Author Archives: GCS Dev

A Feast for the Eyes

Feast-2Traditionally, when planning a vegetable garden, the focus has been primarily on function with aesthetics as an afterthought – a productive harvest has usually been more important than any visual appeal. This year, why not try a new approach? Thoughtfully combine beauty and performance to create an edible garden that will explode with a variety of color and an abundance of produce. It can truly be a feast for the eyes as well as the table!

Planning a Beautiful Vegetable Garden

Color, texture and form are characteristics we keep in mind when combining plants in the flower garden. We plan flowerbeds so that plants enhance each other, repeating colors and shapes for continuity and flow. We add a variety of texture and form for diversity and interest. Vegetables, herbs and fruits can be just as vibrant, exciting, diverse and easy to combine as annual and perennial flowering plants are.

To begin, provide structure. Placing a picket fence around your garden offers instant structure and visually sets it apart from the rest of the landscape. If you plan on planting along the outside of the perimeter, you will create the allure of a garden within a garden, with a hint of secret places. Place a straight pathway through the center, starting at the entrance. Divide the larger garden into smaller square planting beds using pathways to separate the beds. This will enhance the structure of, and provide easy access to, the garden beds as well as lead your eye through the garden. If desired, you can also used raised beds for this formal structure.

Next, focus on plant selection. Begin with a plant plan or layout. Initially, base your selections on what is pleasing to your individual tastes. Consider unusual varieties of vegetables and herbs that come in unique colors. Repeat colors, both horizontally and vertically, to add depth and dimension to the garden. Don’t forget to add brightly flowering annuals such as zinnias and marigolds to mingle amongst the edibles. Another consideration is edible flowers like nasturtium and calendula. Contrast colors for a striking, eye-catching effect. Keep in mind, also, texture and form. Bold textures add drama and are often combined with fine-foliaged plants for a softening contrast. Short, stout plants anchor the garden bed while tall, willowy plants raise the eye and lead you farther down the garden path. Take all these characteristics into account when planning and place plants in geometric patterns to create a quilt-like garden tapestry.

Finally, your spring edible garden will emerge invoking a feeling of calm, displaying a variety of cool greens, purples and blues found in peas, lettuce, cabbage and broccoli. Shortly after, the summer edible garden will be completely transformed at harvest time with an explosion of vibrant shades of red, purple, orange and yellow. With so many stunning options to combine, you can truly create a feast for the eyes that will be beautiful in every season!

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Growing Veggies in Containers

Do you dream of a delicious, homegrown harvest but don’t have the land to use? No longer should a shortage of garden space prevent you from growing your own fresh vegetables. As long as you have a sunny location you can have your own mini-farm on your porch, patio, deck, balcony, roof-top or doorstep!

Why Use Containers?

The benefits of growing containerized vegetables go beyond the issue of space. There are plenty of other compelling reasons to plant your veggies in pots, including…

  1. Vegetables are amazingly ornamental and can be just as decorative as any other container plants or flowers.
  2. There are fewer problems with pests such as groundhogs, deer and rabbits and soil borne diseases.
  3. The soil in pots warms up more quickly in the spring allowing for earlier planting and an extended growing season.
  4. Less bending, squatting and kneeling is required for gardeners with limited mobility.

Vegetables can be grown in any vessel that can hold soil, has adequate drainage and is large enough to hold a plant. There are endless options available on the market or you may recycle items that you already have as long as they meet these requirements. Use your imagination – try a wheelbarrow, wine barrel or just a plastic bin, and you’re ready to plant!

Best Vegetables for Containers

While all veggies can be grown in containers, some are better suited than others. Plants that grow particularly large, that sprawl or that must be grown in large numbers to ensure an adequate yield may take more effort and careful site planning with an adequate container. Similarly, vining plants need not be avoided. Trellis these plants up against a wall or fence or allow them to cascade down from a taller pot or a container placed up high like on a stone wall. For smaller selections, a hanging basket or window box may be used. Many sprawling and vining vegetables are now available by seed in dwarf, compact or bush varieties. These are bred specifically for small spaces and containers and are worth seeking out.

Tips for Container Vegetable Gardens

Growing vegetables in containers does take some unique thought and isn’t quite the same as planting in a traditional garden. When planning your delicious container garden, consider…

  • Containers: Size matters when planting in containers. The bigger the container, the more soil it can hold. More soil more and more moisture means less watering. Take note that porous containers like terra cotta dry out more quickly and will therefore require more frequent watering.
  • Soil: When planting, choose a good quality potting mix. Soil from the ground may contain insects or disease or may be too heavy. Add an all-purpose balanced fertilizer at time of planting. It is also good idea to mix water absorbing polymers into the soil. These granules can hold up to 400 times their weight in water and help reduce watering from 30-50 percent.
  • Plants: Some of the vegetables that you select may be directly seeded into your container; these would include peas, beans, radishes and corn. With most vegetables you may wish to transplant seedlings into your container, either home-grown or garden center purchased. You will generally find a wider selection of vegetable varieties and unique options available in seed as opposed to purchased seedlings, if you want to use your containers experimentally.
  • Supports: Supports should be placed at time of planting for large or vining plants. This will ensure the young plants are not disturbed or damaged with supports added at a later time. If the supports are outside the container, however, they can be added only when they are needed.
  • Location: Your vegetables will require at least 6 hours of direct sun a day. If this is not possible you may try placing your pots on dollies or carts and moving them to a sunnier location as the sun moves throughout the day. Note that good air circulation is important for disease control.
  • Watering: Test soil frequently for water to make sure that you keep it evenly moist. Water the soil, not the plants, to avoid the spread of disease. Check soil moisture more frequently during the summer months when evaporation is faster. Mulching your containers with salt hay or grass clippings will help keep soil cool during the summer months and reduce the frequency of watering. If possible, a drip system can be a great option for keeping containers watered.
  • Fertilization: Fertilizer leaches through pots quickly. Fertilize containerized vegetables at least once a week with a water soluble fertilizer. Always be careful to follow the directions on the fertilizer package and follow the recommended rate. Too much fertilizer may burn or kill your plants, but too little will result in undernourished, underperforming plants.

With appropriate care that caters to the needs of containers, your small-scale vegetable garden can be just as lush and productive as any larger, more intensive space, and you’ll soon have a bountiful harvest to enjoy.

Indoor Plant Care: How to Ensure Your Plants Thrive

Many of us are concerned about the survival of our green friends, be it a resilient snake plant or a delicate Peace Lily. This concern often stems from the belief that indoor environments are not suitable for plants and that they will inevitably die. However, with the right care and attention, it is possible to create a suitable environment for indoor plants.

Indoor environments can be challenging for plants, as they often lack the necessary sunlight and humidity that plants need to thrive. There are ways to combat this. Placing plants near windows to maximize sunlight exposure and using humidifiers or misting the plants can increase humidity levels.

Choosing the right plants for indoor environments is also crucial. Opt for plants that are known to be more resilient and adaptable to indoor conditions. For instance, the tongue snake plant and the Peace Lily are known for their ability to purify the air and improve indoor air quality. They are low maintenance and thrive in indoor spaces, making them a great choice for beginners.

However, it’s important to remember that all house plants require attention and maintenance to thrive. This includes providing the right amount of water, sunlight and nutrients, as well as regular pruning and repotting when necessary.

Overwatering can be detrimental to the health of house plants, leading to root rot and other issues. Therefore, it’s crucial to allow the soil to dry out between waterings and ensure that the pot has drainage holes.

Another factor to consider is the risk of burns on the foliage of plants. This can happen when a plant is not receiving enough light and tries to reach the source of light. However, this stretching can lead to burns on the leaves due to the intense heat and sunlight coming through the window. Providing adequate light is crucial to prevent this issue.

Lastly, don’t forget to regularly fertilize your plants to provide them with the necessary nourishment. But remember to reduce the frequency of fertilizing during certain periods to avoid void overnourishment.

Indoor plants can bring beauty and freshness to any indoor space. They require understanding, care, and attention. With the right practices, you can ensure the survival and well-being of your indoor plants.

Ohio Goldenrod

As we ​step ​into ​our ​gardens in late summer and early fall, the landscape this time of year can be particularly ​vibrant ​and ​beautiful. ​

​One ​of ​the ​most vibrant ​is ​the ​Ohio ​Goldenrod, ​a ​unique ​wetland ​plant ​that ​stands ​out ​from ​other ​goldenrods ​due ​to ​its ​preference ​for ​moist ​environments. ​This ​plant, ​with ​its ​clusters ​of ​flowers ​blooming ​from ​July ​through ​September ​on ​three ​foot ​stems, ​is ​an ​eye-catcher. ​Its ​lance ​shaped ​leaves, ​upwardly ​pointing ​and ​attractive ​even ​without ​flowers, ​add ​to ​its ​charm.

And for you butterfly lovers, ​the ​Ohio ​Goldenrod ​is ​more ​than ​just ​a ​pretty ​face. ​It’s ​a ​crucial ​nectar ​source ​for ​18 ​different ​species ​of ​butterflies, ​including ​the ​monarch ​butterfly. ​Without ​these ​specific ​nectar ​sources, ​the ​survival ​of ​these ​butterfly ​species ​would ​be ​at ​risk. ​

The ​goldenrod’s ​pollen ​is ​primarily ​spread ​by ​insects, like ​bees ​and ​butterflies. ​They ​are ​attracted ​to ​the ​plant’s ​bright ​yellow ​flowers. ​

Goldenrod ​has ​often ​been ​blamed ​for ​causing ​fall ​allergies ​like ​hay ​fever, ​but ​it’s ​actually ​not ​the ​main ​culprit. ​The ​pollen ​produced ​by ​oldenrod ​is ​too ​heavy ​to ​be ​easily ​carried ​by ​the ​wind, ​the ​main ​method ​of ​pollen ​dispersal. ​Instead, ​the ​true ​culprits ​behind ​fall ​allergies ​are ​typically ​ragweed ​and ​other ​wind ​pollinated ​plants. ​

The ​goldenrod ​has ​a ​rich ​history. ​Both ​Native ​Americans ​and ​early ​European ​settlers ​utilized ​goldenrods ​to ​create ​a ​vibrant ​yellow ​dye. ​

​Like ​the ​oxide ​sunflower, ​these ​plants ​are ​well ​adapted ​to ​the ​local ​environment ​and ​provide ​numerous ​benefits ​to ​pollinators. ​By ​planting ​native ​plants, ​you ​can ​support ​pollinators, ​preserve ​biodiversity, ​and ​create ​a ​more ​sustainable ​and ​resilient ​environment.

​So ​next ​time ​you ​see ​a ​goldenrod, ​remember ​it’s ​not ​just ​a ​pretty ​plant, ​but ​a ​vital ​part ​of ​our ​ecosystem.

Seed packets are the unsung heroes of gardening

They are a treasure trove of information, providing crucial details about the type of plant, planting instructions, and expected growth period. These packets, usually made of paper or plastic, are designed to protect the seeds from moisture and other external factors. They guide gardeners especially beginners on how to sow the seeds, the ideal soil conditions, and the recommended watering and fertilizing techniques. They also help gardeners keep track of the different types of seeds they have planted, making them indispensable for anyone looking to cultivate plants.

But what about seed packets from previous seasons?

Are they still valuable? The answer lies in several factors

  • the expiration date
  • the type of seeds
  • the storage conditions

Expired seed packets, or those containing seeds that are only viable for one season may not be worth much. However, if the seed packets have not expired and contain perennial seeds or seeds of plants with a longer lifespan, they may still be valuable. Proper storage conditions can help preserve the viability of the seeds and increase their worth.

Seeds are alive but do not live forever.

When you purchase a packet of seeds, they are already in a dormant state, waiting for the right conditions to germinate and grow into plants. The lifespan of seeds can vary depending on the type of plant and the conditions in which they are stored. Proper storage in a cool, dry, and dark place is crucial to extend the lifespan of seeds and increase the chances of successful germination. Speaking of storage, maintaining low temperature and low humidity is essential for optimal storage conditions. These conditions slow down biological and chemical processes, preventing spoilage, deterioration and damage to stored items.

By understanding and controlling these factors, we can effectively preserve the quality and longevity of stored goods.

The viability of seeds is another important factor to consider

Not all seeds have the same lifespan, and some can remain viable for a longer period of time than others. If a seed is still viable, it can be planted and has the potential to grow into a plant. However, if a seed is no longer viable, it is recommended to discard it.

Let’s not forget about flower seeds

There are both annual and perennial flower seeds, each with its own unique characteristics and requirements. Proper care and maintenance are key to ensuring successful germination and growth of flowers. Finally, is it worth saving an old seed packet? A simple germination test can help determine the viability of the seeds. If the seeds do germinate, it indicates that the seeds are still viable and can be used for planting. However, if the seeds do not germinate, it suggests that the seeds may have lost their viability and it may not be worth saving the old seed packet.

Bringing The Outside In: A Guide To Indoor Gardening

With proper care and attention, indoor plants can thrive in any environment

Many of us are concerned about the survival of our green friends, be it a resilient snake plant or a delicate Peace Lily. This concern often stems from the belief that indoor environments are not suitable for plants and that they will inevitably die. However, with the right care and attention, it is possible to create a suitable environment for indoor plants and gardening.

Let’s start with the basics.

Indoor environments can be challenging for plants, as they often lack the necessary sunlight and humidity that plants need to thrive. But fear not, there are ways to combat this. Placing plants near windows to maximize sunlight exposure and using humidifiers or misting the plants can increase humidity levels. Choosing the right plants for indoor environments is also crucial. Opt for plants that are known to be more resilient and adaptable to indoor conditions. For instance, the tongue snake plant and the Peace Lily are known for their ability to purify the air and improve indoor air quality. They are low maintenance and thrive in indoor spaces, making them a great choice for beginners.

It’s important to remember that all house plants require attention and maintenance to thrive.

This includes providing the right amount of water, sunlight and nutrients, as well as regular pruning and repotting when necessary. Overwatering can be detrimental to the health of house plants, leading to root rot and other issues. Therefore, it’s crucial to allow the soil to dry out between waterings and ensure that the pot has drainage holes. Another factor to consider is the risk of burns on the foliage of plants. This can happen when a plant is not receiving enough light and tries to reach towards the source of light. However, this stretching can lead to burns on the leaves due to the intense heat and sunlight coming through the window. Providing adequate light is crucial to prevent this issue.

Don’t forget to regularly fertilize your plants to provide them with the necessary nourishment.

But remember to reduce the frequency of fertilizing during certain periods to avoid void overnourishment. In conclusion, indoor gardening can bring beauty and freshness to any indoor space. Indoor plants require understanding, care and attention. With the right practices, you can ensure the survival and well-being of your indoor plants. So let’s embrace the green and make our homes, uh, a thriving sanctuary for these wonderful beings.

Fill In Those Empty Spots In Your Garden

Alan: Well once you’re into June, people wonder what next? The gardens looking good. But sometimes things just don’t make it. Sometimes you find a spot over here that you really want to add something and it’s not too late in June.

June is a great time to continue to plant. We even grow plants in larger containers so that you’ve already planted something and you don’t want to start off with a little plant that doesn’t match. So we have things in larger containers that you can just pop right in and fill in that space and match everything else.

We plant our crops that we grow at the greenhouse, we don’t grow everything at the same time. We don’t just plant tomatoes once and here’s our whole crop of tomatoes for the year. Because some people are planting those tomatoes middle of May and they don’t want some plants it’s overgrown and just scraggly and it doesn’t look good.

So we plant several times throughout the season so that when you come in June, there’s still going to be some plants that are at their peak at that time. So we planned it that way, because people do plant later on.

A thing that would be good in June is to look at your vegetable garden. At this time you probably harvested quite a bit of your cabbage and broccoli and cauliflower, things like that.

So now the is a good time in June to go back in and now you can plant a tomato there. It’s not too late. It’s a good time. So you’re making double use of that space. Things that you harvest early. It’s now time to go ahead and plant the things that will go later, like the peppers and tomatoes, things like that.

Should I Fertilize In The Morning Or Evening?

Alan: Some things that you fertilize, and this would be true for regardless of when you’re doing it, more is not necessarily better. I know people, myself sometimes, if it calls for one teaspoon, two must be better. So that’s not necessarily the case especially depending what fertilizer you’re using.

A water soluble type something that is taken very readily through the plant, very instant kind of effect. Versus something that’s slow release or time release fertilizer, which tend to be a lot safer. You can still burn but not to the severity that you can with some of those water soluble ones. Especially in some of those hotter months. So just be careful with that. If it says a teaspoon or two teaspoons, whatever product you’re using, especially on those water soluble ones, you can do some burning in those hotter months.

And it would be something that you’d want to try to do in the early morning. Just so the plant is not under stress in the early morning, and it gives the the entire course of the day for the foliage to dry out.

If evening is your only option, you don’t hear about evening because the water stays on the foliage. The plant stays wet through the course of the night. And again, going back to some of the fungal problems. That would be something that would just, not necessarily cause it, but could encourage it. And we’re not trying to do that. So just remember stay away from those midday fertilizing applications.

June Insect Control Tips

Alan: Another popular topic in June is insects. That you really want to keep an eye on. You don’t want to just ignore it and then just wake up one day and look at your garden. It’s covered in aphids or it’s covered in something.

A lot of people want to use organic insecticides and organic fungicides, and that’s great. But you have to do those as preventatives. Once you have a big problem and you have aphids covering something or you have whatever the insect might be, once you have a problem with it, organic products just don’t work as well. I mean, they will help.

But if you use those as a preventative to prevent the problem in the first place, they’re much more effective

Don’t come in with a branch, that’s with fungus all over it and say, you know, what do you have that’s organic to take care of this. Because organic fungicides are good for preventative, but they’re not really that effective for taking care of problem that you already have.

So keep in mind, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and it’s especially true with organics.

Kevin: We’ll use plants in our greenhouse and encourage customers to ask this, if they don’t know. But we use plants as scout plants. We can pick on any plants. A portalachka is going to get these aphids first. Aphids are a chewing insect, so they like the freshest softest tissue. Once that tissue hardens off, they can’t bite into it. It’s not as tasty for them.

Aphids on burning bush, the perfect scout plant. You see a little bit of curl on your burning bush leaf. It’s almost 100% going to be aphids. Aphids are hungry right now. I need to look at this plan, or this plan, because they also like aphids, so I need to get my treatment down.

Alan: That’s the same with Japanese beetles. That’s another big problem that people run into. They come in and want to buy these bags. The Japanese beetle traps. And those are great. They do catch the Japanese beetles.

But if you put those right in your garden, you’re attracting all these Japanese beetles and everyone to munch on your garden on the way to the bag. So the best thing is to buy your neighbor one. You say I got you a gift and you buy them the Japanese beetle bag, so they go to their yard to fall into the bag. Just sort of kidding.

But if you have a spot or somewhere away from your garden, that you can put the bag, that would be the best thing because you don’t want those things having lunch on the way to the bag.

June Trimming And Pruning Tips

Alan: Are there plants that should be pruned June?

Kevin: Anything that was a spring flowering plant. I mean by that time depending in June your lilacs are done flowering. Your forsythias and things like that, some of the azaleas, all that type of stuff. All that stuff’s done flowering. That would definitely be a time to either deadhead those plants depending on the plant or just give that thing a nice haircut.

It’s probably getting through its first flush of growth. And so maybe you got kind of some irregular branches where it just kind of threw out a stray branch that’s not where you want it to be. It doesn’t look like that perfect plant you envision. June would be a fine time to kind of clean that up and neaten and tidy those plants up.

Things that you wouldn’t want to prune would be things that are flowering. Things like some of the hydrangeas, some of the butterfly bushes, roses.

A lot of the roses that we’re selling are free flowering. People think about roses and they think about maintenance and where you would have to prune them to encourage new flowers from growing by not let the hips form from the old flowers. And cut the cane back so far.

The roses today, most popular are these free flowering shrub roses. Where they’re also self cleaning. They make enough flowers where, not that you couldn’t clean them up, but it’s not necessary. They just flower right past some of those old flowers.