It's Greenback Time Again!

You've been collecting your Greenbacks since spring, and now it's time to redeem them! Come into the store between August 3 and 21 and use your accumulated 2010 Greenbacks to purchase pots and fertilizer for next year, as well as giftware, statuary and fountains, not to mention perennials, trees and shrubs! Greenbacks must be redeemed on in-stock items only, and are not valid for special orders or gift certificates. Redemption is not to exceed 50% before tax total. The best items tend to go quickly, so hurry in to the store to get the best possible selection!

Yard And Garden Tips For August

Here's a few helpful summer tips for Manitoba gardeners;

- deadheading your annuals and perennials after they have finished blooming can often extend their season of bloom until frost

-if you're looking for fillers for the garden, you can still purchase annuals that will keep going through fall; consider garden mums, pansies, marigolds and sweet peas (cool weather) or petunias and portulaca (hot weather)

- consider planting a second vegetable crop once it gets a little cooler; peas, spinach, lettuce and radishes are quick growers and will produce before frost

- prevent mosquito breeding by reducing standing water around the yard and cleaning out birdbaths regularly

- if you're considering planting a new lawn in fall, buy sod instead of seeding; seed will not germinate when nights are getting cold

Stop Fungus Cold In Its Tracks!

With the wet spring and summer we've had, many gardeners are discovering problems with fungus and mould on their plants. Many types of fungi such as powdery mildew, rust and botrytis favour the kind of cool, humid conditions we've been having, and all the lush new growth is only making the problem worse. We sell fungicides in the store to help you take care of these common plant afflictions. Alternatively, here's an organic solution for fungus and mildew on roses, perennials, fruit and vegetables:

Mix 1 Tbsp. of baking soda in 1 litre of water. Shake well and spray the plants every week. In periods of heavy and persistent rainfall, add 1/2 tsp. of vegetable oil to the baking soda solution to make it stick to the plant.

It's best to apply any fungicides early in the morning to reduce the risk of burning the foliage. To further discourage fungus and mildew in your garden, always burn or dispose of fallen leaves in the trash rather than composting them. And remember to only water your plants in the morning so the leaves can dry in the daytime sun.

Late Summer Planting

It's a common misconception among many gardeners that trees, shrubs and perennials can only be planted in spring or early summer. That may have been the case long ago, but virtually all of our outdoor plant stock is container grown these days, which means they can be planted at any time of the year, even in the heat of summer or in fall just before freeze-up! In fact the plants you'll find at the garden centre in late summer are among the toughest you can get; they have had all spring and summer to develop deep roots in their pots, and most of the bad transplants will have been weeded out by now increasing your odds of success.

We still have a good stock of hardy trees, shrubs and perennials for your yard and gardens. Stop by the store and let our experts offer some suggestions. Or, you can check out the Plant Search tool on our website for some ideas based on your specific requirements and site conditions.

Stop Fertilizing, But Keep Watering

It's now the appropriate time of summer for Manitoba gardeners to stop fertilizing their trees, shrubs and perennials, to allow them to harden off for the winter. Fertilizing after the end of July can promote tender new growth which may not harden in time to survive our cold winters. However, you can continue fertilizing your annuals, bedding plants, containers and lawns right through into fall.

Continue watering all of your plants through fall as required, but always check first to see whether they need watering. A good tip is to stick your finger an inch or two into the soil - if it's dry, it's time to water. Avoid watering your plants in the evening; morning watering is always best!