GardenSpotlight

We plant and grow many different mixed containers in our greenhouse. Many times I just create as I go, placing whatever suits my mood at the time. We sell a lot of ready-made containers, but we also have a lot of gardeners coming in to purchase plants for containers they wish to design themselves. I am asked all the time which plants work well together, how should the containers be planted or what do I think looks good together? I want to start out by saying this is YOUR chance to be creative and get your juices flowing. I certainly don’t mind telling customers what I think looks good, but it’s their container garden and I want to know what they might like. It is easy to be overwhelmed when you visit your local garden center or greenhouse, so it helps to have some idea of what size planter you need, what colors you need and whether you are placing the container in a sunny location or shade. Take a look at your home or wherever you are placing your container gardens. In front of a la...

It's no doubt all this warmer weather has got us gardeners itching to get out and play in the dirt!  At the farm, we start in January sowing seeds for spring crops in the greenhouse, but the color starts around Easter time with the bulb crops.  Easter brings visions of Spring...a new beginning for us all.  Lilies are bursting with blooms in the stores and Tulips spring to life even though it is still a bit chilly outside.  Bulb crops are cold tolerant for the most part, but if you are thinking of planting those Lilies or other Easter plants outside in hopes of them growing back next year, think again as most of the varieties sold at Easter are not hardy in our area.  Bulb crops are very short lived as far as flowering is concerned as they quickly go into a phase known as senescense, where the leaves and stems yellow, or biologically age.  The longer they are kept at cooler temperatures, the longer they will last.  It i...

Planning to add solar fountains to your garden? What a great idea! Not only can the Sun make the flowers in your garden bloom, but the Sun can also make your fountain work and add to the charm and the elegance of the garden. These fountains are as beautiful as the other varieties, and to top it all, they are much more cost effective to run because they operate on the power of the Sun. They are easier to set up too because you will not need any power lines. And the lack of any power lines makes them safer in the home too, particularly if you have pets and kids. Just select a corner in the garden that receives adequate sunlight and install it. Though solar fountains are not the conventional variety (they are an innovation keeping in mind the convenience of the user), but nowadays they have become very popular. Improvements in the water pumping technology have optimized the performance of these fountains. The self-contained features of solar fountains will add to the charm of your home....

Here is a short list of some perennials we are currently growing for sale at Running Creek Farm Greenhouses: Agastache Alcea Aquilegia Aruncus Buddleia Caryopteris Centaruea Centranthus Coreopsis Delphinium Dianthus Digitalis Echinacea Gaillardia Gypsophila Heuchera Lavendula Lupine Malva Monarda Oenothera Platycodon Rudbeckia Scabiosa Veronica Just to name a few. Stop in a visit us and if you don't see what you are looking for, just ask. Some crops will be ready earlier than others due to weather and seasonal demand. For example, Zinnias, an annual plant, are not typically ready for sale until at least the third week in May, sometimes later. They are more sensitive to cold and need to stay protected until all chance of frost is gone. We will be open for retail sales the beginning of May.

Yes Sheila; you can try the website of the article's author, which is www.gardensupermart.com or try this one I found on Google; http://www.rainbarrelsandmore.com/ At "Rain Barrels & More" there are specific illustrations and instructions for installation. If there is someone in your home who is handy, you may even be able to make your own. Try a local garden or agricultural supply store. I hope that helps. Thanks for reading and for your comments! Nancy C-

Author: Shawn McCulloch The entire green industry is progressively focusing more and more on environmentally friendly production and products. With increased incentives backed by government agencies as well as the general consensus that environmental stability needs to start now, more and more companies are developing new innovative products to adhere to this. In some ways it's a shame that the only way to cause change is through monetary incentive programs or the need to be trendy, the counter-argument is the need to put food on the table or fuel in the yacht or the increased cost of doing business. Whatever the case may be, positive change is good relating to the environment. Now this isn't stating change can only happen through big business, even the end consumer, can have a major impact. So you might be asking, where is my incentive program? The answer is, certain products can actually save you money, and this isn't just pocket change. Hundreds of dollars per year rea...

Hi there! Welcome to our blog. As you may know, we started this blog in an effort to help others with their gardening questions. Yes, it's Autumn here in New York, but as a grower and seller of bedding plants and vegetable transplants, we wanted to start off with one of the most frequently asked questions; "When is the best time to plant?" Here in the Northeast, we tend to get frost as late as the 2nd or 3rd week of May. If you must plant before then, we suggest cold tolerant plants, such as pansies and cobbity daisies. We start selling those types of plants as early as mid-April. Want to know a great farmer's tip?  Keep an eye on when you have fog in your area in the month of February. Why, that sounds strange, you may say! This really has worked for us...mark those foggy days down on your calendar. Typically the last day you have fog in February, say it's the 18th, will usually be the last chance of frost in May, (May 18th). Of course, you'll still want to p...