New & Interesting Perennial Varieties Seminar: Sunday May 15th

Interesting & Unique Perennials Seminar: May 15th

Join us Sunday, May 15th for a chat with Danielle Young of Skagit Gardens, an eminent perennial grower from Washington State, as she introduces new, interesting and unique perennial varieties for 2011.

Start Time: 1:00pm - Free Admission, Everone welcome

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Art's Nursery Ltd.

Learn to Plant Hanging Baskets Seminar: May 15, 2011

Learn To Make Your Own Moss Hanging Baskets

Please join us Sunday, May 15th for a Moss Basket Making Seminar.

You'll learn the ins and outs of designing, preparing and planting your very own moss baskets with our talented designer Marge.

Please call 604.882.1201 for more information or to sign up. Please register in advance as space may be limited. A $10 sign-up fee per person applies, but will be credited towards the plants and materials used in your basket.


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Art's Nursery Ltd.

How To Grow Great Tomatoes

Tomato growers unite! Perhaps one of the most popular plants at this time of year is the plain old tomato. No other vegetable/fruit gets the masses excited more than these tasty little gems.
Growing tomatoes is actually quite easy. Just plant and follow these 10 great tips:

• Choose healthy plants suited for your space.  Plant when ground is warm, above 15 degrees Celsius, and with at least 6-8 hours of sun per day is best.
• Use fertile rich soil, mix in compost or consider amending earth with Sea Soil  to improve nutrient value. We sell it by the bag and the tractor scoop.
• Mix an organic well balanced fertilizer into soil, prior to planting.  It is known to increase yield. Bonemeal added when planting, can also reduce the chances of blossom end rot - a common problem where the bottom of the tomatoe goes brown.
• Plant tomatoes deep.  Strip lower leaves and plant the stem up to the uppermost top cluster of leaves.  Tomatoes have the ability to form roots along their stem.  Doing this will create extra roots  to help anchor the plant and provide more opportunity for water and nutrient uptake.
• Water regularly and evenly.  Even moisture will create a healthier plant and tomatoes. This too will help prevent blossom end rot.
• Stake or cage plants early (depending on variety) to avoid damaging roots.  Keeping the tomatoes off the ground helps prevent fruit rot and makes plant more productive.
• When flowers appear, continue to fertilize and consider spraying with blossom set.  Use an organic fertilizer and consider a kelp foliar spray.  It will increase health & prevent disease.
• Pick tomatoes when they are firm, full size, and fully coloured.  If it gets very hot, pick some fruit early (green) and let it ripen off the vine.  Too much sun can cause sun scorch and turn tomatoes soft.
• If in pots, keep tomatoes sheltered from too much rain to avoid blight.  If in the open, pick ripened or nearly ripened fruit prior to heavy rains as these tomatoes are more prone to splitting / cracking.
• Take note of varieties that worked well, and if desired save seed for next year!

Visit Art's Nursery today  for a fantastic selection of contemporary as well as heirloom tomato varieties.

4 Great Groundcover Sedums for Rock Gardens

For many people today, a low maintenance, easy care garden is the next best thing to utopia. In many cases, Sedums are the answer. These succulent, xeriscape plants are easy to plant, require virtually no care and only the occasional watering. They are an excellent choice for rock gardens, garden walls and xeriscape gardens. So, with no further ado, here are four great groundcover sedums:

Sedum dasyphyllum 'Major'
Corsican Stonecrop
A classic evergreen perennial groundcover forms a low carpet of tiny round powdery blue-grey leaves, remaining evergreen in mild regions. clusters of white star flowers appear in early summer. A perfect choice for the rock garden, between stepping stones or in the crevices of dry walls. Best when planted in full sun.
Grows 2-4 inches in height and 8-12 inches in width. Hardy in USDA zones 5-9.

Sedum globosum 'Old Mans Bones'
This classic groundcover has almost round succulent foliage. Clusters of yellow star flowers appear in early summer. A perfect choice for the rock garden, between stepping stones or in the crevices of dry walls. Attracts butterflies. Drought tolerant once established. A herbaceous perennial hardy in USDA zones 3-9. Grows 2-4 inches tall and 8-12 inches wide. Best when grown in full sun, with only occasional watering

Sedum makinoi 'Ogon'
Golden Japanese Stonecrop
A groundcover sedum with brilliant solid golden-yellow foliage flushed with pink. A striking colour accent in rock gardens, rock walls, as a pathway filler or as a groundcover. Needs some protection from the hot afternoon sun. Herbaceous perennial. Grows up to 2 inches tall and 8-12 inches wide. Best when grown in the partial sun. Hardy in USDA zones 7-9

Sedum pachyclados
A clasic groundcover with almost round, succulent powder blue foliage. Clusters of pink flowers appear in early summer. A perfect choice for rock gardens, between stepping stones or in crevices of walls. Attracts butterflies. Drought tolerant once established. Grows 2-4 inches in height and 8-12 inches wide. Best when grown in full sun. Hardy in USDA zones 5-9.

These sedums and many other groundcovers are available at Art's Nursery. Please feel free to visit or give us a call at 604.882.1201 for more information.

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Art's Nursery Ltd.

Special Offer: Hanging Basket Coupon

Treat yourself to a hanging basket or two from Arts Nursery this spring. Redeem the coupon below for a nice discount off any hanging basket worth $25.00 or more. See coupon for details:

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Art's Nursery Ltd.