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Summer Planting Guide
Many people write off summertime as a poor time to plant, but by choosing an appropriate day and taking the proper
precautions, your plants will establish themselves quickly and you'll have instant blooms that you won't have to
wait all spring to enjoy.With all plants now 30% OFF, it's especially a great time to plant. Follow these guidelines to keep you and your plants happy and healthy during the summer months:
Water
An appropriate level of water is important to any planting, but it takes extra importance during the summer. With arid temperatures your plants will naturally demand more moisture. Even if you're planting in damp soil or drizzly weather, new plantings should receive a good soaking when they go into the ground. This initial soaking will settle the soil around the roots and will expedite the time it takes for the plant to start drawing water from the ground on its own.
Continual watering after the plant is in the ground (typically 2-3 times a week) will ensure that your root structure will grow and establish in its new soil. By following this pattern, most plants will begin to establish themselves within a week after being put in the ground.
When to Plant
Choose the day you plant carefully and know your limits. Planting in the mid-afternoon on a hot summer day won't do your plants or yourself any good. You should also be on the lookout for windy days. Heavy gusts can quickly strip new trees of their leaves. If this happens when the plant is not taking up water from its roots yet, it can cause serious stress.
The best days for summer planting are cloudy ones. Without the sun blazing down, you and your new plants will have a more pleasant planting experience.
Summer Plant SaleSpruce up your summer home with fantastic plants from Estabrook's! Our entire selection of trees, shrubs, perennials, roses and annuals is now 30% OFF until this Sunday, July 19th. |
Creating an Island Bed
Island beds are freestanding beds, usually surrounded by lawn. By installing an island bed you can take a bare, uninteresting area and turn it into
an attractive, eye-catching landscape feature. Use island beds to create a focal point, screen unattractive features, create privacy and reduce noise
and lawn size.Don't Skimp on Size
Island beds need to be large enough to accommodate your plants' growth in the coming years (look for this information on the plant tag or in our online plant catalog). If you are planning on putting trees and shrubs in your island bed, design a bed that is at least 8 feet wide. This width allows you to maintain your bed easily from the edge. If you design a wider bed, leave room for stepping stones to access your bed to weed and groom.
Create a Pleasing Shape
The shape is best determined by the area you have to work within. In general, a gently curving line is best. Curves are not only calming, but also make mowing and edging easier. To help create your shape, lay a garden hose on the ground to represent the future shape of your bed. Arrange and adjust the hose until you like the shape.
Select Plants That Fit Your Conditions
One of the great advantages of island beds is that you can easily group plants that require the same growing conditions together. For example, a bed located in a front yard that is hot and dry with full sun needs plants that thrive in those conditions: some Maples, Hawthorn, White Pine, Juniper, Quince, Potentilla, Sand Cherry or Bayberry to name a few.
If perennials interest you, there are many choices that thrive in hot, dry conditions. Although a plant might thrive in dry conditions, all plants must be watered while getting established.
Island beds are a great, manageable way to add interest and beauty to your yard. So go ahead and get your hands dirty!
 Save 30% on these fantastic plants and enjoy them for many years to come!  All-American Daylilies  Autumn Joy Sedum  Cool Splash Diervilla  Wine & Roses Weigela |
 P. Allen Smith Day August 7th Learn More... |
 In town for the Yarmouth Clam Festival? Take a break from the crowds and visit Estabrook's anytime this weekend. Don't let all the June rain let you neglect your plants - we recommend 2-3 deep waterings per week, even when it rains. |
 From the ultimate garden solution to perfect gifts, you're sure to find something great in our emporium!  Attract the best and most beautiful birds to your backyard this summer with gourmet seed from Wild Delight |