Frequently Asked Questions
Do you take back black nursery containers?
Yes and No. We only take back the 15 gallon or larger containers that you pay a $5.00 deposit on. The others can be RECYCLED at the Glenwood Station refuse and recycling center. For a complete list of acceptable items go to their website.
Do you sell house plants?
No. The best place to go for indoor plants would be Aqua Serene or Gray’s conservatory.
Are you open year-round?
Pretty much. There is about a week and a half that we are closed at the end of the year and occasionally a few days here and there due to weather conditions.
How often should I water my plants?
Water according to the weather and needs of individual plants. Give special attention to container plants, raised beds, and areas in direct sun.
Deep water lawns, trees, and shrubs to encourage deep rooting.
During dry spells, mist-spray foliage of shrubs and trees. Don’t allow azaleas and rhododendrons to dry out (next year’s blooms will be damaged).
It all depends on the weather and the soil type, but a rule of thumb for shrubs and trees is if the soil is moist three inches below the surface, you're fine. If it’s dry, water. Slow, deep watering (sprinkler/ drip systems for 30 – 45 minutes) every three days are the best especially for newly planted landscapes (1-2 years old) in the summer. But check to see what your plants need by checking the moisture level in the soil.
My plant has black spots on its leaves and the leaves are starting to fall off. What’s wrong?
It’s probably a fungus called, black spot, a disease that frequently attacks roses and other broadleaf evergreen shrubs. This disease thrives in high humidity and in areas where summer rainfall is common. Dark spots on the foliage are usually circles with yellow; in severe cases the entire leaves yellow and fall off. Spores live through the winter in cane lesions and on old leaves on the ground. They germinate in spring and are carried to new leaves by splashing water.
Keep dead leaves picked up. Watering during hours of full sun so the leaves can dry before nightfall- avoid overhead watering. Increase air circulation. Pruning to remove cross branches in the plant center helps reduce lingering moisture. Apply a fungicidal soap or copper based soap spray frequently in the spring can help minimize the effects of the disease.
Do I need to take the burlap off the tree before planting it?
No. The burlap will decompose in the ground all on its own. You do want to make sure that it is pulled away from the trunk of the tree. If the burlap is left tied around the trunk of the tree it will basically suffocate.
My rhododendron has yellowing leaves, what’s wrong?
Some yellowing and dropping of leaves is natural with all evergreen plants. But if leaves range from sickly yellow-green to yellow, with green markings on the veins and ribs, your plant has chlorosis. This ailment of iron deficiency. Apply a granulate iron or a foliar iron spray and see the difference within 2 to 3 weeks.
My rhododendron doesn’t flower or only puts out a few flowers!??! I water, fertilize, and give it correct sunlight and even dead head it…! What’s wrong?
Since all the initial steps are done correctly… you might be deadheading incorrectly. The new buds on rhododendrons are immediately beneath the flower trusses. Damage to the growth buds could influence the amount of bloom on your rhododendrons the following year. Plants pruned late in the year will also limit the number of spring blossoms (do not prune after mid- July)
When do I prune?
As a rule of thumb, prune after it flowers. But you must know if the shrub flowers on old growth, new growth, etc. And prune with that in mind to keep getting flowers.
I continually battle mildew, rust, and black spot on our roses. Are there any steps I can take to keep these problems at bay?
Some basic planting and maintenance practices should help:
- Plant resistant varieties.
- Choose location carefully. Plant bushes in your driest, sunniest areas, and keep uncrowded by other plants.
- Prune effectively. Prune to open up the center of the bush to increase air circulation.
- Use fungicides. Early treatment with the right fungicides helps enormously in preventing diseases.
When do I prune roses?
Pruning time for roses is January and February, before new growth appears.
When do I fertilize my shrubs and trees?
Fertilize in early spring when you see about ¼ inch of new growth.