From our Garden to Yours

February 25, 2010   

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome." wrote 17th century poet and writer Anne Bradstreet. How true this is for gardener's this year. It will be a spring to savor after the cold winter. Why not start it off now, by planting some spring bulbs or one of the beautiful rose bushes that just arrived at the nursery full of buds and blooms.

If you are looking to lift your veggie garden out of its winter blues, join us Saturday at 2pm for our first-ever advanced veggie gardening workshop. We'll talk about organic and natural gardening as well as what it takes to grow the biggest and best tomatoes. Bring a notebook, you'll want to take notes!

Happy Gardening,
Kim, Joey and Mark

In This Issue
Spring Bulbs

Upcoming Events

 

Spring Bulbs

Bulbs are a wonderful treat. The foliage fades in winter, leaving you wondering where it's gone. And then slowly but surely as warm days arrive, small green leaves begin to emerge from the soil. Often, the bulbs are a memory of last year's garden, planted in now forgotten locations. But the bright and beautiful flowers are a welcome surprise and a reminder of the wonders of nature.

Bulbs are easy to grow, and in our area, we can grow quite a few beautiful ones. They are best grown in rich, well-drained soil. To create a bulb planting area, turn 3 to 4 inches of good planting soil into the entire area and then plant bulbs in the new soil mix. Or get creative and mix bulbs into existing landscape areas for a surprise each season. Avoid wet areas, as this can cause the bulbs to rot. Below are some of our favorite bulbs for spring.

Amaryllis - A classic flower with enormous blossoms in red, pink or white. Plant bulbs so that the neck is at the soil line. Amaryllis also make a great flower for a pot. Plant and grow outside, and bring indoors when they are in bloom.
 

Blood Lily - Like a burst of fireworks, these cool flowers add a great, colorful surprise to your summertime garden. It's like an early Fourth of July! Plant bulbs 1" deep with crest of bulb above the soil and watch them grow. 

Gloriosa Lily - A tropical, vining lily, the gloriosa will ramble delightfully on a trellis or can climb mysteriously up another shrub. The vibrant, unique flowers bloom in late spring after growing four to six feet. Plant the tubers horizontally, 2 - 3" below ground.

Caladiums - Nothing is more beautiful than a mass of caladiums planted in a shade garden. The color is amazing and will brighten those dark areas of your yard. Caladiums are easy too. Plant them 2 inches deep about 12 inches apart. Try some cool varieties like Grey Ghost or Miss Muffett.


And don't forget about Cannas, Gladiolus, Ginger and Rain Lilies...they're all beautiful!

Upcoming Events
 

Workshop: Vegetable Gardening II
Saturday, February 27th at 2:00 pm

If you've attended our veggie workshops before then you already know how to grow healthy, happy vegetables. But if you've ever wanted to dig a little deeper into vegetable gardening, then this workshop is for you. We'll discuss organic gardening, composting and natural pest control as well as talk about the specifics of growing tomatoes in Florida.

Workshop: Hardy Landscaping
Saturday, March 6th at 10:00 am

Looking to freshen up your landscaping after winter? Look no further. We'll show you all of the hardy alternatives that you can use to make your garden beautiful all year long.

Kerby's Turns 30
Friday - Sunday, March 19 - 21

It's hard to believe that this year will be Kerby's 30th birthday. We're celebrating with a weekend-long birthday bash on the boardwalk, complete with fresh-spun cotton candy and hot popcorn. And of course the boardwalk will be bursting with color, so come out and celebrate with us.

Workshop: Tropical Fruit Trees
Saturday, March 27th at 10:00 am

Juicy and delicious, there is nothing like picking fruit from a tree you've grown and eating it on the spot. Whether you like mangos or jakfruit, kiwi or papaya, or nance and custard apple, there is a fruit to fit every taste. After the workshop, you'll be able to sample some of the delicious fruits that can be grown in our area.

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