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We say goodbye to an old
friend -- and hello to an exciting new year
Yes, this is a picture of an empty spot
-- it's where one of our old oak trees used to be (facing Woodlawn).
Time and our irrigation system eventually wore out the oak and we
finally had to have it removed this winter.
But don't fear. We'll be planting
some new, water-loving trees and re-establishing the bed that surrounded
the old beauty.
Many other things are changing at Sugar
Creek -- all in an effort to make your gardening experience more
enjoyable. Right now we're training ourselves on how to use a new
computer cash register, which instills both fear and excitement in all
of us.
We've also hired some new people,
improved upon the foot traffic pattern in the nursery, and of course, ordered
many, many, many new plants (along with our old faves). We're also
planning on starting a gardening book group (more on that later), and
we'll be bringing back the popular garden parties.
One of this year's most exciting
new gardening products
 Plantskydd
Granules
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Easy to
use! Just sprinkle around your garden beds
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No bad
odor
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Non-toxic, 100% organic and biodegradable
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Safe
for use in protecting fruit, vegetables and others food
crops against browse damage.
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No
synthetic additives
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Not
harmful to animals or the environment
Protect
your garden, plants and trees from rabbits, chipmunks,
squirrels, possum, voles and other small rodents. It’s also
effective against deer, elk and moose. Longest lasting, year-round protection for your garden and landscape. When used
directed, it covers approximately 600 square feet. Sprinkle
liberally around your garden, flowerbeds and trees --
anywhere you want protection from animal browsing. Once
plant bears fruit, do not apply onto edible parts of fruit,
vegetables or other food crops. Wash fruits and vegetables
before eating. Re-apply as required.
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It's not too late for your garden club
to line
up a Sugar Creek Gardens' horticulturist to
speak at one of your meetings this year.
Give us a call at 314-965-3070. Or better
yet, have a meeting at one of our
garden parties.
The gift shop is open!
Don't let the cold weather keep you
stuck inside. Stop by Sugar Creek and say hello to Jean as she continues to work her
fanny off unpacking boxes, cleaning, and making the gift shop look its
best yet.
Look at some of these pictures if you
don't believe me
-- I dare you to not buy anything!
She doesn't want jewelry
or chocolate
-- she wants a gift certificate from Sugar Creek. (Okay, maybe
chocolate and a gift certificate.)
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Karen's
gardening calendar |
Karen Collins, a longtime Sugar Creek
employee, has identified things you can tackle in
your garden this month:
- If soil is dry and unfrozen, water
your garden.
- Chickweed is a cool grower, so
if
days are mild and the temperature is above 50 degrees, apply
Miracle Gro Weed Prevent with
fertilizer, available at
Sugar Creek.
- Do not work wet soils.
- Inspect houseplants for aphids,
spider mites, scale, whitefly, mealybugs and thrips. Espoma
Earth-tone Insect Control is highly recommended.
- Avoid foot traffic on frozen turf to
prevent damage.
- Crabapple, forsythia, pussy willow,
quince, pear and flowering cherry branches may be forced indoors.
Place cut stems in a vase of water. Change water every
four days.
- To encourage birds to nest in your
yard, provide water and put up birdhouses. Shrubs, trees,
vines and evergreens provide nesting habitat and wild food sources.
For the computer-savvy gardener
Here are a few interesting gardening websites for your perusal.
Do you have a favorite site? Let us
know and we'll spread the word.
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Myfolia.com is a website
that allows you to share and track your gardening adventures.
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Simplythrifty.com has an eco-friendly link that covers
everything from composting to buying locally.
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Allan Armitage's plant
photo library. Get inspired!
Peonies, anyone?
We're thrilled to
announce that we'll be carrying
a few very rare and unusual peony plants this
spring, including the Paeonia delaveyi var. lutea,
and Paeonia mlokosewitschii.
Paedonia
delaveyi var. lutera -- or Lemon-Yellow
Tree Peony -- features elegant lemon-yellow
flowers on a plant that only grows 2 feet tall.
It has the most distinctive light green lacy foliage,
and does well with well-drained soil and full sun.
Paeonia
mlokosewitschii -- or Molly-the-Witch
Peony -- is the species peony that everyone
wants. Robust and early flowering with primrose
yellow bowl-shaped 4-5 in. flowers, they are cradled
in newly expanded pink-blush leaves. Likes rich soil.
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