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On Sale Now
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Solar Garden Stake Lights
20% off
(assorted styles)
Oscillating Sprinkler
$7.99
(reg $11.99)
Corona Long Reach Tree Pruner
$39.99
(reg $49.99)
Perennials
20% off
any purchase of 5 or more
Sale prices valid through 8/15/11. Limited to stock on hand. Prior sales excluded.
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joke of the week
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How do you fix a broken tomato?
(See answer below!)
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q & a
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Blossom End Rot
Q: The bottoms of my ripe tomatoes are all black and sunken. What's going on here?
A: Well, apparently it's the same thing that's going on in my own garden. I've always had great luck with tomatoes...until this year. Some of my tomatoes appear to be stricken with what is known as blossom end rot, aptly named for the rotten looking patches on the blossom ends of the fruit.
 | | Sadly, these are from MY garden |
There are two major factors that contribute to this disease, and they work hand in hand. Lack of calcium and lack of sufficient water moving through the root system are the main culprits.
If you have noticed this same issue on your own veggie patch, check out my blog post about blossom end rot. Hopefully you'll find some tips that will help alleviate the issue and also help you to prevent this disease next year.
Email us if you have a question!
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news | |
We're gearing up for our annual tent sale! Starting this weekend, stop in and check out the items in our big sale tent, located behind the water garden greenhouse.
You'll find deeply discounted items (up to 90%!) from every department. Pond pumps, filters, lighting, gift items, bird feeders, you name it!
These are the best prices you'll find all year, so don't miss out! We'll be adding items throughout the rest of the summer, so stop back often.
Please keep in mind that these are clearance items, so all items are sold 'as is' and all sales are final.
No exchanges. No returns. |
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photo contest
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I guess I whined enough in the last newsletter, because I got TONS of photos for this photo contest!
There were some great entries this time and it was extremely difficult to choose a winner. (Though, honestly, some of you made it easier by entering photos of plants, rocks, flowers, etc. They were lovely, to be sure, but this was a FISH photo contest!) So, without further ado, the winner of July's photo contest is... 
Sue Kogutek! You are the proud new owner of a $25 Masterson's gift certificate! Stop by the store to claim your prize. You should check out our honorable mention photo and all of the other entries, as well. Thanks to all who submitted photos. Watch for this month's photo contest in the next newsletter! |
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Jokes Answer
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With tomato paste!
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Inspiration | |
Failure is only the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.
~Henry Ford |
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Greetings!
Somehow it's August. We have no idea how that happened. I also have no idea how three weeks have passed without being able to get a newsletter out. Sorry. Here's what we've got for this week...enjoy! - Erin
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| in the pond | |
To Do This Week: - fertilize lilies and lotus (every four weeks)
- continue to remove spent leaves and flowers from water lilies and other aquatics
- clean skimmer net as needed
- add beneficial bacteria
- feed your fish (2-3 times each day is fine, but no more than they eat in about five minutes each time)
Aquatic PlantsPlants are an important part of a healthy pond ecosystem. The ri ght amount of plants will help keep your water clear, cool and healthy. At this point in the season your pond's surface area should be 50-60% covered with plants such as water hyacinths, water lilies and water lettuce. The benefits of these plants include adding essential oxygen to the water, providing shelter for your fish, reducing algae growth and more. Plants can be added at any time throughout the season so it's not too late. We still have a great supply of beautiful flowering hardey lilies and much more! Item of the Week Hardy Yellow Water Lily Nymphaea Charlene Strawn  Newsletter Only Special! 15% Off Simply mention that you saw it here! Any yellow water lily in stock Sales ends 8/12/11 |
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tips & tricks | |
Not Just Water Gardens
Did you know that Masterson's is not only home to the water garden experts, but we also know a whole lot about large 'farm' ponds, too?
If you have a large, natural bottom pond on your property we've got what you need to get it looking great. From grass carp to aerators and floating fountains, we're sure to have what you need. We are also an authorized sales and warranty repair center for Kasco Marine aerators and decorative fountains. Stop by and let us know how we can help. Or, even better, shoot us an Email with your questions and we'll get back to you right away! |
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in the garden | | | I walk through my gardens pretty much every day, pulling a weed here, pinching off a spent flower there...this is partly hereditary, I think. The two major benefits I've found to gardening this way are that I rarely have a big project ahead of me, and I notice little issues before they become big ones. Take some time this week to wander around your yard and check things out!
To Do This Week:
- keep up with weeding - pulling small, baby weeds is much, much easier than pulling big weeds. Pulling them before they set seeds is also a pretty big bonus and will save you lots of time in the future.
- fertilize veggie gardens - I like to use organic fertilizers on veggies for a lot of reasons, but one great selling feature is that it's harder to over-fertilize with organics
- fertilize container plants - if you didn't use a season-long fertilizer (like Osmocote) in the spring, chances are your container plants need some food by now
- watch for fungus on veggies - powdery mildew can cause a big problem, particularly on big, leafy veggies like squash. Unless it's really bad, just remove the affected leaves as you spot them
- water appropriately - remember that as plants get bigger over the course of the season, they will use more water. Keep this in mind particularly for container plants and veggie gardens.
- continue deadheading and pruning spent flowers - removing spent flowers from annuals and container plants will encourage new flowering throughout the rest of the season, and pruning back perennials and landscape shrubs after flowering will not only make the plant look tidier but will encourage new, healthy growth
Plant of the Week
When we think of a hydrangea, most people picture those leafy plants with the huge clusters of pink or blue flowers. While those hydrangeas are definitely show-stoppers in any landscape, their cousin the Tardiva Hydrangea is also a pretty fantastic plant.
TARDIVA HYDRANGEAS
Botanical name: Hydrangea paniculata 'Tardiva'
Height: to 6' Exposure: full sun to partial shade
Soil: requires regular watering
Flowering: late summer into fall Notes: fast growing, profuse bloomer that is great in any landscape setting. Has a rounded growth habit but can be pruned to form a small tree. Flowers are great for cutting and drying. Prune in late winter to encourage new growth. NEWSLETTER ONLY SPECIAL
TARDIVA HYDRANGEAS
20% OFF ANY SIZE
(limited to stock on hand)
Sale ends 8/12/11
Looking Great Now:
- potted perennials - still arriving weekly!
- hostas
- spirea
- day lilies
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| tips & tricks | |
Help!
Sometimes I run out of interesting things to tell you about here. Anyone know a great tip or trick they'd like to share? Anything you learned in your garden this year? Maybe you know a neat homemade, organic recipe for treating some sort of garden pest...share it with us!
If you have a neat tip or trick to share, please email me at mastersons@san.rr.com. I'll happily give you credit for it, and you'll surely feel great about sharing your expertise with so many others!
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