Most of us are more than ready for Spring, especially since we’ve all been cooped up inside due to the pandemic. Well… SPRING is almost here… only 3 weeks away …but it won’t officially arrive until Saturday, March 20. Meanwhile, since it’s been a little bit warmer…it’s time to put on the garden gloves and head outside. It’s time to spray trees with dormant oil. And it’s ALMOST time to plant cool-weather crops such as lettuces, peas, leeks, onions, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts, garlic, potatoes, onions, and carrots. Our rule of thumb is to put seeds in the soil around St. Patrick’s Day, assuming it’s not snowing too hard to do so.
Here are other suggestions for early spring gardening:* Cut back perennials * If you have a lawn, thatch it, rake up the thatch or mow over it to pick up the thatch and start weekly watering. Don’t turn on your irrigation systems yet, use a hose and sprinkler for now. * Rake up leaves and compost if possible.
This is a list of the large B&B trees we will be offering this spring. Large trees have been getting more and more difficult to get from our suppliers. Please review the list and if you see something you might be interested in, feel free to reserve and “Pre-Purchase” your trees before they are all gone.
Please call the North Store and ask for team members in the yard at 505-988-8011 to reserve your trees.
The North store has been busy all winter planting and potting up perennials for this coming season. We have a lot of plant material in #1 containers, but also have quite a few in Quart containers. Currently in quart containers you can find Sedum ‘Old Man’s Bones’, Veronica ‘Crystal River’, Marrubium ‘Silverheels’ and many other plants.
The crew is busy moving plants from the greenhouse into the cold frame in order for them to become more acclimated to the temperatures outdoors. Many of the gallons that have been moved are starting to show flowers like the Helianthemums and the Heucheras. We also have several varieties of Peonies that are just starting to pop out of the pot. Stop by our North location, see what is popping up for spring and start planning that perennial flowerbed.
NOW is the perfect time to start planning your garden. Warm Spring days are only a few weeks away, so start visualizing your landscape early so you’re ready for the season! Start collecting your seeds! It’s time to start thinking about seeds. We now have our 2021 seed racks stocked and ready – with plenty of varieties to choose from. Brands like: Lake Valley Organics, Peppers of the World, Botanical Interests and more!
If you’re not sure about which variety to choose, our gardening experts will help you decide.
Even though you should continue to water your outdoor plants during this mild winter weather, Payne’s doesn’t recommend fertilizing any outdoor plants at this time.
Fertilizing your plants will enhance and encourage NEW growth and a possible hard freeze may cause damage to the new buds.
Ask our gardening experts about when is it safe to start feeding your plants.
You might not be able to get your favorite varieties, but that could be an opportunity for trying something new.
I’m not surprised when I can’t find disinfectant sprays, hand wipes, and toilet paper in stores anymore. But with spring coming up, I noticed that the blue morning glory seeds I wanted to grow around my mailbox and the heirloom Italian tomato variety I always use to make sauce are already out of stock at the small seed company I usually order from.
During this past year’s pandemic gardening surge, seed buying spiked as much as 300 percent, causing many varieties to sell out early in the season. Now I’m wondering if many seeds will be hard to come by again this year.
Even though “gardening went off the charts” last year, there’s no need to worry about the seed supply now, says Mike Lizotte, president of the Home Garden Seed Association and a managing partner at High Country Gardens, American Meadows and Landreth’s Seeds. “I’ve been in this industry over 30 years,” Lizotte says, and “there’s been a surge in demand most of us have never seen.” That demand shows no signs of slowing down in 2021 for all types of seeds from veggies and herbs to flowers, but suppliers have anticipated this and prepared for it. “I’m pretty confident in saying there won’t be shortages, but the sooner you purchase, the better,” Lizotte adds.
You should be able to find plenty of seeds to buy this year, as long as you keep an open mind and don’t get discouraged if you can’t find the exact seed variety you’re looking for. Certain varieties might sell out, and producing more seeds isn’t like manufacturing more toilet paper. If your favorite heirloom tomato seeds are out of stock, try a different one. “You might find cool and unique varieties to grow,” Lizotte says.
No one anticipated the demand would continue to this year quite like it is.
CLICK HERE to read more! ———————————————————————————– TJ’s TIP: GOOD NEWS! As of now, Payne’s has plenty of 2021 SEEDS in our RACKS! Stop by and check our your
Please keep sending in your photos. You Could WIN a $25 Gift Card!If you have a photo taken in your own garden, at our greenhouse or around town of interesting plants or landscape that contains products from Payne’sand other unique plants, please send it to info@paynes.com! If your photo is chosen, and used in our e-newsletter website or other marketingmaterials, then you will receive a Gift Certificate from Payne’s for $25!One winner per household per year!Please make sure to give us your contact information in your email.
