From the McDonald Garden Center Blog
Stuffed, pickled, jelled, roasted, hot, mild, sweet, bell, ornamental, mini, long, red, green, yellow and orange - Peter Piper sure had his work cut out for him! Peppers come in a beautiful array of colors, shapes, sizes and tastes. This fruit is an excellent way to add flavor, color, and crunch to an otherwise bland dish. But peppers can also add a unique range of nutritional benefits to their expansive resume.
Keep your garden properly watered for the biggest harvests and most beautiful blooms while conserving this precious resource. Your watering practices can make a difference between a thriving garden or a wilting one. Below are some watering tips from our experts:General Watering Tips:
Do you find yourself asking, 'is it warm enough yet to put my favorite spring plants outside'? We hear this question a lot this time of year and we know that means you are eager to get that garden going! Here’s a few tips to make sure you get the most from your garden this spring.
BUSH DAISIESNothing says spring like a burst of sunny yellow flowers in the garden and Bush Daisies are just the ticket. Not only will these flowers give you early spring flowers, but they will reward you again with flowers this fall. Bush Daisies are very tolerant of cold and can go down to about 28 degrees, so on these cold nights that we are having now, these tough little blooms can handle it.
by Diane Smith, McDonald Garden Center Landscape DesignerWith warmer weather and longer days finally upon us, many of us are thinking of ways to get our yards in tip-top shape. While it may seem overwhelming at times, don't worry. We're here to help! Here's a few simple tips from one of our Landcape Designers to help you get your yard in full spring.
by Kathy Van Mullekom, a lifelong gardener and gardening writer living in York County, VirginiaWhen husband Ken and I mulch, we really mulch. We don’t mess around. Each spring, we tidy up and assess our beds, which are large and planted with a mix of evergreen and deciduous shrubs and trees, as well as perennials. We use small-tine metal rakes to fluff up the old mulch, and then decide how much new mulch we need to add.
EARLY SPRING BLOOMERSWe're all on pins and needles awaiting the big day... this Friday - the first day of SPRING! Yes, the season we've all been waiting for is almost upon us. While temperatures are getting warmer, days can sometimes slip into cooler temperatures. Early in the season, we recommend flowers that tolerate the cooler early days of spring. So, break out the gardening gloves and get things in full spring! These flowers will work great in the early unpredictable days of spring and last all the way until the heat sets in, in May.
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 F; making them ideal for the summer. During the winter months, warm season grasses will 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 peak growing times.
