Monday, November 26, 2012

New Plant Hardiness Zones


FYI: as of this year, there are new plant hardiness zones. The USDA publishes this information, about which it tells us:
The 2012 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a location. The map is based on the average annual minimum winter temperature, divided into 10-degree F zones.

You can find a USDA helpful interactive map here.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving!


Thanksgiving is a uniquely American holiday, combining the best we have in one long weekend: faith, family, friends, and food!  We at Ben's Creek Nursery feel especially blessed by the continued loyalty of our customers, who have entrusted to us their landscape needs.

So, Happy Thanksgiving to all! May your travels be safe and your gatherings full of joy!


Monday, November 19, 2012

From the Nursery



Greenleaf Hollies, pruned
A small picture sampling of some of the November action at our Nursery, primarily involving pruning of our field grown material by the maestro of pruners, Antonio!

Greenleaf Hollies, unpruned
Greenleaf Holly, unpruned
Greenleaf Holly, pruned


Eastern Red Cedar, pruned

Thursday, November 15, 2012

No Guff!


That's the tag line from the rear cover of this book, No Nonsense Vegetable Gardening, a delightfully irreverent and fact filled book.  For instance, here is a suggestion for improving your soil:
Leave rock outdoors for a few thousand years to allow it to be pulverized by the force of freezing water, consumed by algae, chiseled by tree roots, sandblasted by wind, eroded by waves and glaciers, and worn down by rushing rivers
If only I had the time ... But with the humor, the authors also supply information aplenty, such as this offering on the importance of frost:
The date of the average first fall frost is important too: More than the curtain falling at the end of the summer show, it allows us to gauge how many frost-free growing days we have—something that is important to know when choosing crop varieties. Some tomato varieties, for example, are ready in 60 days, while others take 85 days. The difference of 25 days is a big deal in an area with a short frost-free period ... Don’t restrict yourself to published first- and last-frost dates. Talk to other gardeners in the area to find out what dates they use—because your microclimate might be unique.
In any event, read this review by Billy Goodnick of Fine Gardening fame, post a comment for a chance to win a free copy, and then when that fails, buy it for yourself. We can all use a few more veggies.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

That Which Abides....Hardscape!

Nothing says permanent like good, solid hardscape. Hardscape includes things like patios, walls, walkways, decks, driveways, and rocks.

Rocks? Well, decorative rocks. Here are photos of some recent wall and rock additions we installed for our customers.





 These rock additions may not look like much work, but hey, decorative rocks don't grow on trees! And they also don't select and place themselves so as to provide that certain eye-catch and accent to your landscape.

Friday, November 2, 2012

Go to Bed!

As we've said before, Fall is a great time to Install! But sometimes, smaller is better; accent and suggestion preferable to bold garden pronouncements.

Ben's Creek Nursery can do big or small, bold or quiet for you, and to prove it, here are some recent photos of an array of small beds we installed for some of our customers. They may not look like much now (and some are not completed), but wait until Spring!


 
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