Green Thumb Retreat

Let's grow roots!

2012-01-31T06:08:00.000-08:00

Last week we had 4500 unrooted cuttings arrive from Mexico. They are swaddled in plastic bags, each labeled with colour and type of plant, inside cardboard boxes with ice packs to help keep them fresh. (if anybody needs some for their lunchbox, let me know and we'll hang on to them!) Trays with many individual cells are filled with special soil for seeding and growing those wonderful roots that keep a plant alive! The unrooted cutting is dipped into a pink powder that gives it a boost of energy, placed in the soil then watered gently every few hours until roots begin to grow. Now the cutting is able to suck up the moisture through the roots and grow it's little heart out! In a few months there will be flowers on these New Guinea impatiens the size of my palm! Grow roots grow!

2012-01-23T08:26:00.000-08:00

Last week we had some wonderful family members come help plant the rest of the violas into hanging baskets. We needed a few extra hands to get the job done. The day started off rather stormy but by lunch time the sun came out and the sweaters came off for a while! It's amazing the difference the sun makes in a greenhouse environment! In a span of 4 hours (not including our yummy potluck chili/salad lunch) we planted 1600- 8" hanging baskets each containing 7 plants.

For now they will stay on the ground, getting watered until roots are long and winding through the entire basket. As the weather warms, hangers will snapped into place and the baskets will be hung on pipes with a water dripper in each one.

Spacing Primula

2012-01-18T05:45:00.000-08:00

Today we are bringing some potted primula into our warmer greenhouse. They get loaded onto our steel greenhouse carts like this. They are set in solid rows the whole length of the bench.

Every other plant is pulled back to create a diagonal spacing that allows the plants room to grow and the water to flow around the pots on the bench. In about a months time, these little plants will be blooming profusely, brightening up the atmosphere with their rainbow of colours!

Saturday, January 14

2012-01-14T07:40:00.000-08:00

Today we're planting violas into little pots. They come in a variety of colours from yellow to dark purple and we plant 3 per pot. These cheerful fellows are bright, a sure sign that spring is close when they begin to bloom. My favourite is the yellow/purple mix!

This is what they will look like in a couple of months. Add a fancy little planter and it's a lovely little gift for someone!

Did I miss winter?

2012-01-11T07:43:00.000-08:00

Things are looking green outside and the little primula hoping for spring is a little confused! I love the contrast of snow and colour, watching this sweet plant dare to poke it's flowers out in the temporary spring weather.

This is one tough parsley plant! It has survived the freezing temperatures and snow cover while staying crisp and green. I might just pick myself a few pieces to munch on and savour the taste of "fresh". :)

2011-12-05T10:25:00.000-08:00

The reality of how close Christmas really is, makes it hard to fathom considering the mild weather we've been having! It's wonderful for getting around and delivering poinsettias though! We are still in full swing packing and shipping the plants we have grown for 5 months. They are started in July as a small slip or cutting, then rooted and potted, watered and fertilized until today when we send them out for others to enjoy. We've watched with new amazement at the changing colours of the leaves. From red, pink and white to jingle bells and silver star marble. Over 20 varieties and colours! Gorgeous! We supply stores, flower shops and fundraiser groups with plants that last. The other day at my Christmas dinner, my cousin told me she finally threw it out in the compost in August! It still looked almost as good as the day she got it. It's always exciting to hear that because we strive to grow quality plants that last!

2011-11-23T12:48:00.000-08:00

We've been as busy as Santa's elves getting everything ready for our

spectacular candlelight event

starting tomorrow night! For three nights our poinsettias are bathed in a warm candlelight glow, definitely a "wow" sight. Please join us anytime between 5 and 8 pm on November 24,25 and 26 and enjoy the delectable taste and smell of cider brewing, christmas cookies and the delights to the eyes as your feet meander through our many pathways.

Thursday night brings a connoisseur and roaster of the freshest coffee around, Coastal Coffee Company owner, Ben Gingerich. Enjoy tasting his fresh brew and purchase a bag if desired.

Jo-Anne Middleton will be here displaying her array of candles in many enticing aromas. Make a purchase for that hard to buy person or just enjoy.

For those who have other evening committments, we are open 9-5 Monday through Saturday until Dec.24. This Sunday Nov. 27, we are open 12-4. The benches are quite a site in the daytime with the colourful rainbow of poinsettias!

2011-11-01T09:45:00.000-07:00

Wow! It's hard to believe it's November 1st with this beautiful day surrounding us! This would be a great week to put up outdoor Christmas lights so our fingers won't get quite so cold! I think I'll do that here on Friday.

Last week Dave and Carol drove up north to fill our big delivery truck with christmas greens making it smell like a pine forest! There are carts full of spruce, balsam, and pine bunches, and various lengths of cedar and mixed garland on our benches.

I inhaled a breath of fresh cut pine and wished my house was filled with that divine scent all year round!

Mixed Garland

Winter planters with Ornamental Cabbage Christmas greens

2011-10-27T07:22:00.001-07:00

This may seem like a quiet time of year around here but actually alot is happening! Right now with the nastier wet weather, we are working inside. Perennials are being put to bed but as long as it doesn't freeze, spring bulbs can be tucked into the earth ready to bring glorious colour to our eyes in the brown of spring time!

Danielle and Darren are planting primula (picture above) for February. Primula are bright, cheery plants that are a must have during the whiteness of winter. Clayt is sorting white pine branches that have been delivered to us for our winter planters, wreaths and other Christmas designs.

Tomorrow Dave and Carol are heading up north to pick up a big truckload of Christmas greens and cedar roping! So keep in mind, we will have bunches of scented greens and beautiful roping for your outdoor decorarting ready by Nov. 1.

Today Dave is gone to the annual meeting at Ontario Flower Growers in Mississauga. www.ontarioflowergrowers.ca He's been on the Board of Directors for 3 years now. We take product there 2x a week most of the year.

Carol is busy in the office most days keeping it running smoothly.

This afternoon Sally and I plan to open up Christmas boxes! We're getting ready to decorate around here for our annual Candlelight Event on Nov. 24-26, 5-8 pm. Check our website http://www.huronridge.ca/ for details.

Poinsettias are colouring up beautifully! It's amazing day to day the change that can be seen in these amazing plants!

We're still growing!

2011-10-20T06:40:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I took cuttings from a variety of herb plants. At the end of January, when the hype of Christmas is over and we're hungry for fresh greens, they'll be ready to add flavour to soups, stews, or roast chicken. They can sit in a decorative pot on a windowsill, reminding us that spring is coming! I also planted some basil and cilantro seeds because these are my two favourite herbs!

Festive Workshops

2011-10-19T14:07:00.000-07:00

Want a Fun Girl’s Night Out while you create a festive outdoor decoration that will wow your friends & family? Laugh, learn and enjoy some refreshments. Sat. Nov. 26, 2pm; Sat. Dec. 3, 2pm; Tues. Dec.6, 7pm; In the Sat. workshops, you will create an outdoor planter. You can make a basic one using fresh evergreens, dogwood, ribbon & cones; or you can add some bling, or you can upgrade to a WOW! Prices start at $35. In the Tues. evening workshop you’ll create a door swag or mantelpiece, made with fresh evergreens, ribbon, berries & more. Cost for this workshop is $30 Spaces will be limited so call 519-565-2122 to reserve your spot with a $20 deposit. Talk to Carol or Lorraine or you may contact us via email carol@huronridge.ca or lorraine@huronridge.ca if you have any questions.

Christmas Workshops

2011-10-19T06:57:00.001-07:00

This year we are planning some Christmas workshops! A great opportunity to explore your creativity, learn floral design and make something beautiful! Details coming soon.

Cabbage Anyone?

2011-10-18T05:45:00.000-07:00

These are not roses although they resemble an open rose. They are a variety of ornamental cabbage grown for flower bouquets and arrangements. Outside in a fancy urn or wintery vase, these will last a long time, enduring frost and snow. Put some evergreens and red dogwood with them and voila! You have a lovely arrangement beside your front door that you don't have to worry about. We grow them outside so they've seen all kinds of weather!

Inside your home is fine too but due to the warmth, they will last like the average flower bouquet if the water is changed every few days and the bottom of the stems trimmed. They make a beautiful table centre all by themselves or add some greens and sparkly branches for a masterpiece!

Going squirrely?

2011-10-13T06:22:00.000-07:00

Do the squirrels drive you nuts, digging in your flowerbeds, ripping up your tulip bulbs?

Here's a non-toxic recipe that should make them run!

In a hand spray bottle mix:

a few shots Tabasco sauce

1 tsp. chili powder

1 pint of water

dash of dish soap

Shake well and apply to bulbs when planting.

The other option is to plant spring bulbs, such as bright daffodils, unique alliums, fragrant hyacinths, and fabulous Fritillaria, that the furry creatures turn their noses up at. The deer are also deterred from these flowers, passing them over for the neighbour's tulips.

Put your gardens to bed for the winter

2011-10-08T08:22:00.000-07:00

This weekend seems too beautiful to think about shutting down your gardens and flower beds for the winter, so I wouldn't! Enjoy the weekend with family and friends, enjoying the last of the garden veggies. When it gets a little cooler, which it will, here is a list of jobs to do.

1. Harvest any flowers or herbs you want to dry, use in arrangements or freeze. Chopping up herbs and placing in ice cube trays with water covering them is a great way to preserve them for soups, stews or sauce.

2. Rake leaves and make compost pile by building a coral with chicken wire.

3. Clean up spent perennials. Trim old flower stalks and dead foliage off, tossing in compost pile.

4.Divide perennials that have grown into large clumps. This will invigorate plants and give them a fresh start in the spring.

5. One final weeding of course!

6. Plant spring bulbs such as tulips, allium, daffodils, crocus and one that is making a come-back, fritillaria.

7. Plant any new perennials you'd like to try for next year. The cooler, wet weather gives them a great start. A bit of bonemeal when planting will help roots to develop quicker.

8. If you have tender herbs that could be sitting on your windowsill for a few month, dig them up and repot into a decorative container (with drainage). Example : parsley, rosemary, or thyme.

Have a great Thanksgiving!

Time to bring in those houseplants!

2011-09-19T10:00:00.000-07:00

If you're ready to bring in any houseplants you had outside for the summer, make sure they are bug-free! First clean up any dead stems or leaves. Scrub the outside of pot with soap, a little bleach and water. Don't repot now, the plant will be stressed enough being moved into your home. Spray with insecticidal soap above and under leaves as much as possible. Leave that sit for a bit, then shower with outdoor hose if possible and let dry. Finally, if you have the space, place plants in the brightest area of your home, allowing them to readjust to lower light levels and changing temps. They might show some stress but if you can let them gradually grow accustomed to your home again, the plants should be fine. Usually growth slows way down so don't expect a burst of green.

Good luck!

Harvest time

2011-09-14T07:03:00.000-07:00

This is the time of year when gardeners are working feverishly to preserve the garden bounty. Relish, salsa, canned tomatoes, applesauce, pickled beets and hot peppers, zucchini bread and more! Personally, I'm getting tired of zucchini but plan to make some bread or muffins with the big ones that got away. I've tried grating and freezing the overgrown fruit but it's just not the same. Here's a great recipe for using that gargantuous green monster from the garden. 3 cups grated zucchini, peeled if you prefer to hide it :) 1 c.Bisquick 1/3 c. oil 1 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. garlic pwd or use fresh if desired 3 eggs well beaten 1 c. mozza cheese 1/4 c. parmesan cheese to sprinkle on top. Mix all ingredients together and pour into greased 8x8 pan. Sprinkle parmesan on top and bake @ 350 F for 35-45 min. Delicious served with fried potatoes. Posted by Lorraine

2011-08-30T07:51:00.000-07:00

Labour day is this weekend and if you need a fresh look for deck or patio, our mums are beginning to colour! We also have fall planters with a mixture of annuals and perennials that are beautiful! Gourds and pumpkins can add colour to the base of the planters for an (dare I say it?) Autumn look.

Come see us soon!

Fall Sale

2011-08-24T13:53:00.001-07:00

It's time to start clearing out the Perennials in the garden centre, so we can start with fresh new plants next spring. And it's a perfect time to be planting perennials too. Autumn brings cooler nights, and more frequent showers to help plants get a good start. Adding some bone meal to the soil will also give the plants a boost.

Today starts our Fall Sale - Buy 1 at regular price and get the second one at 1/2 price. And as a bonus, if you buy $50 or more of perennials, we will take care of the taxes.

Our fall bulbs will be arriving in the next week or so, and the garden mums are starting to show some color too. We have some beautiful fall planters to dress us your entrance, along with the pumpkins & gourds.

Perennial of the week August 19-25

2011-08-19T06:36:00.001-07:00

We are featuring Astilbe Pumila, a great little plant for a partial shade garden. Shoots up lovely, lavender coloured flowers that reach up to 12".

Only $4.99!

Neustadt flowers

2011-08-16T12:49:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, we headed to the quaint town of Neustadt to check on the flowers we started for them here in the greenhouse. These are the petunia towers heading into the arena entrance! This is front of the Neustadt Brewery. If you ever have a chance to visit Andy and his wife who are the owners, do it! They immigrated from England and are bringing the history and business of the brewery alive again. It's a 150 year old building with quite a story. We got a tour and at one point are 27 feet underground!

Dave and Kevin checking out the ones downtown. Amazing! All Easy Wave Petunias!

The flowers are literally all over town! This is along main street and I believe there was a bench in between the pots. Neustadt is know for its flowers and quaint shops.

We thank them letting us start the containers of beautiful blossoms for them!

Summer gardens

2011-08-15T13:00:00.000-07:00

Does everyone enjoy reaping the efforts of growing a vegetable garden as much as I do? Going to the garden & picking fresh beans, tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, corn & herbs to prepare a meal is very satisfying & so yummy too. By preserving the extra produce you can't use fresh, you can enjoy good food all winter long. And snatching up & preserving some of the locally grown produce is a good way to provide good food for your family too.

If you have some questions, I'd be happy to try & help - carol@huronridge.ca or there's lot of info online too..... so different than when I started doing this so many years ago. We learned from Mom, who learned from her Mom.

Like us on Facebook

2011-08-04T13:51:00.000-07:00

In case you didn't know, we're on Facebook! Follow this link to our page and view a video Carol posted yesterday. https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?id=128329043909185&story_fbid=140819732669313#!/pages/Huron-Ridge-Acres/369505976089

Perennial of the Week

2011-08-04T13:47:00.001-07:00

This weeks Perennial of the week starting Friday Aug. 5 - Coreopsis Limerock Dream! Cheerful, tiny daisy flowers bloom in summer to early fall. (a light trim late summer will provide reblooming in fall.) Full sun, grows 16" tall. Use 3 plants per square yard when planting. Drought tolerant once established.

Perennial of the week

2011-08-02T08:20:00.001-07:00

Until Thursday, Aug.4th at 5, our perennial of the week is Buddelia or better known as Butterfly bush.

Grows up to 8 ft. tall and has beautiful cone-like flowers in pink or dk. purple.

2 in 1

2011-08-02T06:49:00.000-07:00

I love this flower bed! I spotted it at the Goderich Vet Clinic when I was driving by one day. It just goes to show how creative one can be with plants! The taller plants are corn stalks, the spikey plants in between the corn are onions! The smaller green plant on this side of the corn is a pepper plant. They were dispersed all along the bed as well. I believe the flowers are petunias.

If you have a creative garden that is growing, send me a picture at lorraine@huronridge.ca

I'd love to see it and might even post it with your permission!

Amazing Annuals

2011-07-23T13:11:00.000-07:00

Pots of colour ready for your deck or garden!

Marigolds

Zinnias

Petunias

Hollyhocks

Flowering Vinca

Flower Power

2011-07-23T12:31:00.000-07:00

Gorgeous colour for the gardens!

Monarda (Bee Balm) Petite Delight Butterfly Bush in Pink and Dark Purple

Garden Phlox in assorted colours

Giant Russian Sage

A boost for your health and gardens!

Echinacea (Coneflower)

thinking cool thoughts

2011-07-22T06:36:00.000-07:00

During this heat wave, we thought you may need some help to think cool thoughts. So here is what's happening in the greenhouse these days......you're right, it's poinsettias.

Our rooted cuttings have been arriving over the past several weeks, and today we will start putting them into pots to grow into the bright & beautiful flowers we associate with Christmas, snow and cold weather.

You can see how well they have rooted in the oasis, but now they need some soil to get the nutrition needed to grow into strong healthy plants

Each strip of cuttings comes clearly labelled to indentify the 25+ varieties that we grow.

weather challenges

2011-07-04T17:19:00.000-07:00

The severe thunderstorms & wind that have been more prevelant than I remember in other years, are creating challenges for keeping our gardens in their best appearance. The wind of Saturday night has my sweet corn stalks all standing at a 45 degree angle. I'm hoping they'll straighten up a bit in the next week or so. The petunia baskets along our laneway, took a real beating but are coming around really nicely again. Along with all the rain & humidity, we need to be watching for powdery mildew on some plants. Monarda or Bee Balm, Phlox & Hollyhocks are especially susceptable to the fungus disease at this time of year.. It may be wise to treat these plants with a fungicide before the problem shows up. Other plants that pick up the mildew fungus very easily are rose bushes and tuberous begonia.

There are many fungicides available. check the label to be sure they are safe & effective on the type of plant you want to treat. Look for ingredients such as: potassium bicarbonate, neem oil, sulfur or copper.

Perennial of the Week

2011-06-30T14:47:00.000-07:00

Lupins are the Perennial of the Week starting July 2. With divine flower spikes in purple, yellow and pink, they are a real treat for butterflies and hummingbirds. Plant in full sun to part sun. Just $4.99!

(We are closed July 1 for Canada Day but open for Saturday July 2. Closed Sunday)

Perennial of the Week June 24

2011-06-24T06:36:00.000-07:00

This week we are featuring "Anthemis Hybrid Susanna Mitchell" as our special perennial.

With its silver lace foliage and creamy white flowers that bloom all summer, it's makes a great addition to your gardens. This hardy little plant grows in full sun, adapting to any kind of soil. It's slightly drought tolerant and as long as spent blooms are trimmed off occasionally, it will continue to provide colour all season. Grows about 2 feet high, spreads approximately 2 feet wide and is deer resistant! On sale now for $3.99!

Thankfulness

2011-06-03T08:03:00.000-07:00

Why is it, that our human tendancies are to be very quick to complain about the weather, but are slower to be thankful for the absolutely gorgeous day like we have today. So for me, I want to try to say "Thank you Lord" much more often & do a lot less wining & complaining about the rain, or the cold wind or whatever other elements I might not appreciate on any given day.

this week's feature perennial

2011-06-03T07:53:00.000-07:00

PERENNIAL OF THE WEEK

this week we are featuring ACHILLEA

it is commonly known as Yarrow, easy to grow in full sun and blooms for most of the summer. We have 2 varieties, Moonshine Yellow & Red Velvet. Reg. price is $6.99 feature price is $4.99

Featuring Iris this week

2011-05-27T14:52:00.000-07:00

This week our featured perennial is the Iris. This beautiful large flower has so many unique colors and patterns. It stands so stately tall in your garden, and add life early in June when many of the early flowers, and spring bulbs have faded and the summer flowers have not yet started to flower. Check out the selection of colors we have, all on sale for $4.99

Thankful!

2011-05-24T07:07:00.000-07:00

So much to be thankful for this morning.....a beautiful long weekend (for the most part), lots of people here getting their garden supplies, a good 'tired' feeling if there is such a thing. Thankful that we are spared the rough weather that so many around us are getting. The loud thunderstorm and torrential rains of yesterday afternoon pale in comparison to what the folks in Joplin, Missouri experienced this weekend. Our grass is so green, the strawberry patch is white with blossoms, as are the apple trees. When the sunshine returns this afternoon, the bees will be busy polinating the fruit blossoms to give us an abundance of fresh fruit this summer .....something else to be thankful for.

New Perennial of the Week

2011-05-20T11:32:00.001-07:00

Pulmonaria Majeste. also known as Lungwort although that name doesn't sound particularly appealing to me.

Mine has been blooming in a garden under a big maple tree, for several weeks now. The flower is so unusual, pink, blue & mauve all on the same flower. It grows well in a woodland area, only gets about 12" tall and spreads 18-24" over time. It is frost hardy and overall tough plant. When the flowers are finished blooming later in June, the dotted foliage still adds an interesting contrast in the garden. In 1 gal. pots, it is regularly priced at $7.99 until May 26th it is $5.99

And the Winner Is:

2011-05-17T08:17:00.000-07:00

Announcing the winner of the Door Prize at our Annual Spring Open House - Barbie Ward of Grand Bend won a $50 Gift Certificate which she is thrilled to use filling the gardens & containers she & Ron have around their home in Grand Cove Estates.

Tempted to Complain

2011-05-14T06:17:00.000-07:00

Yet again, we have a rainy day, and I am tempted to complain. However, after watching CBC news this morning and seeing what the folks in southern Manitoba are dealing with, we have nothing, really, to complain about. So we'll carry on, sneak out to the garden, between the showers, and enjoy the green leaves that are emerging with all the rain. It's helping the perennials come through the soil, so we can see what made it through the cold winter and what spaces need to be filled. Speaking of perennials, we've chosen a unique plant for this week's feature. Convallaria, commonly known as Lily of the Valley, but what's unique about this one is that it has a delicate blush pink flower instead of the common white flower. You can learn more about this flower at the link I've posted. And when it's raining, you can always come to the greenhouse and dream up ideas and get the plants you want to put in when the sun comes out.

New Perennial of the Week

2011-05-07T07:55:00.000-07:00

This week's Perennial of the Week if Auriana - Basket of Gold. This plant was commonly known as Perennial Alyssum. It has bright yellow blooms during the month of May. Plant growth stays within 30cm high and spreads out about 30 - 40 cm. It grows best in full sun. We have it in 1 gal. size pots regularly priced at $6.99. The sale price from May 6 - 12 is $4.99.

Perennial of the Week

2011-05-03T06:57:00.000-07:00

Until Thursday night at 8 pm, our Perennial of the week is Primula (aka Primrose.) These sweet little plants come in bright colours, growing every year when planted in a shady area. (a perennial plant is one that survives the winter and comes back bigger and better in the spring)

The new perennial of the week will start every Friday for the months of May and June.

Spring Openhouse!

2011-04-30T08:29:00.000-07:00

This weekend for the first time ever on our Openhouse weekend, we're conducting tours of our growing areas. Kevin, Dave or Carol will explain how the seeding, transplanting and growing are done. Check our website for specific times today and tomorrow afternoon. www.huronridge.ca

Large patio pots for sun with geraniums and lobularia (a hybrid trailing alyssum)

Gorgeous Mandevilla vines can be grown outside once it warms up but are fine in the house during the cooler weather. These beautiful plants can sometimes be over wintered inside by a bright window!

Impatiens are in beautiful colour!

Today is our second day of our Spring Openhouse! Yesterday was not all that nice but we still have some wonderful folks brave the nasty weather. The sun did arrive from behind the clouds after lunch and we welcomed it with cheering! Not quite as much cheering as at the Royal wedding but we were just as happy. :)

2011-04-27T06:59:00.000-07:00

Today we're working furiously at getting our retail greenhouse set up for you to view a sample of what we've been planting and growing at our annual Spring Openhouse. Every day more plants are being potted and this weekend you can have the priviledge of a guided tour from Dave, Kevin or Carol through our growing area. When you enter our doors, sign up for a tour (they are only at specific times throughout Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoon). Browse while you wait, snacking on some goodies. Most of our perennials will be outside on benches and each week there will be a Perennial of the week highlighted and on sale. Check back each week for this special.

Hours for Openhouse this weekend.

Friday April 29, 9-8

Saturday, April 30, 9-5

Sunday May 1, 1-5

After this weekend, our hours will be extended for your convenience.

Mon-Fri 9-8

Saturday 9-5 Sunday 1-5

Hope to see you this weekend!

Gardening Workshop

2011-04-21T10:34:00.001-07:00

Once again this year, Dave and Carol will be hosting two veggie gardening workshops. Whether you're a beginner or have already been gardening for awhile, there's always more to learn. Grow your own food and know where it came from! Fresh tomatoes picked from your garden for lunch and new potatoes dug for supper can't be beat!

The dates are May 10th and 12th from 7 pm -9ish. Both nights will contain the same content so pick whichever one works for you. If you have questions during or after, Carol and Dave would be glad to answer them. There's no charge, we just ask that you have bring a donation for Blessing Food Bank in Zurich. Call us at 519-565-2122 or email carol@huronridge.ca

We have an e-newsletter!

2011-04-20T16:55:00.000-07:00

If you haven't signed up for our monthly newsletter, you should. It will keep you up to date on any up and coming events, sales, and other news delivered right to your inbox! You can sign up on our website www.huronridge.ca We don't always advertise end of the season sales so this is a handy reminder!

Easter is just around the corner!

2011-04-12T09:39:00.000-07:00

Next Sunday is Easter already! Actually, it's about as late as it can get in the year. Our first Easter Lilies arrived this morning. We don't grow them here, but always make sure we have some to be purchased and enjoyed at home. We're all hoping for a beautiful Easter weekend to enjoy family and the outdoors.

Yesterday I took a walk in a friend's subdivision along the lake and enjoyed observing how everyone is cleaning up their yard and beginning to decorate. I saw some pots of pansies, patio furniture with bright coloured cushions and flower beds with perennials beginning to pop up out of the ground. Lawns had been raked, branches in piles and a gentleman was rolling his lawn. Now's the time to do that early spring clean up if you haven't already. Flower beds can be cleaned up and dead branches trimmed. Some shrubs can be pruned now as well. Lawns can be raked, overseeded and rolled. If your garden is dry enough to work, it can be enriched with compost and manure, then planted with lettuce, spinach, peas, onions and maybe even potatoes. Most other seeds and plants should wait.

April....hath put a spirit of youth in everything.

-William Shakespeare

A sure sign of spring!

2011-04-12T09:21:00.000-07:00

We can always tell when spring has sprung by the birth of kittens! We get to enjoy them until end of May and then give them away. Our calico mama has 3 that are about 2 weeks old that she brought out to show us and placed in this box. The grey mama is still hiding hers but we know she has some because she's quite a bit slimmer! :) The children that come always go looking for the kittens and some of the adults too! A kitten is always so sweet, just like a newborn baby.

Hanging Basket Haven

2011-04-01T12:31:00.003-07:00

Yesterday and today, we are potting hanging baskets with a variety of annuals. After planting, hangers are snapped on to the baskets and they are hung on automatic watering drip lines. Early on they might get watered every few days but once they are bigger and full of blooms, the watering happens every morning. Fertilizer is added to the water automatically. It's always fun watching the plants grow and beging to bloom. It seems that they grow right before my eyes!

Hope everyone had a trick free April Fool's Day and here's hoping for a sunshiny weekend!

2011-03-31T07:37:00.001-07:00

For the months of January, February and March, on Tuesdays and Fridays, we open our sidewalks to anyone who would like exercise or just some fresh air and sunshine. Sadly, tomorrow is the last day. That doesn't mean we're not open for you to come and wander! (we're open Monday-Saturday 9-5.) Our sidewalks just happen to be busy with team members working, making walking more difficult. The good news is, it's a sign that spring is here and it should be warm enough to walk outside! For us, it also means that we better keep working to grow wonderful plants for your gardens!

New Saturday hours

2011-03-30T12:37:00.001-07:00

We've made it more convenient for you to shop here on Saturday! Starting April 2, our hours are Monday-Saturday 9-5. Pansies, primula and bulbs are blooming ready for your table until nights are a little warmer then they can be placed outside to decorate around your front entry.

2011-03-28T06:26:00.000-07:00

In a month from now, we will have celebrated Easter and will be getting ready for our spring openhouse!Mark your calender for April 29 9-8, April 30 9-5 or Sunday May 1, 1-5 pm.

It's busy,busy here. Our entire staff has returned to start transplanting, potting and getting everything ready for you this spring! There are a few new annuals this year as well as the old standards. We will be growing a wide assortment of vegetables or if you prefer to grow them from seed, we carry Ontario Seed Company's seed packets. Dave and Carol will be leading another gardening seminar sometime early May. This will be the third year and many have found it informative and a place where they can ask questions. Keep watching for the dates. I will post them once I know.

Looking forward to seeing you this spring!

Would you like a tour?

2011-03-22T12:36:00.000-07:00

Today Carol gave a tour of our greenhouse production area to the "Rubies of the Cove". They enjoyed seeing the seeding machine, the seedling house, labeler, dahlias being potted as well as the thousands of pansy pots we're growing that are blooming their little hearts out! If you would like a tour, give Carol a call at 519-565-2122 or email her at info@huronridge.ca

What's new?

2011-03-16T06:57:00.000-07:00

Tulip and crocus are beginning to bloom. Hyacinths and alliums are poking through the earth.

The spanish onions are peeking up. Tuberous Begonia hanging baskets were planted yesterday and line up on the bench like the olympic circles.

The pansies are blooming profusely! With this mild weather, they can even go outside! So

take the tired greens from those outdoor pots and pop a pansy into them! If you're a little nervous about keeping them outside yet, enjoy them indoors for a week or two in a bright window. They'll brighten up your home!

New Kids Korral

2011-03-16T06:49:00.000-07:00

A week ago, we started our new kids korral. Here are some "on the way" pics of our renovation. We think it's pretty cool and hope that children and parents alike will enjoy the play place.

There are colourful, hardy toys, a picnic table that will be set up with colouring pencils and paper, a chalkboard for drawing, a bench to wait on and soft floor to play on. We had some adults yesterday who thought they would like to play in it. :) I couldn't quite convince them to pose for a picture.

New Hours

2011-02-28T06:12:00.001-08:00

Beginning March 1, we will be open Monday to Friday 9-5 and Saturday 10-3. This is for the month of March only. Once April arrives, I'll post those new hours. Those who desire can still come walking on Tuesday and Fridays until the end of March! The weather is still not great for doing much walking outside!

Bursting forth with colour!

2011-02-22T12:20:00.000-08:00

The beautiful, bright and cheery Primula, also know as Primrose.

With the beautiful sunshine we've been having, they are bursting into bloom!

Inside Sunshine!

2011-02-15T11:07:00.000-08:00

This picture says it all! Bring in some sunshine with these sweet little plants! Once the ground is thawed and warmed, they can be planted outdoors for spring colour in your gardens next year!

Lots of colours from white to dark purple...my favourite is the yellow for it's wonderful perfume!

What is "sticking cuttings"?

2011-02-11T10:34:00.000-08:00

Today we were trimming Mini-Cascade geraniums. Above are the rooted plants that we took cuttings from.

Here is one that I took out of the flat so you can see the roots.

Here is the cutting that we nipped off the top of the rooted plant.

The box is full of unrooted cutting and we are dipping them into a special rooting powder and then into a tray of 72 individual squares filled with Pro-Mix, a high quality soil-less potting mix.

When the tray is full, they are run through the watering tunnel and end up on this roller bench until they are loaded on a cart and taken to our rooting greenhouse.

And that's what we did for 2 hours of our day today!

2011-02-04T12:08:00.000-08:00

Everyone I see asks if this is our slow time. In answer I say in some ways yes, but there's always something to do. In January, I packed up Christmas which took a few days. There's always inventory to take after a season.

Unrooted cuttings start coming towards the end of January and we finished planting the early pansies. Kevin seeded last week (more pansies) and we are awaiting some geranium cuttings that will need to get stuck into fresh soil and placed in our warm rooting house.

The label order for spring annuals gets done and I start to think about and work on signage. This year there are some changes in the pesticides that will be available so I have to do my homework and know what we can and can't have in our Garden Pharmacy.

Spring Fundraisers need to be organized and other office work caught up on. During the Christmas season, some of that falls behind! And this winter, Kevin has been blowing and shoveling snow almost everyday!

Our Retail greenhouse is open for walkers on Tuesday and Friday in January thru March so we enjoy seeing the regulars come in to exercise and get some sunlight. Even if it's a cloudy day, the greenhouse is still bright!

Have a great weekend!

Colour of the Year 2011!

2011-01-26T12:06:00.000-08:00

Pantone's colour pick of the year. The Color Marketing Group has this to say about it...

"… this mustard gold is the grounded hue of optimism. Frivolous is out. Upbeat and realistic is in. Inspirations come from hardworking honeybees, a move away from glitzier golds, toward a remembrance of things past. Honey Moon is patinated and reminiscent of warm, worn leather. Honey Moon offers a fresh face on yellow and blends the sensual stimulations of color and taste. Take the sweet earthiness of honey and combine it with the romance of a harvest moon to uncover this blended yellow. Although Honey Moon will be predominant, we can see it playing out in combination with the colors of fantasy brights, whites, and comforting, subdued hues."

Wow! What a description of the new colour Honey Moon! What do you think? Do you like it? Would you use it in your home on a wall, or just as an accent colour using a decorative pot? Perhaps paint a small bench for your garden or even a trellis. Part of me likes it's warmness but not sure I could endure it on a wall for years to come. It reminds me a little of the gold cushions in my parent's camping trailer when I was growing up. I think used properly, it could be beautiful and sophisticated.

Planting pansies video

2011-01-17T05:28:00.001-08:00

Check this out...it's us planting pansies last week! Still a few more to go but helps to think about spring on this very cold crispy morn.

They don't look like this yet but by March we'll start seeing blooms here and there!

http://www.yout ube.com/watch?v=MuLLeMa 1hx4

A wonderful gift!

2010-12-22T13:30:00.000-08:00

We're clearing out the last of the poinsettias! Buy 1 get 1 Free! Priced from $3.49-23.99

We're open until Dec.24 at 3 pm.

Springtime already?

2010-12-20T13:37:00.000-08:00

Yes, this our first crop of pansies growing, waiting to be potted into our special soil mix. In the next two weeks, we'll be working to pop these tiny little plants into pots allowing their roots to spread and grow. By middle of March, they'll be blooming just when all of us are sick of grey and brown!

2010-12-17T12:09:00.000-08:00

We still have a few lovely poinsettias to choose from for that perfect gift. We can also customize any poinsettia of your choice.

This is our angel keeping watch over the poinsettias. :)

Snow, snow and more snow!

2010-12-17T11:30:00.000-08:00

Here's our entrance with just a pathway to the doors which are normally our exit doors. On the right side you can see the entrance doors snowed in.

Here's our faithful snow removal guy, Kevin. He was out every morning making pathways and clearing the laneway and parking lot for customers and staff. In this picture I caught him changing a bolt that had broken.

and they're gone!

2010-12-16T09:05:00.000-08:00

Today our last delivery of fundraiser poinsettias, outdoor planters and wreaths were loaded on the truck to be delivered to Wingham. It has been a challenging 2 weeks for us with the storms and snow accumulation! Some of our staff couldn't make it in due to visibility and closed roads and some deliveries had to be put off a day but all in all, it went amazingly well. From Whitby to Windsor, our wonderful driver Clayton, braved the snowy roads. (he's in the second picture smiling at us...I guess he's happy today is a nicer day for a drive!) Since the beginning of December, we've shipped out....are you ready for this?.... 　 3200- poinsettias in various colours 700 - large poinsettias 671 -centrepieces (poinsettia in decorative pot with greenery) 257 - tropical planters with poinsettia in the mix 111- fresh wreaths 642- outdoor winter planters Phew! No wonder we feel ready for the holidays! :)

Poinsettias loaded on the carts.

A few of the hundreds of Outdoor Winter planters we made.

Dave and Clayton loading the carts on the truck

A green fern is a happy fern

2010-11-12T06:46:00.000-08:00

Bringing in boston ferns for the winter can be messy business. They are not the most friendly houseplant but here are some tips for keeping them over the winter.

A bright window shielded by sheers or thin curtains in a cooler room is an ideal spot, but not near a heat vent.

Keep them moist but allow top of the soil to dry out between waterings. A good soaking with lukewarm water for about 30 minutes in a sink or bucket is important, then allow it to drain before returning it to its home. Keep a deep saucer under the pot to catch any drips. Carry a cloth to wipe up any water that might escape. :)

Humidity in the air is essential for ferns. Mist with a spray bottle daily or use a humidifier in the room.(this is good for us too!) Another idea is to place some moist spagnum moss around the base of the plant on top of the soil. It will help hold moisture in.

When repotting, a lighter soil mix is best. A good quality potting mix is ideal.

Fertilizing is not necessary during the winter months because the fern will not likely grow, but once spring approaches and new growth is spotted, some feeding can begin.

If the fronds begin to brown on the edges, it might be due to low humidity and too much warmth. So keep your fern happy by applying the above tips and if all goes well, it can be hung outside again once chance of frost is gone!

Pumpkin anyone?

2010-11-04T05:54:00.000-07:00

Time to cook those pumpkins sitting on the porch! Here are some simple instructions.

Cut pumpkin in half, scoop out seeds and place open side down in baking dish with 1/2" water in the bottom. Bake for 45-60 minutes at 450 C or until you can pierce skin with fork. While still slightly warm, scoop flesh out of shell. Blend or puree until smooth then use fresh or measure and place in containers, freezing for future use. You can make pie, muffins, bread, soup, cookies, cheesecake and even fudge!

Christmas

2010-10-27T10:48:00.001-07:00

Beginning next week, we'll be getting ready for the upcoming season. The shelves will be cleared and replaced with Christmas. The cedar garland is supposed to arrive November 5 and the following week, we'll have a variety of Christmas greens. The poinsettias are beginning to glow with vibrant colour and should be ready for mid to late November. Be sure to mark Nov.25-28 on your calender. This is our annual Christmas Candlelight Openhouse and we've extended it one more evening. See our website for details. http://www.huronridge.ca/

What's in those brownies?

2010-10-14T10:01:00.000-07:00

Do you have lots of beets and aren't sure what to do with them? I found a recipe that sounds very interesting even though at first you might say "yum..yucky!". Dark Chocolate Beet Brownies Does this sound even a little appealing? Great way to get those veggies into your family (or yourself!)so if you're feeling adventurous, here's the recipe:

6 T unsalted butter, melted

1/2 c. all purpose flour

1?2 t. ground cinnamon

3/4 c. golden brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 1/2 c. bittersweet ch.chips, melted

1 t. pure vanilla extract

2/3 c. peeled and finely grated red beets (about 2 medium)

Preheat oven to 350 F. Butter and 8" square pan and line with parchment paper.

Stir flour and cinnamon together in a small bowl and set aside. In a large bowl, beat sugar with melted butter. Add eggs, one at a time, beating constantly, then add ch.chips and vanilla and beat just until blended. Add flour and cinnamon mixture and beat vigorously for 1 minute, until batter is smooth and glossy. Add beets and stir through until thoroughly blended. Spread batter evenly into pan. Bake on middle rack of oven for about 30 minutes or until a knife inserted in centre of pan comes out clean. Remove pan from oven and cool completely before turning out brownies and cutting them into squares. Serve and enjoy!

(This recipe taken from Canadian Gardening magazine Fall/Winter issue)

If you make these, let me know how they turn out!

2010-10-09T13:22:00.000-07:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We hope you have a terrific weekend, get to enjoy the outdoors and enjoy the beautiful weather we've received! And to the Moms and Grandmas "don't spend your whole day in the kitchen!"

$1.00?

2010-10-06T13:28:00.000-07:00

If you're still thinking of filling a few holes in the flowerbeds that look a little empty, we're clearing out the remainder of our perennials for $1.00! There's one of this and two of that but if you poke around, there's some cool stuff.

If you'd rather put some colour in for the month of October, we have garden mums. Starting at $3.33- $11.99 in brilliant colours and with Thanksgiving weekend coming up, perhaps decorating for company is the plan! We have gourds, pumpkins, baskets and purple fountain grass. I'm even hoping to design some little table centres using pumpkins and mums. They always look so cute on a table.

Autumn to-do list

2010-09-29T11:50:00.000-07:00

Cooler days mean a change in season but don't hibernate yet! There's still lots to do in your gardens and these tasks will save you time in the spring. Divide crowded perennials especially peonies, Siberian irises, astilbes, hostas and ornamental grasses. Plant spring-flowering bulbs such as tulips, hyacinths and snowdrops. Apply compost to your garden and top-dress beneath trees and shrubs. Plant perennials- plant roots continue to grow until the soil freezes. Move houseplants inside. Compost leaves. Fertilize lawn with fall fertilizer. Harvest late tomatoes. Before the first frost, place green tomatoes in paper bags and store in warm location to ripen. Use the smaller ones for relish or fried green tomatoes. :) I've never made these but always thought I should try. Clean veggie garden of plant debris that could harbour insects and diseases. Don't be overwelmed. Not all these have to be done. Just do what you can and enjoy the outdoors!

Dollar Daze

2010-09-29T06:31:00.000-07:00

This Friday, Oct.1 and Saturday Oct.2, Huron Ridge is the place for gardener's. We're clearing out perennials starting at $1-$5 (Reg.$6.99- $13.99) , soils and mulches $1-$5, garden mums starting at $3.33, Fall bulbs buy 4 get the 5th free, as well as decorative clay, and other various products. Free coffee and donuts while you browse.

Spread the news to anyone you know who likes to garden

and if you're still in the mood to shop, Zurich Mennonite Church is hosting a Ten Thousand Villages Sale on Friday

from 6-9 and Saturday 10-4.

Runner-up Mums

2010-09-27T09:06:00.000-07:00

Runner- up mums are available now. These are the hardy garden mums that didn't quite make first but are still nice. 3 for $10 Perfect timing for Thanksgiving decoration. :)

Now is the time to plant

2010-09-22T05:44:00.000-07:00

Fall bulbs have arrived! From early Tulips to late blooming Allium, we have a great variety. Now is the perfect time to get these in the ground so they can bloom beautifully in the spring when we are all hungry for colour!

Kittens looking for a new home

2010-09-13T08:22:00.000-07:00

Yes, we have kittens once again! Five sweet little balls of fluff free to a new home.

Phone 519-565-2122 or email to info@huronridge.ca if you're interested.

A new look for the front door

2010-09-11T08:57:00.000-07:00

If you want to spruce up your planters or even change them altogether, we have hardy garden mums, ornamental cabbage and Kale, and Purple Fountain grass or Red Rooster grass. Mix them up or just plant a grass, you can use your imagination. We can even plant them up for you so the mess stays here!

Tired of squirrels digging up your tulip bulbs?

2010-09-09T08:05:00.000-07:00

Are squirrels eating your bulbs? Look at that chubby little guy!

Acti-Sol multipurpose fertilizer has a repulsive effect on squirrels that are fond of tulip bulbs. It's completely safe for use around pets and children and is easy to use. Just sprinkle

where you've planted your bulbs! Simple and effective...I've tried it and it does work! In addition to saving the tulip bulbs, the plants are being fed nutrients too! We carry it here in a ready-to-use carton.

http://www.acti-sol.ca/Are-squirrels-eating-your-bulbs?decoupe_recherche=squirrel%20protection

Icicle Pansies are here!

2010-09-09T07:50:00.000-07:00

If you've never planted Icicle Pansies in the fall, you're missing out! These little treasures bloom until snow and they are awake with the daffodils in the spring. These pansies are bursting with colour and ready to plant. They look great in a planter mixed with mums, ornamental kale or just alone in a carved out pumpkin. Best used outside because they enjoy the cooler temperatures.

http://iciclepansies/iciclepansyphotos.htm

Gardens and Sales, oh my!

2010-08-21T06:57:00.000-07:00

This is a great time of year to work outside (unless you have seasonal allergies like me!) cleaning up spent flowers, watering (yes, some of us are having to do that again!) and gleaning the fruits of our labours. Yesterday I made spaghetti sauce and salsa from the beautiful tomatoes, peppers and herbs from my garden. I can't seem to grow good onions in my soil so I always raid my father-in-law's garden for onions. He grows amazing onions that are super-sized and full of flavour! My salsa seems to have turned out thick and chunky with just a bit of zip, just the way I like it. Later on I will make another batch that causes foreheads to break out in a sweat because that's how my husband likes it. :p

If you are thinking about the empty spots in your perennial beds, our perennials are now all on at 50% off! Dig them in now so they have a couple of months before cold comes (did I say cold? Yuk!) and the roots can become well established. If you still need fertilizer or other garden care products, they are 35% off. All other items such as garden decor, containers, soils and mulch are 35% off as well!

We are open Monday-Saturday 9-5

Houses for Haiti

2010-08-12T11:31:00.000-07:00

I know the tragedy in Haiti happened awhile ago so it's easy to forget that it even happened. While we carry on with our everyday lives, others are still working to rebuild their lives and homes. When I came across this article, I wanted to share it with you. It's about a company that constucts greenhouses who designed inexpensive, temporary homes that can be shipped out to other countries, then set up quickly by volunteers. 200 of these were shipped to Haiti in February and likely more have been sent since. This really is a must-read and will only take a moment of your time. Go to www.esbenshades.com/haiti

Let me tell you a secret...

2010-08-11T10:27:00.001-07:00

This is advice from http://www.burpeehomegardens.com/ about growing basil and cilantro.

Plant basil and cilantro about every two weeks and you will have fresh herbs to harvest for a longer period of time. Both of these herbs go to seed and stop producing leaves fairly quickly. The leaves have the best flavor when they are harvested before your plants start to flower. Harvest full stems rather than removing individual leaves, cutting just above each pair of lower leaves. This helps create bushy, compact plants. Apply a controlled- release fertilizer when planting and try to make sure the plants receive a good inch of water per week.

the Secret of early flowering Mums

2010-08-04T18:35:00.000-07:00

Tonight I put the garden mums to bed for the night. Did you know that Chrysanthemums respond to day length for their blooming time? That's why they don't flower in your garden until autumn when the days are shorter. To have garden mums in bloom for sale this time of the year, we started about 6 weeks ago, pulling a thick black blanket over the 6" pots of mums at 8 p.m. & uncover them at 9 a.m., Mon - Sat.

Tasty Fruit

2010-07-26T09:14:00.000-07:00

Karen Taylor sent me this picture of one of the "Burpee Home Gardens" varieties of tomatoes that was planted into a patio container. She sent me this comment as well.

"This is a 'Burpee Super Tasty' tomato. We've been enjoying some nice size tomatoes for a while now from this plant. They are really quite delicious!' "

Controlling pests in your garden

2010-07-22T08:26:00.000-07:00

Here are some ideas you can do to help eliminate or at least control those destructive pests in your garden. Go to www.gardening-tips-idea.com/Identifying-Garden-Pests.html There are lots more ideas for controlling those nasty little pests that seem to invade our gardens. Ask other gardeners, check out other websites, and the library is full of books that will help you grow a great garden. If you have any questions, drop us a line at info@huronridge.ca and we'll send an answer back to you.

New Look

2010-07-21T07:56:00.000-07:00

Our blog has a new name and a new look! What do you think? Leave a comment and let us know.

Very soon we will be cleaning out the greenhouse of any 1/2 price annuals and planters to make room for poinsettias. Yes, Christmas does start in July here! Our first ones have arrived and are just very small. They will soon get potted up into larger containers and placed on the benches to grow and will begin flowering in October. By mid-November they will be in full colour! But that's a long way off and you don't want to think about Christmas!

Changes

2010-07-16T08:54:00.000-07:00

Time for a new look. We're working at giving our blog a new look. Your comments are welcome!

Show us your stuff!

2010-07-16T06:17:00.000-07:00

For those of you who tried out new series of vegetable plants from

Burpee Home Gardens,

we would love to see some pictures of the veggies you are harvesting.

Email them to info@huronridge.ca or post them on our facebook page

Link

$10 special!

2010-06-14T10:21:00.000-07:00

$10!

If you are still planting flowerbeds, window boxes, pots, garden or any kind of container, we have a clearout special on all 4 pak flats of annuals. There are 12- 4 paks to a flat and that is regularly $14.50. Now you can get the 48 plants for $10! We still have impatiens, petunias, nicotiana, dusty miller, sweet william, marigolds and more. This special will likely be on until they are gone so come find us at 74101 Bronson Line. We're open Monday through Saturday from 9-5.

We need food and water and so do plants :)

2010-05-31T11:26:00.000-07:00

Now that your plants are in the ground, remember to water faithfully especially in this extremely warm weather. If the plants are smaller and in a somewhat large pot, every few days is fine. If the container is smaller and the plants are large, I would recommend watering everyday or at least every other if in full sun. It's a good idea to ask a family member or neighbour to water for you if you're away for more than a few days. Fertilizing is also a great way to guarantee beautiful flowers and foliage. Here at the greenhouse, we fertilize every time we water with a water soluble mix. Fill up your watering can, add a scoop or two of the powder (whatever the package says), mix and pour into containers or on flowerbeds. A really easy way to fertilize flowerbeds is to buy a Fertilizer applicator. Just fill with powdered fertilizer, screw onto the end of a hose and begin watering. The applicator syphons out the fertilizer, mixing it with water at just the right strength. Tomorrow is June 1st so to keep your plants growing beautifully all summer long, follow these simple suggestions.

Long weekend!

2010-05-23T12:40:00.000-07:00

Hope you are all enjoying your weekend, either camping, visiting friends or working around home. The time is prime for planting! The earth has been dampened by our rain yesterday and now we've got heat. I would just speak a word of caution that when planting transplants in this unusually warm weather for May, water well and keep an eye on them for a day or two. As long as they get enough moisture and once the plants have been able to send their roots down a little, they'll be fine. Have a great holiday Monday! We're open 9-5.

2010-05-22T06:22:00.000-07:00

This past week has been amazing! The weather has been just about perfect for planting or doing any kind of outdoor work. If you were lucky enough to get your garden planted before last night, this rain is in your favour. If not, you might just have to wait a day or two until the ground dries up a bit. There's lots you can do in the meantime though! Pots can be planted, weeding can be done, and fertilizing your perennials should be done now. Dead- heading of tulips and spring bulbs. Tender bulbs such as Dahlias and Calla Lillies can be planted. Our benches are full of colourful annuals waiting to stretch their roots! Alot of them grow wonderfully in containers and window boxes while others are perfect for flowerbeds. Tidal Wave petunias are great for a larger bed where you need a mass of colour and the portulaca grows the best in a hot corner. Impatiens or begonias prefer shade while verbena and vinca like full sun. Marigolds and geraniums are the old favourites that have stood the test of time but if you'd like to try something new, bacopa and Million Bells are a newer variety of trailing flowers. Hanging baskets and planters can be popped into an urn for instant wow. Don't forget fertilizer! A starter fertilizer is a good idea when planting new transplants. It's a plant food to promote root growth. Later on a 15-30-15 fertilizer is good to promote blooming. It's important to get the plant growing roots and foliage before it pushes out too many blooms because it will exert all it's strength into the flower. Have a great weekend everyone! We appreciate your business! Don't hesitate to contact us with any questions you might have about plants. info@huronridge.ca

kittens

2010-05-22T05:51:00.000-07:00

Once again we have baby kittens. There were 7 to start with and we've been able to give them all away. They are adorable and fun to watch. This girl is Nala. This is Shack (don't ask me, my kids named her) There is another one that's similiar to this one but fluffier and just grey. He is called Boots. This is the two moms sleeping with most of the kittens in a box. Boots is the grey one in the bottom left corner. These are our "tree-huggers". :) It is so fun to watch the kittens play and look at how and where they sleep.

Perennials

2010-05-17T07:54:00.000-07:00

We have a lovely array of perennials this year. For you who are new to gardening, a perennial is a plant that overwinters and keeps growing every year. The only downside to perennials is that they do not provide constant colour all season. They can be planted in a way that there is always something blooming such as some in the spring, some in the summer and in the fall. The upside is they take very little care other than some cleaning up or trimming back and perhaps dividing once in a while. Some perennials can become root bound and need to be cut apart and thinned out. They will thank you by blooming profusely the following year. There are lots of books on perennials in the library and bookstores that provide that information. Sorry that I have no pics...I'm not at work today. The weekend forecast is looking fabulous so get ready to get out in your gardens and enjoy the sun!

Ode to Mothers

2010-05-07T07:34:00.000-07:00

A mother's love determines how

We love ourselves and others.

There is no sky we'll ever see

Not lit by that first love.

Stripped of love, the universe

Would drive us mad with pain;

But we are born into a world

That greets our cries with joy.

How much I owe you for the kiss

That told me who I was!

The greatest gift--a love of life--

Lay laughing in your eyes.

Because of you my world still has

The soft grace of your smile;

And every wind of fortune bears

The scent of your caress.

I have two amazing mother's - the wonderful woman who gave birth to me (love you Mom!)

and the one I "inherited" when I got married. I hope I can be as great a mother-in-law as she is to me. Both have taught me many things. From tying my shoes to roasting a chicken, my "mothers" are always ready with advice. "Mom, my canned tomatoes didn't seal! What did I do wrong?" "Can I borrow a cup of sugar?" ( I did this just a couple of nights ago☺) or "How much flour do I add to my chicken juice to make gravy?"

Motherhood is highly underrated! A mother wears many hats and is always giving. Any woman can be a mothering-type and I am fortunate to have many wonderful women in my life who are there for me if I need someone. My sisters, sister-in-laws, friends, church family....I am so thankful!

Have a great weekend and I encourage you to send an email or a quick note to a woman in your life who's been there for you. I'm going to!

We're on Facebook!

2010-04-30T07:21:00.000-07:00

Become a fan of Huron Ridge Acres on our Facebook account. Just search for us and ask to join our fan page!

Openhouse Weekend

2010-04-30T03:47:00.000-07:00

Tonight we welcome you to come between 4 and 8pm to see a sampling of what's growing here at Huron Ridge. We're filling up benches and every nook and cranny with plants! From veggies to flowers to patio pots and climbing vines. There will be cookies and coffee to enjoy while you browse. There are some weekend specials such as Basil for $1.49, creeping phlox for $1.99, tropical spider plants to use in the house or in planters for $0.99 and lots of pansies! Tomorrow we're open from 9-5 and Sunday 1-5. Starting Monday, our hours will be our extended May hours which are 9-8 Monday to Friday, Saturday 9-5 and Sunday 1-5. Hope to see you!

2010-04-19T12:32:00.000-07:00

It sure was a wake-up call last night as to what time of the year it is! We had a fairly heavy frost last night and the wind today is quite cold, straight from the north. Inside here is warm and sunny which is a perfect environment for the plants to become established and bloom. These baskets are looking lovely, filling out and starting to bloom. The plant below is called Lobularia and it's new and gorgeous! The picture doesn't do it justice!

Geraniums are filling out and beginning to bloom brightly. We have 3 sizes and lots of sizes to choose from when the weather warms up and you begin planting.

These are begonia baskets. They will fill out the pot and be in bloom by Mother's day. Red, pink, yellow and orange, these look lovely in a shady place or hanging under a porch.

Bright Colour!

2010-04-13T06:48:00.000-07:00

This is week 15 into the new year 2010. Victoria Day is May 24 and the full moon follows 3 days after that. All the plants and seedlings are coming along nicely. We are hoping for a nicer spring than last year when it was cool and wet.

Potted Dahlia are popping into bloom, hanging baskets are beginning to show colour and trail, and the geraniums are beginning to show colour. Everyone here is busy planting, spacing, trimming, watering, or cleaning. Along with soil comes mess but also new life and beauty.

Hope to see you soon!