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Plant a garden of
Tomatoes
this summer
3 1/2" pots and 606paks
Buy 2 get 1 FREE |
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Amend your soil with
Mushroom Compost
Eco choice for vegetable gardens and more!
5 bags / $20 |
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 Bio-degradable
Weed Block
reduces weeds and helps keep in moisture
Feature $8.99 |
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 Our entire
Nursery
is now on sale. New stock arriving weekly
Save 20% |
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Make regular exercise and proper nutrition part of your life today with a home training program from Natatia's One-On-One Fitness | |
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Dear
I was as worried as you were this week when they called for frost Monday night. Well rest assured that you weren't the only one rounding up and wrestling with blankets. We too have to cover plants outside to be on the safe side. 
We just have some bigger blankets. Thank goodness we didn't get any frost. It's so anoying to go to so much work to cover everything up for the weatherman and then at least here we never even got close to freezing.
Now some rain to get everything started off nicely. A little cooler than I would like it but the weekend sounds great for planting. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
I just wanted to add they we have restocked our shelves  with the timed-release fertilizer. We ran out over the weekend and had to let some customers through without offering it to them.
 These fertilizers are great to look after the fertilizing needs of most plants for the whole season. I would however suggest for plants that grow big and use a lot of water, to as much as double the rate. For plants that would be in the shade, stick to the rate on the container.
Transplanter fertilizer is still the best to use at planting.  This will make a difference and I highly recommend its use for all your plantings. Please don't forget it, you won't regret it.
Well take care for now and have a terrific day!
Rob Gemmell |
| ALLTHE DIRT |
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WHY NOT GROW YOUR OWN THIS SUMMER?
Interest in the popular movement of growing your own food has soared this season with new gardeners turning over their first vegetable patches while seasoned veterans are doubling their plots. More than ever, people want to know where their food is coming from.
I am sure you have heard the catch phrase ...Know Your Food, Know Your Farmer.
Well, why not be your own farmer this season? You cannot get more "local" than your own backyard!
Growing your own is also a way to educate kids, picking fresh peas off the vine for which they planted the seeds; helps connect them to where their food comes from. Research shows that kids are more likely to eat food that they grew themselves!
Any gardener can tell you that homegrown tomatoes have far superior taste than store bought ones that are often picked green then ripen in storage or the transport truck. With so many varieties of tomatoes (over 30 here at Gemmell's this season) including heirloom ones available..... I warn you now it will be hard to choose! So, if you are considering breaking ground this season here are some things that you need to consider.
SUNLIGHT
Most edible plants require a lot of sunlight (at least 6 hrs) and will not produce high yields in shady spots. So therefore, be sure to take the time to assess the sunlight in your yard before firing up the rototiller or lifting that shovel. However, it is important to note that leafy veggies such as lettuce, kale, and swiss chard and some herbs such as mint, oregano, lemon balm and thyme can tolerate partial shade.
If you have a shady backyard (like me!) then consider growing sun-loving veggies like tomatoes, herbs, and cucumbers in pots on a sunny deck, patio or balcony. They certainly make for interesting conversation when hosting summer barbeques! I even have a couple of window boxes of mesclun mix that I continually sow all summer long for fresh salads.
SOIL
The time and effort that you put into your soil will be the greatest payback you can ever get in a vegetable garden. Good loamy healthy soil full of compost will increase your yields and grow good healthy plants. I cannot stress enough the importance of adding compost or manure (mushroom, sheep or cattle) every season. If you have heavy clay soil be sure to amend with peat, and sand as well to get good drainage. Sandy soil needs some bulk added to it so consider topsoil, black earth, 3 way mixes as well as compost and manure. Most veggies grow best in soil that is a neutral and do poorly in extremely acidic or alkaline soil. Investing in a soil test kit is an easy way to check your soil's PH. We have them available here at the Garden Centre. If you have extremely poor soil then consider building raised beds and filling them with fresh earth.
WEEDS AND WATER
The biggest battle with the veggie plot has got to be those weeds. Placing mulch (and there are many types available) or straw between the rows can really help a gardener manage. A brand new product available at the garden centre this year is Biodegradable Weed Barrier, which works like landscape fabric except it is made of 100% recycled material and breaks down after the season letting you retill the soil and add new compost/ manure year to year. Another important component to successful veggies is water, watering on a regular basis helps with good crop yield and reduces stress on the plants. Stressed plants are more susceptible to pest and disease, so be sure to invest in a good sprinkler, soaker hose or maybe even a rain barrel to assist Mother Nature in the task of watering! If your garden is attacked this season, never fear, Insecticidal Soap is an excellent eco-choice for most of those pesky pests. Deer eating your lettuce? Try coyote urine ( I know, I know..... stop laughing). This product is so popular with our gardeners that we bring it in by the caseload and have people driving from as far as Renfrew for it! Placed on the edges of your property it will keep the deer away from your prized veggies..... just don't ask us how it's collected! Drop into the garden centre or call for more details from our coyote urine experts.
Well have we convinced you yet? How about having 77 different vegetable varieties grown in our own greenhouses available here at Gemmell's. How's that for going local?
Start small.....buy a patio tomato this season for your deck or balcony and see where it may lead you. Who knows, maybe you will become an organic farmer or help the food bank, share with friends or even teach a child.
Know Your Food, Help The Earth, Plant a Garden!
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RECYCLE YOUR POTS |
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Return all Horticultural  plastic pots to us
during business hours to be either re-used (if they came from us) or returned to the manufacturer to be made into new pots, if they didn't. Pots & flats Made in Canada or the USA, with recycling number symbols 2, 5 or 6 will be recycled. Styrofoam is not recyclable and cannot be accepted. |
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We have instituted our free Members Reward Card program during our open house May 2nd. From now on Members will save 2% on their purchases through until the end of July.  The savings can then be spent on purchases between August and the end of November of the same year. You will also get advance notice of sales as well as special coupons and free stuff. Your email address is required to participate in this program. |
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