Apple Tree with Fire Blight With the season for pruning fruit trees, and roses quickly approaching, it’s time to be on the lookout for fire blight. Fire blight (Erwinia) is a bacterial infection that affects plants in the Rosaceae family. We’re going to delve into how to spot it, how to remove it, and how to do our best to prevent future outbreaks of this bacterium. What to look for? Fire blight is typically quite easy to spot and diagnose. In the late Winter, look for brown or blackened tips, typically having a curled, “Shepard’s Hook” appearance. In the Spring, look for small cankers with a ..read more

We had the opportunity to follow, Colonial Gardens Greenhouse Operations Manager Kevin Keilig, as he led curious students around our Production Houses. In the tour, Kevin let us in on his process to produce the hundreds of unique foliage and floral hanging baskets and planters that fill our greenhouse and courtyard. Decision Phase Kevin begins planning in autumn and there are countless decisions that are made before the growing starts. Having worked in the green industry for 43 years, he knows which plants play well together. Obviously full-sun plants must be placed alongside full-sun, and sha ..read more

Many people are absolutely terrified of pruning. The truth is most plants don’t mind being pruned, and others absolutely must be pruned. We are going to cover the basic reasons why we prune, techniques of pruning, and when to prune specific plants. Reasons to Prune Helps encourage a longer bloom cycle and even facilitate a rebloom cycle in some plants Helps to regenerate older, less productive plants by removing old branches and encouraging new and more vigorous growth Allows you to control the size and shape of plants Keeps plants healthy by removing disease and insect problems Makes certai ..read more

Vegetable gardening is a hobby that benefits our health and the health of our planet. Properly grown vegetables are delicious and packed with nutrients and antioxidants. The vegetables you harvest from your garden require no plastic packaging, or carbon emissions for delivery. Vegetable plants also clean the air, absorb carbon dioxide, and help sustain pollinators. Here are some tips about where and how to start growing vegetables. Size and location of the vegetable garden Vegetables prefer an open full sun area away from large trees which can result in excess shade and root competition. The l ..read more

A robin sitting on a branch of a hawthorn tree. Birds and butterflies are elegant and fascinating with their beauty and song. They also eat garden pests and carry out the essential work of pollination. Whether it’s planting one pot or an entire garden, creating a habitat for wildlife will replenish resources that birds, and butterflies need to survive and sustain their migration. Here are the steps you can take to make your yard a welcoming habitat. Providing Food for Birds and Butterflies Birds and butterflies prefer a wide variety of food. If you provide them with a variety of plants that ..read more

Earth as we know it would only survive without pollinators for about four years. It’s true! Our food chain completely hinges on bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial insects. These vital little wonders carry pollen from plant to plant, ensuring proper germination and fruit development not only for the foods we humans consume, but also for the plants that our herbivore friends (livestock) eat. 75% of fruit-setting plants require contact with things that flit and fly. Modern use of broad-spectrum pesticides and insecticides has been shrinking bee populations for decades ..read more

Soil is life. You’ve heard us say it. You’ve seen it on our t-shirts. But, is it really something we believe in and practice? YES! At Colonial Gardens, we 100% back the notion that healthy soil is the root of all things living. Soil itself is even a living thing. The produce you see in the Colonial Farms Market, the starter plants growing in the greenhouse, the apple trees blooming in the orchards are all created from the very notion that soil is life. But it’s just soil, there’s not much that really needs to be done to it right? Wrong! We’re here to dig into soil! What is soil? Besides that b ..read more

You work hard to create and maintain a garden, but pests can quickly wreak havoc on your produce. Being aware of the signs, effects, and treatments can help quickly save your plants and avoid pest problems in the future. Most insect issues are cyclical and happen at very similar times each year. Being aware of certain issues that your plants may be susceptible to and how to treat them is a great place to start along with having an integrated pest management (IPM) solution. Picking varieties of plants with a higher resistance to insects will level the playing field even more! Assessing the Issu ..read more

Here at Colonial Gardens our mission is to create a healthy planet by connecting mind, body and spirit to healthy plants and soil. The way we bring that mission to life is by practicing a growing method known as regenerative agriculture.   Regenerative agriculture is a farming method that aims at improving the earth by partnering with the ecosystem and recycling nutrients back into the soil. The main goal is to protect soil and water quality because it has an enormous impact on the rest of the environment.  If you ..read more

Cardinals are an iconic and easily recognizable bird in the eastern half of the United States. Their bright red vibrant plumage and beautiful songs that make them an attractive addition and perhaps the most desired of all backyard-visiting birds. Northern Cardinals are non-migratory birds, meaning that when you begin to provide them with water and food they are likely to stay in your area year-round. Here in Missouri they are prevalent and very easy to attract. Continue reading to find the best ways to attract and make permanent homes for Cardinals in your yard this year and for years to com ..read more