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With temps. soaring and summer fast approaching, it is crucial that everyone remembers to water!  A thorough soaking once a week during summer months is usually sufficient for trees and shrubs while annuals and other shallow rooted plants may require watering every 2-3 days.  Newly planted plants should be watered more frequently since their root systems are less established. 

The questions that usually arise when watering is how much water should I apply to my plants?  Think of this in terms of how much water it takes to satisfy you on a hot day.  A splash to the face is refreshing but usually only satisfies us for a short time, and is never meant to be our sole source of water.  A similar dousing of plants on a hot day with a hose is rarely sufficient to supply the needed water.  Such watering rarely penetrates more than an inch or so into the soil.

A thorough, deep watering is much more effective.  Apply water to the base of the plants and use a hose attachment to help break the water into finer droplets and allow it to more easily soak into the soil.  Apply water for several minutes before moving the hose to the next area.

Such watering will encourage plants to develop deep and well dispersed root systems that provide good anchorage and help them obtain water more effectively during drought. 


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A cooler summer day is a great way to introduce children to the wonderful world of gardening. Through simple gardening activities, you can encourage curiosity and discovery in a child as well as teach them about preserving and taking care of our Earth. 

Young children learn by experiencing "hands-on" and by having opportunities to think about, re-visit, and question their experiences.  Gardening with children will give you and your family a memory that will last a lifetime as well as teach your children some valuable lessons! For more ideas on how to introduce your child to gardening, visit Suite 101! 


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Despite the fact almost everyone loves to get out in the garden every once in a while, very few people actually know the so-called "correct" terminology associated with gardening so here are a few we thought you should know!

Deadheading: The removal of spent flowers to tidy up a plant and force it to put its energy into producing more flowers.

Rootbound: The condition of a plant that has been confined in a container too long, its roots having been forced to wrap around themselves and even swell out of the container. Successful transplanting or repotting requires untangling and trimming away of some of the matted roots.

Underplant: To plant flowers or bulbs beneath the canopy of a larger plant to add color to the garden without taking up additional space.


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Bagworm (Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis (Haworth)) is an insect pest that can cause serious defoliation of plants. They feed on most conifers and many deciduous trees and shrubs. They can be especially damaging to conifers because  the damaged foliage is not regenerated. Severe infestation may kill the tree or shrub.

They typically begin feeding in May and continue through mid June. By the time we see the dried bags hanging from the limbs, the damage is done, and there is little you can do about it. Bagworms are the caterpillar stages of moths.

To control the bagworms,  a biological control such as BT spray can be used. BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) is a type of bacteria that only kills certain insects and does not affect humans or animals. We carry a product called Fertilome Bagworm Spray that is very effective.

 

We want to begin by saying "thanks" for logging on and we hope you enjoy the first of many online newsletters! 

We are really excited about all of the spectacular summer specials that are going on at Horticare RIGHT NOW and we don't want you to miss out!

Now that your annuals have been established for a couple of months and any fertilizer has worn off, I recommend using bloodmeal.  It acts as a slow release fertilizer and won't harm your plants in this heat.

When you apply an organic fertilizer like bloodmeal, you are applying plant nutrients plus organic matter which is composed of carbon - the basis of all life.  One of the primary benefits, however is with the application of the organic matter fraction of the fertilizer. The benefits of adding organic matter are many including increasing porosity, clodding/soil tilty, drainage, buffering soil temperature, holding soil moisture, reducing compaction etc. Just make sure you water it in when it is done and your plants will come alive! 
                                               
                                                 -Buddy Olsen, CEO
 

Most landscape designers go to school for four plus years to learn the basics of what it takes to design a landscape, but for the DYI type of person, here are a few basic concepts you will need to know about before you begin designing your own landscape. Once you master these concepts, you will be well on your way to a simple design of your own!

Scale: the ratio of the plant you are using to the size of the container.  This is something that takes an eye and a lot of practice but the typical ratio is usually 2:1.  DON'T use little dinky plants in huge pots.

Form:  the overall shape of the plant-pyramidal, round, vertical, etc.  A more contemporary house calls for vertical plants such as horestail rush or sansivera.

Balance:  the flow of the plants.  Good to design with 3's or 5's.  A formal house calls for a very formal design while an informal house calls for a more relaxed setting.

Texture:  the feeling of the leaves or the stalks of the plants.  Lambs ear, maidenhair fern, juniper...all have very distinct textures.

Color:  seen in the flower or the foliage of the plants.  Color can come through with the pots you use also.  Bright colors make us feel happy and energized while more subdued colors are more relaxing.

It’s a small world and it’s getting smaller every day. Need proof? It used to be that a visit to a tropical paradise would require a travel agent, a passport, and a winning lottery ticket. The thought of lush palms, exotic vines of passion flower, and the scent of gardenias wafting in the early evening breeze was a dream shared by many but realized only by the privileged few. All that has changed. Today’s gardeners are creating lush tropical paradises right in their own backyards! No matter where you live, you have access to a wide palette of tropical plants when you visit us!

Want to add more sizzle to your gardens? Then turn up the heat with plants in bold and spicy shades. Tropical annuals such as tithonia (Mexican sunflower) or portulaca add healthy doses of color to the landscape, and these hot-blooded hombres can really take the heat. Containing your passion might be tough, but consider using urns, planters, and terra cotta pots to act as summer homes for zone 7b favorites, such as hibiscus, mandevilla, and the exotic leaves of coleus. This way you can move these summer favorites to where the sun is-literally! With containers, any gardener can create a tropical retreat, whatever his or her climate. Most of these plants can also be overwintered indoors, making those cold winters a bit more bearable.

It won’t take much to transform your patio, sunroom, or deck into an island-inspired paradise. Start with the basics—palms. They really set the stage. Next, add vines. Brilliant magenta bougainvillea, exotic jasmine, and trumpet-shaped mandevilla can all be grown in large planters and supplemented with annual geraniums, pentas, and verbenas. Complete the look with combination planters that feature free-flowering roses, Super Petunias, and New Guinea impatiens.
 

Since we are thinking tropical, don’t forget the alluring sound of water. A simple water feature or an elegant waterfall can create just the right mood. Throw in a few teak benches or Adirondack chairs, and you’ll feel as if you arrived at some exotic port of call.

Creating your own tropical paradise has never been easier. Our staff is always ready to guide you and to provide more ideas. You’ve got the inspiration…now let’s get growing!
 

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Visit the website that promotes Horticare and all of our great specials we have going on!  Log on to email us your questions or post them in the forum!
Horticare Recommends

As we all know, summer in Arkansas means one thing: HOT!  However, that doesn’t keep the most avid of gardeners from enjoying time outdoors in their garden. 

That is why it is so important to remember that heat-related illnesses, sunburn, and skin cancer can be more than just uncomfortable; they can be life-threatening. Here are a few ideas for staying safe while gardening this summer:

·  Work out in the garden during the cooler early morning and early evening hours when it isn’t so hot. Doing so will lessen your exposure and reduce your risk of overheating. Even in the middle of summer, temperatures can be at least 10 degrees and very often 20 to 30 degrees cooler during these times.

·  At all costs, try to avoid working in the garden during periods of high humidity because high heat coupled with high humidity will significantly increase your risk of heat-related problems. Moisture in the air makes it much harder for your sweat to evaporate and your body can't get rid of excessive heat nearly as fast or as efficiently when it's muggy outside as when the air is relatively dry.

·  Consider your own physical limitations. Remember that you are not 25 anymore and even though you feel that young, you have to treat your body with respect.  Listen to your body by monitoring your level of fatigue, heart rate, and physical discomfort.  All are signs that you have had enough for one day.

·  Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing, and if you're fair-skinned, consider wearing a long-sleeved shirt as well as long pants. Light cotton and other breathable fabrics are actually quite comfortable, and their long forms offer protection from the sun as well as mosquitoes. Also consider wearing a wide-brimmed hat which offers maximum protection.

·  Drink plenty of water. When it comes to being the best hydrator, water is king. Try to avoid sodas, coffee, and alcohol.  Sport drinks are okay, but water is still the best choice.
 

More to Come!
We are really excited about our first electronic newsletter and we are glad that everyone signed up!  Our primary focus is making sure you are familiar with what is happening at Horticare right now and to share with you news about the green industry in hopes that some of the information may help you out and save you some time as well as money!

Because this is our fist electronic issue, we are trying to bring it to life and we want your ideas!  What would you like to see in future issues?  What would you like to read about or learn about?  Have any questions?  Email us and let us know your thoughts!


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Horticare Recommends
Log on to Arkansas Matters.com to check out some of the videos about Horticare and for some excellent "How-To's" around the garden!  Subjects currently listed are "Spring Planting", "How to Plant a Tree", and a Horticare Nursery Overview!