Spring Planting :But Not To Soon.

Well it's finally here.Spring.
What a wonderful time of year for planting.The sun is warm , bright and as you know for sure
gardening is on every ones minds. But before you plant your annuals or other garden treasures,
keep in mine the area frost date in the triad which is normally historically April 27 Th.
What that means is cold temperatures and frost can occur before this specific area and
date.I normally advise not to plant annuals in the ground until May 1st for reasons mentioned .
Unless you plan to cover with a frost cloth,some annuals such as pansies,which are great for fall,
snapdragons and violas are cooler season and can tolerate colder temps.
So before you invest your time and monetary resources into bedding
plants watch that date.Also when planting annuals, make sure you
condition the soil before planting .Our clay soils in the triad are very
harmful to new bedding plants .I normally recommend to purchase
a high quality potting soil to place around the root ball of the plant.
This gives the plant a head start while it acclimates to the native soil.
Thanks for stopping by.John...www.uniqueplantcare.com
Bringing Beauty To Your World Inside And Out.

10 Seed-Starting Tips - Fine Gardening Article

10 Seed-Starting Tips - Fine Gardening Article

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How to save money this spring by planting your own seeds.

Ever wondered how to save on spring annuals, perennials and of course vegetables?
Well, the solution is quite simple.Plant your own seeds.Most garden centers, and home improvement centers are now selling greenhouse kits with seeds. All you really need to know is when and how to plant , which in most cases are provided by instructions.One thing you need to remember is, not too soon.For example, I am planting Zinnia seeds which take 5 to 10 days to germinate and 35 to 60 days to bloom. You don't want to start your seeds too early because once they are ready to placed or hardened off you may have more potential of freezing weather ahead
On these seeds, Zinnias,I need to plant inside about 4 weeks before last frost.Meaning, I should plant in pea pots about the first of April because generally the last frost date in Greensboro triad is about April 27 Th.The average annual 6 pack is about $1.79 or more.I paid $2.00 dollars for a pack of seeds that should yield about 10 times that.I know it takes time and patience,but if you are a true plant lover or gardener you will love the experience of nursing your own plants and watching the fruits of your labor. For more info visit http://www.finegardening.com/ that should answer all of your questions.Thanks for stopping by.
John..Unique Plant Care. http://www.uniqueplantcare.com/ Bringing Beauty To Your World Inside And Out

Plant survival in Winter.

Have you ever wondered how outdoor plants survive our harsh winters?
Sub zero temperatures,snow and freezing rain? Trees and shrubs are quite adaptable in the winter simply because they create a fluid like substance that is drawn upward into the plants main base and stems. Some plants make natural antifreeze to cope with winters wrath.
Annuals shut down in the winter due to cold hardiness.Perennials can survive the winter mostly because they concentrate on the root system of the plant and not above the soil surface.
So the next time you walk by a tree or shrub, just be glad your not stuck in the ground.
Thanks for stopping by.J.R http://www.uniqueplantcare.com/. Bringing Beauty To Your World
Inside and Out!!

Beat The Winter Blues With Indoor Color Bulbs.

Getting tired of the winter blues?I hear ya.Well one way to beat this is by forcing indoor bulbs.No I'm not referring to light bulbs,what we mean is plant bulbs such as Hyacinth and Narcissus or commonly called paper whites.You can find these just about at all garden shops or home improvement centers and planting is quite easy.Just like outdoor bulbs, you will need to plant the bulbs with the tips facing upward in well drained soil near a window that has good light. It normally can take 4 to six weeks for completion , but the wait is well worth it.
These beauties can create great color and fragrance in any home or office.
So beat the winter blues by forcing indoor bulbs and be patient spring will be hear before you know it. http://www.uniqueplantcare.com/
Bringing Beauty To Your World Inside And Out

Happy New Year .How to rebloom your Poinsettia

When the Poinsettias blooms age and lose their aesthetic appeal, there is no reason to throw it out.With proper Care, dedication and certain amount of luck, you too can re bloom your poinsettia.By late March and early April, cut your poinsettia back to about 8 inches in height.Continue a regular watering program and fertilize your plant with a good balanced all purpose fertilizer.By the end of May you should see vigorous new growth. Place your plants outdoors in the warm sun.Continue regular watering during the growth period and fertilize every two to three weeks. Pruning may be required during the summer to keep plants bushy and compact.Late June or early July is a good time for this step, but be sure not to prune your plant later than Sept 1st.Keep the plants in indirect sun and water regularly.Around June 1st you may transplant your plant into a larger pot.Select a pot no more than four inches larger than the original pot, remember our re potting blog? A soil mix with a considerable amount of organic material such as peat moss or leaf mold is a highly recommended source.The poinsettia is a photo periodic plant, meaning that it sets buds and produces flowers as the autumn nights lengthen.Poinsettias will naturally come into bloom during November or December, depending on the flowering response time of the individual cultivator.Timing to produce blooms for Christmas holiday can be difficult outside of the controlled environment of a greenhouse.Stray light of any kind.such as from a street light or household lamp could delay or entirely halt the re flowering process.Starting October 1st,the plant must be kept in complete darkness for 14 continuous hours each night.Accomplish this by moving the plant to a totally dark room, or by covering them overnight with a large box during October, November and early December , poinsettias require 6-8 hours of bright sunlight daily with night temperatures between 60-70 degrees.Temperatures outside this range could also delay flowering.

Or to avoid this headache entirely just buy a new one every year. :}

Poinsettia Care in The Home

The do's and don't of Poinsettia Care.
.Do place your plant in indirect sunlight for at least six hours per day.
.Do provide room temperature between 68-70 degree Fahrenheit.
.Do water your plant when the soil feels dry to the touch.
.Do use a large roomy shopping bag to protect your plant when transporting it.
.Do fertilize your plant AFTER THE BLOOMING SEASON with a balanced fertilizer.

.Don't place plants near a cold draft or excessive heat.
.Avoid placing plants near appliances , fireplaces or ventilating ducts.
.Don't expose plants to temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Poinsettias are sensitive to cold, so avoid placing them outside during the winter months.
And most of all , enjoy your Poinsettias over the holiday season.
Next week...How to re bloom your Poinsettia.
Thanks for stopping by. John http://www.uniqueplantcare.com/