THE BLOG: let's talk gardening

Flowering bulbs bursting with color are a sight unlike any other. And who knew they could be so incredibly easy – just dig, drop and you're done! Bulbs are a surprisingly simple way to beautify your life.

What's a Bulb?
A flower bulb is really a self-contained flower factory. Within this marvelous little package is nearly everything the flower needs to come to life! Split a tulip open, for instance, and you'll see its baby flower bud, leaves, roots, stem and food supply. All bulbs need from you is to be placed in the ground at the appropriate season of the year, given a liberal drink of water then left to work their magic. Simply "dig, drop, done" in one season then "delight" in the next.

Variety
Flower bulbs come in a seemingly limitless variety which makes them perfectly suitable for any garden design you can dream up. Planting just a few can easily provide beautiful color in your garden for several months. Daffodils are the first sign of spring and dahlias will bloom until frost hits the pumpkins. The three most important factors to keep in mind are color, of course, but also plant height and flowering period.

When to Plant
In general, there are two seasons for bulb planting:
Fall ~ After soil temperatures are below 50ºF/10ºC. These bulbs bloom the following spring and require the cold winter temperatures for development. But let's say winter arrives and your bulbs are still in their bag. Not to worry! Bulbs are pre-programmed to grow so even if you have to plant through snow, plant your bulbs!

Spring ~ After the danger of frost has passed (tender bulbs love soil that is at least 60ºF/15ºC). These bulbs bloom in summer/fall.

How to Plant: It really is as easy as "dig, drop, done."
Most bulbs thrive in either full or partial sun and in almost any location with good drainage. Avoid planting at the base of hills or under drainpipes where water collects and will rot the bulbs.

1. Good soil preparation is the very first step. Make sure it is loose and porous to make the planting easier (and because good drainage is necessary for all types of bulbs). Adding peat moss to the soil is a good trick to improve drainage.
2. The planting depth of bulbs depends on their size: a good rule of thumb is that the depth should be 3x the diameter of the bulb. However, planting depths vary by variety. For more specific planting depths, check the label on your bulb package.
3. The spacing of the bulbs depends largely on the effect you are trying to achieve. For best results plant in clumps of large groups rather than in single rows.
4. After loosening the soil gently press the bulbs (with pointed ends up) in the bed, cover them with the removed soil and tap it down slightly.
5. Water thoroughly.

Find lots of handy tips & videos at digdropdone.com.

{ Happy Gardening! Posted by McDonald Garden Center, September 27, 2011 }

Many assume that the arrival of cooler temperatures marks the end of the summer and the end to your vegetable garden, but in fact, the cool season provides ideal growing conditions. There are lots of vegetables that actually grow better in the fall. There are fewer problems with insects, plenty of rain and little worry that your plants will bolt to seed. And, best of all you'll enjoy the cool air as much as your plants!

Learn what to plant now by checking out our fall planting guide.
Click Here!

Six veggies to plant in your garden now:

1. Kale
2. Lettuce
3. Spinach
4. Broccoli
5. Beets
6. Collards

{ Happy Gardening! Posted by McDonald Garden Center, September 19, 2011 }

With summer winding down, many of your beautiful blooms are starting to fade. Pink Muhly Grass can fill that color void with its giant puffs of cotton candy pink-like plumes providing a stunning autumn dance of color!

This dramatic, perennial grass is a must-have and an absolute show stopper for late-season color. Use as a hedge, border, and in your fall patio containers. These blooms will last more than 12 weeks in the garden! It is also perfect for indoor arrangements too.

Pink Muhly is deer proof and very drought tolerant and has fine, blue-green leaves with an upright habit. Give it plenty of sunshine and good soil drainage, and it will do the rest, beautifully withstanding heat, humidity, drought, and poor soil.

Trying pairing Pink Muhly with KnockOut Roses, Buddleia, Daylilies, & other Sun Perennials. Or, create a show stopping look with just the Muhly grass!

Pink Muhly Grass, sku 737188, 189, NOW 40% OFF
(sale ends 9-20-11)

{ Happy Gardening! Posted by McDonald Garden Center, September 12, 2011 }

There are so many varieties of plants available and in an effort to keep you up to date on all the latest and greatest in the plant world, we'll feature a "Plant of the Week" each and every week. The first lucky plant is the lovely ‘Goshiki’ False Holly.

This underused evergreen plant is the perfect choice for what most gardeners are looking for - easy to grow and tough as nails! Plus it looks great doing it. Evergreens are typically the backbone of the garden - providing wonderful structure and form. Typically, evergreens do not offer lots of garden color, however the ‘Goshiki’ False holly offers a rainbow of color! Goshiki' translates from Japanese as "five colors". Its new leaves emerge red and quickly turn green. The green leaves are blotchy with spots of creamy white, gray-green, and yellow-green. This unusual shrub makes a great evergreen accent or hedge.

It is a slow growing hedge that will average about 3.5 feet tall to 3.5 feet wide, making it moderate in size. It is reliable with its color in both sun or shade and is drought tolerant. It is not a true holly, but sure has the look and leaf structure of one.

‘Goshiki’ False Holly now on gardenRewards special, 40% off
sale ends September 20, 2011

{ Happy Gardening! Posted by McDonald Garden Center, September 7, 2011 }