Diane's Greenhouse Blog

It’s been a busy winter.  What an amazing winter we have had.  Hardly any snow and most days have been unusually warm.

I need to get back into the greenhouse and start organizing things for spring.  I’m getting started in a couple of weeks and looking forward to another year.  I have some exciting things planned.  For those who follow me on facebook – congratulations to those who signed up for the free plant testing.  It should be a great time to see how everybody’s plants fair over the summer and all their updates.  I have some other surprises in store so stay tuned to hear about them.  The best place to see more frequent updates is facebook.  So sign up and become a fan to get the best rewards!!

An unusually warm winter is sure to bring uncertainty this spring.  It’s been reported tree buds getting measured in Jan. are measuring what they should be in mid March.  With the cold spells we will probably still get, just means our plants and trees are vulnerable to winter kill.   This freezing and thawing we have had is not good for the plants.  Mulching helps keep the ground temps more stable.  On top of a warm winter, we went into winter dry.  Another plant killer.

I had a handful of plants come in the other day.  Just starting to dabble in the greenhouse.  It’s been very warm in there, since there’s been sunshine.  Can’t wait to get started in full swing.

Next weeks’ weather looks great.  Hope it stays that way.  Usually, when the deliveries start, so does the heavy wet snow.  I’m excited for the new plants this year.  I think they will be a great addition to everybody’s flower beds.  We’ll all pray for an uneventful season – there was too much excitement for me last year!!  I’ll take boring any day.

Thank you to all our customers.  We’ve had a great year, and looking forward to many more.  I’ve spent the last month just checking over everything I’ve ordered and making sure I didn’t forget anything.  For spring 2012 there will be some new annuals to try out and there are always new perennials. We are going to try a few new things – exclusive to facebook fans.  So keep posted there.  I think you’ll like my new ideas.  The weather has been incredible.  we will never again experience a winter like this.  This isn’t even winter.  I’m concerned what March and April will bring.  I will have no excuse that things outside did not get done – I’ve been outside everyday, doing something, to get ready for spring.  Jimmy’s been hauling dirt into the greenhouse.  He’s moved in 10 pallets already.  There’s about 50 bags/pallet.  I’m grateful for his help.  I welcome ideas and comments.

I’m loving these great days of fall.  Besides the three hours of watering everyday, I’m planning on next year.  There’s always ideas for new displays and how to make room for the new plants.  And where will we put all the plants.  I always hope for  good weather in the spring.  This year the weather wasn’t our best friend – not even close.  I’m glad the customers seem to understand having all the plants outside.  This way they are adjusted to the outdoors.

It won’t be long, and I’ll have to start cutting off all the perennials.  It’s a good thing, there’s not many left.

So happy fall to everybody.

I didn’t realize it’s been a whole month since I’ve written.  Time is flying.  It’s been such a long, hot summer, that I’m enjoying these fall days.  People are coming in for their last minute landscape ideas and trying to get it in the ground before winter hits.  We have a great selection of plants left, bring me pictures and measurements, and I’ll make a landscape plan for you.  It’s not too late to plant.

We also have a selection of mums.  Both gallon and bushel basket mums for sale. They are very large and bring great color to your yard or doorstep.  Everybody have a great day.

I recently took a trip back home to Wisconsin.  I had a great time visiting with brothers, sisters, cousins, nieces, nephews, my mom and Grandpa Dave.  It was nice to get away from the 100 degree days we have been having here.  So many people ask how we keep our plants looking so good.  Our watering is number one priority.  It’s that simple.

I went to a field days tour in Chicago.  We get to see how some varieties of annuals and perennials are handling the weather.  Some do better than others.  There are even some new plants for next year.  I hope to post pics and some info. on facebook, once I get everything organized.

Jimmy is going off to college in a couple of weeks.  Everybody coming to the greenhouse can wish he off.  I’m sure you will all see him again.  Hopefully, next spring he’s still at the checkout with his happy personality!

We’ve had an abundance of green beans in the garden and also the beets did very well.  The tomatoes are just getting ripe.  If anybody’s tomatoes aren’t producing, it’s because of the hot weather.  Tomatoes don’t set bloom any time it’s above 90 degrees.  That’s where mushroom compost comes in handy.  A good layer of mulch will help hold in moisture, but also help cool the soil down.

Everybody asks, “Can we plant in this hot weather?”  Yes, you can plant.  You just have to water differently than in the spring.  When you plant something now, you have to water every day for the first week or two.  Depends on how long the hot weather is going to stick around.  The idea is to keep the ground evenly moist.  Everybody’s watering is so different, it’s hard to give a straight forward answer.  Plants should never be sitting in water.  But in this heat, the water evaporates so quickly, you have to water more frequently.  Than after a week, you need to start skipping a day or two.  Just keep checking the soil, to keep it moist.  You really only want to water your new transplants about every 5-7 days after the first week or two.  You want the roots to grow deeper and search out the water source, to make them more winter hardy.

hope everybody can stay cool – this too shall pass—-diane

Summer is flying by and I didn’t realize I haven’t written for a while.  This time of year, we are weeding – weeding and some more weeding.  It has been so hot, I hope everybody is watering their containers everyday.  And fertilizing their containers at least once per week.

Usually with a newly planted tree, I recommend you water it once every 5-7 days.  Water deeply.  Most people don’t water deep enough, so they think watering every day is the answer.  That is not good for the plant.  The only watering you do every day is in a container.  So if you planted trees and shrubs this year, water deeply, than check the soil moisture in a couple of days, if it’s dry–water again, but use more water this time.  An average newly planted tree needs 20 gallons of water/week.

If you used osmocote on your containers, now is the time to reapply.  Even if it’s a 4 month fertilizer.

happy gardening everybody-summer is almost over and the kids will be back to school.

It’s so much fun to see all the perennials coming into bloom.  Especially, the new ones.  The echinaceas are outstanding with their new colors.

We love all this rain at the greenhouse, but we know how devastating it has been for so many families.  Our prayers go out to all the people dealing with this raging flood water.  If anybody hasn’t seen the Yankton, SD dam, you must take a drive and see what’s going on.  That’s a lot of water!

Get the mulch – mushroom compost – on all  your perennials.   Also, get mushroom compost on your garden.  It makes a good mulch to keep the soil temps lower and a great fertilizer for your vegetables.  You’ll yield more fruit per plant.  We suggest you incorporate 1 ice cream bucket full of mushroom compost per plant.  That’s your fertilizer for the season.  Than come back this time of year, and add a layer to use as mulch.  I plant less plants, but still yield just as many tomatoes.

Roses are so beautiful this time of year.  If anybody has had bad luck with the knock out roses, give them another try.  Plant them deeper than usual.  this will make them more winter hardy.  We have knock out roses on hand at the greenhouse.  Just ask.

Hoping everybody else is enjoying the beautiful blue skies and the cool nights.

Today was beautiful.  At the greenhouse, we are cleaning up greenhouses. and moving stuff around.  Trimming and pruning shrubs and plants.

It was an incredible year, and it goes by so fast.  We would like to thank our customers for making Diane’s greenhouse so successful.  Every season goes by a little faster, I just want time to stand still some times.

Right now, you should mulch your vegetable plants.  Do not use grass clippings.  Especially, if you use weed and feed on your lawn.  Use something lighter in weight, we use mushroom compost.  You want to keep the ground cooler.  Grass clippings heat the ground up and introduce mold to your garden.  Your vegetable plants will not like any weed killer from your grass clippings.

Don’t forget to use “Daniels” fertilizer on your baskets and containers every week.  The supertunias are heavy feeders, you could even fertilize them twice a week.  And water them every day!!