THE BLOG: let's talk gardening

Homegrown berries can be yours for the tasting, and growing them is easier than you think. When it comes to growing berries, strawberries are most likely the first fruit that comes to mind. While these scrumptious fruits are a popular addition to any edible landscape, there are other berry-producing plants that not only yield an abundance of fruit, but are visually pleasing in the landscape and work well in containers.

Berry selections available today offer gardeners a multitude of colors and flavors. Most need full sun and, with the exception of blueberries, need neutral soil. Nearly all small fruit plants and vines will grow successfully with moderate care - an application of fertilizer or compost, mulch for weed control, and regular pruning to aid in disease prevention and encourage large fruit.

With proper care, these sweet treasures will reward you for years to come. Shoot for a mix of different types and varieties that ripen at different times to extend the harvest season. Be sure to visit us during Berry Daze, May 24 – 26, at all McDonald Garden Center locations and enjoy juicy savings on all backyard berries!

Raspberries - plant late fall or early spring. Raspberries like full sun, however, they will tolerate some shade. Plant in acidic, composted soil and keep soil moist especially during the fruiting season. Raspberries spread through shallow runners so be sure to provide them with plenty of room to grow. Growth can be controlled by planting in raised beds, containers or by routinely digging them out. Prune plants after fruiting, cutting canes that produced fruit to the ground. Fertilize using a high quality fruit fertilizer.

Strawberries - plant in early in spring. Plant roots shallowly in soil rich in organic matter. Water deeply but allow plants to dry slightly between watering. Mulch lightly during spring, summer and fall to help keep soil cool and to help control weeds. Mulch heavily during the cooler months to avoid damage to crowns. Fertilize with a high quality fruit fertilizer, but avoid fertilizing late in the season as this can encourage new growth that can be damaged by early frosts.

Blueberries - plant in late winter or spring. Blueberries like an acidic, richly composted soil and prefer a full sun to part shade location. Blueberries have shallow root systems so fluctuations in water should be avoided. A 3 to 4-inch layer of mulch will help keep soil moist. Water regularly to maintain plant health and avoid leaf and flower drop. Prune lightly during the first 2-3 years to maintain shape. Mature blueberries should have older canes removed to encourage new growth. Fertilize using a high quality fruit fertilizer. col

Warm season lawns thrive in Hampton Roads’ hot, sultry summers. The warm season grasses tend to grow hardiest and look their best when temperatures exceed 80 degrees; making them ideal for summer. During the winter months, these varieties usually turn brown and go dormant. One of the best features of warm season lawns is their drought tolerance. They have the ability to survive on little water during these peak growing times.

Before deciding on the ideal warm season lawn, you should familiarize yourself with the characteristics of the different varieties. Depending on your situation, they each have traits that will determine your best choice. You might have more shade or no shade or want low maintenance or love to work in the yard, you might even want a lighter green or darker green. No matter your preference, there is a warm season grass to fit your fancy!

CENTIPEDE
This is a good-low maintenance grass for homeowners who want a general purpose lawn they can forget about. It has very low growth, therefore requiring less mowing than most other grasses. Once established, it will act as a natural weed barrier as it crowds out weeds. It is the lightest green with a medium texture.

BERMUDA
This is good warm season grass that likes heat and is extremely drought resistant. It has fine leaves and grows with little maintenance and is a good lawn grass with normal care. It is a medium green, vigorous, dense turf.

ST. AUGUSTINE
This is a fast growing grass with a green to blue color. It flourishes in sunny and humid conditions, but can also perform in the shade. It is used extensively in areas of high salt content (beaches). It spreads quickly and forms a dense turf, and once established will act as a natural weed barrier.

ZOYSIA
Offers good drought and heat tolerances, along with insect and disease resistance. It wears very well in high traffic areas. The fine, wiry leaf blades will act as natural weed barrier once established. It doesn't grow quickly ~ so that means a lot less time mowing the grass.

{ Happy Gardening! Posted by McDonald Garden Center, May 17, 2013 }

What travels up walls, drapes over trellises, climbs fences, can take the heat and offers non-stop blooms all summer long? Well it’s not Superman but it is super Mandevilla! Mandevilla, also known as Dipladenia, is a flowering, woody vine that is most popular with gardeners in warmer climates. Here in Hampton Roads, Mandevilla blooms late spring all summer long with an abundance of large, trumpet-shaped flowers against a backdrop of beautiful glossy green foliage. Blooming in variety of colors including white, pink and red, this summer climber can be trained up a wall, pergola, fence, trellis, porch post or even a mailbox.


Caring for your Mandevilla is easy as it has few requirements. They enjoy bright indirect or filtered sunlight, but can get burned in direct, full sunlight. Mandevillea requires a sufficient amount of moisture and well drained soil, but can survive short periods of drought. Applying a fertilizer periodically during the summer will also encourage blooming, so be sure to feed your plant a high phosphorus, water soluble fertilizer to encourage flowering. Pinching back every so often will also help to create a bushier and fuller plant. To pinch your Mandevilla vine, simply use your fingers to pinch off 1/4 – 1/2 inch off the end of each stem.

Pack a Punch in your garden with easy to grow Knock Out Roses. This stunning shrub rose has great disease resistance with little to no maintenance required. The blooms range from cherry red to bubblegum pink to sunny yellow and will bloom repeatedly until the first hard frost. What’s not to love!

No need to deadhead this beauty, it is self-cleaning. Plant in full sun for vibrant color all summer long. It will grow to be about 3-4 feet wide and 3-4 feet tall. Try planting Knock Outs in containers or in the landscape. This garden treasure is mother approved and is a great choice for Mom!

With superior drought tolerance once established, it has the toughness and resistance for which the family is known.

• Red Knockout - rich cherry red/hot pink blooms
• Pink Knockout - single petals in a beautiful shade of bright bubble gum pink
• Sunny Knockout - a fragrant member in The Knock Out® Family of Roses, this rose has a slightly more compact and upright habit with bright yellow flowers that fade quickly to a pastel cream color
• Double Pink - full double flowers in bright bubble gum pink
• Double Red - full double flowers that look just like a classic rose