Santa takes one day off after Christmas is over before preparing for the next one. We are usually so preoccupied with the glitter and excitement of the season we don't realize it is a year long effort with not only the manufacture of presents, but also the logistics on how to transport them and not to mention the change in taste and behavior of children as they grow a little older. Wooden cho-choo trains just don't cut it like they used to. Regardless of age, it is as much in the anticipation of a gift as it is in the receipt, sometimes more.

When a garden center opens for the season, it is like Christmas for one segment of the population as is hunting or fishing for another. When Christmas in May arrives, Mother Nature is Santa. That which was dormant comes to life. Flowers replace twinkling lights, green grass replaces white snow. The spirit of the season is the same.

Well, Christmas is nearly here and there are a few cho-choo trains out there, but there are also many versions of electronic games envied by many, some soon to be left by the wayside when something better comes along. With plants, there is always something new. A flower opens, goes through its cycle, a new one takes its place, changing ever so slowly yet noticeable. Despite the news, we anticipate this May will be the best Christmas ever. Merry Christmas!

If the unthinkable were to happen, we would have a greenhouse full of plants ready for sale and no one would come. If that happened, the ripple effect would result in disappointed homeowners and gardeners and families who love to spend precious time enjoying yards, growing vegetables, cooking with fresh herbs, and those admiring the beauty of a newly opened flower. It is times like this we are grateful for innovative ideas to come along from far sighted people who think of others above their own needs. It is too soon to know what will happen when May arrives and it is time for another greenhouse season to commence, but safety and security will always be a high priority and we are sure this will be a season we will be thinking about for years to come.

We try to do better despite the weather. We try to do better despite our physical condition. We try to do better despite an apparent lack of concern by some of our suppliers. Good planning is key to many things, but success also includes luck. There is no crystal ball to gaze into with a set of instructions on what to do and when for in this business, timing is IMPORTANT.

For us, this year's season started before last year's season ended although the physical work is now. Like the attitude of a kid in a candy store allowed to choose only one, eyes wide, it' was difficult to narrow our choices on what to grow and I believe I failed having too many of this and too many of that and who's going to take care of it and where are we going to put it?

When we bite off more than we can chew, the operative word is RELAX. If concern leads to action, fine. Worry may get me up at 4am, but when it has to do with trying to do better, I accept. We live in an imperfect world and I don't do everything perfect, but sometimes all it has to be is good enough especially when like our plants, we grow. We hope to help you grow this year as well.

When I think of the 2018 gardening season, two things come to mind: A mid April snow event which dumped up to 30" of snow on central Wisconsin, putting at risk an early start to summer, and an above average year for a garden, but not without effort.

We not only plant a garden for the joy we get from sharing fresh vegetables with children and grandchildren, we also trial varieties so we can share first hand information with our customers. Admittedly, a garden is more work than I want to exert, but like many things, you get out what you put in. And this year was no exception.

The late snow delayed grass growth and field work, adding several days worth of feed costs for livestock owners, but it didn't do much to delay greenhouse cultivated plants grown in a controlled climate. Except for a few anxious moments of not knowing if the snow would linger into May, flowers bloomed, the soil warmed, the grass turned green, and except for a mid May touch of isolated frost, summer was off to a fast and feverish start with record high temperatures Memorial Day weekend. With a sometimes too frequent watering, young plants grew to maturity, producing abundantly. September, like the trend over the last decade or two, saw temperatures favor an extended growing season. Tomatoes, peppers and squash kept coming. Melons ripened. And when one had had enough, another gardening season was in the rear view.

Bring on 2019. Over the past few seasons we've made an effort to move in the direction of growing varieties with disease resistance bred into them; these are not GMO or genetically modified. Through selective breeding, a process where a variety is restricted to predetermined parents and selected from individuals showing desirable traits, we get pumpkin and squash varieties which are free of powdery mildew without the use of fungicides. And for the first time in 2019, we will see an impatien series resistant to downy mildew, the disease which causes a once beautiful bed of color turn almost overnight into a bed of unsightly blossomless and leafless sticks. If this happened to you, we have the solution.

Every year is different. Not everything available in 2018 will be available in 2019, but hopefully we will offer something better. I cannot begin to guess at how many new or improved varieties were available this year, many not living up to their hype, but be sure some will be the wave (as in Wave Petunia) of the future.

​​Plotting For a Better Garden and Better Health

Photo Credit: congerdesign, Pixabay


Roughly one in three households in the United States participates in gardening, and in 2015, six million people decided to grow their first gardens. Regardless of whether you’re a new gardener or an experienced grower, you can benefit from learning helpful gardening tips, such as proper soil amendments and selecting a location. From flower gardens to succulent gardens to edible gardens, you can grow any type you like and reap the many health benefits that gardening has to offer.


Choosing a Garden Location


Before you begin digging in the dirt, know your hardiness zone, which describes the coldest place a plant can grow. You want to select the right plants that match your growing conditions, such as selecting heat-tolerant plants in warm climates. Also, learn your frost dates to prevent planting too early or too late in the season, which can ruin your garden. If you have a small space, plant in containers. You can grow almost anything in a container, including flowers, shrubs, vegetables, herbs, fruit trees, and berries.


Choosing the right location for your garden is crucial. Spend some time learning how the sun hits various parts of your yard throughout the day and know the needs of the plants you wish to grow. Most plants, especially edibles, need at least six hours of sun exposure. However, some plants prefer the shade. Also, the location should be a spot you see regularly, as it serves as a constant reminder to tend to your garden.


Try to choose a spot near a water source. If it’s too far for a garden hose to reach, you’ll have to lug water to it each time you need to quench your garden’s thirst. You can tell if your plants need water by pushing your finger an inch down into the soil. If the soil is dry, you need to water your plants.


Taking Care of Your Soil


Great soil is the key to a thriving garden. Soil should be nutrient-rich and well drained. Test your soil to know its pH level; anything between 5.5 and 7 is acceptable for your garden. Add organic matter to your soil to maintain pH balance, improve structure, slowly release nutrients, and increase beneficial microbial activity. The soil test will also determine if you need to add nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium via organic fertilizers or organic additives. Avoid using chemical or synthetic fertilizers.


To improve clay soil, add coarse sand (not beach sand), compost, and peat moss. For sandy soil, add humus, aged manure, peat moss, clay-rich soil, or sawdust with extra nitrogen. If you have silt soil, add compost and coarse sand or gravel. Additional soil amendments can include bark to improve structure, lime to raise the pH, and leaf mold (decomposed leaves) to add nutrients and structure to soil. Add two to three inches of mulch to reduce weeds and reduce moisture loss.


Health Benefits of Gardening


Gardening provides many health benefits, including being a great method of aerobic exercise, which helps with strength, stamina, and flexibility. Many people don’t even realize they’re burning calories because they’re so immersed in the activity. From pulling weeds to digging holes, the twisting and bending works almost every muscle in your body. Being outside exposes you to sunlight, which provides adequate levels of vitamin D, which are vital for your bones and immune system. You can also lower risk of dementia by 36 percent through gardening.


Gardening also has mood-boosting benefits. One study found that gardening fights stress even better than other hobbies. Not only did participants report better moods, but also blood tests revealed lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Many adults and children benefit from the socialization opportunities provided by community gardens, which also have the added benefits of “beautifying neighborhoods, producing nutritious food, reducing family food budgets, conserving resources and creating opportunities for recreation, exercise, therapy, and education.”


When you’re ready to start gardening, be sure to do your homework. Knowing when to plant, what to plant, and where to plant helps ensure your gardening success. Also, you want to prepare your soil to help create the optimum environment for your plants. Once you get the process started, you’ll enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of gardening.

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The above article submitted by Clara Beaufort with Gardengigs.com as she shares information to consider when deciding on a garden.

With New Year's resolutions and short days with cold temps, January is the typical time of year to start an exercise regimen. Few make it a change to their lifestyle, but those who do reap the benefits. Other lifestyle changes to consider include what you do when the weather warms. You want the choices to be beneficial. Clara Beaufort with Gardenergigs.com has some things to think about with her contributing article. Clara can be contacted at clara@gardengigs.com

Pet and childproof your backyard for the spring
 
You have endured the winter cold for close to three months and you look forward to the spring season. You long for the long, bright, warm days and some fresh air. Like you, your pets and kids are eager to step out and enjoy the new season.