June is the month to swoon over flowers

By on May 28, 2020 in Spring |

As we turn the corner to the month of June it’s time to swoon over the plethora of bloom that awaits us. As the flowering annuals planted in the month of May kick into gear and perennials and roses show off, the month of June is arguably one of the best months of the year to enjoy the landscape. The days are long as we approach the summer solstice giving us a lot of time to enjoy the beauty around us. Plant growth with the long warm days will be at a maximum so it’s a great time to be thinking about feeding hungry hard working plants at this time. Grabbed my camera to shoot a few pictures in the garden to celebrate as we turn the corner to June and approach the first days of summer! Peonies take center stage Peony the Prom Queen of the garden The perfect Peony Peony power! Peonies are easy to grow in Michigan Stunning Peonies The Prom Queen of the landscape Alliums are...

Container Gardening Tips Video

By on May 15, 2020 in Spring |

Here is my YouTube video with Container Gardening Tips. Now that the weather is warming up it’s time to get growing with exciting container combinations!   

Flower Moon Frost Warning

By on May 7, 2020 in Spring |

May’s full moon is known as the “flower moon” or “corn planting” moon. Understandably, the flower moon, like many monthly moon names, can be traced back to how Native Americans tracked the seasons. Algonquin tribes are credited with coining the phrase “flower moon” in North America. A new or full Moon that occurs within 90% of perigee, its closest approach to Earth in a given orbit is a sight to see. Perigee means the point nearest a planet or a satellite (such as the moon) reached by an object orbiting it. In 2020 the full flower moon and clear skies for viewing preceded a strong cold front that followed bringing back frigid and unseasonable weather along with the threat of hard frosts threatening newly emerged tender foliage and flowering trees. So what about plants that have been in your yard all winter? They naturally harden-off and are...

April Snow…A Common Michigan Occurrence

By on Apr 17, 2020 in Spring |

It seems to happen every spring in West Michigan.  An early spring warm up gets the earth growing and hopes high and then reality sets in. We live in Michigan. Reality in the form of a mid-April snow event. This is usually followed by clearing skies leading to some hard overnight frosts between mid-April and Arbor Day. April snow showers bring May flowers. The snow is not so bad because it is insulation and tends to melt quickly. The tough part is when the clouds clear, the air goes calm, and trees in bloom or flushing plant material are affected by overnight temperatures that drop into the 20’s. Here are some photos I took in the landscape of the snow event on April 15, 2020. (Click on photos to enlarge in gallery)  Double Bloodroot in bud Sanguinaria canadensis Hellebores bend in the weight of the snow Magnolia buds and bloom Magnolia buds and bloom Magnolia buds and bloom...

Spring Break

By on Apr 2, 2020 in Spring |

Every April there comes a day when you can tell the earth wakes up from its winter slumber. Today, April 2, 2020 was that day. Call it “Spring Break” Soil temperatures at the 2 inch level have surpassed 50 degrees and GDD (growing degree days) are on the climb. Get ready for the show!  This Bud’s for you Hellebores in bud and bloom Hellebores in bloom Crocus and Hellebores Perennial Allium emerging from the ground Peonies emerging from the ground Tulips on the way up Sunny days...

I just wet my plants video

By on May 22, 2019 in Spring |

Check out my You Tube video on a soil amendment that may help after all this rainy weather….splish splash they’re all taking a bath!