We're open for spring

Our first weekend back really felt like winter had finally coming to an end. We opened the doors and rolled a few carts of annuals and herbs out. Our regular as well as new customers soon showed up.

Every year at this time, we start filling the store with dwarf ornamental conifers and broad leaf evergreens; evergreen perennials, pansies and herbs. All are ready to go in the ground now and can take the cold. The herbs look so fresh at this time of the year. I wish I had a special name for them that just meant the first of the fresh new plants to arrive. They have names for things like this in romance languages.... like Italian.

The business continues to grow. We've added more staff. So far, I really believe that this is the best cast created since I started the business five years ago. They really know their plants and are very attentive to our customers.

The shop will soon be filled up all the way again with plants. Usually by the end of March most of our stock will be available, including large interior plants.

Now for my garden tips.

It's time to trim back all winter burn off your perennials and ornamental grass. Your plants will look fresh and new when they grow back. Try to avoid stepping in the garden particularly when the ground is wet. This will compact your soil and that is not good.

I did a lot of winter clean up over the weekend. In the process, I found my Allium bulbs just starting to pop up. I pruned back my Akebia "Chocolate Vine." It is a fast growing, semi evergreen vine that does an excellent job concealing my neighbors enormous electrical box. Trimming plants all the way back is a good thing particularly if they've gotten too big or you want to re-train them. You won't hurt the plant.

If you need pruning and garden tools. Now is a good time to get them. Go to our coupon section of the web and you'll find offers for 50% off our Wolfgarten tools. Continue your garden clean up projects now (well now when it warms up) through March for a fresh and vibrant garden to come.