Hamlen's Garden Center - Vermont Landscapers and Garden Center

This is our 2nd newsletter of 2003. We
look forward to seeing you at the
garden center. We've added some
new products, not to mention some
new plants for 2003. We will keep you
informed of these in the future
newsletters. We think you will be
pleased with our new additions.
______________________________

Looks Like Terra Cotta,
But it's Notta!

Absolutely unbreakable - won't chip, crack or break.
Virtually indistinguishable from clay.
Innovative blend of recycled rubber/plastic yields a one-of-a-kind product.

Better Than Clay, Ceramic
Or Plastic Pots

A more handsome and durable alternative to clay, ceramic or plastic.
A Gardener's dream - literally "bounces" back from accidental drops and falls.
Less Frequent watering needed - retains water better than clay.

An amazing bird that is always a welcome guest in a garden. Attracting Hummingbirds to your garden is easy with a small amount of work. You must be committed once you start feeding. They will become dependent on your food supply. The use of feeders and flowers together will keep the Hummingbirds coming back.

They're wings are flapping 50-60 times a second, so needless to say, they burn lots of energy. They can consume 1/2 of their body weight in sugar.

Hummingbirds are attracted by color. Reds and oranges work the best. Pink and blue also can work. They like trumpet, funnel, or tube shaped flowers. The nectar is held at the blossom base. Hummingbird feeders are hung from above and close to where you can enjoy. They can be filled with 1 part white sugar, 4 parts water, or you can purchase a ready to use Hummingbird nectar to put inside the feeder.

Do not spray insecticides, pesticides, herbicides or fungicides while feeding the birds. If spraying cannot be avoided, stop feeding for at least one week before and after spraying. Water garden and foliage thoroughly to wash chemicals off the plants. Use only biodegradable chemicals if possible.

Clean feeders with hot water and a mild soap twice a week when hot and once a week during cooler weather. Cleanliness is critical. Hummingbirds can get sick from molds that grow on the feeders from the nectar. Always wash hands thoroughly after touching any feeder.

You must continue to supply feeders regularly. It is usually a daily effort. Be faithful to your flock and they will be faithful to you. They count on your consistency and you will be rewarded by their return year after year.

Ants can be an annoyance. Once they find the feeder, they will continue to return. Use vaseline on the wire leading to the feeder.

Sometimes male Hummingbirds can get possessive and not let other Hummingbirds feed. If this is the case, set up a second feeder. This usually solves the problem.

Wet summer weather favors eggs and grub development which will increase the adult population. In nature, they do have their own problems with insects and diseases. Mites, parasites, birds, skunks, and moles.

This bacterial spore dust is available to treat infected areas of a lawn. The dust can be applied at any time that the ground is not frozen. Adult Japanese leaf beetles are not affected by milky spore disease. Once applied to the soil, the spores need time to increase and spread through the soil. This may take a few years to build in the soil. Do not use insecticides on treated areas because it will slow down or kill the spores.

Small shrubs such as roses can be infected by the adult beetle. They are attracted to the most succulent part of the plant. Chewing and destroying the flowers and new growth. Placing a sheet on the ground and shaking the beetles off can be an effective way of control. Place the bugs in a bucket of water with kerosene .This should be done every day and is best in the morning when the bugs are sluggish. If the area is small enough, You can pick them off into a bucket of water and kerosene. Make sure the container is discarded properly.

Keeping your plants in good health allows them to withstand more. Good cultural practices make the plant stronger. Proper pruning, fertilizing, and removal of ripe or rotten fruit will help.

Insecticides are not very effective for this beetle and is a short term solution.

Ground covers is a wide term and used loosely. Anything that completely covers the soil area can be considered a cover. The purpose is to make a solid mat or blanket over the area so that there is no room for weeds to grow. For a ground cover to work, you must over plant the space.

The two main deciding factors when choosing your ground cover is how much sun does the area get, and what are the soil conditions like. Herbaceous ground covers mostly fall in two categories. Shade loving plants, grow well in a moist loam soil. Sun loving plants like a heavier garden soil .

Some ground covers will tolerate walking on and others will not. Ex. A juniper with it’s branches spreading on the ground, will break and damage the plant. Perennial thyme is a favorite cover that can be walked upon. Analyze the area and decide what the plant requirements are and what the space will be used for.

Ground covers are very efficient in conserving water once the plants are established. The soil is kept cooler and there is less evaporation. They can replace turf in many areas with ground covers and not have to water or cut the lawn.

Climbing or low spreading roses could also be sued if it's a hot sunny location.

Weed your plants first before planting. Make sure there are not any weeds in your plants before putting them in the garden. After planting, water thoroughly and lightly mulch with organic material. Ground covers once established, will lay on the soil surface and spread. Weed regularly especially in the crown of the plants.

This is only a sample of our ground covers. For assistance in selecting the right plants for your needs, see one of our horticulturists on site. They will be happy to help.

Containers add interest to areas that are normally colorless. A simple patio deck can turn into a private oasis. Window boxes can bring a house to life. Around a pool can add beautiful splashes of color and make the space more pleasing to the eye. Front entrances can be transformed from dull to amazing. Containers can make a space more inviting and attractive. Roof top gardens can be a secret getaway from the city life.

Choosing the right container is very important and is partly determined by where it will be used. Whiskey barrels would not be appropriate in a small entrance but would be perfect by a pool area. Terra cotta clay pots dry out very quickly and should be close by so that you can water often. Hanging baskets and moss lined wire baskets are perfect for balconies and porches where there is not much space. All plant containers should have at least one drainage hole.

Before choosing your plants, you need to consider the conditions of where the container is going. Sun, part shade or shade. Plants have very specific requirements and will die if put in the wrong place. Windy sites or under eaves of a house will play a part in choosing your plants. Ex. Fuchsia’s do not like wind and they prefer shade. This would be an ideal plant for under the eaves on a north or east side of a house.

It is best to use a pre mixed soiless potting soil. This ensures that it is sterile from diseases and it is a lose mix good for root development. Peat moss and vermiculite can be added if needing more water retention.

Because the plants are in a soiless mix, fertilizing is very important. The plants are counting on you to feed them. There is little to no available nutrients for them. An all purpose 20-20-20 at half strength once to twice a week. Fertilize only on sunny days and is best in the morning. Water frequently. Making sure that they stay moist but not wet.

Don’t be shy to try something new. If it doesn’t work, pull it out and put something else in it’s place. I like to use vegetables like cherry tomatoes in a mix with other annuals . Herbs work really well and the can spice up your dinners. Shrubs and evergreens can also be used in containers with other plants of interest and then planted into your garden in the fall. Tropicals are excellent for height and different foliage. In the fall, it can be brought in as a house plant. Tea roses are often treated as annuals here and work well in whiskey barrels in a hot location. Perennial and annual grasses often are used as a center piece in large containers mixed with other plants.

Decide how the container will be viewed. From one side or from all angles. Stagger the heights of the plants so that you have movement through the container. Choose different leaf textures and leaf colors that compliment each other. Decide if the container will be seen from far away or from close up. If it is far away, You may choose to go more dramatic, brighter colors and larger leaves.

We have a wonderful selection of containers
and plants to brighten up your summer days.

The new pastor was visiting in the homes of his parishioners. At one house
it seemed obvious that someone was at home, but no answer came to his repeated
knocks at the door.

He took out a card, wrote "Revelation 3:20" on the back and stuck it in the door. When the offering was processed the following Sunday, he found that his card had been returned. Added to it was this cryptic message, "Genesis 3:10."

Reaching for his Bible to check out the citation, he broke up in gales of laughter. Revelation 3:20 begins "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." Genesis 3:10 reads, "I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid for I was naked."

This just in ... The man who fell into the upholstery machine is now fully recovered.

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