It’s the “D” word. No one wants to say it but we’re all starting to think it. After a winter with record low snowfall and a spring that is turning out windy and dry the spectre of “Drought” is upon us. The scary part is that it’s only April. Troubling indeed. Just last week my landscaping crew dug a large planting hole for a very large maple tree and the soil, which at this time of the year should be wet deep down, if not soggy in spots, was bone dry three feet from the surface. Even at four feet deep it was only vaguely moist, with none of the typical sweet, damp soil smell that defines spring. Though I had been in denial before, afraid to say the “D” word out loud, this put me on notice.
That is why I am telling all of my clients and anyone within the sound of my voice or the reach of this blog, to start watering now. Water as if it were July and August. Get a jump on what appears to be an upcoming drought by soaking the soil now and you may keep your garden one step ahead of drier days to come. Start now or you may never catch up.
Long, slow soaks, two or three times a week, are best. If you have irrigation turn it on today. If you only have hoses, target primary beds and feature trees. Don’t let a little rain shower reassure you. We’ll need several days, even a week, of steady rainfall to begin to set things right. Our gardens, though they recently enjoyed one of the mildest winters on record, may be in for the challenge of their lives this summer.
By Daryl Beyers
Senior Landscape Designer
The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map helps gardeners choose plants that are most likely to thrive in their location. Based on the average annual minimum winter temperature, knowing which hardiness zone you live in is the first step towards successful gardening.
For years gardeners and growers in Westchester and Fairfield counties have been selecting plants based upon the understanding that we live in Zone 5b/6a with average minimum winter temperatures between -15 and -5 degrees Fahrenheit. But earlier this year the USDA put out a new Hardiness Zone Map and our region is now Zone 6a/7b, with average minimum winter temperatures ranging from -5 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit. (It stays warmer near Long Island Sound.)
Global warming? The USDA says no. They contend that the revised map is due to more refined statistical measurements. I believe them. I’ve been “zone busting” here for years, planting what might be not quite hardy, and having plenty of success. Of course that’s no guarantee that next winter an arctic blast won’t wreck my Zone 7 Magnolia grandifloras.
By Daryl Beyers
Click on this sentence to visit the USDA site with an interactive Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
Can you feel it? Spring is just around the corner and Poundridge Nurseries is gearing up for the season. While this year started out a bit differently with a five week closing of our retail operations, the good news is that we are back in time for our annual houseplant sale. That’s right! 40% off on a wide selection of plants, including many amazing tropicals, such as ferns and orchids, as well as unique cycads and succulents.
The garden center is filling up with products and supplies and next week the trees will begin to arrive in the nursery, so visit us soon. Our design team is currently arranging appointments to discuss this year’s landscaping projects with our regular customers and is also available to meet with new clients. Give us a call and ask for Daryl, Patrick, or Alex.
Don’t let the recent snow fool you, spring is coming. Let’s make 2012 a year to remember!
By Daryl Beyers
Lead Landscape Designer
BONUS FEATURE: For advice on how to garden indoors with houseplants follow this link to a special video presentation by the Pleasantville Garden Club:
***INDOOR GARDENING, by Daryl Beyers***
It’s time to ring out the old and bring in the new. All of us at Poundridge Nurseries would like to wish you, our loyal customers, a happy and healthy 2012. We will be here for you like always, except this year you will notice that we are closing up shop for a few weeks over the winter beginning on January 19th. We will open again on February 23rd giving ourselves plenty of time to prepare for what are sure will be a busy spring.
I will be stepping away from my Landscape Design table for the winter as well but I promise to keep this blog up to date with new postings on horticultural topics that promise to entertain and inform.
Happy New Year!
Daryl Beyers
Landscape Designer
Posted
on November 24, 2011, 8:21 am,
by Landscape Designer,
under
Uncategorized.
Cheers for the holidays!
2011 has been quite a year, with record heat, hurricanes, and premature snow storms, but now that we’ve survived all that we can celebrate the arrival of the holidays. Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the Holiday season and that means family traditions and good cheer. Let us all take this opportunity to enjoy ourselves and share that joy with friends and family.
However you celebrate the season, we at Poundridge Nurseries wish you and yours a joyous holiday and a happy new year.
Daryl Beyers
Landscape Designer
PS: Stay in touch for some winter updates that will help you prepare your landscape garden for 2012!
It’s that time of year and once again our Fall Sale is here! This is an exciting season for the landscape designers at Poundridge Nurseries because now that we are offering 40% off on all plants and garden accessories our jobs just got a lot easier! 40% off means that for the same project budget we can create designs for clients with larger and more unique plants.
We have so much to choose from. There are large shade trees like maple, beech. and oak, beautiful ornamental trees such as magnolia, cherry, and crabapple, and great screening trees like spruce, hemlock, and arborvitae. Not to mention countless evergreen and deciduous shrubs in every color, shape, and size. Then there are the perennials! Ornamental grasses, hostas, ferns, and asters to name just a few. It’s a veritable treasure trove!
There’s still plenty of time to get all of these plants in the ground and get head start on next spring, and at 40% off there is no better time to find the perfect plant to complete a great design.
By Daryl Beyers
Landscape Designer
**POUNDRIDGE NURSERIES FALL SALE BEGINS ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1ST AND CONTINUES THROUGH NOVEMBER**
We all had a good scare as the high winds and heavy rains of Hurricane Irene bore down upon us, but ultimately the landscapes of Westchester and Fairfield counties fared pretty well through the storm. As the clean up progresses those who have cared for their trees properly over the years will find that their trees survived while those who have neglected their trees saw significant damage and windthrows. In the same way that an overabundance of caution and forethought during the lead up to Irene’s arrival prevented many casualties, the proper care of our trees after planting will help them survive such storms for years to come.
A tree is an investment in the future and in many ways the real work has just begun once a tree, shrub, or even a perennial, has been planted. It is important to realize that we control the health and well-being of our plants through proper pruning, feeding, watering, and pest/disease control. By doing things the right way all along you can avoid the pain and expense of hiring a clean up crew later on. Let the perpetual whine of chainsaws in the coming days and weeks remind us to properly care for our trees, and count ourselves lucky that so many survived the storm.
By Daryl Beyers
Well we made it! It’s August again and though it has already been plenty hot this season, this month marks the true beginning of the dog days of summer. While some gardeners roll up their planting plans as they roll out their watering hoses, more adventurous souls keep putting new plants in the ground. I say, “If I can water it, it will live,” regardless of how hot and sunny the days may be. It’s fun to visit a nursery in August just to see what’s still available, and to find out what’s in bloom. I always buy a few of whatever that may be (e.g. sunflowers, rudbeckia, Rose-of-Sharon) so I can be certain that come next August something will be blooming in my garden. In September I’ll do it again. I just hope it’s a little bit cooler.
By Daryl Beyers
Landscape Designer
Summer is here and while plans for fun and sun may dominate our thoughts there is plenty that can be planted and planned for the garden too! Many more weeks are left in our growing season and that means there is more than enough time for new trees, shrubs, perennials, even vegetables and annuals to settle in and make your garden shine this season and for years to come.
The busiest time of the year at every nursery is spring but we’ll be here all summer long with a wide selection of great plants. We want every plant to find a good home and to make that happen we’re offering a summer discount to help them get out of their pots and into the ground. Stop in today and adopt a new plant for your landscape. The plants themselves may not thank you but your pocket book will certainly appreciate the savings.
By Daryl Beyers
ALL PLANTS 25% OFF THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF JULY!
Posted
on April 27, 2011, 2:30 am,
by Landscape Designer,
under
Uncategorized.
The success and longevity of a garden rests upon the health and sustainability of a living soil. In addition to completing the cycle of nutrient flow that comes with composting fallen leaves, grass clippings and plant prunings, designed landscapes require supplemental sources of plant nutrients and soil amendments. I believe in using organics to build nutrient levels in mixed borders.
One of the first tasks of spring is to feed your plants. So, before you put down any new mulch break out a bag or two, or whatever it takes, of organic fertilizer and spread some around the base of your plants. If you compost use that too, or buy some in bags or bulk and use it as a top dressing around your plants. Mushroom compost and composted manure are great sources of organic fertilizer and adding a little to your garden beds every spring will improve your soil and hence the health of your garden.
Daryl Beyers
Landscape Designer