Author Archives: Brad

Caring for Poinsettias

Poinsettias make up for 85% of potted plants sales during the holiday season. Lastyear poinsettias amounted to $220 million in sales in the United States alone. Poinsettias are grown in all 50 states, with over 100 varieties available. Most poinsettias are grown from cuttings, these cuttings are stuck in mid to late summer and are grown to full mature plants in only a few months. This is best selling flowering potted plant in the United States, over 75 million sold and most within a six week period. The most popular color sold is red followed by pink and then white. Poinsettias are not poisonous if eaten, however some people may get a skin irritation from the milky sap.

How To Maintain The Perfect Poinsettias Gift

After you make your selection, make sure the plant is wrapped properly because exposure to low temperatures even for a few minutes can be damaging to this fragile tropical plant. When getting the plant home carefully unwrap it, place it in indirect light. Six or more hours of light daily is ideal. Keep your poinsettia away from warm or cold drafts; it likes daytime temperatures around 60 to 70 degrees and and night time around 55. Check soil for moisture, do not leave plant dry to wilting this tends to drop leaves sooner. Be sure to punch holes in foil so water can drain into saucer. Discard excess water in saucer these plants do not like to be water logged.A fresh poinsettia is one on which little or no pollen is showing on flower cluster in the center of the bracts. Plants that have shed there pollen will soon drop there colorful bracts. Most poinsettias are bought as seasonal annuals, if you are going to try to keep this plant after the holiday start fertilizing this plant after it stops blooming. Fertilize once a month with a water soluble houseplant fertilizer. Move poinsettia outdoors when danger of frost is passed. Place in a sunny area but were it will get moderate shade in the afternoon. To get the plant to re flower you will have to keep it in total darkness between 5pm and 8am. Starting around October 1 and continue until color shows on the bracts.

Tips on Keeping Your Cut Christmas tree Safe

It is important to give your cut Christmas tree proper care from the time it is purchased until the tree is removed from the house. When purchasing a cut tree give it the freshness test by running your fingers though the needles. If it feels dry and brittle and a lot of needles come off, it is a tree that has been cut for a while and is not one that you should take into your house. When bring the tree home if it is not going to be set up right away it should be placed in a cool shaded area and also set up in a bucket of water to keep it from drying out.

How To Carefully Set Up A Christmas Tree

As you go to set the tree up in the house, if it has been more than 12 hours since the harvest of the tree, you will need to make a new cut 1/4 to 1/2 inches directly across the bottom of the trunk to improve water uptake. Use a tree stand that is large enough and can hold plenty of water. Avoid whittling down the sides of the trunk to fit the stand for these outer layers are most efficient in taking water up. The stand should hold at least one one quart of water for every inch of trunk diameter, the stand should hold at least one gallon of water. Keep the tree away from any heat source (fireplaces, heat vents, direct sunlight) lowering the temperature in the room will slow the drying out and reduce the water consumption each day. Check the water level daily a cut tree will absorb a lot of water, particularly during the first week. Be sure the water level does not fall below the bottom of the trunk. Check the tree for dryness. If the needles break easily or fall off in your hand, the tree is dry and should be removed. Have a safe and happy holiday.

Turkey then Transformation

In this next project, I will share some design and construction secrets to create a successful living space. How you experience the garden is dependant on a lot of things. We often think it is about what we see, smell, and sometimes hear. This is true, but we would miss the ultimate goal if we don’t take into consideration how those things make us feel. This is why design is so very important. It is one thing to have all the elements, but it is how the elements are position that can make a space inviting or not.

How To Keep Residential Landscaping Projects In Budget

We will also look at the function and the scale of this project. Both are extremely important. They can often make sure we are designing what we need and not over designing a space. Designing with these factors in mind also help to maximize the project, keeping it in budget.

Finally look at some design choices that relate to the construction of a project. Sometimes there are subtle design choices that can make a big difference. Smart design can reduce your installation cost and the longevity of the installation.

Stay tuned and we will expose some secrets to The Garden Experience…

A Fall Combination

I just had a great discovery today. One of the best parts of my job is going back and looking at landscapes we have previously installed. I like to do this for many reasons. It is a great way to keep in touch with my clients. I often take pictures to update our marketing efforts. And most importantly it is a way for me to continue to learn what works and what doesn’t. I have been doing this for almost 20 years and I still get excited to see something coming together.

 

 

Taking Care of Your Trees for The Fall

Today I stopped by a property to look at replacing a tree that was dying. I took this opportunity to look a round. I found a great combination of Lamiums and Hellebores. I never would have thought about using them together. I think this is one I will use in the future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coming Next…
I was previously wrong that the installation of gardening is coming to an end. We are starting a new project on Monday Nov. 30th. I will post the process of this project from start to finish. The project consist of: patio, walls, planting, lighting and a small grilling station. Stay in tune.

 

Is the season coming to an end or just beginning?

 

As the garden season is coming to an end for some, it is just beginning for others. I’m not talking about different areas of the country, but right here in South Central, PA. Now is the time to quickly put in any flowering bulbs that you have forgotten to do. Now is the time to start thinking about what additions or changes you are going to make for next year’s garden. Did you make notes about the disappointments you had this year? Take time now to make your list while it is still fresh in your mind. I know I have a couple I need to address. My containers on my columns as you enter down the drive need more bang. I’m already starting to research what to use.

 

 

Garden Designs for Your Next Landscape Project

Now is a great time to notice what still looks good. I have talked to many people who feel they are tired by now and have given up for the year. I agree partly. I would much rather design for spring, summer, and fall. That is when we spend most of our time entertaining, playing, and working in the garden. What if you could have things in your garden that looked good then and are still hanging on now. Some of my observations are: shrub roses, redtwig dogwoods, winterberry hollies, purple beauty berrries, and even some Virginia sweetspire are still looking great. I have some of these in my garden. I just need one more year to be able to take cuttings from the redtwigs and the winterberries. This will be perfect to add to the containers I mentioned earlier. I may even be able to replace the hydrangeas I have inside. I took some Annebelle Hydrangea cutting to put in a vase for an event we had in Aug. they still look great.

 

 

Now is also the time to consider whether to tackle the project yourself or hire a professional. I find it interesting working with people on their garden spaces. Everyone is so different regards to their involvement in the process and the final product. I love listening to spouses talk back and forth about what they want to see and experience. Sometimes I think I should have minored in counseling. Some day I’ll write about how to find a contractor and what type is best for you. For now, start interviewing landscape designers if you are unsure if you want to tackle the project yourself.

 

 

Finally, start planning next year’s garden now to fully enjoy the experience.