Autum

Today is the first day of my favorite season. The colors, the leaves, the air, the sky, the temperatures, I could go on and on. Whats not to love! If you have not been to our Garden Design center lately, you are missing a fabulous season of colorful plants. Not only mums, but also some of the shrubs that have great Fall color. The trees are starting to change, and we just got in some freshly dug evergreen trees. We also have a great selection of fabulous, one of a kind Fall decco items, such as clay pumpkins and gauzy scarecrows. Add some traditional straw bales, corn stalks, or broom corn to your display. Don't forget your pumpkins and Indian corn . Bring the kids and let them pick out their own. Its a memory they will have forever.

Spring Previews

Just spent a few days in Atlantic City at an outdoor living show previewing the new and old standard products. It is exciting to already be planning next Spring. Some of the hot items were anything solar, such as lights, even yard stakes. Organic product lines are expanding. Compost bins and rain barrels, which were great to have this summer, are being made by many more companies, and are very affordable. Choosing new pottery is one of the favorite parts of the show, with so many beautiful styles and colors. If there is anything you might like us to carry in the Spring, send me an e-mail and I will see what I can do.

Touch of Fall

Yes, Fall is in the air! Beautiful crisp days, cool nights and brilliant blue skies. What's not to love about it. We have started to change the garden center for the new season, and it is looking marvelous. It is amazing what a few new products can do. The scarecrows, pumpkins, Fall banners along with all of the plants make the place come alive. In addition to the traditional mums, we have the cabbage, kale, asters, montauk daisies and of course ornamental grasses and Fall perennials. I think we are all ready to change our look for Fall. Stop in and let us help you decorate for this wonderful season.

Fruits of the vine

Can you believe it is Labor day weekend? I know we say it a lot, but how quickly time flies. It seems like I was just planting all my annuals and vegetables. Like many of you, I have been enjoying some great veggies from my garden. Our hot cayenne peppers, which love the heat are going crazy, along with the sweet bananas. Basil, also a heat lover, has given us 3 batches of pesto. The cherry tomatoes are popping off of the vines. There is something so wonderful about your own, homegrown vegetables. In another month, we will be getting our gardens ready for winter. Stop in and let us help you with that.

Time to smell the roses

At last, the time and perfect weather to enjoy my garden. It seems like with the heat this summer, I did not want to spend much time outside. Other than the necessary daily watering, occasional deadheading, and of course harvesting the vegetables. I think we need time each day to simply enjoy the garden and not dwell on the negatives- the weeds, unfinished projects and deer damage. Instead I focus on the details, like a newly opened flower, frogs in my pond, the amazing butterflies, or the beautiful goldfinches chirping on my cosmos. Such simple pleasures!

Fair Week

Ahh, the last weeks of Summer. As all of the locals know, when the West End Fair starts, school soon follows, signaling an end to a lot of Summer activities. Here at the Garden Center, we are happy to begin a new season with lots of fresh plants and flowers. We unloaded 2 trucks today. Beautiful ornamental grass, fall flowering perennials and some deer resistant shrubs. Next the mums arrived along with asters and ornamental peppers you have got to see! The colors are unbelievable! So stop by on your way to the fair, or soccer practice, band ,dance, whatever your Fall activities are and bring something home to brighten up you gardens. We are just getting started on this beautiful season.

Summer Sales

We are continuing to move things around in our garden center,
filling in the spaces where plants and trees have sold. The rare and unusual trees and shrubs are now on sale and we have made a lovely display to feature them, so you can see how they would look in your yard.The trees include Japanese Maples, redbuds, contorted pines and columnar Blue spruce. There are some interesting weeping specimens, such as white pines, Norway spruce and of course the favorite weeping cherries. A few unusual, one of a kind plants are hinoki cypress, global blue spruce and blue shag pines. This is a great opportunity to purchase some beautiful additions for your landscape. Stop by this weekend and check out our yard sale for even more great savings.

Bargain Hunters

For all of you bargain hunters who were here at our yard sale last week, we thank you. The sale will also be this weekend, on the lawn. During the week you will find the marked down items set up in the garden center, under cover. I am continuing to find many new items , that I am reducing , and passing the savings on to you. We hope to see some new faces, along with our regulars this weekend !

Yard Sale

We are having our annual yard sale this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, from 9-3 each day. The turnout has been great, dispite the heat. The early buyers were getting some of the best deals, but there are plenty more coming up. I have reduced prices on pottery, birdfeeders, fertilizers, weedkillers, lawn ornaments ,trellis's, tools, shrubs, trees, perennials, herbs and so much more. There are many unusual, one of a kind items. Also some holiday items. I will continue to restock the sale over the weekend. It will continue, in house, not on the lawn, throughout the week. Next Saturday, we will again be on the front lawn. We started the day with a lua theme, complete with a hula dancing guy, which helped to entice more women to shop here. However, one of our favorite customers decided she needed all of the lua decco, and literally undressed our dancer! Thanks to all of you repeat customers, who were here last year, and came in today. Many of you said you will be back again, as we freshen the products. This time, you may as well bring your truck the first time. (You know who you are). Hope to see you on the lawn. We still have a few pink flamingos left if you did not get one yet.

July Weekend

Are you melting yet? It sure is a hot one. Fortunately, we had some much needed rain. There is a lot going on this weekend in the area, fun for all ages. The butterflies in our garden center are putting on a daily show. We had a hummingbird moth on the marigolds. What an interesting insect! The Bear Mountain Butterfly sanctuary , located on 903, is having a "Wings' celebration this weekend. No, not hot wings with sauce. but butterflies, birds and poison dart frogs. If you attended our butterfly event in June, you met Mari, who is running this event. Check out their website, bearmountainbutterflies.com, for more info. It sounds like a fun time for a worthy cause. It is a great way to connect with nature, indoors and out . Whatever you do, have a happy weekend !

Summer days

We are now officially in summer. For all of you folks who love the hot weather, this is your time. For the trees, shrubs and flowers, maybe not so good. As you all know , we could use some rain. There are some plants that thrive in the hot and dry, such as lavender. Keeping up with the watering has become a full time job here at the nursery. Our staff does an amazing job, and all of our material looks fresh and pretty. If you any help redoing containers or your beds, please stop in and let us help you. There is still lots of summer left to enjoy!

July 4th

Happy Birthday America! The temperatures are soaring and the flags are flying. I believe everyone is feeling very patriotic this year. Our plants in the garden center are showing their best colors, and would look lovely in your garden. Help make America beautiful ! Have a safe and happy holiday.

Firecracker weekend

What a great stretch of weather we are having! Perfect for refreshing your garden beds, before your holiday cookout. We have the most beautiful flowers and shrubs right now. I think every week we unload the trucks, they look better than the week before. Starting on Friday we have our annual 4th of July sale. Buy any 3 items and get the 4th one free. Mix and match. Trees, shrubs flowers, soils, pottery, anything in our garden center. That means everything is on sale. For 4 days Friday through Monday. I hope you can make time over the holiday weekend to take advantage of this great sale. Then have a good old-fashioned 4th of July , with cookouts, ice cream , fireworks and everything else that is your family tradition.

Thank You

I just want to thank everyone who attended our Butterfly and perennial day on Saturday. It was a beautiful day, although a bit hot for the butterflies in the direct sun. We had some wilting people, too. Mari, did a very informative program, and included lots of laughs. Thanks to our artist, Linda and beekeeper, Donna. They enjoyed talking to everyone about their products. We will continue to feature butterfly plants throughout the summer, with fresh additions and new displays. Do plan to visit us often. You never know what type of butterfly will be flitting about!

Butterfly Day

What a perfect day for our perennial and butterfly day! The garden center looks incredibly beautiful, with the most gorgeous flowers of the season. Mari, our expert is here with live butterflies and all sorts of interesting things to share with you. Bring the kids and stop by. They will learn so much, and have a great time also. We have refreshing watermelon and lemonade, perfect on a hot summer day.

Perennial and Butterfly Day

On Saturday, June19, we are featuring perennials and plants that attract butterflies to your yard. At 10:00, we will have a butterfly expert from the Bear Mountain sanctuary in Jim Thorpe. She will be answering questions as well as providing you with lots of information and fun activities. Also joining us will be a local beekeeper, with a live bee demo and selling fresh honey and products. Beautiful photos by a local artist will be on display and for sale. We will have special deals on lots of flowers and shrubs to help you attract these beneficial insects to your yard. Plan to join us for a fun, family day. Hope to see you Saturday! P.S. mention that you read my blog and receive a free gift.

Party Time !

We are having drenching rain today. But as the farmers say, we need it. Tomorrow the sun will shine , and the weekend sounds very nice. It is Graduation weekend, and that means soon the parties will start. We have received a new truckload of annuals, so if you need to freshen up your yard , we can help you. Marigolds, impatiens, petunias and more unusual flowers like angelonia, are in brilliant colors. Our perennials are budded and blooming, with a great variety. Next Saturday we are having a perennial and butterfly day, with a great butterfly expert to answer all of your questions. We will have lots of plants to attract them to your yard. Don't miss this fun and informative day!

New arrivals

We had a very busy weekend at the Garden design center. I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday. Our flats of annuals and vegetables were on sale, buy 2, get 1 free. We had such a good response to the sale, that I have decided to continue it through the week. We just unloaded a truck of fresh annuals and vegetables. New flats as well as 6" pots. The begonias and gerber daisies are especially pretty. Some of the tomatoes have red ones on them! So if you have not planted your vegetables yet, or you need a few more , come on in. Before you know it , you will be harvesting your own delicious crops.

Sunday Morning

Hello, Do not let the rainy morning dampen your gardening spirit! It is a fine day to stroll thru your gardens, looking for a spot where you need some more color. Our selection of annual, perennials and shrubs is outstanding. We can help you put together some patio pots, or design a larger perennial bed. I would say it is safe to plant all of your vegetables, and they love the rain. We have many different types of peppers, tomatos and much more to choose from. I do hope the sun shines soon , but all of us know how the rain makes the plants grow. Stop by soon! Marleise

Blooming with Inspiration

What a great weekend! Everyone must have been getting out in their garden. We were very busy , selling lots of vegetables as well as shrubs and flowers. Spring is not even close to being over, and our selection has never looked better. All of the annuals, perennials and flowering shrubs have great color. We have fresh plants coming in several days this week. Vegetables and herbs are flying out of here. We will continue to restock those, so if there is a variety you are looking for, stop in or give us a call. Our Hot List is posted every Friday, and if you stop in the garden center on Friday, don"t forget to say the facebook phrase for your special deal. We will be fully restocked by the weekend. Hope to see you soon.

It's a beautiful day at the nursery!! Come on in for our Early Bird Special until 9am today, shop around, and enjoy coffee and donuts!!!!

Lilac Fest

We are all so busy getting ready for the weekend! The lilacs are really starting to look good in everyones yard. I have missed that smell. We will have some other events going on, so please check our website and make sure you are on our e-mail list for all of the info. It is sure to be a fun event!

Earth Week

Earth Day is observing its 40th anniversary this Thursday, April 22. It is now the 3rd most celebrated holiday in the world. It started as a small grass roots movement, and now has 175 countries taking part. Why not plan a simple celebration of your own at home? Plant a tree or a new flowering shrub. Start a butterfly or hummingbird garden, anything to attract beneficial birds, bees and other insects. Get your children involved and make new gardeners out of them. Stop by our Garden Design Center and let us help you start your Earth Day project.We have compost bins, rain barrels and reusable Earth box deck planters. Together, we can help the earth.

Spring Bloomers

The mountain pinks have arrived! Always one of the first perennials to flower, they are a welcome sight. Along with the forsythia and hardy bulbs, such as tulips and daffodils they make a very colorful landscape. We brought back a full truckload of early flowering perennials with the mountain pinks, with favorites like bleeding hearts, columbine, Russian sage and many more. Stop by soon. With this fabulous weather, they are flying out the door.

Easter

Happy Easter! I hope everyone has a lovely day with family and friends. We still have a nice selection of Easter flowers and baskets of flowers. We will be open on Sunday from 9am till 1:00 for all of you last minute shoppers.

Easter Bonnets

"In your Easter bonnet, with all the frills upon it, you"ll be the grandest lady in the Easter parade." How many of you remember that song? You probably are not parading, but if you are looking for something to complete your Easter outfit, we have cute, fun, colorful garden hats. Straw, cotton, raffia, some with a UPF rating of 50, offering excellent sun protection, its a nice selection. Perfect for working in your yard, or for a quick jaunt to run errands. We even have a few styles for men. Stop in the store and try on some hats, just for the fun of it. Maybe you will treat yourself to a new bonnet. Remember Easter as a kid? New hat, gloves, shoes, the whole outfit. Aah, the memories.

Deer Alert

Its that time of the year again! The Spring bulbs you have waited for all year are popping out of the ground. The recent rain followed by this gorgeous weather makes for ideal bulb growing . I swear I see them grow in a matter of hours, once all the debris is raked off of them. And you know who is lurking around, just waiting to graze through your patch of tulips. With little else that is fresh and green to eat right now, these bulbs are like a gourmet treat to deer. So get the deer repelent and start your spraying routine. Both Deer Out and Liquid Fence are all natural repellents, and they really do work. When the flowers bloom in a few short weeks, you will be so happy you took the time to spray.

Growers Tour

Last week Dan and I spent a day touring our growers in south Jersey. We saw hundreds of greenhouses full of fresh, vibrant, healthy shrubs. The growers gave us guided tours through the fields to look at the trees and shrubs. We were able to hand-pick the individual plants that we want to sell at the Garden Center. We selected only the best quality, and we will offer these to you at their best value. I will be sending a Hot- List out every Friday, which will feature the top 10 best plants of the week. This list will change weekly as will our plant inventory, so you will need to act fast to get these plants at their prime. It was exciting to see so much greenery, and it will be even more fun when it is in our nursery! And thats only a week away.

Flower Show

We left the cold snowy Poconos and traveled to Philadelphia for the annual flower show. It was a beautiful adventure around the world. It was fun meeting everyone in our group, some old friends , some new. We came away with some ideas and a longing for warm Spring days. Two ladies on our trip were lucky enough to spot The Divine Miss M. Thats right, Bette Midler was a special guest who was given a guided tour and offered rave reviews saying "this show is
brilliant!" Bette is founder of the New York Restoration Project, a program to improve and transform NY communities through greening and beautifacation. She does this by restoring parks, mass tree planting, community gardens and transforming of vacant lots. All of that and she has a great singing voice too! Plan to join us next year on our visit to the show. You won' t be dissapointed.

2010 Color of the Year

While we are surrounded by white, its nice to think about bright colors. Pantone LLC , has announced its pick for the color of the year-it is turquoise. According to Pantone turquoise is an inviting, luminous hue with serene qualities of blue and green, and evokes thoughts of soothing tropical waters. It creates a languorous, effective escape from troubles and restores our sense of well-being. In many cultures, turquoise "is believed to be a color of deep compassion and healing, a color of faith and truth, inspired by water and sky." Both men and women respond positively to the color and it is universally flattering. With both warm and cool undertones turquoise adds excitement to neutrals and browns, complements reds and pinks, livens up greens, and is trend-setting with yellows. We think it's pretty and fun! Try it in your outdoor accents such as pillows and cushions, pottery and throw rugs. But don't dismiss white! Step outside tonight and look at the full moon and the shadows it is casting on the snow. Breathtaking ! Only Mother Nature can paint such a heavenly picture that will soon be just a faded memory. Have you ever seen a Moon garden? I will save that for another blog. I can't wait to start talking about plants!

Spring Ahead!

Winter is definately wearing out its welcome. One month from today, March 20, Spring officially begins. Thats only 4 short weeks. Time enough to plan all of your garden projects. Maybe you are new to vegetable gardening and would like to do a raised bed this year. They are easy to make and very easy to work. With all new soil, you do not have to deal with our Pocono rock crop. Perhaps you need a new patio area. Or just a small spot to sit and relax away from the house. Your own secret garden. Woud'nt that be heavenly? Whatever the project, we would like to help with your landscape escape. We are planning a new area in our garden design center to devote time and space to you and any projects you may have. So start putting your ideas together and we will help you make your dreams a reality.

Valentines Day

Need a present for someone special? Why not a trip to the Philadelphia Flower Show? We still have seats left on our trip March 3. It's a perfect way to spend a day with a loved one. Who couldn't use a touch of Spring after looking at all of this snow! See our website for more details.

Winter Birds

Feeling cooped-up? Enjoy the view out of your window, while you help the planet. Febuary 12 thru Febuary 15 is the Great Backyard Birdcount. The National Audubon Society is looking for volunteers to keep an eye out for birds and record their sightings at birdcount.org. The data is then used by researchers to try to understand our feathered friends. The website will also help you identify the different species. What a great project for the kids to help pass the time on a cold winter day!

Groundhog Day

On Tuesday, Feb. 2, the legendary Punxsutawney Phil, will hopefully predict an end to winter. Check out the official website of the Groundhog Club, ( yes, there really is one) www.groundhog.org. Lots of fun facts , events and info. Did you know they whistle when alarmed? I saw a sign of Spring this morning, even though the temperature was 5 degrees. A puffy red robin in the snow along the road. What a cheerful sight!

Forcing Spring

Looking for some fresh flowers to brighten up your home ? It is a beautiful day to go out into your yard and take some cuttings from woody plants to force into bloom inside. Use forsythia, crabapples, spirea , or my favorite, old fashioned quince. Snip a few slender branches, bring inside and place in warm water. In a few days your house will be blooming with spring color!

JANUARY THAW

HELLO EVERYONE! THE DAYS ARE GETTING LONGER, SO THAT MEANS WINTER IS GETTING SHORTER. THE TEMPERATURE MAY EVEN GET INTO THE 40'S THIS WEEK. WE ATTENDED A TRADE SHOW IN BALTIMORE LAST WEEK . IT WAS SO NICE TO BE AROUND FLOWERING AND GREEN PLANTS. WITH THAT AS INSPIRATION, WE ARE WORKING ON GETTING SPRING ORDERS TOGETHER. IF THERE IS ANY PLANT YOU MAY BE LOOKING FOR, CONTACT ME AND I WILL SEE IF WE ARE ABLE TO GET IT FOR YOU. AT HOME, MY MAIL HAS A NEW SPRING SEED OR PLANT CATALOG IN IT EVERY OTHER DAY. ITS A GREAT TIME TO LOOK AT THE CATALOGS AND PLAN A NEW GARDEN. SO MAKE YOUR LISTS AND LET US HELP YOU PUT SOMETHING TOGETHER. WE CAN MAKE IT EASY FOR YOU.