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This has been a great spring with fantastic weather and I'd like to thank all of our customers for your business and friendship. It's nice to see some rain in the forecast since it's been so dry. However, I'd like to remind you to keep watering your plants even when it rains. The foliage on your plants will shed rainfall like an umbrella, and plants need plenty of water at their roots. This goes double for any frost damaged ones. Walking around our three locations the last couple of days, I can't help but notice the Dinner Plate Dahlias, enormous Peony blooms and 'Quick Fire' Hydrangea that are coming into bloom. I invite you to drop by and check out these amazing plants. -- Tom Estabrook, Vice President |
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Vegetable Gardening in Small Spaces
Growing delicious vegetables doesn't require acres of land. With a little planning and ingenuity, you can grow vegetables almost anywhere.Think Vertically
When space is limited, consider gardening up! In addition to choosing varieties that remain compact, deliberately planting climbing varieties of some vegetables uses a smaller amount of surface space in your garden, allowing you to produce more vegetables in a limited area.
Try planting climbing cucumber and pole beans on a trellis. Cages, stakes, poles and netting all come in handy for maximizing space. Vertical plants will often dry out more quickly but also enjoy better ventilation. Remember also that vertical structures will cast a shadow so site these plants accordingly.
Mix It Up!
Another space saving trick is called interplanting or growing two or more compatible plants in the same area. This can be done by simply alternating rows or by mixing plants in the same row or square. Consider growth rates and growth pattern, as well as water, light and fertilizer needs. For example, it's good to match carrots and radishes together. The radishes mature quickly and are harvested before they would shade or crowd out the carrots.
Crop Rotation
Succession planting and relay planting are also strategies that aid production. In succession planting, later season crops are planted as earlier ones are harvested. For example, beans or corn can be put in as soon as the peas are finished. Relay planting works well for those veggies you like best and want to have as long a harvest as possible. Planting beans, for instance, at 2 week intervals ensures a steady supply of fresh beans for a good part of the growing season.
Keep in mind that when gardening this way, good watering, fertilization, and composting are all extremely important.
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How to Design a Low Maintenance Garden
It may not feel like summer right now, but when it's 90 degrees in late July, the last thing you'll want to be doing is deadheading in the garden. By carefully planning your landscape
you'll be able to create a beautiful, low maintenance garden and avoid these undesirable tasks.Understanding and selecting plants that fit your climate, soil and sun is the key to success. If a plant is unsuited to survive in the area you place it (for example a shade plant in a sunny area) they will require more of your attention and time to survive.
Understand Your Site
Take some time to observe the area you would like to plant and consider these key condition factors:
- Sun - Determine how much sun your site will recieve each day. An area is considered full sun if it receives 4-6 hours, part sun is 2-4 hours, and anything under 2 hours is considered shade.
- Cold - Make sure you know your hardiness zone. Generally speaking, the Yarmouth area is a Zone 5 and can support any plant with a hardiness zone of 5 or below.
- Moisture - Most plants can thrive in a moist, well drained soil, but most sites aren't that easy. Luckily, there are plants perfectly suited for very wet or very dry conditions.
- Deer - They may be cute, but deer can devastate plantings (especially in the winter). The best way to fend off hungry deer is to plant things they prefer not to eat.
- Wind - Many plants are not suited to high wind conditions.
Once you understand your site, begin researching plants that work for your conditions. You can visit our online plant catalog, ask our staff for plant particulars, or search the web. This could take some time, but can save on costly mistakes and many hours of maintenance in the future.
Follow a Few Basic Rules
Finally, follow these tips to reduce maintenance time:
- Plant more shrubs and trees and fewer perennials
- Plant "blocks" of color (multiples of the same plant) instead of a single variety
- Plant site appropriate groundcovers to inhibit weed growth
- Find plants that require little if no pruning, deadheading, or special care
- Plant native plants that are already perfectly suited to our weather
- Remove unwanted grass and weeds before preparing your bed
- Stay ahead of the weeds - never let them go to seed!
- Amend the soil with organic material
- Mulch to retain moisture and reduce weed growth
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 June is perennial month! We have a great selection of these outstanding plants.  Hosta  Daylilies  Peonies  Clematis |
 Rainy weather means fungi and powdery mildew. Keep an eye on your plants and contact us if you see any signs of trouble. Stake your tall plants to give them some support and encourage them to keep growing big and tall. Enjoy a lush lawn in time for summer without the tedious work of seeding. Fresh sod is now available in Yarmouth, Kennebunk and Scarborough. |
 "Private Gardens of the Kennebunks" Garden Tour July 17th P. Allen Smith Day August 6th Learn More... |
 From the ultimate garden solution to perfect gifts, you're sure to find something great in our emporium!  Nurture new growth from your frost-damaged plants with organic fertilizer from Neptune's Harvest  Don't let slugs ruin your garden in the rain; fight back with slug bait from Sluggo |