Frequently Asked Questions
Our friendly knowledgeable staff are always eager to answer your gardening questions. Give us a call, drop us an email or simply click on the message icon below… it’s just that easy!
And, of course — we are always available in person at one of our great locations!
Biobest Amblyseius cucumeris mini Sachet
One of the most practical and economical solution for thrips control in plant propagation,
Hydrate Hydrate HYDRATE!
Importance of keeping your beautiful greenhouse plants hydrated on the hot summer days.
Self Watering Containers
A great investment for those hot summer months.
How to tell if a Watermelon is RIPE and ready to harvest?
Watermelons don’t sweeten after they are picked, so harvest time is important. They generally ripen over two weeks so keep your eye on them. Thump it, if the watermelon sounds hollow, it’s ripe. Look at the color on the top, the watermelon is ripe when there is a little contrast between the strips. A green melon will have a white bottom, a ripe melon will have a yellow colored bottom. Hope that helps!
I have trouble growing flowers in my shade garden. Are there any colorful shade-tolerant plants that I can use?
Aside from using perennials such as Astilbe, Bee Balm, Bleeding Heart and Hosta, with some bloom and contrasting color, a few annuals will thrive in the shade given proper moisture and nutrients. The most shade-tolerant annuals that add color all season are coleus, wax begonias and impatiens. If you are planting containers some varieties you may also want to consider are Fuchsia, Alyssum or Lobelia, all available from F’Laura n’ Company Greenhouses.
When can I safety plant annuals in the spring?
Determine your area’s average last frost and after that date, planting should be safe; but remember, this date is an average and you can expect a later frost some years. When you purchase annuals, condition them to the sunlight, wind and night temperature for several days before planting them in the garden.
My hanging baskets of annuals look great when purchased, but by midsummer look dried up and have few blooms... how can I keep them fresh and full of flowers?
Follow three basic principles when growing flowering baskets — water, fertilize and groom. There isn’t much soil in a basket, it heats up and dries out quickly, so daily watering is a must. Fertilize with a liquid balanced fertilizer every two weeks and groom your plant often. Deadhead and pinch back leggy growth to promote heavier flowering and branching.
Do Peonies Need Ants to Bloom?
It is indeed a myth that peonies need ants to bloom. The greedy little ants eat the sugary sucralose that the buds secrete just before they open, and leave as soon as the sugar is gone. The truth is that the only ones benefiting are the ants, and peonies would bloom with or without them.
What does partial shade mean?
Partial shade (or partial sun, depending on how you look at it) means your garden spot receives 4-6 hours of direct sunlight a day. Areas receiving more than 6 hours of direct sun are full-sun locations and less than 4 hours of direct sun will be called full shade.
How Often should I Fertilize?
The frequency depends on what works best for you and the type of plants you have; Petunias, for example are “hungry” and require more fertilizer than many other varieties of annuals. All brands of fertilizer have application guidelines on their labels and the mixing rate will depend on the frequency of it’s use (every time you water or every other week). When dealing with fertilizer, more isn’t necessarily better; too much will lead to toxicity and damage your plants, so it is very important to always follow the mixing instructions.
Do I need to plant a pollinator if I am planting Fruit Trees?
Some fruit trees or shrubs do require a pollinator to produce fruit while others do not. Apple and Pear trees require cross pollination from another variety of the same species. Plum trees also require cross pollination, but either a cherry or another variety of Plum will do the trick. Sour Cherries, Saskatoon and Raspberries are all self pollinating. The rule of thumb for fruit requiring cross pollination is to be within 500 feet of each other.
What Zone do we live it and what does it mean?
We live in zone 2B. This means that plants rated Zone 2 are considered hardy to our area, however many Zone 3 plants will do well, but will typically require some shelter from harsh winter winds. Anything rated Zone 4 or higher is unlikely to survive our winters.
How do i know which plants grow well together?
There are several factors to consider when pairing plants including light and moisture requirements, plant vigour and growth habits. The info on the back of the tags are helpful when choosing plants that like similar growing conditions, and of course, we are always here to assist you.
What plants are poisonous?
It goes without saying that we want to keep our little ones and pets safe. Some common plants that can have serious side effects, if ingested by children, are Lily of the Valley, Castor Bean, Rhubarb leaves, Foxglove, Wisteria, Lilies, Daffodil, Hydrangea and Rhododendron. Truthfully many of the plants commonly grown in our yards are considered poisonous if our pets ingest them, the good news is… most pets seem to know not to eat them!
If your child or pet ingests a plant and you are uncertain if it may be poisonous, contact Poison Control at 1-800-332-1414
What are some examples of flowers that tolerate the wind?
When we hear “Geranium” many of us think of our grandma’s garden, however not only are they wind tolerant but researchers are continuously creating new stunning varieties. Daiseys, Marigolds, Salvia and ornamental grasses make excellent choices for windy locations as do Portulacca, also know as “moss rose” a colorful wind and drought tolerant option.
What does the term "deadheading" mean and what is the purpose of it?
Deadheading is the removal of faded and dead flower blossoms. Deadheading will make your plants more attractive but it also improves the plant’s performance and longevity. As the blossoms fade, your plants begin to put energy into producing seeds rather than new blossoms, by removing the dying blossoms you will keep your plants looking healthier and encourage them to continue to bloom. The proper way to deadhead is to cut the stem of the flower beneath the base of the flower, if you only remove the dead petals your plant will continue to try and produce seeds from the spent blossom.
How can i prevent my petunias from getting "leggy"?
Leggy petunias are unattractive and may die prematurely. In order to prevent leggy petunias you will need to cut them back (prune) on a regular basis. Pruning petunias encourages new growth and will keep your plants full, compact and healthy looking
Have a question, drop us a line below and we will be sure to find you an answer as quickly as possible.