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Check out Tom'sTips For September!  |
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Plant of the Month |  | |
A fall garden wouldn't be complete without the
chrysanthemum.
Hundreds of hardy cultivers provide an array of colors and bloom shapes, making mums the queen of the autumn garden.
The blooms last for weeks, not days, and the sheer number of flowers per plant will convince anyone that this flower really likes to show off.
If you decorate for fall with pumpkins and gourds, choose orange, bronze, yellow, and creamy white mums. If you have a lot of evergreen plants that provide a backdrop of varying shades of green foliage, try bright pinks, lavenders, pure whites, or reds. With such bold colors, a large grouping of mums can excite even the most drab of fall landscapes.
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Business in the Spotlight This Month:
What was once five acres and a dream has blossomed into the Midwest Groundcovers of today - an industry leader in the propagation, growing and wholesale of quality container nursery stock. Each year, Midwest produces millions of ground covers in over 100 different varieties; over 500 varieties of perennials, ornamental grasses and native plants; and over 170 varieties of deciduous shrubs, broadleaf evergreens, hardy shrub roses, conifers and vines. Please visit their website for more information and location info! | | |
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Greetings!
I don't know about you, but I'm glad it's September because that means cooler weather is headed our way! Along with cooler weather, we start to think about planting bulbs for spring blooming, putting mums and kale into the ground to pull fall color into our landscapes, and wait for the leaves to change. Read about planning and planting a bulb garden below. And as always if you need any garden tips, please visit our blog (see link on the left), and view our website for all of our lawn care services! |
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Planning Your Bulb Garden | |
Bulbs are classified according to their flowering season: late-winter and spring flowering, summer flowering, and fall flowering. Within each seasonal group, there are early, midseason, and late bloomers. Among spring-flowering bulbs,
 | | Snowdrop |
for example, are snowdrops and Iris, as well as Dutch crocus, and Siberian squill.
By mid to late season such bulbs as narcissi and tulips are blooming, which are finally followed by very late season bulbs such as alliums. Within each bulb category, there are further divisions. Tulips, for example, are available in early, midseason, and late varieties. In the same way, among the summer bloomers, there are early, mid-season, and late lilies. In fact, a bulb garden composed of only lilies can bloom right through the summer if care is taken in selecting varieties.
Bulbs look best planted in groups rather than scattered randomly through the garden or planted in straight rows. Clusters of at least 3 to 5 large bulbs such as lilies; 7 to 10 medium-sized bulbs such as tulips, narcissi, or hyacinths; and 12 or more small bulbs such as crocuses or Siberian squills are fine. Avoid mixing bulbs: They rarely give an interesting display. Leave spaces between each cluster of bulbs to interplant ground covers, annuals, or perennials, which will help cover up the foliage of the bulbs as they fade.
Planting Bulbs
Plant bulbs as soon as you receive them, usually in early fall in the case of hardy bulbs and late spring for tender ones. Lilies (hardy bulbs), however, can be planted in either spring or fall. If you can't plant the bulbs immediately, store them in a cool, dry place.
 Prepare a planting hole a few inches deeper than the recommended planting depth shown on the planting chart. Mix compost, well-rotted manure, or peat moss into the soil removed. Add a slow acting organic fertilizer to the bottom of the hole; then add enough soil to bring the hole to the proper planting depth. For a maximum effect, space bulbs only a few inches apart. Fill in the planting hole and water thoroughly.
Choosing Bulbs
When shopping for bulbs, choose healthy bulbs. Use the same criteria you would use if shopping for good-quality onions in the grocery store.
- Look for plump bulbs without soft spots or dark, diseased blotches.
- Check the basal plate, where the roots will emerge. It should be firm and undamaged.
- Daffodil bulbs with two noses will provide twice the bloom, but tulip bulbs should have only one nose. With two, they won't flower.
- Combine bulb orders with your friends to buy wholesale and save money. One bulb catalog sells 100 tulip bulbs for just a few dollars more than 50 tulip bulbs. You should order early to get the best selection and prompt delivery.
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About Sweeney's Custom Landscaping |
 | | Sweeney's Custom Landscaping Inc - 630.238.8600 - Custom Landscaping Illinois |
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Sincerely,
Tom, Kim and Tim Sweeney
Sweeney's Custom Landscaping
630-238-8600
"When you buy from a mom or pop business, you are not helping a CEO buy a third vacation home.
You are helping a little girl get dance lessons, a little boy get his team jersey, a mom or dad put food on the table, a family pay a mortgage, or a student pay for college.
Our customers are our shareholders and they are the ones we strive to make happy.
Thank you for supporting small businesses!"
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