Full sun means the plant needs more than 6 hours of direct sunlight. If the plant requires part sun, morning sun or filtered sunlight is required throughout the day. A shade loving plant grown in too much sun may burn and a sun loving plant grown in the shade will never grow to its full potential.
How often should I water my hanging basket or patio pot?
During the spring months, water plants when the soil is dry to the touch. During the summer months a moderate amount of water should be given to the plant on a daily basis. Containers need much more attention than plants growing in the ground. It is also beneficial to step up or re-pot the plants into larger containers during the growing season.
What plant zone do we live in?
Windsor/Essex County is in plant hardiness Zone 5b. Regions with lower zones have colder weather. Plants with a low hardiness zone are able to tolerate and survive through the winter months. Plants with a higher zone will survive in our climate but only for the warm months.
What is the difference between an annual and a perennial?
An annual’s life will last through the warm seasons of one year while a perennial will survive year after year becoming dormant through the winter and remerging in the spring. Some perennials may take longer than others to break dormancy.
When is the best time to prepare my garden? When is the best time to plant annuals in the garden?
Gardens can be prepared in the late fall or early spring. The best time to plant flowers outdoors is usually after the last frost typically in mid May. This indicates the ground is ready and is warm enough for plants to survive. Perennials and hardy annuals can be planted sooner if necessary. Often, gardener’s plant earlier than they should and store them in the garage but this is not advisable. Don’t feel rushed to get your planting done early as we have a great selection throughout the entire season.
How do I prevent weeds from growing in my garden?
Spread mulch throughout your garden after planting flowers in the ground on a yearly basis. An adequate amount of mulch must be applied to be effective, not just a thin layer. Mulch is also beneficial as it keeps moisture in the ground during the hot summer months. When pulling out weeds, ensure the root is pulled out with the plant. It is also important to remove weeds before they begin to pollinate and produce seeds.
Why should I dead head?
For plants that require dead heading, it is important to do so on a regular basis in order to continuously produce more new flowers. You will notice a difference.
How do I dead head?
Cut back any dead flowers at the end of the stem as blooms die. If plants begin to look straggly in the summer (such as petunias or bacopa) cut them back to encourage new growth. Check the back of plant tags or come and ask us if the plant requires dead heading or an occasional prune.