The Oak Leaf

It seems like spring has taken forever to get here this year, but we have definitely had some beautiful weather recently! As customers are preparing their yard and garden work for this season, we are receiving more and more questions about organic approaches to their yard work as well as incorporating fresh herbs and veggie plants into their landscape. We certainly welcome these tendencies to go green!

We have always encouraged natural solutions to garden work and have many products available to complete garden tasks and solve plant problems that are much safer to the environment, children, and pets.  For the lawn, we carry organic fertilizers that can be applied now to encourage turf development and provide lush, dark green growth. While it is becoming a bit late now to totally prevent crabgrass, corn gluten could still be applied as the initial organic fertilizer application as it not only fortifies the lawn but also prevents weed seeds from germinating.

We also carry a wide selection of organic fertilizers for other needs such as trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, herbs and vegetables.  Compared to synthetic  fertilizers, which provide quick release of a few of the most essential nutrients,  organic fertilizers are derived from totally natural sources that provide a comprehensive supplement of all the nutrients a plant needs in a slow release form. These sources also add to the soil structure and encourage microbial activity –the foundations to healthy soil and plants!

We also have a variety of organic potting soils and soil amendments. As we move through the growing season into the time of year of plant pests and diseases, we will have available natural pesticides based on soaps and botanical sources rather than chemical sources. We have long been recommending these as their mode of action provides very effective control on many of our common plant diseases and insects. The pests do not normally build a resistance to these, and they are very safe to use.

Provide by Oakland New Albany

Spring is bustin’ out all over!!!  Finally!!  The beautiful spring blooming trees and shrubs are exciting and inspiring to gardeners and everyone tired of gloomy winter weather.  Spring is a great time to spruce up the landscaping with blooming shrubs and perennials.

Most customers at Oakland tend to gravitate toward the annuals, trees, shrubs that are blooming when they arrive at the garden center – that’s great as spring is a great time to plant those things!  However, it is also a perfect time to plant and plan for color later in the year too.

Many beautiful perennials and shrubs that will be the star of the summer and fall garden are small and inconspicuous at this time of the year – they are often overlooked by shoppers!  By purchasing and planting a less mature plant, you are giving that plant time to adjust to its new environment (your yard!) and
develop its root system before it does its work of creating beautiful flowers for you.  This will mean a stronger healthier plant that will decorate your landscape for many years.

At Oakland we have many of these possibly overlooked plants available for purchase now.

A few easy-to- grow summer blooming shrubs to consider include:  Hydrangea (all varieties), Rose of Sharon, and Knockout Roses.

Popular and also easy-to-grow summer and fall perennials include:  Rozanne Geranium, Sedums (especially Autumn Joy), Black Eyed Susan, Coneflower (all varieties), Asters and fall blooming Anemones. 

Provided by Oakland Dublin

The king of the shade flowering annuals, impatiens, has been threatened lately by a disease that could cause problems in the home landscape.  It is a fungus-like disease called downy mildew.  It is aided in its spread by mild winters and cool wet springs.  It is heralded by a yellowing or spotting of the leaves, followed by a white fuzzy growth on the underside of the leaves with eventual complete defoliation.  Unfortunately, at this time, there is no treatment control.

 We at Oakland Nursery are very aware of this problem and are watching it closely.  Oakland Nursery (in partnership with our growers) is working to ensure that you, as a customer, will purchase only inspected disease-free plants.

 Despite the ongoing situation, there are basic gardening practices that may prevent the spreading of the disease and keep plants healthy. These practices include regular fertilization, replacing old mulch with new, and implementation of a consistent watering schedule.

 There are other alternatives that are not affected by downy mildew.  Begonias, coleus, lobelia, and torenia are just some of the alternatives to impatiens.  New Guinea impatiens are not affected; however, they do require more sun.

 If you have more questions, please contact your Oakland Nursery professionals who will be happy to help you plot that great garden.

 Provided by Oakland Delaware

One of the most important ways to ensure a healthy landscape is to provide adequate water to your plants and lawn.  Newly planted trees and shrubs are especially vulnerable to drought in their first year, so regular watering is essential.

At Oakland, we recommend that you water your new plantings immediately after they are installed, and water them every other week through the Spring rainy season. Once summer hits, they need to be watered every week—especially if we experience drought conditions.  Watering right means leaving a slow/light running garden hose at the base of your tree for 15 minutes, or 5-10 for smaller shrubs and bushes.  This however can be time consuming.

We frequently get feedback from customers that they are too busy and unable to water their landscape according to its needs.  Many customers say that their daily routine consists of coming home in the evening to water. However, doing so is a bad time to water, as watering at night can easily lead to fungus growth or mold since grass and vegetation stays wet longer.  Daytime watering is a waste of the money in your pocket; the sun and heat evaporate most water before it is absorbed into the soil. The best time to water is in the early morning, so that the sun can dry off water droplets quickly.

Irrigation systems offer a hassle free, “set it and forget it” way to ensure even, thorough watering of your landscape, even when you’re not home. Automatic sprinkler systems have come a long way in the last several decades: different sprinkler heads can be installed for specific parts of your yard, whether you’re watering grass, shrubs and flowers, or trees. Models available now are incredibly efficient, minimizing wasted water.  Irrigation systems can be set to water in the early morning hours, ensuring that your landscape stays lush, green, and healthy.

If you’re thinking about investing in your landscape this year, think also about how you are going to keep it green and thriving throughout the entire growing season.  Go even greener with an irrigation system: Oakland Irrigation is a division of Oakland Nursery and can answer all your irrigation system questions. Give them a call at 614-268-3444 for more information or a FREE estimate.

Designate a space which will have 6 or more hours of full sun. Amend your soil with com-post or manure 4 to 6 inches deep. Your planting circle should be 3 to 4 feet in diameter.

In early Spring, space 8 to 12 potato seeds evenly around your circle, and cover with 4 inches of soil. Depending on the soil temperature the sprouts will begin to emerge in about 2 to 4 weeks. When the stems are about 10 to 12 inches tall, begin to mound soil around the base of the plants to start forming a hill by covering half of the stems. An-other hilling will be needed 2—3 weeks later, at which time you again add soil half way up the stem of the plant. This hilling process is necessary to create sufficient space for the potatoes to develop the fruit. For maximum crop, keep your potato plants well watered throughout the spring and summer, but especially during the period when they are in flower. This is the time when the plant is creating the new tubers and water is critical.

You may begin to harvest your potatoes 2—3 weeks after the plants have finished flowering.

 Other vegetables you can start in early Spring: Spinach, lettuce, Broccoli, Cabbage, Sweet Peas, Onions and Garlic.

Provided by Oakland Dublin.