Posted by Sarah on December 21st 2011 in blog
The Sunnyside gang would like to thank you all for another wonderful year. As we prepare to close down for the season we are already excited for the 2012 season – anticipating another great gardening year with some tantalizing new ideas. Happy Holidays! We look forward to seeing you come March.
Posted by Sarah on December 9th 2011 in blog
Globe ice lanterns are all the rage in Minneapolis thanks to Jennifer Hedberg and her now famous installations around town. Local businesses in proximity to us in the Linden Hills neighborhood have embraced the winter light displays for the warming, wonderful feeling they exhibit on chilly winter nights.
After making several here at the store we’ve concluded that ice lantern creation is really fun and suitable for folks of all ages. Enjoy!
Posted by Andy on October 10th 2011 in blog
A common question circulating around the garden center these days is “when, and how, do I prune my hydrangeas?” Luckily hydrangea care is pretty easy, as long as you follow hydrangea rule #1 – know your hydrangea.
There are three basic types of hydrangeas grown in our climate, and when and how you prune them is directly related to which hydrangea you are pruning:
Smooth hydrangeas (hydrangea aborescens), which include popular varieties such the ‘Annabelle’ and ‘Invincibelle’ Spirit hydrangeas should be pruned in early spring, right before new growth begins. Because flowers form on the new seasons growth you’ll want to prune them about ½” above the first pair of buds as they emerge in early spring.
Panicle Hydrangeas (hydrangea paniculata) is a large hydrangea family that encompasses such favorites like ‘Limelight,’ ‘Quickfire,’ ‘Tardiva,’ ‘Pink Diamond’ and the stellar new ‘Vanilla Strawberry’ hydrangea. With this family of hydrangea you will want to prune in the fall, after you hydrangea is done blooming. You also have the option of thinning out your hydrangea by pruning out some of the branches – this will result in fewer, but larger, flowers.
Big-leaf Hydrangea (hydrangea macrophylla) are known exclusively in this climate as the ‘Endless Summer’ series of hydrangeas. This group includes the blue/pink blooming classic, along with newer varieties like ‘Blushing Bride’ and ‘Twist n Shout.’ These hydrangeas bloom on old and new wood and rarely require any pruning, save removing some of the dead branches in spring.
Another common hydrangea question is a little trickier – ‘why isn’t my hydrangea blooming?”
There are several answers to this question, and a few are, frustratingly, beyond the gardener’s control. Almost all of the non-blooming hydrangeas people inquire about are Big-leaf Hydrangeas (hydrangea macrophylla). The first thing you should check for is sun. Hydrangeas (save the Annabelle) need a generous amount of sun to bloom. If your hydrangea is in the shade try moving it to a sunnier location. Another reason for a non-blooming hydrangea could be our unreasonable Old Man Winter. Because the flower buds for hydrangea macrophylla form in the fall, after the current season blooms are spent, these buds will have to tough out an entire winter. Sometimes they succumb to a harsh winter season and are unable to recoup for the season, resulting in what is basically a year off from flowering. And, since the flower buds emerge in fall they are susceptible to being pruned off by even the most well-intentioned gardener. Although the ‘Endless Summer’ series blooms on old and new wood they still should be treated as if the blooms come from old growth and fall pruning should be done carefully, if at all. If all else fails, try a hydrangea in another family that is known for blooming on new growth – these will result in less winter problems and are generally more prolific bloomers.
Posted by Sarah on September 21st 2011 in blog
The new bags are here! Aspen, Co inspired designs made from recycled yoga mats and colorful fabrics. Made to last and with a great story to boot!
www.olovesm.com
Posted by Sarah on July 28th 2011 in blog
Japanese Beetles are in town! Have you noticed some of your garden plants may look chewed and lacey? Or have you seen clusters of flying beetles settled on certain ornamentals? More than likely you have Japanese Beetles. They emerged from the ground in the last few weeks to wreck havoc in the garden.
Japanese Beetles, or Popillia Japonica, are metallic green beetles with bronze wing covers. They chew on shrubs, vines and many other ornamentals, skeletonizing or defoliating them completely. So, how do you get rid of them? The answer is two fold- control the adults, which you can see now and control the grubs, which you won’t see until next season. The adult beetles on your plants now are busy feeding and breeding. They lay eggs in the soil which grow into grubs that feed on the roots of your plants and grass. Treat your lawn and garden now or through early fall and you should see less beetles emerge from the ground in Summer 2012.
Stop by Sunnyside and our staff can recommend the right Japanese Beetle controls for you. We carry natural, organic and chemical controls that can save your plants from these pesky garden invaders.
Posted by Sarah on June 18th 2011 in blog
The coolest trend on the West coast has made it’s way to the mid-West, Woolly Pockets. For the last few years a couple of friends from Berkeley have been marketing the idea that you can hang plants like you would a piece of art, on the wall. Beautiful living art that anyone can create, everyone can appreciate and no one needs to fuss over. Have a wall? If you answered, yes, then you are the perfect candidate for a Woolly Pocket. Like clean air? Spider plants clean indoor air spaces better than any other houseplant. So, why not plant a spider plant in a pocket in your kids room? Or make a decorative wall of ferns in a dark office space. The possibilities are endless.
Stop in to see our sample Woollys today!
Posted by Sarah on June 7th 2011 in blog
Now is a great time to add that top dressing to your beautiful garden beds. We’ll help get you going by offering free local delivery of bags of mulch when you buy 10 bags or more.
Sunnyside has the following varieties of mulch available:
Cypress, Cedar, Cocoa Shell, Brown, Red, Mini Pine Bark, and Regular Pine Bark.
All mulch comes in 2 cubic feet bags.
Wondering how many bags you would need for your yard?
Here are some approximations:
Bag Volume= 2 cubic feet
1 cubic yard= 27 cubic feet
1/2 Yard @1″ Depth= 7 bags covers 160 square feet
1/2 Yard @2″ Depth= 7 bags covers 80 square feet
1 Yard @1″ Depth=14 bags covers 320 square feet
1 Yard @2″ Depth= 14 bags covers 160 square feet
Mulch will help keep the weeds down, retain moisture in the soil and give your garden the finished backdrop to make your plants POP!
Posted by Andy on May 21st 2011 in blog
“Trying to describe the many colors of Coleus is like trying to describe the Grand Canyon. You can’t do it justice in words alone, it is one of those things you really have to see for yourself.” – Chris
Looking for that perfect foliage plant for your container? Or a splash of serious color in your garden? Or an instant solution to that tired looking focal point in your garden? Think Sun Coleus. With our huge selection of Sun Coleus here at Sunnyside, we have a serious color solution for any gardener.
Discovered by Karl Blume in the 1820’s on the Dutch colonial island of Java, Coleus (Solenostemon) quickly became popular in Victorian English gardens – where excitement over new varieties led to exorbitant prices at plant auctions. Unfortunately the early Coleus trend waned as gardeners lost interest in the limited varieties, and Coleus became relegated to the shade garden, where the Wizard Series of Coleus has become a popular mainstay. That is until now!
Beginning in the early 1990’s the explosion of new varieties in the Sun Coleus family has grown exponentially and with the wide array of color choices available Coleus has once again assumed its rightful place as a versatile and sought after plant choice for gardeners. From the bright colored Coleus that electrify a border or containers to darker colors that add depth and contrast, Sun Coleus offers a little of everything for the gardener.
Coleus are easy to grow – they require well-drained soil and a semi-regular watering regimen, but beyond that work in a variety of situations – from the container to the border, as a single specimen plant that also looks great in mass plantings. Sun Coleus will grow in shady areas, but the colors become more enhanced and vibrant in the sun.
Come check out our huge selection of Coleus and find the right color choice for your unique gardening style. Fair warning though – it will be tough to leave with just one!
Pictured: Just a few of the varities Sunnyside is excited to carry.
Posted by Sarah on May 10th 2011 in blog
Keep the weeds from winning this season by applying a dose of Preen weed prevention. No, I don’t get paid to say that, but maybe I should! There are some easy ways to make gardening more enjoyable and/or to lower your garden maintenance bills, Preen is one of those inventions that I can’t do without in my garden.
Picture an imaginary saran wrap layer covering your plant beds. That’s what Preen and Corn Gluten can provide, a blanket of protection that keeps weeds down.
(Next: Stop Japanese Beatles before they get a chance to get going.)
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
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.
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
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
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