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The Kerby's Nursery E-Newsletter
April 7, 2022
I'm Going to Be Sitting Right Here
by Joey Bokor
by Joey Bokor
You probably know that it is wise to do what mom asks you to do. No matter how old or young you are, when mom calls with something that needs to be done, you make time to do it. This applies doubly for grandmothers.
Some years back now, I think the girls were toddlers, but I can't be sure of that, Grandma Kerby decided that she wanted an orange tree. And since at the time she was in her late 90s, it couldn't be a tiny tree, it needed to be something that would give her fruit fast. So, Kim and I picked out a tree and made plans to get it to her house and plant it. It was a beautiful tree, already loaded with fruit, but it was kind of heavy and needed a deep hole to get it planted well.
As we were picking out the spot for the tree, trying to navigate between the shade cast by grandpa's pecan trees, I saw grandma dragging an old plastic chair over to the spot. I asked what she was doing, and she told me she wanted to watch me plant it. So, as I dug a three-foot hole, she sat, not five feet away from me, giving pointers and watching my efforts. At some point, her chair was so close that it was almost in the backswing of my shovel! Didn't seem to bother her, she was determined to feel like she was participating, and it was clear she planned to keep sitting right where she was. I got her tree planted and learned a few lessons along the way. Most importantly, let grandma do and sit where she wants to. The picture below isn't from that day, but it is of Grandma Kerby with Kim, giving about the same look that she had while watching me plant.
Even though it was years ago, I thought of that story this week, because this Saturday is our Growing Tropical Fruit Trees seminar. It could also be called the getting great harvests seminar, because no matter what kind of fruit trees you like to grow, we'll talk about the basics of care from planting-time to general maintenance to keep all of your trees in top shape and get them to produce the best harvests possible. Come see us and find something tantalizing to add to your backyard orchard.
Some years back now, I think the girls were toddlers, but I can't be sure of that, Grandma Kerby decided that she wanted an orange tree. And since at the time she was in her late 90s, it couldn't be a tiny tree, it needed to be something that would give her fruit fast. So, Kim and I picked out a tree and made plans to get it to her house and plant it. It was a beautiful tree, already loaded with fruit, but it was kind of heavy and needed a deep hole to get it planted well.
As we were picking out the spot for the tree, trying to navigate between the shade cast by grandpa's pecan trees, I saw grandma dragging an old plastic chair over to the spot. I asked what she was doing, and she told me she wanted to watch me plant it. So, as I dug a three-foot hole, she sat, not five feet away from me, giving pointers and watching my efforts. At some point, her chair was so close that it was almost in the backswing of my shovel! Didn't seem to bother her, she was determined to feel like she was participating, and it was clear she planned to keep sitting right where she was. I got her tree planted and learned a few lessons along the way. Most importantly, let grandma do and sit where she wants to. The picture below isn't from that day, but it is of Grandma Kerby with Kim, giving about the same look that she had while watching me plant.
Even though it was years ago, I thought of that story this week, because this Saturday is our Growing Tropical Fruit Trees seminar. It could also be called the getting great harvests seminar, because no matter what kind of fruit trees you like to grow, we'll talk about the basics of care from planting-time to general maintenance to keep all of your trees in top shape and get them to produce the best harvests possible. Come see us and find something tantalizing to add to your backyard orchard.
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Happy Gardening, The Kerby's Nursery Family 
p.s. Mark your calendars for our annual Easter Egg Hunt. Saturday, April 16th at 10am sharp, we'll give the countdown for the kids to find eggs hidden among the beautiful plants at the nursery.
Please note that to accommodate the growing size of the event, we are going to close the entrance/exit on Wheeler Rd for the week leading up to Easter. Of course, all of our gates on Parsons will be open for your use. It's been three years since our last hunt, and we are excited to watch all of the smiling faces fill their baskets with eggs.
p.p.s. We are always looking for great people to join our team. Plant knowledge is a bonus, but not required. What is important is that you love talking to people and want to help spread Kerby's values of success, beauty, honesty, happiness, and fun. Click here to learn more. 
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This is a topic that I often repeat, because, it is one that we all need a reminder of. Even if it is raining at your house today, some of your new plants will still need more water in a day or two. Don't let one good rain make you stop watering. It's easy to assume Mother Nature will provide for new plants, but often the rains aren't consistent enough. Keep at it and use the tips below to keep your plants from being thirsty.
Water Consistently - Plants hate it when they get water one day, then a few days get skipped and then oops, better water lots again. The inconsistency doesn't allow them to grow to their full potential. Kerby's general watering instructions are as follows: Daily for the first month (always in the morning, usually with a hose), Every other day in the second month and twice a week for the third month. After that, plants will need one to two good soakings each week, and of course, hopefully Mother Nature will help.
Water Deeply - Just spraying a little water on the roots each day, or wetting the leaves is not helpful to plants. They need water soaked through their entire root system and into the soil beyond to encourage roots to keep growing down. Consistent deep waterings are the best way to develop strong plants. Even drought tolerant plants aren't drought tolerant until they have established a strong root system.
Water in the Morning - Plants want water when the sun is up, so all plants, landscapes and lawns should be watered in the morning. Here's what often happens. Each day when you return home from work, the plants are wilted, so you water. They perk back up and in the morning, they aren't wilted. By the time you get back from work, they are wilted again, and the cycle continues. This wilt and recover cycle slowly weakens a plant - it spends all of its energy recovering, not growing. Switch your waterings to the morning and you'll be amazed by the difference.
Hope for Rain - A good soaking rain is still the best way for plants to get water. Even with a hose, we can't saturate the ground the same way that a rain shower does, so let's hope for the rainy season to get here to make sure that all of our plants grow healthy and strong. But don't forget - just because it rains one day, that doesn't get you off the hook for watering the next day. Water consistently, water deeply and water in the morning and your garden is sure to be a success.
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New Arrivals |
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Monarch's Promise Milkweed Variegated Leaves for Discriminating Caterpillars |
Easter Lilies Pure White Blooms |
At Last® Rose by Proven Winners® Fragrant and Disease Resistant |
The Kerby's Houseplant Shop
Send a living gift to your favorite plant person anywhere in the lower 48 states from the Kerby's online houseplant shop. For orders shipping to cold areas, a complimentary heat pack is included when needed to keep plants snuggly and warm on their journey.
SHOP NOW
Follow us on: Instagram or Facebook
Send a living gift to your favorite plant person anywhere in the lower 48 states from the Kerby's online houseplant shop. For orders shipping to cold areas, a complimentary heat pack is included when needed to keep plants snuggly and warm on their journey.
SHOP NOW
Follow us on: Instagram or Facebook
