Skillins! Classes on Thriving Houseplants and More!!

Brunswick 442-8111 Cumberland 829-5619 Falmouth 781-3860

1-800-339-8111 1-800-348-8498 1-800-244-3860

www.skillins.com

Skillin's! Classes on Thriving Houseplants and More!!

In This Issue

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Hello again,

I am writing these words on a snowy Wednesday in Skillin's Country. We are glad to see the snow. Our economy both local and in the mountains and to the north needs snow. The "white stuff" brings winter tourists to all parts of our state. Our landscaping friends and customers rely on snow removal for valuable winter income. All of this means precious jobs for Maine. Finally, our plants in Skillin's Country need snow. Snow will blanket our plants and keep them cold, frozen and dormant. There is water in the snow that will soon be nourishing the roots of our awakening plants. So take heart fellow citizens of Skillin's Country. Snow is a good thing!

We have an awesome class this Saturday, January 15 called Thriving Houseplants.

Time to learn how to make your houseplants green and clean! Houseplants bring cleaner healthier air to the home and office, indoor dish gardens can be fun-even without loads of sun! We will show some of the tricks of the trade and maybe a few family secrets! Come one, come all! We'll help you Plant for the Planet by giving all class goers a free 4" potted plant of your choice.

Class times are 10 AM in Brunswick, Cumberland and Falmouth. However, our 10 AM class in Falmouth is sold out so we are holding a special 2 PM class this Saturday for Falmouth only. Openings still remain at 10 AM in Brunswick and Cumberland!

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 and time!).

Let us show you how to "do it right". Going to Skillin's classes will save you valuable time and help you get great results!

Garden Talks

One of the most attractive and rewarding flowering plants we grow and sell is called the cyclamen. We highly recommend you try this plant!

The key to keeping cyclamen happy and healthy is to replicate their natural environment as closely as possible. They thrive in cool temperatures that drop as low as 40 degrees F. at night and rise into the 60s during the day. Place them close to a bright south-, east-, or west-facing window for maximum sunlight.

Cyclamen: A Good Friend!

Cyclamen are a bit fussy about watering. It's best to let the soil get somewhat dry between waterings, but not to the point of wilting. When the pot feels light or the soil feels dry just below the surface, water it thoroughly and let it drain. Pour out any water left in the saucer so that the soil doesn't stay soggy. (One note: I like to recommend not watering the cyclamen in the very middle of the plant--that can contribute to crown rot. I recommend watering a cyclamen in the sink and to water around the exterior of the top of the root system).

To keep plants blooming, remove flowers as they finish by cutting the stems near the base of the plant. Sometimes the petals will fall off and leave a round seed capsule that resembles a flower bud. Remove these, too. True cyclamen flower buds are long and pointed. Also remove yellow and withered leaves.

Cyclamen are not difficult to bring back. When they are done flowering, the cyclamen bulb itself will soon go into dormancy. The foliage will soon wither and drop off. It is at this point that many people think they have killed their cyclamen. Not so! Put the plant in an out of the way place and water the soil only when bone dry. This is a good time to repot the plant in a slightly larger pot with good quality potting soil like Bar Harbor Blend by Coast of Maine (sold right here at Skillin's!). In a matter of time the plant will start to send shoots out and then it will be time to move it into better light.

Food? An every 3 month dose of All Natural Dynamite pellets will do the trick!

Check out even more interesting facts about cyclamen including year round care as well as a link to a neat cyclamen video at our Skillin's Garden Log.

Skillin's Garden Log

We just gave out some good gardening advice but would you like more detailed info about more garden topics? 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:

Visit our Skillin's Garden Log!!

Recently at the Skillin's Garden Log we have had many good happenings...

*Our full schedule of January and February Classes and Events have been published. Check it out!

*We should all be concerned with the quality of the air we breath! Read this post to see the tremendous good that clean air houseplants (sold right here at Skillin's!) can do for your health and your home!

*Good gardening friend Paul Parent contributes a very good article about Keeping Houseplants Healthy in Winter.

*Our friends at Botanical Interests tell us that now is the time to Get Growing Indoors!

Mark Your Calendar!

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. (Just let us know the date, time and store location!)

Class participants receive a special Skillin's 10% discount coupon for use on the weekend of your class.

Here are some of our upcoming classes:

JANUARY

29th -Orchids and Their Care (10 AM)

Special guest instruction from the Maine Orchid Society! Orchids are one of the most rewarding houseplants you could ever have. Let us show you how to easily care for them in your home. Special note for Cumberland class goers: In this location we will be discussing how to grow Native Orchids. This is a great class and one that we REALLY hope you can make! Free

Note: Falmouth class is sold out that day; we have openings for Brunswick and Cumberland (Native Orchids being taught in Cumberland).

FEBRUARY

1-Spring Bonds Go On Sale!

2011 is the 21st year of selling our pre-season SPRING BONDS. When you purchase a $50 bond you pay only $37.50!!! This 25% off coupon 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!

5th-Indoor Gardening (10 AM Brunswick and Cumberland, 2 PM Falmouth)

Let us show you how to garden indoors and to raise edibles! Herbs, micro greens and other fresh edibles can be grown just great in YOUR home. What a healthy and productive pursuit! Free

5th-Landscape Design Principles (10 AM Falmouth, 2 PM Brunswick and Cumberland)

Join Chad (5th generation) Skillin as he discusses landscape design principles. Chad is Skillin's Landscape Designer and has great experience with landscaping and practical landscape designs. Let Chad educate you on some good solid landscape design practices as well as giving you some informal help with your yard design. This is also a great opportunity to schedule time with Chad to visit your yard and create an effective plan for your yard. We will have top notch guest instruction for our Cumberland class. Free

Our exciting January and February classes have been set. Check out the entire series!

SKILLIN'S CUSTOMERS WHO ATTEND 6 OUT OF OUR 8 CLASSES IN THIS SERIES RECEIVE A $50 SKILLIN'S GIFT CERTIFICATE!

A Recent Skillin's Class Room Setup!

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 Floral series available for viewing! We show and tell about wedding flowers yet even if your interest is not wedding flowers specifically but flower arranging techniques in general, this video is for you! 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!

*We also"tweet" all types of quick Skillin's news and announcements. Chances are when something goes on sale, or we get excited about a particular plant or flower, we "tweet" about it first! Also we send out frequent short and sweet audios and videos right here from Skillin's--and pictures of our colorful flowering plants as well! We send out Twitter "tweets" all the time so check out www.twitter.com/skillins often!

*Want More Skillin's News, Features and Pics of Plants? Check out Skillin's Facebook Page! We would "love it" if you "like us" and become a Skillin's fan at Facebook!

Thanks for being a friend and customer!

Mike Skillin