Fresh News

Please note we are in the process of updating our site in order to provide you our customer with the highest quality website possible.  Unfortunately, our fresh news archives are under construction, but will be returning soon!   Thank you for your understanding and patience!

Fresh News Archives

Week of March 24th, 2008

 

A NOTE FROM BOB SICKLES – Spring has sprung! After a cool March with plenty of rain the conditions are perfect for planting, April is gardening month both officially and weather-wise. It is still cool but, in reality, “cool” is great gardening weather. At the start (now) the daytime temperatures stay in the 50’s; by the end of the month, it will be in the 60’s with a few days in the 70’s to keep us on our toes.

The best part about a cool spring is that it is perfect for planting nursery stock. If you think about it, newly planted trees and shrubs are susceptible to moisture and temperature swings and they really need babying in the spring. Without adequate moisture and cool temperatures, their initial roots are hurt and they struggle throughout their whole first season. Cool spring weather is the perfect time for establishing them. This year you can plant with confidence. Nothing spruces up your home more than new landscaping and pretty flowers. The beauty of nature is expressed in many fine specimens of trees and shrubs that provide years of aesthetic pleasure to you and increase the value of your home. So, whether you are staying or moving, it is always a good idea to create new, or add to existing landscaping around your home.
Many people like to do their own work. For this group, I believe that Sickles has the best selection of prime nursery stock in the area. From simple ground cover, junipers to hollies, arborvitae and Leyland Cypress, and from fine specimen Japanese Maples to other exotic but hardy trees and shrubs, we have a selection that can’t be beat. These are Sickles Quality plants that are guaranteed. Many of our staff have degrees in horticulture. We can help you select plants that are right for your yard, exposure, and soil conditions. Our goal is your success. We know that if you enjoy and are successful at gardening and landscaping, you will do more and more of it. It is a very creative, productive, and satisfying hobby. Many savvy homeowners send their landscapers to get Sickles quality plants.

For those do it your selfers I would like to tell you a little bit about soil. It is very important to consider soil conditions when planting. If at all possible you should provide soil conditions in your yard that are similar to what the plants started out growing in. If a plant naturally grows in light, sandy soil and you plant it in heavy, wet, clay soil, that plant will not thrive. If the plant evolved in shady, moist conditions (like the edges of streams in the forest) and you plant it near the foundation of a beach house in full sun that plant will not do well and might even die. Perhaps you have heard the term “native species”? It is always a good idea to plant native species. These are plants that naturally grow in the area where you live. If you are not sure what those plants are, just ask us. We know.

Did you ever hear the old adage, “Don’t plant a $50 plant in a 50¢ hole?” Well, it is true! Improving your soil, when necessary, is about the single most important action you can take to ensure the long term survival of your carefully selected plants. It is very important that you amend your soil to give your plants the conditions they need to grow.

If you are unsure again, ask us, we know and can point you in the right direction. It is definitely a worthwhile endeavor to correct your soil conditions if necessary. If you are not sure what to do with a plant you are buying, just ask our qualified staff about the proper soil conditions. They are very happy to help you.

There really is one great product now to help any poor soil condition. This is “Bumper Crop”. Bumper Crop is just wonderful stuff. We have been selling it now for years and customers always say how nice their plantings grow when they add Bumper Crop to their soil. After a few years your soil is so rich you can practically grow anything! Bumper Crop is full of rich organics. It helps to improve the drainage, your soil structure and provides important micro nutrients that might have been missing from your soil for years. When used with adequate fertilization, Bumper Crop will help you grow any plant in your yard that might have given you trouble before. Bumper Crop turns your soil into world class soil to support your world class plants.

To sum it all up: always educate yourself about the soil needs of your plants. Try to put plants where they belong. Although there are many ways to amend the soil to make it favorable to your plants, you cannot go wrong by adding Bumper Crop to every hole you dig this spring. Bumper Crop belongs in every garden. Your plants know.

Happy gardening,

Bob

P.S. Have you joined..."The Good Stuff Club," yet?