Delaware Garden Center
25 Kilbourne Road Delaware, OH 43015 | p: 740-369-5454 | f: 740-363-2091
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Joyous news, folks - Spring is finally here!
Well, at least for the most part.
Might still want to be a little cautious about only trusting the calendar. I would advise checking all weather reports daily for a while. We all understand that Mother Nature can be a bit capricious with us! That is just one of the things that makes living in Central Ohio entertaining.
As far as I know, most of us love roses. So, I wanted to pass on a bit of lovely trivia to you. 100 years ago, David C.H. Austin was born. He was the British visionary breeder who redefined the modern rose. With his relentless pursuit of fragrance, form, and repeat flowering, he created a legacy that continues to shape gardens and floristry worldwide. He believed gardeners should not have to choose between performance and romance. His vision was clear. Combine the fragrance and character of old garden roses with the repeat flowering of modern hybrids. The result became known worldwide as the English Roses. David Austin Roses were born. For florists, gardeners, and designers, English Roses introduced a different texture and depth to floral arrangements and gardens. Their movement, scent, and romantic structure added narrative to arrangements and brought back garden aesthetics to floral design. In an industry often focused on uniformity and speed, David C.H. Austin chose patience, scent, and timeless form. To this day, his family carries on with all of the same values. All to the benefit of all gardeners, designers, and lovers of beauty for all of our senses. Credit for this information to the Thursd.com website.
Now is the perfect time to think about which native plants you can add to your garden and home landscape this year. Native plants include trees, shrubs, vines, annuals, and perennials. Using native plants impacts everything in your environment. They are hardy to our area, attract beneficial pollinators, birds, and other wildlife. Native plants provide nectar and pollen for native insects and their larvae, and these serve as a food source for local and migrating bird species, bats, and other wildlife.
Adding native plants does not require a complete renovation of your garden or landscape. It is as simple as choosing native plants anytime you add a new tree, shrub, or herbaceous perennial. You probably already have some native plants in your garden. Herbaceous perennials include black-eyed Susan, blue wild indigo, cardinal flower, purple coneflower, New England aster, butterfly weed, and others. Native shrubs include black chokecherry, winterberry, spice bush, common ninebark, smooth sumac, and others. And there are many native trees to consider adding to your list. These would include boxelder, red maple, Ohio buckeye, pawpaw, honey locust, and tulip tree for a short list.
Small space? Not a problem at all. Great success can be had growing native plants in containers. Container gardening adds another layer of magic to your landscape. Whether it be the tiniest patio, balcony, or stoop, it can be successful and fulfilling for both you and pollinators and wildlife. Plus, you can move them around as needed to chase the sun and protect from extreme weather. Bigger containers (drainage holes) are generally better and much easier to maintain with moisture and happier roots. No plant likes soggy Roots. Most native plants are perfectly happy to stay in their pots year-round. Tough containers or a sheltered location are best. For containers, use a high-quality, fluffy potting mix that drains well. Garden soil will be too heavy and dense and will not drain easily. And skip fertilizing. Most native plants really prefer to keep it simple. If you would like more information on native plants for your area, check out plantpath.osu.edu/nativeplants.
Now, for those of you who have started vegies and flowers from seed. Kudos to you for these adventures! It is so exciting to see those microscopic seeds become seedlings. Particularly, if, like me, you practically have to use magnifying glasses to see those afore mentioned seeds! Here are three tips from 'the Spruce' -
- Know the last frost date for your region has passed for warm-season plants. Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants are good examples. For central Ohio, this could be around May 15th. With a soil temperature of about 50 degrees.
- The seedling has at least three or four true leaves. The very first leaves to emerge are referred to as Cotyledons and are not true leaves. Even though I am always happy to see them emerge!
- The seedling has been hardened off. This is a transitional period. Wait until the temperature consistently reaches 50 degrees daily. Place it in a shaded, sheltered location outdoors during the day, bringing it indoors at night. Gradually increase the amount of time it spends outdoors for a week or two. And gradually increase the amount of direct sunlight. When nighttime temperatures stay above 50 degrees, begin leaving the seedling outdoors at night. If there is danger of frost, make sure to cover the seedlings. At the end of the hardening-off period, you are ready to transplant into your garden. And soon get to celebrate success with your enjoyment of your flowers and veggies! It is really worth it!
While I have you here, there are a couple of very important celebrations coming up in this season of Spring into Summer. Mother's Day will arrive on Sunday, May 10th, and Father's Day on June 21st. For both of these momentous occasions, Oakland Nursery Delaware has quite an extensive collection of ideas for gifts for both Mom and Dad. And anybody else also! Of course, you will always find beautiful spring/summer hanging baskets and brilliantly colored pre-planted containers. These certainly will save you time and are an instant joy to all recipients!
But those aren't the only gifts to consider giving anyone. Our Gift Barn & Loft is packed to the rafters with many specialty ideas for you to select for someone special - maybe even yourself! Make sure to check out the Finch & Fennel selection of infused olive oils, barrel-aged white balsamic vinegar, and hand-crafted sausages. Just trust me - these are just delicious on their own! You will find new fragrances from English Soap Co., Michel Designs, and Simplified. Gorgeous contemporary jewelry from Vioroo, Zemzei, and Rho. Fun colorful lunch bags, coolers, and totes from Shout. A few others to mention would include Demdaco, with really pretty, pressed flower suncatchers, and the tiniest, most charming little gift of pressed flowers in a clear resin cube from Two's Co. We are also known to carry an amazing collection of wind-spinners from Regal Art.
One other item here, Oakland Delaware is now featuring pre-made fresh cut flower bouquets. These flowers are locally grown in Orient, Ohio, and are just BEAUTIFUL! You will find them up front by our delightful and fun cashier team.
Ok, time for me to cut out here and go do some more mowing and weeding. Yes, it is physical work, but so positive for my mind and body to just be outside!
Till next time, Folks!
CUSTOM CONTAINER PLANTINGS
Can’t seem to find exactly what you’re looking for? Maybe a color scheme isn’t what you were envisioning, or the premade planters are never the right scale for your area. Whatever the case may be, Oakland Nursery is happy to customize seasonal containers for you! Let us create a custom combination planter for your home, based upon YOUR specifications!
You can pick from our wide selection of pottery or bring in your own container. You can pick out exactly what you want or just give us some guidelines and let us do our magic.
Colorful containers can start as early as February and go as late as November, and there are many options for holiday greens arrangements to fill even the coldest months!
Prices are dependent upon the plant selection and container size. Additives such as Soil Moist and slow release fertilizers are also available options. We will do our best to understand your needs and make informed, educated decisions about what plants will work best for your location and lifestyle.
Call us or stop in anytime, we are here to help!
