Now is the Time,
Kerby's is the Place

February 12, 2015   

 
This weekend, temperatures may dip into the mid-30s. Make sure you are prepared.
Even though there was a bit of confusion in the news over this year's groundhog prediction, the general consensus is was that six more weeks of winter were on the way. And it looks like Phil may just be right. This weekend's forecast includes temperatures lower than we've seen the last few winters. So make sure you are prepared for frost. Kerby's has plenty of frost blankets in stock if you need to protect your favorite plants or newly planted veggie gardens.

 
Cool plants keep gardening exciting.
Check out this Fireball Mallow.
 Fortunately, our "cold" weather is nothing compared to what our northern neighbors are facing. For us, a cold morning always leads to sun-drenched afternoons that are perfect for getting outside and planting. Lots of cool plants are arriving each day at Kerby's in anticipation of a beautiful spring season. So enjoy the cooler weather while it lasts and have a little fun playing outside in your garden.




Happy Gardening,
The Kerby's Nursery Family


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In This Issue

Featured Plant

Low Chill Fruit Trees

Upcoming Events

Veggie Plants are in

Click for Spring
Veggie Gardening Info

 

Spring Bulbs
Are In
Caladiums, Amaryllis, Blood Lily & More


Click for Bulb Info

 

Click to See
More Beautiful Plants
at Kerby's
  

Featured Plant
 
Avocado Trees
$49.99
10" Pot

The Avocado
Persea americana
 
They are the key ingredient in guacamole, and they're delicious cut fresh on sandwiches or as part of a salad. What fruit is it? It's the avocado. There are lots of great varieties that grow well in the Seffner/Brandon area, including some cold hardy selections like: Joey and Fantastic. Both of these varieties can tolerate temperatures as low as 18 degrees. And of course there are tried and true (and delicious) varieties like Lula and Brogdon. Come check out the new avocados and all the cool fruit trees on the Fruit Walk at Kerby's

Low Chill or Dormant Fruit Trees

So you live in Florida, where it's warm and tropical and you think there is no way that you can enjoy some of the fruit trees that our northern friends love? Think again! You can grow apples, peaches, nectarines and pears here in our area. Kerby's carries varieties that are cultivated especially for this area, so they are capable of fruiting. Keep reading for more information behind why these trees are called "Low-Chill" or skip ahead to a list of the trees available at Kerby's.

 

At Kerby's you'll hear the staff say "Low Chill Fruit Trees" and you'll probably wonder what in the world they are talking about. Apples, peaches, pears and nectarines belong to a group of fruits called "Low Chill" or "Dormant" fruit trees. These fruit trees require cold weather in order to flower and fruit properly. What they really need is a chance to go dormant. It's pretty obvious that up north, with lots of cold weather, trees have plenty of time to go dormant in the winter. This is when they store energy for a spring flush of flowers and fruit. In Florida, it doesn't always get that cold. In order to enjoy these types of trees, varieties that don't need a lot of cold weather are required.


That is where the term "Low Chill" comes from. To get fruit from these types of trees in our area, they must have a low-chill requirement. Chill requirement is the number of hours below 45 degrees F that a tree needs in order to go dormant properly. Our local area typically receives anywhere from 200 to 300 chill hours on average. So the fruit tree you select should be in this range. (You can push the bounds a little in either direction; 200 to 300 is a historical average for the entire bay area. Seffner, Brandon, Valrico and Plant City are typically a little colder.)

 
The bottom line is that you can grow these delicious fruit trees in our area, but you have to select the right varieties. Kerby's makes it easy, by only carrying varieties that are capable of fruiting in this area. So come on out, enjoy the cool weather and find something delicious to plant.

  

Upcoming Events

 

Workshop: Spring Vegetable Gardening
Saturday, February 21st at 10:00 am

You made a resolution this year to eat healthier, right? The healthiest, tastiest vegetables you will ever have are the ones that come straight from your own backyard. So what are you waiting for! It's time to plant a veggie garden. If you've been frustrated by veggie garden attempts in the past, or if you are looking to try your hand at it this season, come on out to this workshop and learn how to make your veggie garden a success.

 

 


Spring Fling
Saturday & Sunday, March 7th & 8th

Come on out and celebrate spring! The flowers and beautiful colors of the season are always the stars of the show. And if the spring season isn't enough reason for a celebration, than we'll add on a Kerby's Birthday. We are 35 this year! So get outside, get your hands dirty and enjoy the beauty of spring in Florida.

 



 

6th Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 4th at 10am SHARP!
Please note the Easter egg hunt is on Saturday

Bring your Easter basket and get ready for a whole lot of fun . . . it's the 6th annual Easter Egg Hunt at Kerby's. Starting right at 10:00am, be ready to hunt and see how many Easter Eggs you can find hidden among the beautiful flowers.

 

 

 


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Kerby's Nursery

2311 S. Parsons Ave.

Seffner, FL 33584
(813) 685-3265
www.kerbysnursery.com


Store Hours
Open Seven Days a Week
Monday - Saturday,  9:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday,  11:00am - 4:00pm