Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Saving Plants For Fall Planting


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It is plant sale time in all the local stores. It seems that come summer when it is so not gardening time in Tennessee, that many stores that stock perennials, shrubs, and annuals find themselves with an overabundance of plants that did not sell during the big spring season. Additionally, even if plants are stocked for summer planting or even for fall planting, if they are in stores right now in all this heat they are not looking too good due to the difficulty of keeping everything watered. Being watered by a hose while sitting on a shelf on concrete just isn't all that good on plants. Markdown time here we come! This is the best time to find some good buys if you know what you are looking for. Don't purchase plants just because they are on sale if you do not have a location for them in your garden. A good sale is not a good sale if you can't use the item. If, on the other hand you have a great location for some very large hostas (like I do) you might want to pick up a few pots. Tip: always try to buy in groups of three, five, seven, etc in order to get a good display. I have learned a small trick to help keep plants alive that I find on sale in the summer until I can plant them in the fall. A hard plastic kiddie swimming pool placed in the shade does just the trick. Grouping the plants and ensuring there is an inch of water or so in the bottom of the pool will keep your plants happy until garden season returns....

in the garden....
Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

14 comments:

  1. Now see, that's my downfall. I'll buy them just because they are so cheap! I need to stop that.

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  2. That is such a good tip!! I wanted to get a few more to fill in some spaces in my garden bed, thanks so much for letting me know so I can go check for any markdowns!!

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  3. Love the idea! Using the kiddie pool, do you ever have any problems with mosquitoes? Is there anything you do to try to keep them at bay?

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    1. Hi Three Cat Manor, Mosquitoes are always a problem with water and warmth. I use the bio pellets that can last up to 30 days in this pool feature if the water is going to stay there for a while. Normally it dries up every other day or so as I don't keep it too full. The plants need to breathe. So as long as it dried up or replaced every other day or so you don't need mosquito treatment. But for long term those bio pellets are great! They work well in a fountain I have out front. The bird baths are filled almost every day so they don't ever have a mosquito problem. Great question!

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  4. Thanks for the great tip, Tina! I bought a kiddie pool for Sophie last year, and she refused to take a dip in it, even on the hottest days. Hmmm, I might rethink my vow not to buy any more plants right now.

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  5. Boy, do I ever need to take your advice. Sometimes I buy just because it's on sale. I have plenty sources of water to keep plants going now. Just need to be able to keep the mosquitoes away [they are bad]. I did learn that Lemon grass is a mosquito deterrent. I have one of those by the gate in the back yard [it's almost 8' tall]. Really need to get more.

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  6. I haven't been plant shopping since Spring. It's time! Great tip here too.

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  7. Hi Tina! Just back from Maine and in time for the plant sales. This year they started so early and prices that are well below what I can buy wholesale. So many nurseries are taking big losses and that is great for garden consumers. Keeping the finds in the kiddy pool until it is cool enough to plant is a good idea.

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  8. That is a good way to keep the plants healthy for fall planting and easier than running around the garden watering them all. Carolyn's Shade Gardens is closed for the summer so we never have sales.

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  9. Nice big Hosta you have there girl...You taught me this trick a while back and an ever so great tip! I have been avoiding the Garden Centers for now. I know I will not have the will power to NOT buy. LOL. I still have the McCorkles sale to attend in Sept but I know at some point, I will peek into the local centers and pick up a super bargain or two or three...

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  10. Great advice and I love the kiddie pool...

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  11. Good Idea! I know the garden centers around here aren't offering discounts but I know Ace carries a few plants, maybe I will see if they have them marked down!
    http://www.flowersforums.com/ruth/blog/

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  12. Had a few purchases of my own this week. I have a shady spot, though not in a kiddie pool....If I get more I might drag out the pool (supposed to be used for giving the dogs a bath) and find a spot to keep newbies. Good idea!!!

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