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Brunswick 442-8111 Cumberland 829-5619 Falmouth 781-3860
1-800-339-8111 1-800-348-8498 1-800-244-3860
www.skillins.com |
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| Skillin's! Garden Talks Online February 17, 2010 |
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| Hello again,
Welcome to another edition of Garden Talks Online by Skillin's Greenhouses!
Thanks to everyone who purchased our Valentine's flowers and plants this past weekend. It was great to see so many familiar faces. And what a bee-you-ti-full weekend it was! Sunny and not too windy--very pleasant. As I write these words, the snow is starting to come down pretty steadily. Don't be discouraged fellow citizens of Skillin's Country--we can use the snow. Our friends to the north need more snow to help their businesses; snow means great recreation this time of year and that is so important to our state. Our plants will eventually drink the water that the melting snow will provide as well. So a little storm should work well!
We celebrate another exciting FREE Gardening Classes this Saturday February 20 with Windowsill Gardening. Here are the available times: 10 AM in Brunswick and limited availability at 2 PM in Falmouth. 10 AM in Falmouth and Cumberland is sold out at this point. The sun is getting warmer and the days longer. We have the containers and the color. Let us show you how easy it is to bring it all to your home or apartment! We will also show you how to grow some great herbs to spice up your life!AND we will discuss how to grow fresh vegetables in your home this winter and early Spring.
You can reserve a space by calling any of the above numbers OR by contacting us at skillins@maine.rr.com (just specify the store!).
Before I forget, we will also have some nice refreshments on hand for this Saturday's class as well for you to sample.
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Garden Talks
February has arrived and that means our 20th year of selling Spring Bonds has arrived.
When you purchase a $50 bond you pay only $37.50!!! This 25% off Bond can be used anytime after April 1 for almost all regularly priced items.
Supplies are limited so buy your SPRING BONDS before they run out! Purchase your bonds at any Skillin's location OR www.skillins.com!
It is getting near time for us to pull out our tuberous begonias from storage and pot them in fresh soil and peat pots and put them in a sunny window. I like to use peat pots because in late May when I transplant my begonias into large tubs for the summer season, I merely "plop" the plants-peat pot and all-into the large tubs with fresh soil. It is not too early to get the begonias going; they are slow starters and will not put on a lot of growth for a while. If you have stored any begonias, get them going! (Make sure they are still nice and firm).
If you would like to try tuberous begonias, they are easy to grow and their colors can be stunning. We have a beautiful selection available right now here at Skillin's. In the summer I have several large tubs of begonias on my back and front porch. They get only filtered or part time sun in the summer and that is just what begonias like!
Don't forget to pot your begonias and any other plants with Bar Harbor Blend all natural potting soil by Coast of Maine Organics (sold right here at Skillin's). Bar Harbor Blend (click here for more info about Bar Harbor Blend!) is simply the BEST potting soil I have ever used and it is perfect for projects like potting Tuberous Begonias!
It is that time of year when so many customers are streaming into our stores eager to buy seeds and seed starting supplies. It IS a fine time to start perennial seeds and any seeds you may have for woody plants. For you vegetable lovers, celery seeds can be started indoors now and transplanted toward the end of May. In about a week you can also start artichokes! For easy indoor growing we also have seeds for sprouts and some smaller or leafier lettuce that can be grown in a well lit spot! As we get closer to Spring, we will keep you supplied with charts for seed starting times for annuals and vegetables.
Our good gardening friend Paul Tukey has been generous with seasonal gardening advice and here is some advice for late February:
Begin pruning apple, pear and other fruit trees as weather allows. On mild days, you may begin spraying dormant oil.
Force twigs of quince, fruit trees, dogwood or forsythia for indoor bloom. Force twigs of birch and horse chestnut which, even without any flowering, provides a foretaste of spring.
Root geranium cuttings for use later in the season.
Cut back house plants such as lantanas, hibiscus and geranium in preparation for repotting next month.
Questions about any gardening topics? Email us at skillins@maine.rr.com or contact us at any of the above phone numbers! Or stop by and see us!! |
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Mark Your Calendar!
Each Saturday until April our Skillin's Cumberland location is hosting the Cumberland Farmers Market from 10 AM to 2 PM in the bright warm cozy confines of our Cumberland store. Come see and meet some nice, nice people and check out their great products! While you are there feast your eyes on our flowering plants and soak in the warmth and scents of our greenhouse! Contact us at Skillins Cumberland (phone numbers shown above) or Leslie at market.gal@gmail.com with any questions! Our Skillin's Cumberland store is located at 201 Gray Road in Cumberland.
Our FREE classes will be held Saturdays at all three locations (unless otherwise stated) at 10 AM. Space is limited so reserve today for the classes of your choice! Just give us a call at any of the above numbers or drop us a note at skillins@maine.rr.com. Class participants receive a special Skillin's 10% discount coupon for use on the weekend of your class.
Special Four Part Hands on Design Class
Brunswick
March 2, 9, 16,23 5:00PM
What a great chance to get a jump start on plotting how to landscape your home the right way! Class fee is $40 to cover materials-you will have a great landscape plan at the finish; this is a class that you will learn from; fun will be had but homework will be required! You will be drawing your own landscape design plan!
27th-The Edible Landscape (10 AM Cumberland, 2 PM Brunswick ) (10 AM Falmouth sold out)
A good landscape makes perfect sense-and what is more sensible and useful than an edible landscape! Let us show you how to grow berries that are blue and red, cherries that are sweet and apples and pears that can't be beat! Bring a bib; you will be drooling over the possibilities! Free
27th-The Garden Journal (9 AM Cumberland, Noon Falmouth, 3 PM Brunswick)
Gardening seasons are behind us and more lie just ahead. Learn some neat ways to record what we have done and what we have dreamed; Let's plan on what we will do and on what we want to see! Join celebrity writer and gardener KCB of Skillin's Garden Log fame and let's learn together about how to be impulsively organized. It's time! Free
March and April classes have been set and this is the most exciting list of classes we have had in our over 20 years of gardening classes! Go to Spring 2010 Classes at Skillin's! at the Skillin's Garden Log to see the entire list!Reserve early because these classes will sell out!
Portland Flower Show dates are March 11-14 (we have advance tickets here at Skillin's!); Falmouth Spring Open House is March 19-21; Brunswick and Cumberland Open Houses are March 27 & 28. Many more details to be announced soon!!! |
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Skillin's Garden Log
Would you like to hear from us at Skillin's MORE OFTEN? Well, the Skillin's Garden Log found at www.skillins.com is the PERFECT SOLUTION. Several times per week, a number of Skillin's contributors post gardening updates, stories and photos. At the Skillin's Garden Log, you can learn and laugh often all in the same post. Check out the Skillin's Garden Log at your convenience; it is found at the front page of www.skillins.com or click on the icon below:
Recently at the Skillin's Garden Log we have had many good happenings...
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Did You Know?
Every Tuesday is Mature Gardener's Day at Skillin's! Those customers who qualify will receive 10% off all regularly priced items. (Sale items do not usually apply and very few other restrictions may apply).
Every Friday brings Flower Power Happy Hour where we offer fresh cut flower stems and bunches at 30% off their regular prices. The Happy Hour lasts from Noon until we close!! Every Friday!
Buy a Plant and a Pot from Skillin's and we will Repot the Plant for Free. "Free On the Spot Repot" when you buy a Plant and a Pot here at Skillin's!
Hey you Flower Arranging fans! We have a great DIY Wedding Flower series available for viewing! We show and tell about wedding flowers and even if your interest is notwedding flowers but you are still curious about arranging flowers the techniques shown on the video still apply to all flower arrangements. What a way to see these great floral "how-tos" from the comfort of your own home!
Spread the word: Have your friends and family sign up for our gardening updates at www.skillins.com!
Let us know at skillins@maine.rr.com if you have any gardening questions! We love to help our friends and customers!
Skillin's can also be found at www.twitter.com/skillins! We are often there letting you know with quick and timely hits just what is happening here at Skillin's!
Thanks for reading Garden Talks Online,
Mike Skillin
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