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Welcome to another edition of Garden Talks Online by Skillin's Greenhouses! We have been "online" since 1999 and "on the ground" in Skillin's Country since 1885. We work every day to keep your trust and also realize that in 2010 your time is more valuable than ever before. We believe our garden tips will keep your trust and save you time!
New plants and garden products are now pouring into our stores everyday. And our greenhouses are so warm and bright and full of color and the scents of Spring. We are open 7 days per week so plan on coming out for a visit just to see and taste! No purchase is necessary and our parking is free! We would love to see you!
Reminder: We have TWO great classes scheduled this Saturday. The first is The
Edible Landscape. This class will focus on some great landscape choices for your
yard that will produce EDIBLE fruit (or vegetable). This is one of our newer classes and we feel it
really fits the times. Speaking of times, it will be held at 10 AM in Falmouth (although Falmouth is sold out) and Cumberland and at 2 PM in Brunswick.
The second class is The Journal. This class will be a terrific chance to look at and plan
for your gardening for the upcoming year. The times for this class will be 9 AM in Cumberland, 12 Noon in Falmouth and 3 PM in Brunswick.
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!).
We will have some great refreshments on hand--not only is your time valuable BUT we want to make your visit to Skillin's as pleasant as possible!
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Garden Talks
Our 20th year of selling Spring Bonds is here! We sell our Spring Bonds in February and March.
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!
Jim Crockett in his acclaimed book, "Crockett's Indoor Garden", points out that "February is the primroses' proudest moment, the month when many of them are in beautiful blossom." We have some striking colors here in our little primrose plants. They are perfect for a bright
windowsill or we can pot several for you in a wonderful dish garden.
Seeing the primrose plants in our greenhouses is one of my favorite sights of the whole year at Skillin's. Primroses love cool temperatures, moist soil, and bright light. They are truly perennials as they can be placed in a shady spot in your perennial garden and will flower later on in the summer! What a bargain!
The next two paragraphs will be the beginning of a reprint of a handout written by us called
The ABC's of Seed Starting . We will start with steps A and B but you can find Steps C and D at the Skillin's Garden Log!
All you need for seed starting: seeds, some type of container, seed starting mix and some water. There are many different types of seeds: some very fine, some as big as the tip of your finger. And as there are many different types of seeds, there are also different ways to handle them. If you have purchased seeds, you will find the package gives a great deal of information on how long it takes to germinate (important as to how far in advance to start your seeds), how deep to plant the seed, how far apart to plant when transplanted outside (gives you an idea how many plants you want to grow) and their height at maturity (so you don't end up planting something very tall in front of something low growing). You may also want to note the date of the packaging as the freshest seed has the highest rate of germination. If you harvested your own seed you may find the plants to be inferior since the cross-pollination has not been controlled. Seeds that are now offered as F1 hybrids produce the best as they are the first generation of pure plants that have been hand pollinated.
Before you begin, gather the materials you will need. Seedling trays can be either open trays or row trays with humidity domes to hold in moisture. You will need a soil medium such as Hoffman's Seed Starting Mix or even Bar Harbor Blend by Coast of Maine to be used in peat pots or row trays or you may opt to use Jiffy-7 peat pellets that serve as individual peat pots when water is added. Moisture and warmth is necessary for good seed germination. Moisten the soil medium making sure it is not too wet before you sow your seeds. Heat mats can be purchased to aid in warming the soil. Use milled sphagnum moss or coco fiber to sprinkled over your seeds after sowing. A mist type spray bottle helps in watering without washing your seeds away. White plastic markers remind us of what we have planted.
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!
March 6 Seed Starting (10 am & 2 pm)
You're just in time; many seeds need to be sown in late winter and early spring. Skillin's has been performing this ritual for 125 springs and we really have it under our green thumb. We will share with you some of our home spun techniques. It's time to get started. Free
March 13 Fresh Floral Arranging (10 am & 2 PM) (Special encore class in Falmouth at 2 PM on March 14)
How about brightening your home with fresh flowers arranged by you? This is our most popular hands on class and you get to bring your own arrangement home. There is limited space so sign up early. $15.00 material fee.
Our Spring 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!
"Baby, It's Cold Outside!" is the name of a good song but that cold can kill your newly purchased plant quickly when you are transporting your plant to the car. Many operations that have the "plumbing guy" watering the plants or the "produce person" watching the flowers will not wrap plants adequately in this cold weather. Skillin's Wraps Your Plants and Flowers so they are safe to your car and safe into the house or office-we guarantee it!
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 being a friend and customer!
Mike Skillin
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