift of an orchard with results she will surely enjoy as healthy snacks, meal additions, and more! We have several varieties of citrus, like lemons, oranges, limes and more. A popular apple you can find in the grocery store is the Fuji, and we have it in tree form for Mom to plant and enjoy without needing to go to the store. Blueberries, blackberries, muscadine grapes and raspberries are fun to pick and enjoy as snacks and sides, plus Moms with youngin’s can plant for her kids to learn the love of gardening! Butterfly Attracting Plants & Milkweed: If Mom loves monarch butterflies, we have the milkweed they love. Milkweed is grown as a food source for the monarch caterpillar. They munch and begin their metamorphism- right in Mom’s garden. Pair milkweed with the plants butterflies enjoy- like lantana, salvia, coneflower, zinnia and more! Butterfly Bush: Speaking of butterflies, Buddleia, or Butterfly Bush is an all-time favorite butterfly magnet. A benefit for Mom is they have a sweet fragrance she will delight in having fill her garden while she watches butterflies flutter without being in a hurry. Japanese Maple, like Seiryu: Does Mom like unique trees that bring interest (and shade) to a back or front yard? You can’t go wrong with a Japanese Maple tree. The mature height, leaf and/or bark shade varies depending on the variety, but they all have a light, wispy look to them that makes them the focal point-much like Mom on Mother’s Day. Drift or Knockout Rose: Blooms on these low-growing shrub rose bushes pop in color and season- much like popcorn. In fact, we have a “Popcorn Drift Rose” variety! Colors are white, coral, red, pink, yellow and shades of those. These shrubs are ideal for landscapes since they stay low, add color and personality in several seasons. Much like the Shasta Daisies, Mom can clip the blooms for a vase for an alternate gift idea to the rose bouquet. Hydrangeas: Hydrangeas are an iconic look to a shady garden/landscape. Their large cluster-forming bloom heads bring a soft look when in the ground, and when used in fresh flower vases around the home. Hydrangeas in white may be Moms favorite, or she may want to change her soil pH level to go between the blue or pink Endless Summer varieties. The Summer Crush is a hot pink look to get Mom ready for summer, while the Limelight has hints of lime to the flower heads. Other varieties, such as Oak Leaf and Variegated are here as well and all will bring Mom a smile. Read more on Hydrangeas for Mom Confederate Jasmine: If Mom has a trellis, mailbox, or structure, a confederate jasmine will look (and smell) delightful climbing. Staying evergreen all year, the sweet white blooms explode with a sweet fragrance throughout spring and summer. Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow: This plant is a perfect metaphor for your love for Mom: you loved her yesterday, you love her today and you will love her tomorrow. The blooms are purple, fading to lavender and to white all while new blooms are putting on the same show. It’s a lovely plant for a partial sun area. Bird of Paradise: If Mom spends her daydreams on a tropical beach, a Bird of Paradise sets the stage in her ground or large container. With exotic blooms of orange (and we have yellow, as well as white for indoors), she will plant a “staycaction!” Gardenia: With snow-white blooms resembling roses, Gardenias not only look as sweet as Mom, they smell as sweet as her too! The strong fragrance carries on a breeze, and does well in ground or containers- especially near an entrance or frequent back-yard relaxing spot of Mom’s. Passion Vine: Another climbing option, but this one is for the Mom who enjoys something different, unusual, and a talking point! The blooms are a unique look, resembling something you would see when traveling to a rainforest. Butterflies are extra fond of the Red Passion Vine, which will bring another show to Mom’s garden! Interior Plants: It doesn’t matter if Mom works in an office, works from home, or simply enjoys the look of live plants in her home space: interior plants bring the outdoors in, calm moods and most importantly purify the air so Mom can stay healthy and happy. Our greenhouse is FULL of options with all shades of green, succulents, cacti, the Mom who likes a different look, or the Mom who loves a traditional Pothos Ivy, or the Mom who loves the trendy Peperomia or Fiddle Leaf Fig. Please note- All Seasons may or may not have these plants in stock available to purchase at the time you come to purchase these. If you're ever looking for something specific, please call the garden center at 337.264.1418 or send an email question via this link prior to your shopping visit!
Scentational Spring Flowers

Scentsational Spring Flowers

23 Apr, 2024
If you love the beauty of a garden as well as sweet-smelling flowers and plants to give both your eyes and nose a Springtime delight, then check out these “nose”worthy specimens! Gardenia: Gardenias are one of the most iconic sweet smelling shrubs around, and we are lucky that they do so well in our climate. Their smell is often bottled for perfumes or added to extracts in soaps and lotions. Planting these at an entrance or around your outdoor entertaining area is sure to have your guests breathing in a deep breath to savoy the smell. Butterfly Bush, Buddleia: While there are many different varieties of Butterfly Bush with colors ranging from white to purple, pink, blue or even yellow, two things they all have in common are their honey-like fragrance and being a magnet to butterflies. In fact they are so rich in nectar, they are highly attractive to other beneficial insects and pollinators like bees, moths and hummingbirds, too. They are flowering shrubs that produce distinctive flowers starting in spring and lasting into fall. Scented Geranium (Pelargonium Citronella): This perennial that we’ve also nicknamed “Mosquito Plant/Shocker” has a strong citronella scent we find pleasant, but mosquitos hate. This is an ideal plant to banish the bug (mosquitoes), which is why we recommend planting this in your entertaining area, such as in container gardens. It’s also a great plant to crush the leaves and rub them on your skin while outdoors; offer some leaves to your company as a fun “party trick!” As a bonus, it blooms clusters of lavender-pink flowers adorned with deep crimson brush marks on the tops of their petals. Rosemary: Rosemary is an attractive perennial shrub with fragrant leaves. It’s also a popular culinary herb with a wonderful aroma and piney taste, which goes well with chicken, steak, pastas potatoes, or soups. In liquid form, its scent is enjoyed in soaps, diffusers and more! Rosemary also blooms small, sweet blue flowers. Skinner’s Banana Shrub: Is this a banana tree? Nope, it’s a magnolia, but its blooms smell just like bananas! It’s a worthwhile broadleaf evergreen shrub reaching heights of 10ft in full sun. The spring time flowers are small, cup-shaped and cream in color with a pleasing banana scent! This is a perfect plant for a border or screen hedge! Citrus Trees: Before you can pluck an orange or other citrus for your snack, the tree becomes covered in blooms! These blooms are white, fragrant sweet-smelling flowers with the buzz of pollinators in the air nearby! Society Garlic: These spring-blooming perennials produce stalks of star-shaped purple flowers. The plant gets its name from not only looking like garlic/chives, but smelling like garlic. However, it’s not garlic and is ornamental only, meaning to be enjoyed by your eyes and nose and not your taste buds! It’s a great plant for a full sun flower bed or container since it only reaches about a foot tall and wide. Plus, the garlic smell adds a twist of garden delight! Specialty Roses: “Take Time to Stop and Smell the Roses” is an idiom that means to relax and take time out to enjoy and appreciate the beauty of life. But, it’s also literal because the Specialty Roses smell absolutely heavenly. Planting a rose garden is a beautiful way to share the love of gardening with the love of beautiful blooms, beautiful scents and flowers worthy of being in a vase for interior enjoyment. Lavender: Lovely lavender adds a relaxing vibe and aroma to a garden or container. Lavender grows 1-3’ tall and has those long airy spikes with soft blue-violet flowers quintessential with the Mediterranean. The oils in the flowers are what give this herb its distinctive fragrance. When inhaled, lavender has calming properties that reduce anxiety, as well as being a gentle sedative for sleep. Its name derives from the Latin root “lavare,” which means “to wash,” because it was used in baths to purify the body and spirit. Magnolia: Plant Louisiana’s state flower as a show of culture as well as to enjoy the fragrant (and large) white flowers of this “famous face.” This evergreen tree is low maintenance and adaptable, not to mention making a strong southern statement. The blooms begin to burst open in spring & summer unleashing the sweet aroma of its flower. Don’t want a 40’+ tree in your front yard? The Little Gems, reaching only 12-14’ tall, offer a great alternative. Confederate Jasmine: These are some vines that really shine…or should we say “smell?!” Planting Confederate Jasmine along a fence, on a trellis, arbor or even a mailbox, adds a beautiful look and a strong sweet smell. This evergreen climber is known for its fragrant white star-shaped blooms, which will be more prolific when planted in full sun. Please note- All Seasons may or may not have these plants in stock available to purchase at the time you come to purchase these. If you're ever looking for something specific, please call the garden center at 337.264.1418 or send an email question via this link prior to your shopping visit!
Hydrangea for Mom

Hydrangeas for Mom

23 Apr, 2024
With Mother's Day looming (May 12), why wait until the last minute!?!? Here at All Seasons Nursery we make Mother's Day shopping easy. Instead of giving mom a bouquet of cut flowers that will last a week, why not give her a plant that will give her cut flowers over and over!! Endless Summer Hydrangeas will bloom several times into the hotter months of summer. She can cut these huge blooms again and again. She can even change the color of the blooms by simply changing the soil pH from neutral or alkaline which will give her a pink bloom, to acidic which will give her a lavender to deep blue bloom. We also received a shipment of tiny container Hydrangeas for Mom’s home desk or other sweet spot! Some of them even fit in the palm of your hand! Caring for Hydrangeas is relatively simple. When planting choose a spot that receives dappled sun to shade. These plants like moist, but not wet, soil so they will need to be watered regularly, especially as the temperature starts to rise. They are deciduous plants, which means in the winter time the foliage will turn brown after the first hard freeze. Simply strip the dead foliage off and leave the plant alone. You will see new buds forming in mid to late spring. You can use aluminum sulfate, coffee grinds, pine straw or Miracid to acidify the soil if your desired color of the bloom is lavender or blue. Leave the soil alone if you want it to be pink. There are a few varieties in the Endless Summer series to choose from: Try any variety of Hydrangea and you (AND MOM) will be more than delighted with the results. HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY! Click here for more Hydrangea Growing Tips Hydrangea 101 Hydrangeas are among the most popular of garden plants and also some of the most confusing. What color will the flowers be? How can I change colors? How can I use them for arrangements? The first step in answering these questions is to determine what sort of hydrangea you have. Cone-shaped blooms occur on hardy hydrangeas. Brightly colored mophead (round) or lacecap (flat) flowers are usually bigleaf hydrangeas, although mountain hydrangeas also produce lacecap blooms. Bigleaf hydrangeas will have thicker, glossier foliage. Only bigleaf and mountain hydrangea blooms are affected by soil pH, which affects the bloom color. The flowers of other hydrangeas will not change color. Blue flowers appear in more acidic soils, where aluminum is more available to the plant. In more basic soils, where aluminum is less available, the flowers will be pinker. Blooms can range from deep blue to purple to hot pink, with different varieties having a tendency to be either pinker or bluer. You can adjust the color of the blooms by adding aluminum sulfate to the soil for more blue flowers and lime to soils to encourage pink blooms. It may take a couple of seasons to see the desired color. Many gardeners like to enjoy their hydrangeas year-round by cutting and drying them for arrangements. This is easy to do. First, cut the flowers when they are slightly past their peak. Next, place them in a vase and allow them to dry while in water. Drying them in water helps them to hold their shape and color as they dry. Types of Hydrangeas: · Mophead hydrangeas, or Hydrangea macrophyllas, have rounded, globe-like flower heads. Most prefer morning sun and afternoon shade, but avoid heavy shade, which can cause poor flowering. Generally speaking, the further north you live, the more sun mopheads can tolerate. Mops come in blue and pink, as well as white, lavender, and lilac · Lacecaps have flattened, loosely arranged flower heads. Also known as H. macrophylla normalis, they have the same basic growing requirements as mopheads. · H. serratas are a subspecies of the macrophyllas, and they’re smaller shrubs. Give them part shade, if you live in a sunny climate; elsewhere, they can take more sun. · H. arborescens is sometimes called smooth or wild hydrangea. The best-known variety is ‘Annabelle’, which bears big, white blooms and flowers dependably. Give this one some shade, especially if you live where the summers are hot. · H. quercifolia, or oakleaf hydrangea, has cone-shaped flower heads. It’s native to the southeastern U.S. and often droops when the sun bears down, but be careful not to overwater. It needs good drainage. Oakleafs can be huge, so look for a dwarf if space is limited. If planted in a sunny spot, it will develop gorgeous fall leaf color. Give it some shade if your climate is hot. How to Care for Hydrangeas: · For lots of beautiful flowers, choose a hydrangea that’s cold hardy in your garden zone. Check the plant tag to see if it requires sun or shade, so you can plant it in the right spot. Early summer and fall are the best times to plant. · Put your hydrangea where you won’t have to prune it. These shrubs grow vigorously, and besides—they’re big and beautiful by nature. · Plant in soil that drains easily, and add good organic material, if needed, to help loosen it. · Don’t plant your hydrangea any deeper than it was growing in the pot. · Avoid planting under trees, where the roots will compete for moisture and nutrients. · Keep your hydrangea watered for the first couple of years, to help develop strong roots. But don’t let water stand around your plants. Oakleafs are especially prone to root rot when they are kept too wet. · Fertilize once a year with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer, or fertilize twice a year with 10-10-10. Commercial manure or compost is an organic alternative. Stop fertilizing by August to let your hydrangea get ready to go dormant.
Hydrangea

Hydrangea Growing Tips

23 Apr, 2024
Once you know a few growing tips, you’ll enjoy these easy-to-grow beauties even more. They Can Take the Sun You don’t need heavy shade to grow hydrangeas. In our South region, most will thrive in morning sun and afternoon shade. We can help you depending on what variety you’re interested in planting. Avoid Trees Don’t plant hydrangeas directly under trees. They don’t like competing for moisture and nutrients, and aggressive tree roots will crowd them. Transplanting Hydrangea The best time to transplant a hydrangea is when it’s dormant in early spring or late fall, after most of the leaves have dropped. Deadhead Your Blooms Deadhead your hydrangeas to encourage more blooms. (Deadheading refers to cutting off dead or faded blooms.) But unless your plants have outgrown their location, it’s not necessary to prune at all, except to remove dead stems and branches. Cut Flower Arrangements If your hydrangea blooms wilt soon after you cut them, take a bucket of cool water along the next time you go into your garden. Drop the stems into the water right after you cut them. Back in the house, boil some water and let it cool for about a minute. Re-cut the hydrangea stems to the length you want, and pop them into the hot water for 30 seconds. Now put the stems in room temperature water and arrange as desired. Watering Hydrangea Hydrangeas are thirsty plants and like deep watering, especially in hot, dry weather. But don’t let them stand in puddles. Amend your soil with plenty of organic matter so it drains easily. We can help! Leaves, But no Blooms? Lots of leaves, but no blooms? You probably over-fertilized your hydrangeas. Once in early spring and again in late summer/very early fall is enough Use a time-release fertilizer or a balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10. We can help! Great Plant Combos Hydrangeas make a beautiful backdrop. Combine them with camellias, sweet potato vines, azaleas, begonias, gingers, caladiums, ferns, impatiens, hostas and any other flowers or foliage plants that like the same growing conditions. If necessary, keep your hydrangeas in shade or part shade, behind plants that need more sun. Great Company Try growing some evergreen shrubs and conifers near your hydrangeas. They’ll help provide winter interest when the plants drop their leaves. Change Their Color Hydrangeas will often be labelled as either blue or pink. The plants can be changed back and forth, however, with simple soil amendments. If you long to change the color of your hydrangea, try this simple trick. Adding sulfur to the soil will make it more acidic, and turn pink hydrangeas blue. Adding lime to the soil will make it alkaline, and will turn blooms pink. Have fun, and treat different plants with different amendments to have some of each color in your yard! We can help since we carry the right blends to change the soil AKA your hydrangea color! Read more in "Hydrangeas for Mom"
Caladium

Shade Gardening

23 Apr, 2024
Shade is a lovely place to be during the hot Louisiana summers. Gardening in the shade can be a nice relief not only for ourselves, but for our plants. We are all aware of how intense the summer sun can be here in Southeast Louisiana, so take advantage of those pockets of shade you might have in your yard to create a beautiful garden space! Often times we think of colorful, flowering gardens as full sun gardens. Did you know that you can create a colorful garden in the shade as well? Here are some suggestions for adding color to your shade garden. For a specimen piece in your shade garden, consider using a Japanese maple to introduce a dark, contrasting red, purplish color. Japanese Maples are a deciduous tree that are native to Japan, and can be found growing wild in Central China, North and South Korea, and Southeast Russia. In places that are more north of the equator than we are, these trees can be grown in full sun, however, with the intensity of our sun during the summer, these trees will not perform to their best potential unless they are planted in full shade. Consider planting them underneath the canopy of other trees, or along the side of your house or courtyard where it is mostly shaded. Similarly, Hydrangeas, Hostas and Coral Bells are all plants that will perform best in shade. Use Hydrangeas to fill large spaces so that they will create a very showy colorful effect. Use Hostas and Coral Bells to fill in the remaining smaller spaces. Both of these plants are perennial, meaning that in the event of a frost, their foliage will die back, the plant will go dormant. New foliage will then begin to emerge in the spring when the ground temperature begins to warm up. Both Hostas and Coral Bells will produce a flower spike that can also be very showy. After the plant has finished flowering, prune out the flower spike to create a cleaner, more manicured look, and let the foliage speak for itself! Other tropical plants that perform well in the shade include bleeding heart vine, cordyline, and many types of ginger. Another aspect about gardening in the shade in Louisiana is the potential to use plants that we would typically classify as “indoor plants” outdoors. Add bromeliads, sansevieria, calatheas, or dracaenas to your combination pots on your patio. As long as it does not have full sun past 11 AM, these plants make great additions to your container gardens. In fact, their minimal water requirements may even make them a favorable choice for gardeners who look for plants that require little attention. Camellias, Azaleas, and Pittosporum make great hedges in the shade. They are all evergreen, with some benefits. Camellias will give you some flowers in the fall into winter, while Azaleas will bloom in the spring. Pittosporum can come in a variegated form (white and green leaves). This will add to the brightness of the garden. Ferns are also a great shade choice. The Holly Fern has robust leaves that adds a fuller texture! Fatsia and Cast Iron plants both have large leaves. Both are evergreen and will add more of a bold look with their broad expansive foliage. Fatsia will grow into a large shrub, while Cast Iron will be more of a low filler plant. Want a tropical look? Go for Soft Caress Mahonia or Philodendron. Both have more of a lacy type leaf that will give the appearance of a tropical paradise! Looking for shade bloomers? New Guinea and SunPatiens will grow and bloom in the shade, just keep them hydrated! Hydrangea will give you color in late spring into summer, with their abundance of blue or pink blooms! You can always change the color bloom depending on the soil. We can help! Torenia, or wishbone flower, is a shade-loving annual and will bloom all summer long in full shade. Its bell-shaped flowers can be white, burgundy, blue or pink. Fertilizing your annuals regularly to maximize their color through the season. For other options go for more colorful leaves, like Coleus, Caladiums and Variegated Ginger. Coleus and Caladiums come in all shades of pink, reds and whites. Use more of the whites to brighten up a shady area. Variegated Shell Ginger has bright yellow and green leaves giving you a pop of color where ever they are placed.  A well-planned shade garden can be more beautiful than even the most floriferous sun garden!
Water Can

Watering your New Plants

19 Apr, 2024
How often to water is simply when the root zone dries out. What the heck is a root zone? The root zone is the area of the soil that roots are present from the plant. For example, let’s take a three gallon shrub; the root zone is approximately ten inches deep and wide. Just because the soil is still moist a foot or two away from the newly installed plant does not mean the root zone is also moist. As a general statement, most freshly planted annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, etc. should be watered every one to three days; this does not account for Mother Nature’s help. As the plant gets established and the root zone expands, the frequency that it needs water will go down. As our temperatures rise in the summer, most plants will need to be watered more often because their roots are absorbing water much quicker. Now that you know when, let's talk about how! The proper way to water almost all plants is to deeply soak the root zone. An important fact to remember is that 90% of the water that a plant takes in is absorbed by the root system. Watering in the morning is best; plants mostly need water from sunrise to sunset. The plant’s need for water goes down at night. Plus, the more moisture present after dark, the more potential problems you will have with fungus.
Cut Flower Bouquets

Cut Flower Bouquets

12 Apr, 2024
Who doesn’t love a vase of fresh cut flowers? It’s like bringing the garden into your home. It provides beautiful color and fragrance, and if kept properly, the bouquet can last for days. You don’t have to be a professional florist to arrange flowers; you only need a few tools to get you going. You can create a gorgeous arrangement for your home or someone special with just a few items. First, start by choosing the design style for the piece. Whether you are creating a delicate feminine piece full of pinks, purples, whites and baby blues or something tropical with exotic plant material, the choices are endless. You can create many designs. It could range from a romantic bouquet with dark red roses to a very neutral arrangement. You can have a small, compact design or be loose and wild. Make an impact by using a single flower type, such as all tulips, hydrangeas or roses. Or make it a monochromatic selection and use all white or all purple flowers. Go for it. Mix it all up, and make a rustic or tropical arrangement. Some of the most commonly used flowers include alstroemerias, asters, black-eyed Susan, buttercup, calla lily, carnations, chrysanthemum, crocus, daffodils, daisies, dahlias, delphinium, dianthus, gardenias, gerbera daisies, geranium, iris, lavender, lilies, orchids, peonies, periwinkle, petunia, poppy, roses, snapdragons, sunflowers, tulips and zinnias. You can also use filler greenery such as baby’s breath, bells of Ireland, dusty miller, eucalyptus, fern, Italian ruscus and ivy to add texture to the arrangement and fill in. Next, you need a vase and some cutting shears. The size of your arrangement depends on the size of the vase. Put water into the vase. If your flowers came with a preservative solution, add it now. If you don’t have any, you can use a few drops of bleach to kill any bacteria and keep the flowers fresh. A good rule of thumb is to make your bouquet about one and a half times taller than the container or vase that it will be placed in. For a neat look, balance the width and the height. However, you can create pieces that are wild and free and more natural looking. Make the greenery higher on one side while letting it spill over on the other to give your arrangement some asymmetry and interest. To arrange the flowers, start by adding the largest flowers first and then work in a circle and turn the vase, adding flowers as you go to create a symmetrical design. It is best to cut the stems at an angle about an inch from the bottom with garden shears to allow stems to take up more water. Studies have shown that cutting the stems under running water helps them take up water right away. Remove any foliage that would fall below the waterline. Layer in the next variety of flower and repeat until all flowers have been added, and finish the arrangement by adding greenery, baby’s breath or berries. It’s always a wonderful thing to have flowers you can take from your own garden or landscape. Some flowers that will grow well in Louisiana and make great cut flowers for arranging include sunflowers, ageratum, roses, dusty miller, allium, zinnias, gerbera daisies, asters, lilies, Queen Anne’s lace, sweet William, yarrow, bachelor buttons, celosia, cosmos, marigold, gomphrena, hydrangeas, salvias and echinacea. When creating arrangements from your home landscape, trim flowers early in the morning so they last longer. Be sure to cut and place them directly in water to assure they take up water right away. When arranging, cut the stems at an angle under running warm water at about an inch from the bottom of the stem. To help your arrangements last as long as possible, use something to prevent microbial growth. A few drops of bleach will help, but no more than a few drops, or it will damage the plants. You can change the water daily and skip the bleach all together. Warm water is best — not too hot or too cold, just right. Remove dead flowers and cut 1/4 to 1/2 inch of stem off every time you change the water to encourage water uptake. Flowers in our homes help bring the outdoors in and make them look and feel cozier. Give someone in your life the joy of a gorgeous bouquet you’ve arranged yourself. Nothing says “I love you” like flowers.  Article by LSU Ag Center. Visit online here.
Clematis

Cheers for Clematis

01 Apr, 2024
Clematis vines are unsurpassed for their profusion of colorful flowers. They offer a diverse range of flower color, size, and form. Flower colors range from blends of blue and red to yellow and white. Clematis vines can be used in both formal and natural landscapes. They provide the vertical element in a garden or can be left to ramble through other plants. They should be planted in an area that receives 5-6 hours of sunlight. Clematis vines require cool, damp soil, not wet. Clematis vines can be planted deep in the soil and benefit from having the crown buried 4" below the soil surface. Plant Clematis where the base of the plant receives some shade. For Clematis care: When you get it home, place it into the sunshine. Clematis prefer to be grown DRY, so just spot water. Water only when plants are dry using a water soluble fertilizer such as 20-20-20 or 20-10-20 at a rate of 150 ppm constant liquid feed. A clear water irrigation is a good idea every 3rd or 4th watering. Continue to tie plants to trellis-winding around trellis. Do not cut back as this will be where the next buds will appear. Plants will have to be tied every week to keep the nice appearance. Pruning Your Clematis Although pruning is not necessary, in order to achieve the best flowering from your clematis, they are routinely divided into the following three pruning categories: Type 1. These grow directly from old stems, so prune right after all flowering is completed. Prune if space is limited or to remove dead and weak stems. Do not prune late in the season. Clematis can be pruned as short as 6" above the crown of the plant. Type 2. Clematis typically flower before mid-June on stems from the previous season's wood. Pruning should be completed in late winter or early spring when buds begin to swell. Remove dead material above these swelling buds. Be sure all new growth is retied.  Type 3. This group blooms later and from new growth. They should be pruned in February or March as new leaf buds begin to show low on the plant. Remove all dead material above the buds at this time. This can be as short as 6" above the crown of the plant.
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