Plant Propagation  METHODS & MEDIUMS WHERE TO CUT AND STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS Late winter is a wonderful time to prepare for the growing season ahead. Let's get a jump on spring by showing you how to propagate your plants. Here’s how to propagate and separate your plant cuttings a few different methods and mediums, as well as share some tips and tricks to help ensure success. Glossary NODES are those critical areas from which leaves, branches, and aerial roots grow out from the stem, while the INTERNODE are those intervals between the nodes. ARIAL ROOTS are a survival strategy for the ..read more

Like all other plants orchids need a good balance of air, light, water and fertilizer to grow and flourish. LIGHT The most common reason for lack of blooms is lack of light. Orchids want as much light as possible without getting burned. Too much of a good thing can be bad. Dark green leaves are a sign of insufficient light. You want strong yellow/green foliage AIR Orchids prefer good air flow.. Like the climates they come from a light breeze at all times will not only keep your orchid happy but will also deter disease. Because orchids prefer airy open potting medium most orchids are not grown ..read more

There is something magical about starting seeds indoors. Container + soil + seeds + water + light = flowers and vegetables! It is easy, rewarding and a great learning experience for kids. One of the benefits of starting seeds indoors is the availability of a wide variety of options. Seeds are also cheaper than plants. It’s also a great way to get your hands in some dirt. Plan on starting your seeds relative to when you will be able to put them in the ground. Be conscious of which plants prefer cooler or warmer weather. Keep in mind when the average date of your last frost is as well as how qu ..read more

Check all house plants closely for insect infestations. Quarantine gift plants until you determine that they are not harboring any pests.  Remove insects by hand, wash with sink sprayer, or apply an insecticidal soap or Neem Oil. Common pests in winter like spider mites and thrips may be difficult to see. Look for webbing. Spider mites are as big as a period. Thrips are the size of a comma.  Turn and prune house plants regularly to keep them shapely. Pinch back new growth to promote bushy plants. During the winter most houses are too dry for houseplants. A humidifier is the best opti ..read more

January 14, 2022 By Chris Kennedy Terrariums have come a long way in the age of Pinterest. Plants have become a vital design element for decorating and, with a little support, it’s not just gardeners who grow anymore. You can make yours modern, traditional or anywhere in between by switching up your choice in vessels and the type and amount of plants you use. 1.    CHOOSE A TERRARIUM CONTAINER You can really use anything for a terrarium, as long as it’s glass and it has a lid or Look for a jar or container with a wide mouth. While it is possible to use something with a small o ..read more

You probably know them as a traditional sign of the holidays. But Poinsettias have an interesting past, including playing a central role in a Christmas Legend that originated in Central America, where Poinsettias are a native plant.  The story began with a young girl named Pepita, who was sad she didn’t have a gift to leave for baby Jesus at Christmas Eve services. Her cousin comforted her with the idea that even the most humble of gifts, given in love, are valuable in His eyes. With no money to her name, Pepita made the most of what she had, picking a bouquet of weeds on the way to chur ..read more

Shown above ~ Juniper, Silver Fir, Incense Cedar, Port Orford Cedar It’s the most wonderful time of the year when we can start decorating with wreaths, swags & garlands. Most people think of the scent of pine filling their homes, but there are lots of other delicious winter scents you can use. Here are a couple ideas to keep your holiday greens alive through the season. • Buy local and freshly cut as possible. • Outdoors is best! They will look their best for the longest. Shady areas are better than sunny. • Most greens can only thrive a couple weeks inside your home, so delay bringing th ..read more

We’re all wired for instant gratification, aren’t we? 24-hour news, Google answers to any question (will dog hair sprinkled around my hostas keep rabbits from eating them? Not ours!) overnight shipping and Netflix. As things get faster, we get slower at recognizing when we need a little down time. And sometimes the only cure for an always-on world is the slow therapy of being outside and letting something grow. Bulbs take their own time, there’s no rush delivery or skipping ahead. Innovation was built into bulbs and the best thing you can do is get them in the ground and let them do their job ..read more

By Chris Kennedy   You don’t have to be a gardener to plant containers, which is one of the things we love best about them. Start small in your pots and grow for a little curb appeal, to add color or texture to virtually any space and to show your style. You can always get personal with your container choices, too. Salvage an old barrel, galvanized tub or bucket or window boxes. Mix up textures, colors or sizes or group them in monochromatic groups. The point is, this is your show and you can run with your ideas. The same goes for the plants you choose. Grow what you love, by all means ..read more

Witch Hazel ‘Arnold’s Promise Shrubs are often the overlooked sidekick of the landscape.  Smaller than trees, lower profile than many showy perennials and annuals, shrubs aren’t stealing the spotlight. But they provide structure, all-season interest, privacy and a reliable and beautiful presence in your landscape with very little maintenance.   Shrubs, like trees are either deciduous (i.e. they go dormant and lose their leaves in winter) or evergreen (i.e. they don’t go dormant and do keep their foliage all winter). And there are varieties for every reason and personal preference ..read more