Sunnyside Blog
Posted by Andy on April 26th 2011 in blog
Spring is almost here (I promise), and while the weather forecaster stubbornly predicts more snow and grizzly nighttime temps, our garden beds are slowly awakening. With a few nice days lined up in our forecast, its a great time to get a jump start on your garden. A little time in Spring to do these three simple tasks will yield enormous dividends later in the season, as you sip lemonade and watch your neighbor toil in the weeds.
1. Clean Up – Lightly rake out your garden beds, removing leaves, sticks and other debris that may have accumulated over the long winter. Not only will raking improve the aesthetic appearance of your garden bed, it will also increase air circulation and sunlight to your plants. Take a little time to clean and cut back your perennials if you neglected the chore in fall, and remove dead growth.
2. Mulch – Mulch your garden beds before the weeds have a chance to gain strength and spread. Mulching is probably the single most important and beneficial task you can do for your garden. Mulching not only discourages weeds from germinating (crushing the competition for your plants and eliminating the need for herbicides) , it also helps the soil retain moisture (cutting down the need for constant watering), protects root systems from blistering summer heat, and encourages the growth of worms and other beneficial organisms that can help improve soil quality. And did I mention that a well mulched garden bed looks great too?
3. Preen with Fertilizer – Preen is a wonderful product for those who enjoy a weed-free garden without the toil and backache. Preen creates a gaseous layer in the garden bed that prohibits weeds from germinating yet causes no ill effect to your existing plants. In addition , Preen Weed and Feed contains fertilizer, providing nutrients to your plants. When using Preen with mulch (which I call the weed prevention double Whammy) apply Preen after you mulch.
Posted by Andy on April 1st 2011 in blog
Houseplant and Succulents are here
Houseplants
- While our outdoor space awaits the welcome warming breath of spring, our greenhouse is full of life – houseplants, foliage plants and a cool collection of succulents. Our houseplants run the gamut in color and size and not only brighten up any room, but actually improve the quality of your indoor air. According to recent studies, NASA recommends 15 to 18 good sized houseplants for an average 1,800 square foot house to remove everyday pollutants in your air – so come in and check out our awesome array of houseplants (for more on the air cleaning effect of houseplants click here) We are also excited about our collection of succulent plants. These amazing water holding plants come in a range of color and offer a great foliage look all season long.
Fresh Paint, Fresh Look
Freshly Painted Awnings
Here at Sunnyside we are always experimenting with color. With ten gallons of empty paint cans, we’ve added a little color everywhere – from freshly painted greenhouse walls to the exciting ‘Aztec Brick’ color of our freshly painted awnings. We hope that in addition to all the great plants, either here or on their way, our new look will create warmer, vibrant shopping experience for you!
New Greenhouse
Joe building new benches in the New Greenhouse
Every garden center battles with space constraints, but here at Sunnyside we have been thinking hard about maximizing the retail potential of our existing space. This year we are excited to open a brand new greenhouse on the west side of our lot. As biggest standing greenhouse on the lot, we are practically salivating in anticipation of all the awesome plants we can display within. More space = More room for plants = A larger selection for our customer base.
Coming soon to Sunnyside – Pansymonium! Bring on Spring!
Posted by Andy on March 25th 2011 in blog
You don’t have to wait for warmer weather to start gardening. In fact, if you want to grow your own vegetables from seed, you can’t wait much longer.
There are basically two options for herb and vegetable gardening: start seedlings indoors and transplanting them to the garden, or buy plants that are already growing in containers. (These will be available in a few months.)
Starting vegetables indoors is easy. You’ll save money and you won’t believe the number of varieties available when you’re buying seeds.
Here’s what you need to know:
Containers: Pick up some plastic cell packs or small peat pots (which can be planted directly into the ground later).
Soil: Seedlings are sensitive to infection and need lots of moisture and nutrition, so look for special “seed starter” soil which will be sterilized, light and airy.
Planting: Plant seeds to the depth specified on your seed packet.
Water: Water with a fine mesh watering can or spritz with a spray bottle. Too much water will wash your seeds away.
Put the containers in another tray filled with pebbles to keep the containers up out of the excess water.
Light: In Minnesota, even a south-facing window probably won’t give enough light. Hang a fluorescent light about four inches above the seedlings.
Heat: Most seeds need a temperature of 68-70 degrees to germinate. To create more heat, you can place glass or plastic over the tops of your containers until the first sprouts emerge. Then remove the covering—the seedlings are now slightly more tolerant of temperature change.
Transplanting: Your plants need a little transition time before you put them into the garden. For a few days, place them outside for several hours in the shade. Then let them spend a night outside while still in the pots. This process of “hardening off” will prevent shock once your plant goes into the garden.
Timing: You need to get an early start, but too much time indoors isn’t good either. Your plants can become spindly and produce less.
Tomato seeds, for example, should be started indoors between April 1 and April 15. Then transplanted to the garden between May 15 and June 1.
Here’s a great link with dates for planting and transplanting your favorite herbs and vegetables in Minnesota gardens:
http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG1422.html
Good luck!
Posted by Sunny D on January 7th 2011 in blog
Well, my plants are up to no good as far as I can tell. My arborvitae are buried in snow and I haven’t had the time or motivation to dig them out. AND, I’m certain the rabbits will be sneaking up on them for a morning meal in the near future. I never did wrap, spray or cover my yews which always get a little winter burn each year, so I’m preparing myself to have to prune them hard this spring. My house plants are dry and dusty and all could benefit from an expedition to the shower. Maybe a damp cloth and a steady hand will suffice for now.
Until then, it’s book time for me. Flower books, gardening books, and of course leisure reads. The shrubbery can wait.
Here’s to this lazy, crazy snow-filled winter!
Posted by Sarah on December 10th 2010 in blog, Uncategorized
When You First Bring Your Poinsettia Home
Information shared from about.com
Light – Place it near a sunny window. South, east or west facing windows are preferable to a north facing window. Poinsettias are tropicals and will appreciate as much direct sunlight as you can provide.
Heat – To keep the poinsettia in bloom as long as possible, maintain a temperature of 65 – 75 degrees F. during the day. Dropping the temperature to about 60 degrees F. at night will not hurt the plant. However, cold drafts or allowing the leaves to touch a cold window ca injure the leaves and cause premature leaf drop. If you’ve ever see a gangly poinsettia in bloom, with only a couple of sad looking leaves hanging on, it was probably exposed to temperatures that were too cool or extreme shifts in temperature.
Water – Water the plant whenever the surface feels dry to the touch. Water until it drains out the bottom, but don’t let the plant sit in water. Wilting is another common cause of leaf drop. A wilted plant can be revived and salvaged, but it will take another season to improve its appearance.
Posted by Snates on November 22nd 2010 in blog
If you’re looking for a way to prevent your evergreens from becoming a winter salad bar for deer and rabbits, we recommend using Liquid Fence Deer & Rabbit Repellent. This is an All Natural spray repellent that can be used year round and is rain (snow) resistant. Liquid Fence works on scent, creating a natural aversive smell for rabbits and deer. We like this product since it contains natural ingredients, is not harmful to pets, plants or humans. We carry the Liquid Fence Deer & Rabbit Repellent in an easy spray bottle form, it sprays even when held upside down. This is a great product for keeping your evergreens full, especially those bottom branches that are just in snacking reach of rabbits, especially if deer are uncommon in your neighborhood.
Posted by Sunny D on November 13th 2010 in blog
So, I think this means that mum season is officially over. Really.
I’m not sure this is what we all wanted, but alas, here it is. And like the hearty Minnesotans that we are we will make the transition into this longest season of the year. We will swap in our winter coats to the front hall closet, reintroduce the cars to the garage, throw away the pumpkins on the front step, and go to the garden store (Sunnyside preferred) and buy our winter greens.
Now, some folks are really on the ball; seasonal lights are up, garland is hung, and winter containers are done. (I know these people, they’re brilliant!) But for the rest of us, the thought of seasonal decorating has barely crossed our minds. No worries, we are here to help. Sunnyside has containers made and ready to set out for display, the landscape staff has a handful of busy bees who will come out and decorate your doorstep for you and if you insist on doing it yourself, we have a very helpful in store staff ready to help you with product selection and design.
Embrace it! The longest season of the year is here! Wahoo to the snow and to winter!
Posted by Sunny D on November 2nd 2010 in blog
Yes, the Birch poles are here. But better than that, we’ve decided to offer a variety of sizes to suit all of your container design and doorway decorating needs.
The Sunnyside Gardens staff is working like crazy in preparation for the winter decorating season. We are rejoicing in the warmth of the sun this first week of November and hoping that our customers are feeling inspired to do a little work in the yard too. Tree top pots seem to be the focus for our in store and custom potting clients. We are selling through bunches of spruce tips faster than we can keep them stocked.
Stop in the store and let us help you!
Posted by Sarah on October 17th 2010 in blog
Late October is a delightful time here at Sunnyside – we tuck our perennials in for their winter slumber, JR brings back his infamous Arnold Schwarzenegger impression, we help kids find their perfect Halloween pumpkin, and, of course, the fun, silly and much anticipated Pumpkin Derby. A tradition started years ago, the derby involved staff decorating pumpkins, figuring out how to attach wheels and racing them down a large ramp to see whose pumpkin could roll the furthest. Over the years we’ve seen many creative entries, from pumpkin trucks to pumpkin birds, some of them functional, some not, but always had a great time.
This year we would like to invite all our awesome and creative customers to join us for the derby which will be held Saturday October 23 at 3:00. Bring in a pumpkin you decorate and figure out how to attach wheels so the pumpkin will roll down a ramp (hint: the pumpkins that roll straight are usually the top performers.) Skateboard wheels, toy trucks, shopping carts are good examples or easy to find derby parts, but use your imagination – the joy of the derby isn’t who wins but the creativity and fun going into making your pumpkin (although there will be prizes for the derby winner and the most creative entries).
So bring your creativity, silliness and pumpkins, or just come as a spectator – either way it will be a rockin’ good time. October is a lively time at Sillyside, I mean Sunnyside.
Posted by Sarah on October 7th 2010 in blog
Here are some useful tips for fall gardening in October.
-Wrap all young trees with tree wrap
-Tip tender garden roses by late October
-Water all of your trees, shrubs, and evergreens thoroughly before the ground freezes
-Prep your garden for next spring by adding peat, compost, and other soil amendments
-Keep mowing your lawn to prevent snow mold next spring
-Empty clay, terra cotta, and glazed pots to prevent frost cracking and store in a dry place
-Store pesticides and herbicides in airtight containers and keep in a spot that will not freeze
-Collect and recycle fall leaves to avoid excess phosphorus from being introduced into our lakes and rivers
-Plant your pots and window boxes with spruce tips and other greenery before the ground freezes
3. Preen with Fertilizer – Preen is a wonderful product for those who enjoy a weed-free garden without the toil and backache. Preen creates a gaseous layer in the garden bed that prohibits weeds from germinating yet causes no ill effect to your existing plants. In addition , Preen Weed and Feed contains fertilizer, providing nutrients to your plants. When using Preen with mulch (which I call the weed prevention double Whammy) apply Preen after you mulch.
