Plant Care

Plant Food

We feed our entire yard with Nature’s Source Plant Food. Nature’s Source contains oilseed extract, a natural source of plant nutrition. We feed our plants every two weeks to ensure beautiful flowers throughout the growing season.

Gardening Tips

  • Did you know that digging in the dirt is good for your health?  Gardening is a life-giving giving hobby that has a broad range of physical and mental benefits.  It’s no surprise that the use of horticultural therapy to treat medical conditions is growing in popularity.  Gardening activities are widely used to help people cope with anxiety and depression in addition to improving physical health.  Gardening is also a versatile hobby that can be enjoyed by young and old alike.  Most people can part...

  • Enjoy color in your gardens all year long by adding plants that are attractive in fall and winter!  You can easily mix these plants in your gardens to achieve year round interest. Place the plants strategically in spots where you can view them through your window during colder months.  This will allow you to enjoy your gardens even during stark winter days. There are many plants that can add color and texture to your landscape during fall and winter.  Some produce colorful berries, leaves or bar...

  • What is Spotted Lanternfly? Spotted lanternfly (SLF), Lycorma delicatula, is an invasive pest that’s native to China. It was first detected in 2014 in southeastern Pennsylvania. SLF has spread since then and is currently under quarantine in 13 Pennyslvania counties (see map below). SLF doesn’t bite or sting humans but poses a serious threat to our agricultural industry. Which plants are affected? The pest feeds primarily on tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) but also feeds on other plants such...

  • Hydrangea plants have beautiful clustered blooms that are available in a variety of colors and shapes.  Their stunning flowers provide a great addition to both gardens and floral bouquets.  Hydrangeas are popular deciduous shrubs that stand out in landscapes due to their showy flowers.  Colors range from frosty whites to vibrant blues and pinks.  Caring for hydrangeas is relatively easy once you understand some basics. 1. Planting Your Hydrangea Hydrangeas will thrive if planted in the right loc...

  • The Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii) is a nectar rich plant that attracts dozens of species of butterflies in addition to hummingbirds, bees and beneficial insects.  It produces masses of beautiful fragrant flowers from June through September and is hardy in USDA zones 5 – 9.                         Butterfly bushes are magnets for butterflies since they can reach the plant’s nectar easily. The flowers have shallow receptacles that harbor a high percentage of sucrose, an energy fuel.  The...

  • People have been growing lavender for centuries, dating back to the ancient Egyptians.  They soaked shrouds in lavender to embalm their mummies and keep the flies away.  Later on, the Romans used lavender for purifying baths and actually gave lavender its name.  Lavender is derived from the Latin work “Lavare” which means “to wash”. The Many Uses of Lavender The use of lavender has grown in popularity over the centuries.  Lavender is an herb, well known for its medicinal benefits and beautiful a...

  • The rose is known as the “Queen of Flowers” and has been a symbol of love and beauty throughout history.  It was designated the official flower of the United States in 1986, playing an important role in myth and poetry from ancient times until the present.  Roses come in every shape, size and color imaginable.  There are over 13,000 varieties available to choose from!  Rose petal numbers range from five-petal blossoms to full flowers of 100 petals or more.  Different rose types include climbers,...

  • Spring is finally here and your gardens are waking up!  It’s time to plant, prune and prepare your beds for the growing season.  Listed below are some important steps to follow when getting your gardens ready for spring: 1.  Shape up your tools Clean tools– this is necessary so that you don’t accidentally spread a fungus, insect eggs or diseases throughout the garden.  Sharpen tools – sharpen pruners, shears, loppers and other gardening tools that are dull. This allows you to make clean cuts whe...

  • Seed starting is a great way to get a jumpstart on the spring growing season.  It’s an enjoyable activity and an inexpensive way to grow a wider selection of plants.  Just one pack of seeds will produce a lot more plants per penny, compared to buying them as full-grown plants. Another reason for starting your own seeds is that more varieties of plants are available as seeds.  Seed starting gives you the flexibility to decide which variety to grow for each vegetable and flower.  You can grow that...

  • There’s no reason to limit your gardening to the outdoors.  Houseplants offer a great way to bring the color and freshness of plants inside.  They provide a chance to interact with nature even if it’s a cold, winter day. Benefits of Houseplants Houseplants are good for your health and can brighten your mood. Growing plants is known to have many therapeutic benefits. The act of caring for them gives pleasure and reduces stress.  Houseplants also appeal to our senses with their fragrant smells and...

  • Succulents are striking, low maintenance plants that are available in a wide variety of colors and shapes. The popularity of succulents is on the rise due to their sleek and savvy appearance. They have quickly become the botanical star of the Instagram world since they’re cool looking plants with interesting features.   In addition to their beauty, succulents are known for being highly self-sufficient.  They are able to fight off long periods of drought by storing water in their thick and ...

  • Building a terrarium is a great wintertime activity that’s fun for both kids and adults.  Terrariums provide a way to create a miniature indoor garden.  They’re low maintenance, making them an ideal choice for beginners and those who have little time to care for plants.  Terrariums also allow an opportunity to express your inner gardener without taking up a lot of space.  You can personalize them by including all sorts of items in order to create your own garden scene.  Selecting a Contain...

  • Indoor Herbs Growing herbs in your house this time of year can be very rewarding, especially when you get the itch to grow something green.   However, it’s not easy to grow all herbs inside and there are certain precautions you need to take before planting . Some of our favorites are difficult to grow in the winter.   Basil might go directly into flower production during the winter months rather than produce those delectable leaves we want.    Rosemary is another plant that might not do well ins...

  • The ideal mulches are life based; that is, from living tissue (as opposed to rock or plastic) such as: wood chips, bark, root chippings, pine needles, grain straws, shredded leaves, and so on. Mulch forms an insulation blanket to conserve moisture, protect roots from summer’s heat and winter’s cold. Mulch also helps suppress weeds. Aside of good watering, mulching is the single most important thing you can do to assure garden success. Recommended depth is 2 to 4” on new plantings. Over time, mul...