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| Manitoba People and Plants News |
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Here's the news for avid gardeners in Manitoba.
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Dear Nancy,
Happy Easter!
Circle March 31 on your calendar, or put it in your blackberry... that is the day Perennial Bliss opens for the 2008 season! We have just finished planting about 1,000 container gardens and hanging baskets for your enjoyment. We have made tons of changes since last season, and we hope it makes your shopping experience a better one. Find out for yourself and let us know what you think about our new look!
Speaking of a new look, the April/May issue of Gardening Life magazine features an advertisement for one of the box stores. Why am I promoting this you say? The page is cleverly folded like a perfume sample; but instead of perfume, it smells like freshly cut grass! How important a scent can be... remember this when you are selecting plants for your home and garden!
It won't be long now.
Sincerely,
Nancy Heide
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Tree Planting Tips
With so much talk of reducing your carbon footprint, you may be thinking of planting for a greener good. Just two spruce trees will absorb the equivalent CO2 of a month's worth of emissions from an average car.
When you're doing your part, you'll want to make sure that you've done it right and that the tree will thrive in its new home. So here's a few tips. Dig the planting hole just as deep as the container, but twice as wide. This will set the tree up at the right depth (too deep can cause roots to choke the trunk, too shallow could expose roots and lessen the hardiness of it) and allow the roots to sink into the freshly backfilled soil.
Backfill with the same soil you remove from the hole in most circumstances. There seems to be some confusion with this and some experts may tell you to backfill with conditioned soil instead. But the tree will then have two 'adjustments' to make... the first when expanding its roots to grow out of the rootball it is used to in the container, and then a second adjustment to the native soil. Trees need a lot of energy to make these adjustments. Make them as quick and painless as possible!
Lastly, staking a tree is also subject to some debate. Not every new tree needs to be staked. In fact, unnecessary staking can weaken or injure the trunk. My advice is usually to not stake it, allowing the tree to strenghthen its own trunk, unless there is an obvious lean to it. Do not stake for more than two years. Remove any tags or protectors before they girdle the trunk.
Like a child, your new tree will be more than happy in its new home with just a little extra TLC for the first years. Doing things right the first time is always better than correcting a bad situation!
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Pure Magic
 This 12" container recipe comes courtesy of Proven Winners. It will look stunning on your deck just outside a window where you can peek at it from inside too.
A 3 Supertunia Bordeaux
B 4 Opal Innocence Nemesia
C 2 Diamond Frost Euphorbia
Lay the plants out in your container as follows:
A B C
B A B
C B A
Be sure not to over water at the early stages of planting, as the plants can't take water any lower than their roots can reach. Fertilize every two weeks or more. This container can be placed in full sun or part shade for an entire season of enjoyment.
Source: www.provenwinners.com
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Succulents are Savvy
 Succulents are craving to get the recognition they so deserve, but that's about all they crave!
Needing very little in the way of water, fertilizer, and deadheading, succulents are the hottest trend for time-starved gardeners and eco-conscious exterior decorators.
Some to try include Aeonium 'Zwartkop' (pictured), Crassula 'Jet Beads', Crassula 'Baby Jade', and Echeveria 'Perle Von Nurnberg'. Remember when creating container gardens with succulents, that they thrive when over crowded.
Come to Perennial Bliss for some ideas on how to use them!
Source: www.euroamprop.com
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Food For Thought
Our last topic of discussion, 'What expert (or not!) tips would you have for busy gardeners in Manitoba?' brought forth a few suggestions just in time for you to incorporate them in your outdoor living space!
Utilize automatic watering systems to
help you "keep up".
Try mulch so weeding is kept to a
minimum. Another idea would be a good, thick,
landscape cloth.
Don't look at your gardening as
another "chore" - think of it as an escape to clear your mind and enjoy the
beauty around you.
This brings me to another question... 'Do you see yourself as eco-chic? What steps have you already taken or plan to take to make your gardening hobby more sustainable?' Click here to respond. I would love to have your input and will post the results in the next issue of MPP.
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Thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
Nancy Heide
Perennial Bliss
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PO Box 302
Killarney, Manitoba R0K 1G0
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 Save $2.00 |
March 31, 2008 - April 30, 2008
Save $2.00 on any purchase of $25.00 at Perennial Bliss. One coupon per customer. Coupon must be printed and presented in person.
Transferable: Share this offer with friends and family.
Employees are not eligible for this offer.
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Promo Code:MPP0308 Offer Expires:April 30, 2008
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