Guide to planting and maintaining fescue grass!

Cool-season, turf-like fescue grass is perfect for northerners and homeowners living in harsh, dry climates. It is strong, resistant to groups of fast-spreading weeds, and surprisingly self-sufficient. Also, if you have active children or pets at home, you, too, could benefit from applying a sample patch of fescue grass to your yard. Here is how you can grow and maintain it.

Start by planting the seeds late spring or early fall (fall is the best choice). Before seeding, be sure all weeds surrounding your planting area are cleared out and till the area approximately six inches deep. Also, rake the area and remove any large rocks or old piles of sod. Depending on the intensity and duration of the seasons surrounding your living environment, some people will need to start the seeding process earlier than others. Once soil temperatures reach the low-to-mid 60s (Fahrenheit), you will likely see good results.

Remember, over-seeding is required when working with this type of grass. People generally over seed in October to help the grass recover from the times the grass suffered against the humidity and frequent showers during the summer. Beyond that, mow the grass between 2-3 inches every few months and leave the clippings on the ground. The clippings act as an additional layer of fertilizer.

Fescue grass requires consistent maintenance in the summer, which won't work well for everyone. If you are willing to put the work in, your grass will stand strong through the duration of Winter. You will no longer feel stressed about a lawn that looks like a leaking brown slushy once spring arrives.

For more information on the fescue grass seeding process or assistance with locating equipment, stop in, and a store associate will help you!

Clever Halloween decorations for your garden and home!

With Halloween quickly approaching, now is a great time to start repairing and redecorating the exterior of your home and transform your garden into a mysterious, ominous hotspot to attract nearby family and friends. We want you to take pride in creating a fun, festive garden scene that everyone can appreciate. 

If you find yourself struggling to come up with creative Halloween decorations, considering using the decoration ideas below as a guide - then, add in a unique twist.

Seasonal candles

While Fall arrives in different stages (some later than others), you can produce similar scents inside your home whenever you want. How, you might ask? Absorb a whiff of some of our best seasonal candles. Our well-lit, sensational candles can instantly improve the look and feel of your home.

Pumpkin and Pinecone Wreaths

Season wreaths comprised of pinecones and pumpkins are a clever way to light up the night while also adding flavor and texture to your property. Visitors coming from all different directions with stop and admire the beauty of these wreaths. They are affordable, customizable and easy to care for. In need of supplies? Look no further than stop by today!

Witch decorations

Within our fall selection, you will find notice a group of inspiring Halloween decorations, which includes a frog-like witch decoration (as seen on our Instagram page). The witches are a perfect complement to your setup. They are relatively light, easy to store and sturdy.

Pumpkin Planter

Pumpkin planters make wonderful porch decorations. They are easy to build and fun to design. We supply fresh pumpkins and healthy plants, which will help you piece together the project in minutes.

Plan a visit with us and we will be happy to give you a tour of our purchasable holiday decorations or offer some feedback on your experimental ideas.

Four Garden Tasks for the Month of October

Record-breaking temperatures are on their way out of North Carolina (for now), which paves the way for a much needed cold front and patches of rainstorms to clean up our gardens. If you benefit from living in a frost-free state, October is a great time to plant some cool-weather crops and vegetables and repair any dried out areas of your garden. To sustain a healthy garden through the fall and winter months, we recommend you complete the following five tasks.

1) Divide your perennials

Most species of perennials benefit from enduring a division every couple of years. Like other fast-growing plants, perennials can quickly expand and overcrowd your garden while slowing dying from the inside out. If you have Oriental lilies, hostas, peonies, daylilies, bearded irises, or Oriental poppies planted in your garden, closely monitor their growth patterns. Dividing perennials is easy. Grab a sharp spade and dig around the plant until you are safely able to lift it out of the ground. Then, cut the plant up into smaller pieces. Lastly, plant the new, smaller pieces at the previous depth. 

2) Replenish your mulch inventory

Now is an excellent time to spread an extra layer of mulch around your garden. Tightly pack a pile of mulch around each plant to protect it from freeze and thaw cycles. A 4-to 6-inch layer of shredded leaves, bark, or straw is plenty. For garden items planted less than a year ago, avoid trapping the trunk with too much mulch.

3) Start a compost pile

Have you ever created a compost pile? If not, it is never too late to start. All those long hours of pulling weeds (and maybe a back muscle or two), raking up fallen leaves and discarding of kitchen waste doesn't have to go to waste. Those garden chores do serve a greater purpose.  During some downtime over the weekend, collect and compile a mound of available leaves, dead weeds and kitchen waste, which can later create a nutrient-rich soil amendment. If space isn't available, consider investing in a compost bin.

4) Plant some vegetables

Gardening is loads of fun when you get to eat your creations. In October, you can experiment in your garden by planting the following edible items: cabbage, collards, lettuce, carrots, mustard cauliflower, beets, and garlic.

Easy to Grow Garden Fruits

Gardening is extremely rewarding when you get to taste your creations. For those looking into gardening healthy foods, soft fruits are a solid starting point. Some gardeners like to start with berries and work their way up to larger, sweeter fruits. Beginners wishing to work with smaller berries can start with small containers before transitioning to full-size fruit trees.

So, are you ready to put down those weeds and start growing your food?

Let's get straight to it! 

1) Strawberries

Strawberries offer flexibility when it comes to usage and durability. They fit in well with a variety of seasonal dishes and maintain their flavor all year long. A strawberry's ability to thrive in both indoor and outdoor environments make it a fan favorite. They only need to be planted once and are easily movable when frost hits the ground. Ever bearing strawberries are popular because gardeners can get two harvests a year (June and late August/early September).

2) Pineapple

Pineapples are surprisingly easy to grow when planted properly. When ready, cut the crown off of a pineapple. Next, soak it in water for a day or two. Lastly, place the pineapple in a  gallon-sized container and place it under direct sunlight. It is that simple! Let it soak up the sun's rays and within no time, you will have yourself a delicious pineapple.

3) Tomatoes 

Shocking twist, I know. But yes, Tomatoes are considered a fruit. Like other small berries, tomatoes are often raised in a container. Tomatoes need more room to grow because they expand quickly and need a strong foundation to support their weight.

4)  Watermelons

Watermelons can grow outdoors or in a large container. Some people prefer to use a container because the vine often has a mind of its own. A vine left unmanaged can spiral out of control and wrap around other plants. If you are considering growing watermelons, keep in mind, they need a lot of water and direct access to sunlight to grow. Artificial sunlight or a comfortable living space next to a window will suffice.

September in the Garden

September is nearly here, which means gardening is quickly becoming more enjoyable. Less heat and humidity, fall colors blossoming all around us and warm treats, will arrive shortly. Now that it is safer to partake in gardening activities again, we have compiled a list of exciting recipes and a maintenance to-do list for you to follow. We look forward to revamping our supply of garden tools and plantable items, and so should you.

You may be asking yourself, what should I plant? During the fall months, fresh, vibrant vegetables like lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, kale grow well. They are fun to watch evolve and are delicious in lean meals. Also, seasonal mums, asters, ornamental cabbages/kales and beautiful pansies are arriving in batches and are expected to sell out quickly. They will instantly increase the overall attractiveness of your garden until next spring.

In September, we recommend smoothing out all patches of soil and applying fertilizer to prepare for future aeration and overseeding projects. Apply a hefty supply of fertilizer once a month, for three consecutive months, for the remainder of the year. We recommend only applying a brand of fertilizer that is high in Nitrogen.

Check on any perennials you planted earlier this year. They grow tall and wide, which can be problematic for neighboring plants and herbs. If your garden gets too crowded, feel free to dig up any perennials and build them a new home. If perennials are well protected, they should survive until the end of fall. 

Bugs and insects will be sticking around. Some will flee when temperatures drop, but a majority of them will be sticking around, cozying up in and around your precious cargo. Not all of them are harmful, but do carefully look for damaged goods, and fix the situation accordingly, in a timely manner. If you are ever unsure about an unusual growth pattern, abnormal coloring, or an unidentifiable bite mark in your garden, bring a small sample to us, and an experienced gardener will help you understand the problem at hand.

Five Tips for Protecting Your Beloved Garden

To some, July is a wonderful month for numerous reasons. Schools out, fireworks light up the sky, pools are open, amusement parks are flooded with energetic tourists and refreshing drinks are flying off of the shelves. While humans have access to amenities and shelter to keep them cool when temperatures become unbearable, plants usually don't have that luxury. They are forced to stand tall and fighting through the dry, humid air. 

Be honest, how often do you thoroughly inspect your garden during the month of July? Probably not very often, right? It may be too hot or you are busy traveling the world. Understandable, but we recommend seeking out some assistance from a nearby gardening buddy. A little bit of maintenance can go a long way in ensuring that your precious plants reach their full growth potential. We want your garden to shine when the light gets dimmer. Here is how you, too, can protect during the scorching summer months. 

1) Now is the perfect time to clear out any dead, injured or permanently damaged flowers to make room for new prospects to grow in.

2) Look out for snakes meandering through your garden during the quiet times of the day. We recommend you stock up on snake repellent and have one container loaded and ready to use just in case an unexpected slim, but scaly intruder sneaks onto your property. Consider checking out the organic repellent from I Must Garden, which is made with botanical oils and several other completely natural ingredients to avoid harming yourself or your plants.

3) Looking to add some flavor to your garden? Trellis’ for vines are looking exceptionally healthy this time of year.

4) Protect your bedding plants and vegetables with an extra layer of healthy fertilizer during the warmest and driest months of the year to prevent them from losing too many nutrients. Plant-Tone, a premium organizer fertilizer product, is a great brand to try.

5) Don't terrorize the bees! Once you can look past their (somewhat) frightening looks and odd buzzing sounds, you will quickly realize they don't mean any harm. Besides, they help plants to grow up big and strong. If you must spray chemicals, it is best to wait until later in the evening or after sunset.

We wish you the best and hope that you and your garden have a happy summer. Come by and see us if you have any additional questions. An expert will be happy to help you protect your beloved garden during your battle against the heat waves.