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| Why It Really IS the "Same Old Thing," Except When There's Something BETTER!
April 2010 |
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Greetings!
I should have known it was going to snow this week when a letter showed up in my mailbox from a relative that I hadn't heard from in about 15 years. But when I woke up to snow, again, this morning I can't say that it was a welcome sight. Sigh. But our pansies are blooming outside, the geraniums are blooming in the greenhouse, the trees in the nursery are in bud and there is a hint of spring in the air. So aside from contemplating the arrival of spring weather, this month I want to talk about two things that have come up from talking to customers over the past couple of weeks. The first topic addresses a common question when folks are shopping- "why don't you have anything new? It's always the same old marigolds, petunias and geraniums." Well, that's partially correct and I'll tell you why. But it isn't always accurate and I'll give you sneak peek of what's coming this spring too. The second article is a primer on hardiness zones. What are they and how do you determine which one you are in and why does it make a difference anyway? So read on for some good information and a sneak peek of new things to come this gardening season!I |
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Something Old, Something New
Why it really IS the Same Old Thing, Except when there's Something Better!
 One of the comments that came to us from our survey this winter was, "You always have the same old things- marigold, petunias, geraniums." Well, honestly, that's true. Sometimes. But there's a very good reason for that.
All of the varieties that we grow and sell at Four Seasons are chosen with one thing in mind- the success of your garden. Let's face it- gardening is a challenge in this area and one of the worst things a gardener can do is to spend good money on plants, only to watch them struggle and die. So Vic chooses and grows only the very best varieties for our area.
Each year there are hundreds, if not thousands of new varieties introduced. Many people don't realize that as a grower who has been in the industry for over 40 years, Vic and I have personal connections with the companies who develop and promote new varieties. One of our companies sends us a trial selection of new plant material each year so that we have a chance to trial them ahead of when they are released to the general public. Some are great successes in our area while others don't do as well, but the companies get feedback from us on what works well in our dry climate, and we get to try the new things before they are for sale elsewhere. What fun!
So, if there are so many new things on the market, why do we carry the same varieties of geraniums, or petunias? Because we know that those are the varieties that do best here and the ones with which you will have the best chance of success. Not every plant is for everybody or every location. That's true, except when there is something that we KNOW is better.
With that being said, I'm going to give you a sneak peek on some of the cool, new things that we will be carrying this year that are known to do well in our area.
 Taishan Marigolds- These marigolds replace the Incas with better genetics, better heads and they will stand up better throughout our growing season. Full plants with season long shows of high impact color. Great to use in masses for that WOW effect. Their performance was so spectacular that the Taishan series was what was used throughout the gardens at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China
Breathless Euphorbia- If you loved Diamond Frost- wait until you see Breathless! This variety is more compact with less spread and with darker foliage, it has greater "eye appeal."
Voltage Yellow Osteos - Again, a more compact plant but with a larger flower, and a brighter color than the traditional osteos. We're excited about this one!
 Incrediball Hydrangea - We first saw this at the Independent Garden Center Show in Chicago last summer and Incrediball isn't an exaggeration. This hydrangea has a HUGE white flower and blooms all summer, like it's cousins Blushing Bride and Endless Summer. It does well in the shade with adequate water. |
Are You in the Zone?
Understanding Hardiness Zones  This is a primer for the seasoned gardeners, but it's also a question that still comes up daily at the garden center. What's my zone and why is it important?
One of the things you almost have to know before planting anything in this area is in which zone your property is located. The USDA plant hardiness zones are a guide to tell you what plants live well in your area. They are based on minimum winter temperatures that a particular plant can survive, and zone maps can be found on the Internet, or in most gardening books. There are 11 zones in the US and Canada. The continental US encompasses Zones 2-10. An easy way to remember them is that Alaska is a Zone 1 and Florida ranges to Zone 10. Beware of those zones listed in the Sunset books though- they divide the country into 45 zones and are different than those that the USDA defines, which are the ones most nurseries use.
And while they are useful as a general guide, there are some things that they do not take into account, such as snow cover which can act as an insulator against extremely cold temperatures. They also do not account for soil moisture, humidity (or lack thereof in our area) and the possibility of an extremely cold spell or winter. So while they are useful as a guide, there are other factors when planning your garden and purchasing plants that should be taken into account.
So what's my zone? If you live in Cortez or surrounding areas, chances are that you live in Zone 5. Summit Ridge is a Zone 4. Dolores is a Zone 5a. Mancos borders on a 4 in the higher elevations. Telluride is a solid Zone 4. Durango is a Zone 4 bordering on a Zone 5, depending on your location.
It's important to know your zone before you visit the nursery so that we can help you choose plants that will not only survive, but thrive in your yard. Of course, if you can tell us exactly where you live, we can help you with determining your zone. |
What's Growing On at Four Seasons?  Here's what's growing on this month at Four Seasons!
~Small Space Gardening Class, this Saturday, April 17th at 10 am ~Pansies and Violas in all kinds of spring colors!
~Iberis "Purity" Candytuft and Coral Bells Heuchera are blooming
~Our premium tomatoes in gallons & larger sizes are
blooming & producing fruit!
~Fruit trees and crabapples are budded and beginning to bloom |
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I love the month of April- everything is fresh and new and ready to grow for the coming season. After the winter we've had, it seems especially sweet this year.
Margaret and Dejah were asking me the other day what keeps this job fresh and fun for me. Well, one thing is that I love to watch the new gardeners come into Four Seasons. So much excitement and so much to learn! And I have a ball helping them figure it all out, starting with their zone. I also love writing the e-newsletters because they change all the time and each season brings new products and new information to share. And we have a new way to get information to you to help you be successful. Tune in to KENN or KVFC on Saturday mornings at 8:30 am for our new radio show, "The Four Seasons Garden Geeks." Send me your questions to the email address below and we'll answer as many of them as we can!
So get ready to garden this year. Yes, you're going to get dirty, but you're going to love every minute of it and have a ball at the same time. I can almost guarantee it!
 Gail Vanik
Four Seasons Greenhouse and Nursery
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Four Seasons Greenhouse and Nursery, Inc.
26650 Road P
Dolores, CO 81323
(970) 565-8274
Locally owned, locally grown
"Where it's fun to color your world!"
Listen to our radio show "Four Seasons Garden Geeks" on KVFC and KENN on Saturday mornings at 8:30 am. 
Click here to become a fan of Four Seasons Greenhouse and Nursery on Facebook
 Click here to follow Gail in the Garden on blogspot
A Today's Garden Center Magazine Revolutionary 100 Garden Center 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
And winner of the Western Region 2009
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Four Seasons Greenhouse & Nursery April Coupon
One FREE Bag of Sunny's
our Sunflower Greens with a $20 purchase
Four Seasons Greenhouse and Nursery, Inc.
26650 Road P, Dolores, CO 81323
(970) 565-8274
Where it's fun to color your world! | | Offer Expires: April 30, 2010
Not valid with any other coupon or discount. Limit one coupon per purchase/family. |
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